Considering Family & Gratitude

I have spent a lot of time with my family.  Or at least I try to.  I worry over them, and hope for the best for them.  And sometimes that means I don't get to post very often.  At least that's my story for now.

Last night I visited with my Mother and my Aunt.  They are both aging (as we all are), and I know they feel young inside.  It made me ponder about families.

Growing up, I thought I had it bad because I had an absent dad.  But, instead I had it pretty good.  I was surrounded by loving aunts, uncles and grandparents, and my mother loved all of us and worked very hard on our behalf.  I always knew my extended family loved me very much.  It was just easier as a child and young adult to focus on what I didn't have.  However, as an adult, I've found it better to focus on what I have.  I still have loving extended family member that love me.  They have memories to share with me, and are willing to spend time with me when I have time for them.  For this, I am grateful.

Even now, I have to focus on what I have.  Children can be difficult.  And watching your children make life-changing decisions without awareness of the consequences can be extremely difficult.  (Surely no mother looks at their newborn baby and thinks about them being a bum when they grow up).  (Not that mine are bums, but you get the idea).  We all want the best for our children.  We want them to have it better than we did, learn to love, learn to work hard and to be around forming memories with us as we and they age.   However, when these decisions are made, we need to stand by and let them, because they have their agency.  So, I try to focus on what I do have.

I have a child that thinks a Sunday isn't complete without a game of Aggravation with his dad and me.  He also still doesn't mind spending a little bit of time with us, and helping out around the house.  For this, I am grateful.

I am grateful that I have time to quilt, sew and create.  I am grateful I have a part-time job that stretches me, allows me to be creative, and share my knowledge with others.  I have a great boss, fabulous co-workers and it is nice to laugh at work.  They support me in my hardships, and we can share our lives.  For this, I am grateful.

I have a sewing group that gets together once a week (usually).  We share our triumphs, our sorrows, and our work.  We help each other and teach each other new things.  We try to solve the world's problems, and laugh at ourselves and the mistakes we make.  For this, I am grateful.

I am enjoying leading the Ward Choir this Christmas season.  The choir members have been very responsive to me, and we are enjoying singing together.  Good music and beautiful harmonies touch my heart and soothe my soul.  For this, I am grateful.

So, I may not post very often, although I would like to do more.  Just know that I am working, learning, sewing, spending time with family and friends, and serving where I can.  Life is full and overflowing.  For this, I am grateful.

It's Been HOW LONG???!

I went on Spring Break with my family, shortly after my last post.  Then, as soon as we were back, I hit the ground running and it has taken a while to slow down.  So, I guess I better do some catching up.  I had an opportunity to use a long-arm quilting machine... and quilted this to hang at the store.  It isn't bad for my first official quilt.  I would like to do some more.

 Then, there is this runner.  I took a quilt guild class for flying geese in 2010.  Then, last fall I pieced these three blocks together to make a runner.  I basted it soon after, and finally quilted it this month.  Last week I finished the binding while at a family reunion.  I am pleased with it, and will use it in the Spring.

 In April and May, I only had time to finish one quilt guild project...The Mystery Quilt.  I decided to do straight lines diagonally across the quilt.  This is a very time-consuming way to quilt!  I do like how it finished.

I have more to show later...and much more to work on.  I'll try to keep up here more frequently.  I've missed this, too.

More Store Samples - Bags!

Two new patterns came in the store last week, and I just had to make the samples.  The one on the left is a Scripture bag; the one on the right, a crayon bag.

They both have inside pockets as well.

They were pretty easy to make - only taking less than 2 hours each.  I think the next ones will go even quicker!  Plus, I got to work with this super cute Riley Blake fabric.

Keep on Sewing!

Mystery Solved & a Few Other Finishes

Our Quilt Guild did this quilt as a mystery.  I used "Summer's End" by Kansas Troubles.  I am thrilled with the result.  I don't think I want to add a border to it.  I hope to quilt it before May 10th. 

Then, I finished this quilt, using "Lilac Hill" fabric.  

Can you believe that quilt is only 16x20 inches.  It is called "Delectable Mountains" and it is from the Fat Quarter Quilting book by Lori Smith.

Next, I finished these place mats for Easter.  I wanted to use them to decorate the shelves of my kitchen hutch.  I may make enough to switch out frequently through the year. I did learn that next time I will quilt all over a sandwich made from 2 1/2-yard pieces, instead of cutting them to size first.  That way, I can quilt better without worrying about getting too close to the edge.  

And, finally, the second Chocolate inspired table topper.  

This one, I used a different back on, but the front is the same.  I had a difficult time with the inside corners, but it worked out okay.  

Here you can see some of the quilting.  I am very pleased!

Now I can add them to my list of finished projects.  Yahoo!!!

What are you sewing?

Another Fun Tool

I found another useful tool.  Sometimes I do have hand work to do, and would rather sit on the couch than in my sewing room.  So, I gather my equipment and head downstairs with this:

That's right...a breakfast tray.  Sometimes used for breakfast in bed.  Sometimes used for sick days.

But, this is the best use of all.  Handwork and keeping all my supplies together.

Do you have any favorite tools?