Spring break

So far, I've had a wonderful spring break. This is one of the few weeks out of the year when I don't have to drive children all over the place. I have been able to spend time with them...catching up on some school work, going to the movies, going out to eat, or simply hanging around the house together. When they have found things to occupy their time, I have been finishing up some projects that have been on my to-do list.

This is my first piece completed for the Creative-Pay-It-Forward project. The recipient simply told me that pink was her favorite color, so here's what I came up with.

For those of you who don't know me, I love piecing but I don't quilt. I have been hesitant to learn free motion quilting and have attempted very few pieces on my machine. Since this is a small piece, I decided that I ought to do it, so I did. I simply drew freehand with a disappearing pen and went to work,

and I'm ok with the result.

After I finished a pillow for my bed out of these fabrics, I decided to make a wall hanging as well.

I think I'll tuck this away until I learn to free motion quilt with a bit of confidence and then do this one myself. I'll never learn if I don't try.

I hear that Monday will be 59 degrees. Spring is clearly here. I am enjoying my early blooms that the rabbits have not eaten already. I guess they get hungry, too, but I wish they would find breakfast somewhere else.

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."

Happy Sunday to all!

I wanted to quickly share my finished "peace" stitched in Japanese characters.

And now....to the winner of the March Giveaway...

Iris

from A Gilded Yarn !

Congratulations, Iris.

You should all go and check out her blog. She  works serious magic with needles and yarn and is a beautiful writer and tender spirit.

March Giveaway and Spring Fever

I really should be thinking about getting my taxes done, but I'd much rather think about the fact that the first day of spring is 2 1/2 weeks away. So, in order to get my mind off of the inevitable day when I must submit my tax returns, I decided to give away this lovely 

Hoffman Spring Medley.

Not only will you receive 6 fat quaters of fabric that will bring thoughts of spring to your stash, but I'm also throwing in a sweet packet of Teavanna's Youthberry & Wild Orange Blossom Blend with German Rock Sugar.

So, sit back with a hot cup of tea and ponder what you will create with these beautiful fabrics.

Now, for a moment, step back two seasons. It's fall. The autumn is noted for its blaze of rich, fiery colors. This quilt, made for a dear friend, was made with fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett's autumn prints in a chevron pattern.

For the back, I chose one of my very favorite Kaffe patterns (if there is such a thing).

I call this quilt "Goodnight, Earth."

So the seasons go...round and round. Now it's time to wake up again.

If you want to wake up to this lovely Hoffman medley, simply leave a comment. 

Tell me what you like most about the seasons. Do you have a favorite?

Mr. Random will choose a winner on
Sunday, March 10th.

Busy, busy, busy...

Although I haven't been in the blog scene for a few weeks, I have certainly not been idle. 

I had the extreme pleasure of spending time with my grandson while my

daughter and her husband were on the east coast for 2 weeks.

This little one was my constant companion for 2 days.

I miss him and wish they would all move back to the area.

I also spent time completing my second Marcia Derse quilt.

Just finished putting the borders on yesterday and delivered it to the store in the afternoon.

I also got to spend an afternoon with a my friend, Anne, of Orange Crumpled Napkin.

We were both working on our CQ blocks. 

This block of mine will be in the center of a 9 block wall hanging that I am

working on for the CQJP 2013. This is my first experience with the satin stitch. I was actually surprised at how tedious it is to get every entry and exit of the thread just right. When I was finished this part, I noticed one place where I could have added another stitch, but I'm not going to worry about it now.

These are the Japanese symbols for peace.

For most of my life, I have had one word that I cling to. A word that, when needed, brings me back to center when I am tottering. Balance was my word for almost 30 years. Now, it is

peace.

When I was going through all my batiks and cutting a 2 1/2" strip from each for my giveaways,  I made a pile of scraps and fat quarters. I had fun making these two 16" pillows. Other than the scraps, I only needed one FQ for the front and one for the back. They were pretty quick and easy.

