Ask, And It Shall Be Given You

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."- Matthew 7:7

"Ask", it's a small word, but then again, it's HUGE to me. I have trouble asking for help, I always have. I like to do things myself, unassisted. I always felt that asking was a sign of weakness; or, perhaps, misappropriation of my own time. It wasn't until several years ago, during a Bible study, that I recognized the very act of NOT asking for help could be a sign of selfishness; of denying someone the opportunity to give back. This was the exact opposite reasoning I had ever hoped to convey to friends, family and acquaintances. I knew I had to let go of at least some of that drive to do everything myself, it wasn't easy though; it controlled me. Our Youth and Family Ministries Director at church had the fantastic idea, late last year, to create "quiet" activity bags for our youngest worshipers. They would be available to borrow from the narthex at the beginning of the service and returned to a waiting hook at the conclusion. She planned to fill them with picture books, coloring sheets, puzzles and crayons. She asked me if I would stitch the bags. "Of course", I answered. She then said she'd like to "letter" them, with puffy paint! I stopped her right there, we could do so much more than that. I went to my machine embroidery software and came up with a few font options for her approval. She LOVED that! But then, when she realized what might be available, she asked: "can you also stitch out our church logo on the bags"? Again, I answered, "yes". (... maybe a bit less enthusiastically this time, I knew that this would require digitizing the design and a huge allotment of time on my part...) Now, I procrastinated. The request sat on the back burner of my mind for a month, growing larger and more threatening every day. "Why did I say yes? Why do I over-commit, and then, torture myself?" I became preoccupied with guilt.

One afternoon I was leaving a meeting and I mentioned this "activity bag agreement" to a fellow committee member. He suggested that I call his Dad! He explained that his Dad, a retired engineer, had a new-found hobby: design work of the digitizing variety. It was now or never, I knew that I was being tested. I called Bob. "Yes", he happily replied, "I can do that for you"! He worked on it relentlessly, stitching out sample after sample, until he had it just right. One day he called me: "bring your memory stick over", he requested, "I'll upload it for you". My gratitude for his labor was only outweighed, if it's possible, by his delight in being asked to help. His son and wife have thanked me, repeatedly, for giving him this opportunity to be creative, productive, and needed. "You're welcome", I offered; and, you know what? I've never meant anything more; and, oh... it felt so good to say that!

Life is Good!

On The Road, Again...

I'm off, again; this week to the Capital City to visit my daughter in her new home. While she's at work there are a few chores she's been saving up, just for me! Hannes will come along, too. He loves to hop in his travel pouch, he knows that means we're going somewhere together in the car. A few weeks ago the guys had an appointment to take Turbo (Kyle's cat) to the vet. I got out our soft sided, enclosed, carrier; the one we use for airplane trips. I thought that would be good for the cat in the car. Guess who hopped right in?

Life is Good!

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival 2008

Life is Good!

...check out these quilt highlights, and you can't help but agree...

*In response to those of you who would like the photos to appear larger, I'm sorry... the slideshow format only allows this size. I'll pull a few and make them "clickable" in a future post.
In the meantime, enjoy!

Home Again

I'm home again, Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival was fantastic. I'm inspired and excited to begin on new projects, including this precious baby jacket. I bought this pattern by Jackie Clark, I'll hold off on making it as long as I can, until my daughter tells me what color to stitch it up; she should know that next month! I also purchased a few things for baby quilts at the Vendors Mall... can you detect a pattern of buying here? A friend told me that won't ever change, once one becomes a grandparent; that's perfectly OK with me! I'm going to enlist some help in putting together a slide show for an upcoming post to highlight the incredible quilts that I photographed, each and every one were simply amazing! Stay tuned...

Life is Good!

Reconnecting

I'm reconnecting here at Quilt Festival, with all the things that I love. I spent yesterday morning gazing at phenomenal quilts with admiration and a renewed excitement for unleashing creativity when I return home. I spent lunch time catching up with old friends, time slips away and I suddenly realize how treasured and dear these friendships are, and have been, to me. Pictured here, in the foreground, is my very first quilt teacher! She moved away several years ago. I credit her with awakening a passion for quilts in me that may have remained asleep had it not been for her caring support and enthusiastic encouragement over the years! It was my delight to bump into her at lunch, we had a a great time catching up and making plans and promises to get together soon. There's a resurgence of traditional work being displayed in the vendor booths as well as at the show; more that I can remember in years past. Handwork; I'm reconnecting there, too. Having said that, I'll close with photo (and detail) of Nancy Prince's "Longing For the Past", a thread painted masterpiece! I'll post more photos and relate further experiences after I get back tomorrow. Until then, I wish you happy times and re-connections of your own! Quiltkeemosabe and I are off to the vendors mall...

Life is Good!

On The Road

I'm off to MidAtlantic Quilt Festival! My bags are packed; I have my camera, clothes, credit card, mega-vitamins and our snacks. