Sometimes the Design Wall just isn't big enough!

 I spent the weekend at a quilting retreat. The theme was Quiltstock, so we listened to 60s music, dressed up in tie-dye and various other garments with nods to the 60s, and sewed for many uninterrupted hours while someone else took care of food and cleaning. Cell signals were spotty to non-existent, so there weren't even the phone interruptions.

I took four projects along and got to work on three of them. One was a really old UFO that I finally got the field put together, one was the start of a quilt and then I had these blocks from many, many different swaps.

My design wall is small. I don't have big floor spaces at home for laying out quilts, so I brought the blocks along to make some sort of sense out of these 4-8-12 inch blocks. Thankfully, my sister helped me get the chunks together (though I got to put together all the partial seams), so this bunch of blocks is now sewn together.

Like often happens in swaps, the blocks vary in size *sigh* so I will be unsewing a few spots and finagling them back together. It just won't be this week as I have finals.

For some great design wall inspiration, check out Patchwork Times!

Creativity - get out there and foster it!

Traveling to a major quit show over the weekend, I thought of some fellow quilters who don't see the value in quilt shows. They will not attend and have no interest in entering quilts into shows.

While anyone can make such choices, they are missing out on the rich experiences of quilt shows. Yes, a quilter can feel insignificant when comparing their own work with the award winning quilts. That is to be expected! Some of those quilts have had a quilters heart and soul poured into them for many, many months (or years!), while I generally churn mine out in a much shorter time span while being a full time student and a homeschool mom. Why should I measure my effort against theirs?

What those award winning quilts should do is to inspire us on to greater things. I can be inspired by the quilting motifs used in this modern quilt, the color choices in that traditional quilt and the intricate beauty of the one with thousands of fabrics. These elements can be the jumping off point for future quilts, so soak them in and let them simmer until they build a new design in your own mind.

AND who knows? Someday time may no longer be an issue and even you can achieve new heights in your designs. It won't happen if you never get inspired. Get out there, learn new techniques, fill your eyes (and camera!) with beautiful images, and let your creativity blossom!

Nothing New on my Wall ... but I've got some pictures!

This past weekend i taught a class at Cardinal Creations in Lake City, MI. We had lots of fun working on a Summer Picnic Quilt! 

We sewed bright and white jelly roll strips together, cut them into units, 

 

We swapped out units for maximum scrappiness,

 

we sewed them into S blocks, Z blocks, Inchworms and

 

those went together into blocks we called O blocks.

 The day was filled with music (summer, beach type in February, what could be better?) laughter, and fun! We even had a picnic lunch to fuel our endeavors :)

check out Patchwork Times for more quilty fun!

Something on my design wall!

I am just about settled into the new semester schedule, so I took a block of time to work on blocks :) I'm participating in a string block swap ... and here are some of my blocks

I'm hard at work with some designs, as well, but those aren't ready for sharing ;)

What is on your design wall this week? See more at Patchwork Times.

January 5 - Around the Bend

When looking ahead at 2016, I have made plans, but I don't have control over the year. I can look down the path, expecting certain things, but the path is winding on its way through the months. I can't see what is really around the bend.

This year my Army Guy is retiring. This is exciting in many ways; he won't be at the beck and call of the Army, he will be closer to home, and maybe the honey-do list will get some attention. BUT he will need to find other employment because we will not be able to live at the same level on his retirement pay. There is a bend in this path. We can't see what is around the corner, so how do we plan for what is coming besides praying for a good job opportunity appearing when we get there.

Also this year, the Boybarian graduates from high school. As a homeschool mom, this means my job will be complete in May. I am making plans to move on, becoming a quilt teacher. BUT these plans are not totally in my hands. I can work on classes, marketing, designs, but unless quilters want to learn from me, it will all be a dead end to that path.

What other things are lurking in the bushes along the path of 2016? 

2016!

I don't think I'll be able to keep up the pace of a post a day in 2016, but I hope to be more prolific on my blog than I was last semester. This coming semester has a MUCH lighter class load, so I should be able to be in the Sewing Dungeon a bit more. That is a concrete plan for 2016.

Today I finished quilting the Picnic Quilt. I am looking forward to teaching this as a class with a Summer Picnic Party theme. I've been perusing summer music and pricing out sunglasses and other summer type things to set the mood.

This evening I will bind the quilt so I can get it sent out ASAP so the Cardinal Creations can have the class sample to show people when they sign up for the class :)

*I* do not make resolutions, I make plans ... do you have any resolutions (or plans) for 2016?

December 31st - Mad Libs

This  year  we  are  staying  in for New Year's  Eve  and  enjoying each other's company.  Each  of  us  was  in charge  of something  to  eat. The  Boybarian  made  pizza, Princess  Sunshine  made Puppy  Chow (AKA Chex muddy buddies) and I  tossed  together  a  fruit  salad. Popcorn  will come  into  play  later  in the evening.

Princess  Sunshine  received  a set of Bananas  dvds  for  Christmas  so we started  our evening  laughing  with The Village Idiot  and Bone. Games are in the plan, we just haven't  decided  what  to  play.

While  waiting  for  the  decision, we have been  working  through  Dr. Who and Star Wars Mad Libs. Much laughter has ensued  and Princess  Sunshine  has now  been dubbed  Queen  Asparagus ...

What  things make you and  yours laugh? Did  you  spend  your New  Year's  Eve laughing with loved ones?