BLESSINGS

I never use this blog for "personal stuff" but I need to say this. It has been a very trying week. I am the nursing director of a small home health agency. Monday started with a nurse calling to say she arrived at her clients home to find the police who informed her the patient killed his family and then himself. Seeing him daily for two months and no visible clue. We are speechless. The week progressed with one fire after another. So guild night arrived and I really did not want to go. I had heard the speaker before and I just wanted to go home and crawl under the covers. Remembering the state of my house I deiced to escape instead. The moment I arrived I was greeted by my use to be Tues students who said they missed me. I had a very nice conversation with a member who was not only interested in what I had to say but was a joy to talk to. Someone else asked my opinion about a product. Show and tell was inspirational. Forget therapy. Join a guild. Make some quilts. Meet some wonderful people. Make some friends. Live long and prosper.

OFF TO A GOOD START

I wanted to start the year by finishing something. I pieced these blocks last year. I have always really liked these artsy apples that are paper pieced, so quilting and binding was a doable first day of the year project. I want to finish all that I start this year. A very tall order for me, but hey.....its a new year!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

JUST A THOUGHT

I had a conversation recently with someone whose reply to my comment was"Your window of opportunity has passed." I turned thinking I could get a glimpse, but to no avail. So I got to thinking...what would my just missed window of opportunity look like? This is the result. I thought the attic window would be perfect to frame my window. After all, don't most unused things get stored in the attic? This sounds like an interesting challenge. What would your window look like?

TIS THE SEASON

There is a miniture quilt artist...Virginia Cole, whose work I really like. I tried to by all her books/patterns at Houston last year. She recently started a "One Another " series. What a great idea. I happened to have these 3 blocks in my to do basket. My intent was/is? to make enough of these 3 inch blocks for a king sized quilt. OK so it is a long term project. Have a look at her quilt. Her blocks are 1 inch and she uses paper for her words. I love it. www.gallopingponey.com

QUILTING AS ART

I have begun thinking about my annual machine quilting retreat, March 4,5,6 2011 with www.twowackywomen.com . I have decided to make smaller samples and offer them for sale. You know I love leaves and I will probably do some pears as well. This sample allowed me to use my new purchase of Misty Fuse, which I am really sold on, and Jacquard organza for the printer. I highly recommend both of these products.

CURVED PIECING...IT'S A GOOD THING

I have returned from the Houston Quilt Festival full of energy and ideas. I was also reminded, I have agreed to teach a class at my guild in May. So. I am going to combine needs and desires. I need a class sample and I desire a less traditional project. I have yet to see a lot of curves in our show and tell at guild and improv curves is really fun and not difficult. This is a 15 inch block and I think I will do 9 blocks. We shall see. So... what do you think?