Downton Abbey

Two out of the six quilts are bound. Now, that's progress. I love it. I got to sit quietly for two evenings while my daughter and I watched old episodes of Downton Abbey. We unashamedly admit to loving this British show. We just started back at the very beginning for the third time. Really! It is that wonderful.

So this is the Amy Butler crib quilt. Bright and cheery...

It measures 48" x 48".

It was a tough day to photograph because when I took the quilts outside, it had just started to rain.

This is the smaller of the two Transparency quilts that I completed. As I was binding it, I fell in love with it all over again. I'm even a bit tempted to keep it for myself.

The batiks are so rich and earthy...

and the overall feel is very calm and grounded. It makes me feel as if I am walking barefoot in the dirt, stepping over stones, sitting under trees....gazing up at the sky finding its way through the branches. It's a good feeling.

Generally, life is great. When you find a quilt that pulls you toward the good things that you love, whatever those things are, you just want to curl up inside it and savor those moments. I have a quilt on my bed that was made by my maternal grandmother. When I get under it each night, I am reminded of her and her life. That's a good thing.

Resolutions...

We've all made resolutions for one New Year or another in our life...maybe most of them! We get off to a great start, and then what happens? One day, we wake up, and our best intentions are a distant memory. Then comes the guilt, the negative self-talk, and the embarrassment. Maybe we try again; maybe we give up. The truth about the success rate of resolutions haunts me a bit these days. I'm only two weeks in and wondering when I'm going to fizzle.

Yesterday, I was sitting with my brother telling him about my commitment to finish projects this year, and he said, "So really, how many projects do you have?" I paused, did a split-second inventory, and was horrified at the realization that a year is not even close to enough time to finish it all. All I could do was laugh.

Now, I think I need to tell you how I define unfinished:

1. I have several quilts blocks or part of a canvas already done.

2. I have a quilt pattern that I purchased but have never opened it. In my stash, I probably have everything I need to complete it. (I have a slew of these)

3. I had a idea, I purchased all of the fabric, and it's sitting in my closet.

4. The quilt top is done and has never been quilted.

When I broaden my definition to include projects I have but have never started, I see the really big picture. I could stay busy for years and only have to buy thread, needles, batting, and backing for quilts....maybe some Gesso and glue for my canvases.

I have 11 1/2 months to go for this resolution.....and I'm ready!

I finished the Paintstik pillow in time for the demonstration at Cloth and Bobbin yesterday. It was a lot of fun....

and I finished the second transparency quilt top!

Now, every once in a while, I need to take a class to keep my creative energy challenged. The class is called "Ribbon Quilts: Color and Fabric Fusion." My teacher is Sarah Bond, and the class is based on the work of Quilt Artist Nancy Crow. The class involves "making fabrics" by strip piecing solid and patterned fabrics using gradations of color, value, and size. After the pieced fabric constructions are finished, we will cut them and reconstruct them to make a final composition. Here is what I have so far. I am having a blast!