Now that things have calmed down a bit with my schedule, I made a list of all the things I need to get done. Wow! The list is way too long.

Better get started...Happy sewing!

Stay tuned! Another giveaway coming up......

What are the odds?

So, here's a story.

Last week, a blogger friend and I both had a giveaway. 

Yesterday, I found out that I had won hers.

Today, she finds out that she won mine.

Seriously, what are the odds?

....and I don't think I've ever won anything in my life!

Anne, of Orange Crumpled Napkin, you are the winner of the

28  2 1/2" batiks strips.

Onto playtime with  new Marcia Derse fabric: nouveau chic and necessities...

plus some of the Line 5 collection...

and I'm excited!

Off to teach and then home to play!

Have a wonderful Sunday...

February Giveaway...

Here are

Twenty-eight 2 1/2" batik strips

for you to play with!

FREE

 Colors include blacks, grays, blues, and teals!

No strings attached....truly.

Simply leave a comment. Tell me how your day is going, what you are working on, or any other thoughts you want to share.

Will be letting you know who will receive this

on Sunday February 10th!

Have a wonderful week!

Smile and spread peace everywhere you go.

An award???

One of my dear blogger friends, Ann, from Orange Crumpled Napkin has nominated me for the Liebster Award! The Liebster Award is an award for new bloggers  with small followings who fit the requirement of having less than 200 followers and happen to be doing something the nominator really likes.

When nominated for the Liebster Award, one must give a thank you speech and:

• Answer 11 questions posted by the person who nominated me
• List 11 random and hopefully not too weird facts about myself
• Nominate & tag up to 11 new bloggers with 200 followers or less 
• Write 11 questions for the bloggers I nominate.

Ann, thank you, thank you (bows). Here are the answers to your questions:

1. When did you start quilting?
     Probably made my first quilt in my early twenties. Simple squares from my old blue

     jeans.

2. Do you think of your quilting as an art or as a hobby?

     Both....

     art: The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination

     hobby: An activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure.

3. Have you traveled much in your life?

     I have traveled a bit around the US and visited many of the neighboring islands, but I    

     did not see Europe until my 50th birthday when I visited England, Belgium, and

     Spain.

4. What color dominates your fabric collection?

    When I purchase fabric, I choose whatever color resonates with me at the moment. I

    can say that purple is my favorite color, but it is not the color that always satisfies my

    creative longings. Sometimes, it’s dark and monochromatic….other times it’s bold

    and bright. I never really know what is going to sneak up on me and grab my creative

    attention.

5. If you could dress up like a gypsy and go to work, would you?

     Yes!

6. What’s your favorite yogurt flavor?

    Seven Stars Biodynamic Yogurt – Original Maple

7. After you have paid off your debts and taken care of your family needs, what

    would you do with yourself if you won the lottery?

    Probably just keep living the way I do now minus the financial worries.

8. Introvert or Extrovert?

    Definitely introvert.

9. Which is the career you wanted to pursue and for one reason or another

    didn’t?

    Something in the arts, for sure!

10. Who is your role model and why?

      I am inspired by anyone who is eager to explore new things and be continually

     challenged, whose creative spirit flows in the face of obstacles, and who loves

     deeply and has a generous soul.

11. Do you remember your dreams?

      I have a few dreams that have been reoccurring since early childhood. I remember

      my current dreams…..sometimes.

Here are some random things you might not know about me:

1. I have eleven wonderful, crazy children. (Yes, I birthed them all)

2. I have and continue to supervise their education at home.

3. I love to cook and eat food of every nationality. I like it spicy.

4. In order to make sense of a rigid past, I got an Associates Degree in my fifties.

    I studied contemporary spirituality.

5. I know almost nothing about Tarot, however, I have a collection of Tarot cards

    that I have purchased over the years simply because I find them beautiful.

6. I collect books published by the Folio Society in London. I hope these kinds of books

    never become obsolete.

7. My favorite color is purple.

8. If I could have everything I need delivered to my door, I would probably be content to

    stay home.

