Special Gift for Surprise Friend

Participating in a secret gift exchange on the internet...and I finished the gift that will be stuffed with goodies and then be ready to send to Canada where my secret gift person lives.  I am excited about sending and excited about what I will receive.  The button is an earring from days past that had lost the back and I drilled two holes to create the button...I really like it.  The filler to give weight called for rice, but I don't like rice as it can get bugs and I did not want to ship "food" outside US.  So as I was driving today saw Petco and thought maybe there would be fish tank gravel that would be good. But to my surprise the person at the store asked what I was wanting , I explained it was for a pin cushion and he led me to crushed walnut cat litter...a hugh bag for $8.00...it is perfect and so much cheaper than bags of crushed walnuts I have bought at quilting stores AND it is 100% walnuts nothing added.  I can see another of these in my future as now I want one for ME!

Quilts-Girl Pink and Boy Owl

Latest quilts requested from people.

Toddler girl quilt  

Baby boy quilt

Got both pieced in a day and will quilt them this week.  Love how fun it is to create from what I have in my stash.

BOM Fort Worth Modern Quilt Guild

Wonky was the key to the BOM...I love the Moda material I am using.

QuiltCon

The QuiltCon in Austin, Texas was so much fun and it shows the future is bright.  I did not take a picture of the winning quilt and I find that interesting, but it was not one I gravitated too.  Here's a couple that I did take time to study.  The quilting was excellent and dense and while extremely beautiful it does make a wavy hanging.  Those with winning ribbons were not the ones I would have picked, but I was not one of the judges.  Would LOVE to see how they scored as I could not get me arms around it.  There was not a bad quilt in the show and inspiration was in overdrive.  The vendors were the best I have seen in a long time and I enjoyed the freshness of the booths.  A+ and gold stars for this quilt show.

Applique Academy Learnings

Applique Academy offered me the opportunity to dip my pin in the work of lettering...Here is my practice.  I now have a sketch book and can work on getting "the hand" for lettering.  It is fun

The Elly class on the basket pattern was so much fun.  I used ribbon for the basket rim and handles and painted with oil sticks the basket.  It was fun to work with the oil sticks.  I can see the potential for shading materials.

It was valentines day while I was at the Academy and my daring husband sent the most beautiful roses. I can see them becoming what is in my basket.  Great Inspiration.

Elly Sienkiewicz's Appliqué Academy

One of my Baltimore Appliqué blocks

Enter the world of appliqué and Baltimore Album Quilts. I am going to have the best week with sewing everyday.  Elly is the quint essential expert on all things Baltimore Album.

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