No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth!

I've been sick--really sick. I had a terrible sinus infection. I teach 1st grade and was so sick I missed 3 days of work, then went around sniffling and dragging myself for about a week! Yuck. But, I did manage to get some things done. I'll tell you about a few now, then I'll post pictures in a day or two.

First, I carved out a place for myself to sew in my sewing room. No easy task, I'll tell you. Then, I started out with wonky letters. OMG--I really discovered some things about myself. I followed Tonya's tutorial and I just suffered emotional turmoil. I discovered that I need detailed instructions or I feel anxious. Now, I grew up in the 60's and 70's--freedom baby! In my heart of hearts I imagine myself as free--no boundaries man! But, I found out I'm kind of anal--sigh! I did quite a few wonky letters and I'll post some pic, but my family members couldn't guess what they were and when I said they were letters, they couldn't guess what letters they were! I decided to take a break from them until spring break from school. Tonya offered me email support and I'll take her up on it. Anyhow, I added the borders to the red and white quilt, and it looks pretty darn good.

Well, I cut the stacked coins material and finished the three stacked coins strips. I just need add sashing and borders to finish the top. I found still another quilt top that just needed one row to finish, and so I did that. Now, I'm embroidering a saying on the backing.

Finally, I went to the Glendale Quilt Show http://www.glendalequiltguild.org/. It was awesome! I'll be back in a day or two to post pictures. I just wanted to let you know I'm still alive!

My first post!

Okay, here I go. I've been through a lot of changes during the last couple of years, culminating with the deaths from cancer of both my mother in law, Gloria, in June 2008 and my brother, Joe, in September 2008. They both passed away in my home, in the same bedroom, and I've decided to make that room into my sewing studio (I'm posting the in progress messiness and will post its transformation.) I have to say that I treasure the time I had with both of them, even the illness and the dying. I learned so much about living, about family and friends, how to support others, about appreciation, and I've faced many of my fears and, shall we say, issues (procrastination and indecision being the biggest.) And, I realize, life may be short, but it is sweet, and filled with beauty. So, in honor Gloria and Joe, I'm creating this blog so I can explore my creative side and keep the meaning of their presence in my life an ongoing source of inspiration.

That said, I haven't quilted in 8 years! But I'm so very inspired by the many quilt blogs out there--especially http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/, and http://lazygalquilting.blogspot.com/who are kind enough to create fabulous tutorials. I have several unfinished quilts that I WILL complete (some have fabric choices I wouldn't make now but I hate to waste and would like to feel a sense of completion with them.) This is a red and white quilt for my neice. Today I wouldn't choose such a neutral color scheme but I'm going to try wonky letters in the border and jazz it up.

The black and pink quilt is for my daughter. I like the color choices there, although I'm all about the brighter colors now. Though it's colorful, it's still a little safe and traditional (but, I DO love it and know my daughter will, too!)

I'm going to make a stacked coins quilt and even though I may be procrastinating finishing the other quilts, I'm excited to start cutting the stacked coins fabrics. I got them on sale at JoAnns--remnants and fat quarter bundles for 40% off! I just love a good deal! Here's a picture of the stacked coins fabrics on top of the red and white quilt.

Well, with a little luck, decisiveness, and determination not to procrastinate and do all the other things that need to be done around here, I should be well on my way and will post in a few days.