Hoping To Make Up For Lost Time

Wow! It's been quite some time since I posted last. The end of February to be exact. I'll be attempting to post on a more regular basis. At least, I hope to. It seems that time is speeding up and making my days go by in a blur.

In trying to grab hold of time and whip it into shape, I'm changing some of my priorities around. While I have spent many happy hours sewing and quilting, I feel that I'm suffering from quilting burnout. Hence, the change for quilting being at the top of my creativity list to closer to the bottom.  But, being a fickle human being, that could change in a New York minute. Meanwhile, I have also decided to not participate in our local quilt guild for the coming year and to pass the baton for our guild's blog on to another well qualified member. The ladies at the guild are a wonderful group and I've enjoyed the fellowship I've had there. I'm more of the 'independently-minded' artist type and I get the most enjoyment of working on projects of my own separate from group projects. Would I ever give up quilting entirely? Definitely not!

My interest in creating art has risen and I've taken a few online art classes in the last three years. I've experienced using new art supplies in my work recently. In fact, I joke that I have so many art supplies I could open my own store. How long will my intense interest in making art last? I have no answer for that. It could last for years or it could blow away with the next windstorm. Meanwhile, I have accumulated supplies that I haven't used yet and I'm determined to get to know them all.

A painting from one of my classes. Something different from my usual work.

If all else fails and I lose interest in art making, there is always spinning and weaving to fall back on. I know...you're thinking how much does this girl dabble in? I would answer 'a lot'. Some might think I have too much time on my hands. LOL I wish I had more!

Oh, but there's something more to this! I have another blog where I share ideas for those crafters who are walking in the Hebrew Roots movement to incorporate into their creations. http://asweetsavor.blogspot.com/  I also signed up this month to start Bible College. I should complete it in about three years.

The hard part for me is to juggle my time for creativity, household obligations and other distractions. I've tried making a schedule but find it hard to stick to. It seems like there are always interruptions. Ha! Certainly I am not uniquely a victim of this. But life goes on.

I leave you with a iris blossom from my garden that probably was a victim of a curious rabbit. It was broken off at the base of the flower so I rescued it and enjoyed it for the day.

 Have A Great Weekend Dear Ones!

I Love Cardinals

There is a Cardinal couple that visit my birdfeeder on a regular basis. Their colorings are such a contrast against the stark white of the snow in winter that they add a happy note to the seemingly too long winter.

A couple of years ago I decided to add some Cardinal decor to our home. Last year I started this wall hanging and have finally finished it. Now for fresh paint on the wall and I will be hanging it to remind me that winter doesn't last forever.

Too Much Snow, Must Be Time To Make A Snowman

Between the icy cold weather we've had and the snow that keeps coming back, you'd think I wouldn't want to remind myself by making snowmen. However that's exactly what I did. Quilted snowmen that is.

I found this free pattern on Debbie Mumm's website but I'm sorry to say it has since been removed from her site. While my piecework isn't perfect I still had fun making this wall hanging.

Just in case you're wondering what I've been up to, I'm working on other UFOs, taking online art classes and, of course, planning this year's veggie garden. And in a major move, my art table is now next to the window and I can't believe how spacious my studio looks. It is a much more inviting atmosphere to work in then before. I'll keep it this way until late in the spring when the sun shining in the window makes it too hot to be comfortable. I'll be out working in the garden instead of inside anyways.

May you all enjoy a wonderful weekend. Hugs!

Am I Back To Normal Yet?

On my last post I shared with my readers my dad's 96th birthday on December 11th. Two weeks later his health started to fail and he quickly went downhill. His life with us drew to a close on January 1, 2014 and he went home to be with his King.

My dad last year on his 95th birthday.

 I can't believe it's already been 18 days since he passed. Time is certainly flying. I'm still dealing with bills and paper work but I've started to get back into creating little by little.

I have finally finished my Thanksgiving project from 2013 or I should say it's for 2014. That way I've finished it early. LOL

 This pattern was from Quilt in a Day. I modified and resized it. I guess I just can't leave these things alone!

I have two more wall hangings in the works. I hope to have one of them finished in the next few days
and will be back to share it with you.

Happy Birthday to My Dad

Today was my dad's 96th birthday. Or as my husband said 'It is the sixth anniversary of his sixteen birthday.' Regardless, Happy Birthday Dad. (I just couldn't resist getting him this crazy party hat!)

Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord you God gives you. Exodus 20:12

Happy Thankgivukah!

Amazing isn't it that two celebrations of thankful takes place on the same day! Thanksgiving for those of us in America and the first day of Hanukkah worldwide.

The things I'm blessed with and thankful for are:
   * The love of my Heavenly Father and King
   * The Torah and Brit Chadeshah
   * The breath of life
   * My very dear husband and friend
   * My children, grandchildren and great grandchildren
   * Precious friends
   * The gift of creativity
   * The roof over my head
   * Hot water (sounds strange but we finally have a hot water heater that works!)
   * The future

Blessings dear ones. Have a wonderful day.

Lots of Quilt Blocks

One of the projects the quilt guild I belong to is doing this year is a friendship or signature block quilt. Or should I say we're just doing the blocks and each member individually will decide how she wants to finish the quilt.

We are a small guild of maybe 17 ladies. Not all of our members are able to join in but, for those that are, it's a wonderful idea. For each meeting one of the members is featured and picks a block pattern that she feels represents her.

These are the blocks presented that I have finished so far.

Elaine's School House Block.

Mary's Indian Trails Block

Ceil's Sunflower Block

Sharon's Pieced Tulips Block

Shirley's Cross Within A Cross Block

Roxanne's Rolling Stone Block

The Friendship Block with a photo of our guild members for the center of the block.

Carolyn B's May Basket Block

Karen's Covered Bridge Block

I'm not sure how many more block patterns will be given to us but certainly this is a good start to a quilt full of memories.