Re-structuring

How many of you have lived through "re-structuring" at your job(s)? It's a rough thing to go through I know. These buzz words of the current century reflect a way of life that unfortunately, all too often, we've grown accustomed to.

Re-structuring can be a good thing though when it comes to your stash . . . (trust me, I'm a professional).

By pulling out favorite colors, not so favorite colors, fall colors, spring colors, and children's colors . . . shuffling, stacking, sorting, sifting, and (even donating) . . . we gain a deeper appreciation for what we have. Ideas are generated, light bulbs go off, and you may even find something long forgotten.

It's not traumatic, it's enlightening (not to mention messy fun). So go ahead, do the fabric shuffle. And let me know if you've seen my purple elephant playing a trombone print . . . I know I put it somewhere.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . .

Have you heard the phrase "natural disaster."

Yesterday, with the help of a pal, I cleaned 3/4 of the basement. As you may surmise, this 1/4 was not done. It's next on the list though.

By the way, if the fabric elves are at your house, please make sure I'm next on their list. And if you've not heard from me in awhile, it probably means I'm lost in the maze.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . .

Every quilt tells a story

Waaaay back in 1989, I designed and began teaching this quilt. The class took place in a small, but wonderful shop in the village of Stone Mountain, Georgia. You know the kind of place I mean, full of new ideas and cheerful quilters, and just a block over from the Italian restaurant. A place to find fun fabric and meet up with a new or old friend to head out to lunch.

The very first time I taught this class there was a full house and I was nervous. . . . but boy did we laugh. One of the students was my soon to be forever friend B.C., a nurse who did not have extensive quilting experience, but a joyful spirit nonetheless.

Years later, before she and her family moved further south, she gave me the sections of her project and asked me to finish them. . . . which I finally did . . . about 4 moves and another state later in 2003.

Quilting really is the tie that binds no matter how often one moves. I truly can't imagine a world without quilters and forever friends.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . .

Back-to-basic borders

Thin green border cut 1-1/2". Outer red border cut 4-1/2". Beautiful blue sky day - priceless!

However, I do believe the green should have been cut at 2". Ah well . . .

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

#2 in the series and we're not talking baseball!

This is my second wall hanging done in Pennsylvania Dutch colors. A very simple pattern using 2-1/2" green squares, 2-1/2" gold squares (cut in half on the diagonal), and 3-1/4" red squares. (Borders are yet to be determined size wise.)

And on the right you see the backing fabric. This piece I've been saving for about 30 years, proving once again that colors do come 'round again just like Spring. . . . we just have to wait patiently for it.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Online classes for free . . .

I've been contemplating signing up for a computer course to update my skills.

Has anyone ever taken a class from this site? http://www.gcflearnfree.org/classes/

If so, would you let me know.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

New pattern ideas - yes for free.

Have you seen the new patterns over at Baum Textiles web page? They have some great new ideas including a reversible tote bag. Don't forget to save them though, as they may not be there next time.

(photo compliments of the Quilter Study Center)

Calling in Spring

Some countries have their own ritual for calling in the change of seasons. As yesterday's snow quickly melted and soft buds of green from the honeysuckle began to unfold, I contemplated the best recipe to entice warmer temperatures.

My answer to the conundrum was to choose soft pastels and orange brights for my next phase of trim work. Of course, I could put pink curlers in my hair, step into my bunny slippers, and dance a jig under the full moon while listening to Tommy Dorsey, but I'd probably trip over a honeysuckle vine and crush all of those new leaves. . . . yes, playing with soft colors is much safer.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

1-800-fabric-elves

Sometimes you have to call in serious help when a small project creates piles of chaos.

Of course, the end product is always worth it.

Until then, keep stitchin . . .