Quilts are more than the sum of their parts

I know, I know, I lapsed! This new job has proven to be much more time consuming than I'd originally thought. But, excuses, excuses, RIGHT?

I did have a few people from my new job over recently. You know how it is, as you're trying to get to know people, you ask ALOT of questions...family? kids? music? hobbies? etc???

When I told my new co-workers that one of my greatest joys was quilting, they just kinda 'shrugged it off'. Visions of quilts made from shirts and dresses must have been dancing through their heads! However, as they came here, I saw their visions change.

Most of my quilts are very traditional, but I do have a few of those "artsy" ones hanging around. When everyone saw this one, I believe their opinions of quilting changed. They leaarned, as have I, that quilts can be hung on walls, be decorative, even hold 'center stage'. But mostly, what quilts bring us is joy and comfort. They give us warmth. They bring back memories. Somehow, surrounded by one, we feel nurtured, safe, and secure.

Quilts are much more than the scraps they're made of; they are part of the fabric of our lives. How wonderful it is to be a quilter, how happy I am to be one!

What a Week!

This has been quite a week. You know the kind I mean...running around like a chicken with it's head cut off! Not sure if you're coming or going! For example, I went to the mall the other day, to purchase some new clothes as it's getting rather cold. And I was really frustrated, because as I was reading the signs, everything was supposed to be open by 10. At about quarter after, I asked another person sitting on a bench if they happened to know why the stores hadn't opened yet? She replied by saying that they didn't open till 11 on Sundays. I had my days so mixed up, I hadn't even realized it was Sunday!

Well, such is life! Some days just go by so fast! I am happy to announce that Stacie, Phyllis' daughter, had her baby. A happy, healthy little girl. Mother, father, and grandmother all having a great time as they celebrate a new life!! What an exciting time, but, like me, they may find the days passing in a blur!

As for me, this week, I'm trying to keep my days straight, accomplish something in my sewing room, and somehow, enjoy the process! You know, maybe the days passing quickly is a Blessing. Better to be busy, happily going from one thing to the next, than to be dreading another long, boring day. So far, my days haven't been boring, so think I'll just decide to be Thankful! It sure beats the alternative!

Good News.....I Think!

As you all know, my greatest passion outside of my family, is quilting. While living in Italy, I rarely got a chance to sew. None of my friends quilted there, they didn't have fabric shops, and unfortunately, we didn't always have reliable electricity. So, at that time, I started playing with designing quilts.

My husband, Vince, has long encouraged me to try and publish. For some reason, he's always believed in me, even when I could find no belief in myself! Finally, prodded one too many times, I submitted some patterns with a book idea to a publishing company. That was several months ago, and finally, yesterday!, I got an e-mail saying the proposal had been approved, and the contracts would be put in the mail.

WOW! WOW! WOW! I'm not even sure what to say! Even though it is not a 'done deal', I still feel like dancing!!! I can't help but be a little excited.

So...Thank God for my husband! Without his continual encouragement I may never have tried this. He is my love, my life, and we are "Better Together". I hope you all will join me, join me in hope and prayer. That I can and will meet all the deadlines. That this will work out. And hopefully, that a new quilting book called "Better Together" is soon on a shelf in a quilt shop near you!

Monumental Decision

Well, today I made a monumental decision, and commitment. It is one I have made before, without long term success, but, with hope springing eternal, I am praying that this time it sticks!
I have decided to quit smoking. I've ordered the medication, which is supposed to help, and am working on all the reasons why this is a good decision. You see, I've smoked for 35 years. Yikes! And quite frankly, am tired of being a 'slave' to cigarettes.
What prompted this? My husband, who was taking a creative writing class, had as an assignment a persuasive essay...persuade a friend to quit smoking. As a challenge, I decided to do this essay as well. Mine was called "The Letter", and I wrote it, from one friend to another, upon her deathbed. Well, by the time I'd finished, I was in tears, real ones!
And I realized that could be me! It was, and still is, a real "wake up call". Guess I'll walk around with that essay tucked into my pocket, ready to read should I consider wavering. 35 years of a habit may be hard to break, but God willing, with love and hope, prayer and commitment, this time I'll make it.
Wish me luck! I need it!

Quilters Quarter Salad

Hi You All!

Wanted to post a recipe as this is a great end of summer salad. I call it the "Quilters Quarter" salad because the dressing is a variation of a quarter of something! It's really great, very simple, and has been served at many a Bee and Retreat. So...hope you enjoy!

Dressing:
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Oil
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. celery salt

Mix all above and refrigerate. I like to serve this over a salad of baby romaine, cucumber, 1/4 cup raisins, 1/4 cup craisins, 1/4 cup cashews, almonds, or pecans, diced strawberries and shaved parmesan cheese. Just shake up the dressing and toss with salad immediately prior to serving. Bon appetit'!

Old Favorites

First, I apologize for the lapse in posting. these last few weeks have been quite harried! I've been trying to find the balance.....you know the one.....between work, home, the kids, the committments. How to get it all done!

I suppose that's why I decided to make this quilt. It's one of the first patterns I designed, and quite frankly, just an 'old favorite'. Very simple to make, it's just one block, in four colorways. It makes me smile when I see it. There's just something so soft and sweet about it.

It reminds me of my childhood. We use to get these pastel colored candy dots on paper, similar to an adding machine tape. We'd pop a few in our mouths, and just let the sugary sweetness melt, pocketing the rest for later. They were days of playing in the sun, chasing friends, hop scotch and jacks, innocence and fun!

I suppose, when the world gets too busy, it's relaxing to go back to an 'old favorite'. Like mac-n-cheese, it brings me comfort, transports me to simpler times. Guess it's a good thing I can't eat the quilt, but I think I might make some mac-n-cheese today!

Meeting Challenges

Meeting challenges can be fun and rewarding; they can also be mind boggling and stressful! Take the last two weeks...my gosh, I got 'schooled' just trying to get my kids ready for school! I've been to 3 orientations, hunted like a 'mad-woman' for school supplies, done medical and dental appointments, searched high and low for the hottest new trends in clothing, and filled out more paperwork than my cramped hands care to remember!

On top of that, I started a new job, and our Guild had issued a "summer challenge". We were given a paint tile and had to use that color plus at least one other color in half square triangle blocks. You would then arrange them in any manner you please. The one challenge I managed to meet!

So, YEAH!!!! school has started, the paperwork is done, and at least one challenge has been met. What's next? Who knows, but I'm sure....it'll be a challenge!