Sunday, February 2, 2014

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.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

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. 




Monday, December 30, 2013

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.  












Saturday, December 21, 2013

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.  

Monday, December 2, 2013

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.  



Tuesday, November 26, 2013

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.   

Sunday, November 24, 2013

What Quilting Has Taught Me

Pretty in Pink

Scrappy Seasonal ornaments
Scrappy Seasonal ornaments


Above all else, to be patient, with my husband, my children, friends, colleagues, and with myself. 

Making a perfect quilt with exactly matching mitered corners, pristine binding, and flawless quilting, is nearly impossible, and this is evident early on in one’s study of quilt construction. 

Quilting allows me to fudge a little, to forgive myself when my blocks don’t match up or my rows don’t nest.  My brow furrows a bit, I push my glasses back up the bridge of my nose and wrestle for a moment, knowing only I will remember where that fussy cut could have been but wasn’t.  And that’s OK. 

Quilting has taught me to appreciate the time at my sewing machine, be it 5 minutes or 5 hours.  With each steady run of my sweet Bernina, that much worry and tangled thought exits painlessly. 

Quilting has taught me to think ahead, if even for a few hours, whilst I select delicious fabrics, do some basic measurements, and dream up a new design, always with someone in mind.  It has taught me to repurpose even the most miniscule scrap of fabric, something that translates into a way of life. 

It has taught me the beauty of creating something for somebody, not just for creating’s sake.  It allows me to love a person and my relationship with them in a very particular way.  For what fun is it to keep such treasured creations when happiness is sure to blossom when it’s given. 

Quilting allows me to think, to reflect, travel to the times and places in my life, to repair feelings and worries about people and events. 

It let’s me listen to music, uninterrupted. 

It never stresses me out.  It fits me to a tea.  It’s part of my life’s work.