A Quilt's Value

Priceless really, if we are speaking about the hours spent selecting fabric, fussing over the pattern, piecing, quilting and binding, and then relishing in the victory of a finish (yea!).  But a quilt has a different kind of value, one that Sew Katie Did got just right in this method.  Scraps galore!  See other WIPs at Freshly Pieced.

Sprung Out

With the "finally" theme running warm through my veins, 96 degrees in Green Country was a welcome reprieve today.  Spring is blooming like mad around every corner.  Trees are blossoming, grass pasty and wet, birds and bees and everything in between humming with new life since the last freeze bid us farewell a few weeks back.  And there's a sweet little cardinal nest on in the porch light fixture to welcome the season with love.

We moved into this house nearly 9 months ago, and this rose bush hasn't done a darn thing all that time.  Except for now.  The voluptuous, electric magenta of these medium sized beauties is filling our home with vitality.

Not much on the quilting front since I finished piecing a top from How to Make a Too Cool T-shirt Quilt. A decent publication, with detailed step-by-step instructions on how to put together all those t-shirts that you've been meaning to make a quilt out of for years.  It's a unique, quick and hassle-free method. Yet to be quilted.

WIP Wednesday - Life in Color

Taking ideas for quilting this bad boy.

Other brilliant WIPs at Freshly Pieced.

WIP Wednesday

  

































































Stained glass pattern coming along.  Anna Maria Horner really inspired me on this one.  Her fabrics just go with this one.  Still debating on whether to put a border around it or just bind it with the Kona Steele.  Stay tuned.

Stained Glass

Craftsy is hit or miss for me these days.  But once in awhile BINGO! and I'll snatch a brilliant pattern idea.  Stained Glass by Pam Yeomans is perfect for Anna Maria Horner's True Colors and a few other extras I've thrown in the mix.  Through the reds and yellows this weekend.  The rest of the rainbow to follow.  Stay tuned.

Winter Warmed

As much as I loathe running as a form of exercise, once I’m out there in the cool winter air, birds flying overhead, smiling back at the other enthusiasts passing me on the trail, I remember how gratifying it can be.  And then the beautiful little secrets along the trail make themselves apparent, and I find myself stopping, frequently, to snap shots of a billowing American flag, a young mother crossing the prairie with her baby 150 years ago, an eagle landing regally on a naked winter bough.  Only getting off the well-worn path gave me the views and angles I sought.  As I hopped over gopher holes and small ditches full of dried winter leaves and brush, a new trail was blazed, leading me to this young mother.  Who was she?  When did she live?  Did she survive the prairie crossing?  I studied her and her baby intently, her long dark cloak draped over the both of them, guarding them from winter weather perhaps.  She lives captured in time atop a solid foundation created just for her.

In other news, my very own True Colors by Anna Maria Horner arrived today.  With the holiday hangover sales on Craftsy and Etsy, I couldn’t help but gift myself with a bodacious addition to the stash.   Seeing my kids go wild unfolding and refolding the fat quarter stash, just made my heart melt.  I’ve only recently gotten turned on to Anna’s lavish, folksy fabric designs.  She has warmed the winter up substantially, and this particular line is reminiscent of sunsets where I grew up. 

In closing

A year's end is always bittersweet.  What starts as a wish list of accomplishments and resolutions, hope and grandeur, frequently doesn't end as such.  But as the months pass and memories are catalogued into our minds, we look back and smile at what gifts the year has brought us.  Thankful I am for all that we have in this great life.  

A few of my favorite holiday images.  

Iced Wonder and Other Winter Treasures

Our first ice storm arrived overnight.  I listened to a slow, constant trickle of rain slowly fill our pool for most of the evening.  The morning revealed the magical spell cast on the entire city.  Every surface from rooftops to trees to tiny blades of grass, gently encased in a thin layer of glassy ice.  Magical.

A few other favorite images from this year.

1995 ornament by my uncle.  He used to make them every year for every family member.  

The Flying Pig Vintage Market.  Owasso, OK.

The Flying Pig Vintage Market.  Owasso, OK.  

Pretty in Pink

 

Something about the combination of Jay McCarrol's Habitat and other pink and lime accent fabrics, reminds me of Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink.  

A simple 4 patch of 6 in squares measuring 50 x 57 in makes this the perfect lap quilt for reading or enjoying a toasty beverage during chilly holiday nights.  For one of my oldest, dearest friends who is an avid reader and has always channeled a little 80's Ringwald style.  

Break for infinity

Delicious Field Study from Anna Maria Horner and PB&J from Moda Fabrics

Had to make a break for infinity scarves.  All the holiday quilting and crafting came to a head once I finished Pretty in Pink and some Scrappy Seasonal ornaments.  A light trip to Owl and Drum reminded me of this very simple yet sophisticated project, especially when you have leftovers of beautiful fabrics, or find an odd quantity of something delectable, such as these from Anna Maria Horner and Moda Fabrics.  Owl and Drum has a great grab bag stash!  Store owner Bianca showed me some sweet samples of infinity scarves they are making for holiday gifts.  Might just have to give these away too! 

Combine youtube tutorials of infinity scarves to make your own wearable treasure!  That's all it took.