Hot Spots

"Hot Spots'...cute name for a quilt, don't you think? The name was inspired by where I am right now. I'm in the car somewhere in the middle of Iowa traveling on I 35. The coolest thing about my mifi (the internet we use at home) is that I can pop it into my purse and turn myself into my own mobile hot spot. How fun is that!

We're on our way with Jon to take possession of his new studio apartment in St. Paul. 16 hours of driving in 24 hours. What I will do for my children!

Back to the quilt. It was originally simply 'Circle Experiments.' I told myself one day that I wanted to learn how to piece circles and make the templates for circle blocks, so I did. Half circles, quarter circles and circle within a circle are all in this quilt. They're really not that difficult at all. I love the look of pieced circles and I didn't want the blocks to go to waste so I made this quilt. That said, I'm not really thrilled with this quilt. It's pretty static...for as much as I love circles, I could have done better with this.
I did some more of my organic line quilting on this one. I adore the texture and the movement created by that kind of quilting.
The back is pretty, but also just ok in my book.
At least it's off my list and off my mind. I'm not sure what to do with this one. I'm hoping I'll have time for one more finish after I get home. Wish me luck!

If There Is Going to be Joy in the New Year...

...i need to get my sewing butt in high gear! This quilt is 2/3 of the way quilted. I'm hoping for a finish later today and maybe another one basted and the quilting started. I know I haven't been much of a cheerleader or inspiration for the Joy in the New Year Challenge, but we still have time. We can get lots done in 4 days if we put our minds to it. We have until midnight on the 31st! I know some of you have been doing a great job...the rest of us have some catching up to do.
How are you doing?

(Remember you have to come back here and comment on my January 1st post to be eligible to win one of the great prizes. Instructions will be on my January 1 post!)

Christmas Wishes

Wishing you...

the love of family,
...the beauty of nature...
a creative spirit...
and the connection brought to us by technology.
Thanks for being a part of my life through my blog. Happy holidays!

Great to Be Back

It's so nice to be back to some kind of a regular schedule. I'm still catching up, but at least the sewing machine has been humming a bit and it's starting to look a little bit more like Christmas around here. Isn't this a pretty set of fabric? It's for a special project.
I finished these pillows...simple, yet striking...light blue and chocolate brown...one of my favs. They're a present, but of course I can't say for whom.
I'm all caught up on my commission work. Yippee! I thought I'd share my latest 'On The Line' quilt. I especially love the quilts on this one.

The tasks for the week are sewing and baking. I'd better get some goodies baked. The boys are coming home in a few days. When they arrive, two more of my Christmas wishes will have come true!

Flatulence and Cream of Wheat

...don't seem like they go together, but they're partners in wellness. We scoff and turn our heads at a good fart, but my perspective has changed. Flatulence, strong, loud, powerful is what I've been praying for...it happened, and we all cheered. Picture my 'happy flatulence' dance. I'll never view a good fart in the same way again. For me, it means the body is functioning, it's happy and celebrating its own symphony of wellness. Music to my ears.

I watched my mom eat her first food in days and days. A simple steaming bowl of Cream of Wheat. To me it looked like the gruel in a depressing Dicken's novel, but as I watched her take each small bite, it transformed into a five-star gourmet meal. Her face lit up and her body relaxed as she savored each spoonful. I might have to write the Cream of Wheat folks and pitch a new commercial.

Over the last few weeks I've been reminded to think positively and recognize the joys and blessings of each day. They're there, you simply have to see them.

I should be back to regular sewing time this weekend. I'm bursting with pent up energy to create.

Feeling Blue

Sewing time has been replaced by time at the hospital with my mom. She had a few setbacks, but now she's heading in the right direction. The only real sewing I've done is trying to keep up on a few commission pieces that are coming due. Today, I was snowed in so I set the timer for 2 hours and picked some of my very favorite fabrics and sewed for myself.
I love cutting and sewing with freedom and abandon. I finished 10 blocks of 'Feeling Blue' in my two hours. It has a quiet, soothing, blue feeling.

Nova emailed me last week to let me know that she had finished her 'deer' quilt. She contacted me awhile ago and asked if it would be ok if she made a quilt inspired by the quilt made by me and my common threads buddies, Jon's graduation quilt. Of course I said yes. The reason I wanted to post about Nova's quilt is because it is a wonderful example of how someone can be inspired by a quilt and still not make a copy. You can definitely see the connection between the two quilts, but Nova has done special things to make the quilt her own. On top of that she acknowledged her inspiration. I was so proud to see her gorgeous work and so happy to know that the recipient loved the quilt. It's people like Nova (and there have been others too) who make me happy to share my work. Nova, you made my day in more ways than one. Thank you.

It's the Holiday Season

The dining room table that was extended to seat 12 is now back to its normal size and the house is quiet with just Bruno and me. I have to admit I miss the bustle of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Christmas is coming and it's time to get ready. Around here that means baking and decorating (mostly decorating!). This year I made a Tomtar tree. These whimsical elf like guys are made by Kajsa of Syko fame. I've written about her before. She has inspired some of my applique work. She has a fresh, happy style and I purchased Algot, Lars and Olaf from her last year. They will always have a special place in my home at Christmas.
This is one of my Thanksgiving sale purchases. Lauren, another fab artistic type is now designing fabric. It's her gift, don't you think? I love her flock line...I ordered the feathers to start with, but she has other cute prints too. I borrowed this picture from her etsy store. Hope you don't mind, Lauren.

It's a busy week here. If you have a little extra time tonight, please say a little prayer for my mom. She's having surgery tomorrow. Have a great one!