9. I choose to be barefoot, hate shoes, and value comfort over style in my clothes.

10. I am an avid tea drinker.

11. I am a compulsive organizer.

Here are the bloggers that I nominate:

1. Threads and Patches

2. A Gilded Yarn

3. In A Stitch Quilting

4. Bending Pins

5. Claudia's Blog

6. Lise's Blog

7. 365 Days of Wonderful

8. A Creative K
9. Rantin' Babe 

Here are eleven questions for the bloggers that I nominated:

1. What is your favorite season and why?

2. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

3. What edible thing do you have trouble saying "No" to?

4. What life lesson are you still struggling to learn?

5. Do you have a collection of anything?

6. When you're with your best friend, is there a subject you gravitate to?

7. Name one of your personal goals for 2013?

8. Write a brief creative history...

9. Who has been the most instrumental in your creative development?

10. When you are in the creative zone, what noise if any do you surround yourself with?

11. Of all the creative activities you love, do you have a favorite and why?

    

Playtime

Do you remember being a little one at school or camp,and it was time to play a game? Maybe the teacher chose two kids to be team leaders, and they had to pick their teammates from the group. There always seemed to be that one, maybe it was me, screaming, hands waving up in the air, yelling, "Pick me! Pick me!"

Sometimes, when I really want to play, a fabric will scream, "Play with me! Pick me!"

Sounds crazy, I know, but it's true.

First of all, I love Westminster fabrics. This new line designed by Dan Bennett is called Frondescence.

This piece in the collection is called Pragmatic, defined by Merriam-Webster 

"as relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the 

exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters."

Interesting. 

Back story: You know that my computer crashed....bam boom! It has taken me a week to get my laptop to a place where I can do all my work. Installed Photoshop, a printer/scanner, and  Office 365. All relatively painless but time consuming. Like all day type time consuming. So, time to prep for a class on Sunday, opened up a Word document, and I got an error message that the program had stopped working. Happened multiple times. Waiting on hold for Microsoft tech-support......waiting......waiting.

Me:  Yes, I would love for you to help me!

India: May I control your computer remotely?

Me: Sure.

Me: (hitting "yes" for a series of permission screens.Then, my mouse starts moving, screens start opening, things are being clicked, deleted, etc. Done.)

India: Everything is working fine now. Anything else I can help you with today?

(Ok, so that was amazing. You take control of my computer because you know what you're doing and I don't....and...it would take three times as long to explain to me what to do.)

Needless to say, after that kind of day, I was ready to play. Ready to get those "intellectual and artistic matters" rolling. 

I chose one more piece from Dan Bennett's line and a few others.

Then I went into my stash drawers for a few other polka dots and solids and went to work play.

I have a large 24" pillow on my bed. When I want to curl up and read a book, this is what I use. The previous cover was probably 6 years old and had seriously faded from the sun. The fabric was almost thread bare. 

I had so much fun. A much needed relief from the stress. Now, I can relax on my new pillow with a good book.

Enjoy your day :)

And the winner is.....

Yes, the snow has begun. It won't be much, but it's beautiful

nonetheless.

Last night, with one single click, my computer crashed. You just never know when it's going to happen...

and it sucks!!! So, today, having to use my laptop, there will be no pictures and nothing fancy.

The recipient of the pastel batik strips is

EMMA :)

Congratulations!

Indian Summer...

January is quickly coming to an end, and we are finally getting some winter weather in SE Pennsylvania with temperatures in the teens and the prospect of a bit of snow tomorrow. 

Days like this make me long for a fireplace.

Yesterday, as I was trying to finish up this Kaffe zig-zag quilt, I discovered that I had misaligned one of the borders. I spent most of last evening with my trusted friend, the seam ripper, correcting the problem.

Today the quilt top was completed, and I will attempt a better picture when the weather warms up a bit.

I have named it "Indian Summer."

This block for the Autumn Color Project 2012 is now finished and on its way to the

Republic of Moldova.

