Valentine Handmade

Valentine's is coming.  I made this  valentine and I am sending it to my BFF.  The soft wool used, french knots and  Xs and Os keep it simple.  The delicate flower was crocheted by my mother as a young woman (Mom passed at age 98 a year and half ago).  I am blessed to have a trunk full of her, her mother and her mothers sister's crochet and tatting.  I am beginning now to use it and know that even if it is given away that is OK as it needs to travel into the world.  Happy Hearts to all.

Creating Conversation Not Confrontation

"If you disagree, wait a few beats, let the thought finish and then explain why.  Don't challenge the speaker, challenge the idea."  Seth Godin

I so love this statement.  Great discussions are born of this from which change can begin to create new spaces to enter into and understanding begin to form.

Active listening can help all of us hear better.  Active listening actually stops interruption no matter what is being said and if we are actively listening we are not thinking about what we want to say, but what is being said.  If we take a moment to respond we just might not attack but open dialogue with a person and begin to bridge thoughts.  We cannot always change minds to match ours but we can delve into what is in their minds.  God gives us grace....we should be graceful also.

Enter Helping Others: Valentine Pillowcases for Children

YES they are done...These are the pillowcases made and mailed to Arrow Cabinets.  I know they will bring cheer to children as they fight cancer.   ENTER with me in making and sending pillowcases.  A plus is the giveaway from Arrow Cabinets but the pure joy of doing something to make a child smile is always enough.  They are doing a giveaway of a great red chair and it is a perfect valentine color.
  Arrow Cabinets  click on this link and go to blog and scroll to the giveaway.  PILLOWCASES MUST REACH THEM BY FEBRUARY 8

ENTER:Modern Quilt Guild BOM

Material chosen for BOM for the year.  

The Fort Worth Modern Quilt Guild is kicking off the new year with fun and motivating ways to participate in guild challenges and other projects to earn points that will translate into prizes at the end of the year.  Block of the Month is one of those point earners.

January and February BOM  

The eight pointed star was done to keep the star points with no seams.  The method used I will highlight in a blog post soon.  It was certainly different  with no half square triangles to fiddle with.  The delightful "waste" in the method has produced some really fun (what I have dubbed) bonus blocks.

Fort Worth Modern Quilt Guild

ENTER A Fabric Giveaway

Fabric Giveaway Friday

Maureen Cracknell Handmade ...A Creative Journal blog has her Fabric Giveaway Friday now ready for your entry.  So come with me on my journey to ENTER     The link at the top or below will get you into the door.
http://maureencracknellhandmade.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-fabric-giveaway

ENTER today

My word for the year ENTER is something I do on a regular basis as I  ENTER giveaways on blogs.  I cannot say I have ever won a giveaway, but if I do not ENTER I cannot win, so I ENTER.  There is a giveaway on the blog for Modern Quilt Relish...click the button on the side and maybe you can join my word and ENTER. 

WORD TO GUIDE THE YEAR

I have given consideration for "The Word" to guide my year.  It came to me as I was standing at a door where all I needed do was ENTER and on the other side of the door were people I did not know, yet, it was time to make an entry.  In this unknown you hold your head up, smile and begin those conversations to get to know people.  Driving home I begin to think of all the times I had to ENTER the known and unknown.  So the word for the year is ENTER.   Enter not just doors but places, things and creativity....it will be a year of Entering!

Camping and Handwork

When working on applique/knitting projects are done, hiking done and dinner done -- it is time to relax

Our new RV was out for its second trip this weekend and it worked perfect.  I love the fact that getting away can be so easy AND I can take along any project(s) I want.  Knitting on a sock, working on making grapes for an applique block and reading the books/magazines that are waiting to inspire all filled the time.  I am reading The Book of Wool by Clara Parkes and lots of quilting magazines and it was wonderful to get reading done.  Here's to YOU, have a great time in all the ways your relax.

Qiviut

My trip to Alaska last year found me at the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producer's Co-opertive drooling over the finely hand knit items.  I just had to have one so I bought a Toksook Bay Nelson Island (diamond) pattern SmokeRing hand knitted by Trisha M Brooks.  I had no idea how much I would love this purchase!  Who knew it would become my go to for winter?  This exquisite fiber is very rare and one of the finest fibers in the world.  It compares favorably with Cashmere and Vicuna.  It has no barbs and does not scratch like wool (I can say it is so soft).
This SmokeRing is so warm that it seems to keep my whole body warm even though it is just around my neck.  It looks great with sweaters, jackets, and I have to say even my PJ a few times that I was cold (I did not sleep in it, but it was tempting.)

Easy Street Coming Together

I am feeling  better as I get comfortable with the wild look.    Jungle Street will be OK.  
I have all the pieces together and it is started to take it's shape ... BUT  I have to say it is more like Jungle Street or Hot Mess Street.  My choice of "background" black and white is busy busy and takes the pattern out of the spotlight.  It is not what one sees in the one Bonnie Hunter did, but hey, it is...
This is planned to be 4x4 but that may just be too large, I may do smaller and add some borders or maybe?  It goes to together so easily and all the parts set in well.

Hmmm, very busy

Hmmm  not sure 

 Jungle Street coming together.

Clink here to see all the fun :
 http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/01/mystery-monday-link-up-jan-7th.html