Sorbetto Spring

I've been very preoccupied with the coming of spring. After several days of unseasonably warm weather, today, we had snow and hail. It is like spring to be this way...undecided and a bit wacky, but I like it. Spring is full of teases as the crocuses appears in the snow. I love these days.

So, it is no wonder that I chose to spend this week working in colors that remind me of this season. 

I think of the colors of cotton candy and the chocolate malted eggs I remember as a child in my Easter basket, those first spring flowers and the wet earth, listening to the birds chirping in the early morning telling me that it is time to wake up....and fresh fruit sorbetto.

It made sense to name this quilt "Sorbetto Spring."

The Sense of Accomplishment

The sense of accomplishment comes in many packages. It is like a precious gift. 

Often, it comes when you simply try something new. You take the plunge, maybe with a bit of trepidation. You might start slowly tickling your toes in the water....but you try, nonetheless. In the process, maybe you uncovered a new passion that has been lying dormant within you.

Here is my first finished crazy quilt block. When you try something new, it's wonderful to have a teacher, someone seasoned and brimming with wisdom.  Sharon b, teacher of the Encrusted Crazy Quilting class has been that to the fullest. Every comment and direction has been full of support and encouragement. Take the course if you can :)

Then, there is the sense of accomplishment that comes when you have completed something fairly quickly without painful effort. At the end of a weekend, you have something to show for the time you invested. You probably had lots of fun in the process. You might even choose to do it again.....maybe even three times.

This is the last time, hopefully, that I will be "talking up" the Eleanor Burns method for assembling a Trip Around the World quilt. This is my third one and probably my last, for a while anyway. Was it easy? fun? a weekend project? Absolutely Yes!!!

There is quite a different feeling of accomplishment when you make progress or even finally finish a project that you have been working on for a long time. The process is much slower. The piecing is more tedious. You may even get bored with it for a period of time, put it away, and come back to it later. However, at each milestone in its construction, you rejoice a little knowing that are that much closer to the finish line.

Anyone who has ever undertaken a Block-of-the-Month quilt, knows exactly what I'm saying. This quilt is for my new class. I'm still not done....one more border to go...and a crazy one, at that!

I'm getting close, though, and it's a good feeling.

No matter what you do for a living, no matter what your creative endeavors are, I encourage you to fill your life, as much as possible, with a variety of activities that gift you with a sense of accomplishment. It  really does come in many packages. Rejoice in what you do, even the smallest of things!

More Trip Around the World

I love the fact that, in spite of the excessive heat in which I wither, my flowers continue to perservere and show their beautiful faces. This is my Purple Ice Plant... a flowering, succulent, perenial from South Africa. The petals open during the day and close at night. The foliage of this plant is so soft, I often kneel down and run my hands over it as I'm walking by.

When I completed the first Trip Around the World quilt

from Eleanor Burns' book, Quick Trip Quilts, it was so fast and easy that I decided to make two more. The one I'm working on now is purple, grey, teal, and pale blue.

Had to sneak in a picture of my gladiolas :)

Here is another Trip Around the World surrounded by Kaffe Fassett feathers.

 I have been very busy lately. I guess that's nothing new. I've been helping with the Shop Hop quilt, a collaborative effort between Johanna, Linda, Stella, and me. We're definitely making progress. 

Also, for all those homeschoolers, I've been assembling portfolios and preparing for the next academic year.

Oh, and planning my trip to Belgium next week???

for my son's wedding???

Am I excited?

Tangerine Dreams...

It is a rather gloomy Sunday. No sun and chillier than our recent days....but perfect for finishing up a quilt.

Using Eleanor Burns book, Quick Trip Quilts, I put together a quilt for my daughter's best friend's baby girl.

It is perfect for showcasing the Pretty Little Things collection by Dena Designs for Free Spirit.

Bright and cheery, I kept thinking Tangerine Dreams...a fitting name.

Now..on to choose a backing and make decisions about the quilting...
Happy Sunday :)