I am making progress on my CQJP 2013 project. I now have two of these mirror blocks and have started stitching the block that will sit in-between them. 

I went out bead shopping the other day, successfully gathering some new beads and ornaments that might make their way onto this wall hanging.

Tomorrow, I will let you know who will receive the jelly roll set of batiks. 

Until then, stay warm!

January Giveaway !

One of my students told me that whenever she buys batiks, she cuts off a 2 1/2"strip and puts it away - making her own "jelly rolls." Well, I thought that was a great idea, so I set out to work on what I had. For the past week, I have been washing all my batiks and cutting TWO 2 1/2" strips....

one for me and one for one of you :)

After everything was washed, cut, and put away, I set out to organize all the strips into color groups.

This is a set of 26 strips- mostly pastels. The ones that aren't seemed to work nicely in the group.

I'm sure you want to know what hoop you have to jump through in order to get this.

I'll make it really simple.

First, tell me that you're a follower of my blog. That will make me happy.

Then, in your comment, post a link to one of your favorite blogs and tell me why you love it so much.

This does not have to be a quilt/sewing/stitching blog.....this can be any kind of blog.

I just want to know why it's your favorite....then I'm going to go visit it!

I'll be randomly choosing a winner on next Friday, January 25th.

Good Luck to all!

WIP - Wednesday

Well, I am making slow and steady progress on this first Autumn Project block that I received. I feel as if I am almost there.
A few more stitches and I'll be done this one.

I am so excited to now have my list of five people

who will be recipients of a surprise gift from me in 2013.

1. Masha   
http://alovchany.blogspot.com/2013/01/creative-pay-it-forward.html

2.  Tina  
http://feedthedogs.net/spilling-energy-2013-creative-pay-it-forward/

3.  Leslie  
http://lesliesitchintobestitchin.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-creative-pay-it-forward.html

4. Kerrie  
http://prettyladybaby.com/2013/01/05/2013-creative-pay-it-forward/

5.  Iris  
http://agildedyarn.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/2013-creative-pay-it-forward/

I'm going to be spending some time on each blog, getting to know all of you better, and trying to make my gifts to you  as personal as I can. Now, to get to work!

I have also received my first two completed blocks back from the Autumn Project. Such fun! These blocks started here in my home and have been around the world making their way back to me.
This block was embellished by Masha...
Thank you, Masha. It is so beautiful!

And this block was embellished by Natasha.
Thank you, Natasha. Your work is lovely!

Stay tuned! A giveaway is coming up in the next blog post...

Work in Progress Wednesday

Here I am, plugging away at my first CQJP block for 2013. 

When I picked these fabrics and planned out my nine block wall hanging, I was hoping for a 

bit of Asian flare.

I chose fairly soft lines for the feather stitch, then added some shimmery blue

foliage and dangling beads.

This block will be in the top left corner. So, the stitching in the top right corner will

hopefully mirror this design.

Here's to my very first Work in Progress post.

Hopefully this is the start of something new...

2013 Creative Pay-It-Forward

So, this has been flying around Facebook, and I thought it would be fun to bring it to the Blogoshpere:

"2013 Creative-Pay-It-Forward: the first five people to comment below will receive something from me within the calendar year. Your gift will be a surprise and will arrive without warning. The catch? You must post this invitation on your blog, as well.

Ready? Go!"

So, here is what I would like you to do:

1. Comment below that you would like to receive something from me within 2013.

2. Also, write in your comment the name of your blog so that I can learn something about you. In this way, I might be able to make your gift more personal.

3. Then go and post this invitation on your blog so that you can pay your creative abilities forward! 

3. Finally, email me your full name and address for mailing your gift.

I am seriously excited!

Now, here are the humble beginnings of my first CQJP 2013 block.

My mother, a collector of all things beautiful, gave me a bag of antique lace for my birthday (a week ago). When I opened the bag and saw this lace motif, I was astounded that it fit perfectly on the fabric I had chosen for this square. 

Then, after stitching the buttonhole wheels, I discovered a set of buttons she had given me,as well, that were the perfect color.

Thanks, Mom!

Works in Progress

The holidays were absolutely crazy and wonderful. I was blessed to have all of my eleven children here. One day a year, they gather from all over to globe to celebrate being a family. We have named this day 

"Yay Day." This year, it took place on December 28th.

It was filled with reconnecting, spectacular food, games and skits, lots of laughter, and of course...

raspberry Lambic.

Now it is time to recover :)

I uploaded photos on Wednesday in hopes of creating a first ever "Work in Progress Wednesday" post. Well, that never happened. 

I have finally started embellishing the first Autumn Project block that I received.

I chose the second color grouping for the Jinny Beyer quilt. It took me a while, but I think I'm happy with it. I don't think I'll know for sure until I see the first block completed. That is often the way it is.

Finally, I have created my first set of blocks for the CQJP 2013. My thoughts are still rather up in the air. My tentative plan is to embellish the eight outer blocks and then do some bead work in the center block. As I look at this preliminary layout, I think the border fabric is way too busy, however, there is so much time between these humble beginnings and the time when these blocks will be ready to be assembled. I'll wait and see how this journey progresses.

I hope your celebrations were joyous and peaceful!

Happy New Year!!

The winner is.....

Between the Studio Tour and choosing a winner for the Quilt Raffle, I have been busy completing holiday orders. I had a lot of fun making several mini placemats for small children...

and several mug rugs.

Then the day finally came. 

Shortly after arriving at Denis and Judy's home, I was asked to sit down and draw the winning ticket.

The lucky winner: Jean Spackman Hall of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania!

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to raise $2, 475.00 for the Walking with Nathaniel Fund.

What a blessing!

The drawing was followed by a lovely celebratory dinner with the Asselins, Sara Hodgson, and Barry Halkin.

I have been deeply moved by this journey. We have all learned much about the scope of the heart. Thank you all again, and have a wonderful holiday season filled with

peace and love.

Ah...December

So December is here, and I am already reflecting on many things: 

all that has transpired this year, how I want to do things differently next year,

and those dreaded New Year's resolutions that I am so tempted to make

even though they slip away so easily.

I'm absolutely sure that I have more unfinished projects now than I did at this time last year despite my resolution to do the opposite. Before the end of this year, hopefully before the holiday crazies set in,

I am going to finish this quilt. 

Great earthy Kaffe fabrics and wonderful dark chocolate paisley background.

I've already planned some projects for next year.

I am participating in the CQJP 2013.

This is the set of fabric I picked for the first few blocks. I really like choosing at least one

fabric with a bold design that I can mimic in my stitching. This palette is 

cheerful and will brighten up the coming cold winter days.

                       A dear friend and I, although we live on opposite sides of the ocean, have decided to each 
                                                                             make this quilt in 2013.

I think I have finally landed on my first color palette. As of this moment, I have

absolutely no idea what my second one will be...

any ideas?

Feel free to chime in.

Don't forget that there is only a week and a half before we draw the winner of the quilt donated to raise money for BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) research. 

Because this is a very personal issue for me, it is not so much about the quilt but about raising money to help find a desperately needed  cure. Nathaniel was diagnosed at age eleven and took his own life in his early twenties.

"Phillips & Menard (2006) found the completed-suicide rate in patients with BDD to be 45 times higher than that of the general United States population. This rate is more than double that of those with clinical depression and three times as high as that of those with bipolar disorder. Suicidal ideation is also found in around 80% of people with BDD." 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder

I can't even begin, not even for a second, to conceive of the pain of losing a child, let alone the pain that Nathaniel endured during his short life. I continue to hope that people's hearts will be moved to donate at

http://walkingwithnathaniel.org/

You can see more pictures of the quilt here...

http://spillingenergy.blogspot.com/2012/11/quilt-raffle.html

I am so very grateful to all who have supported my endeavors to help!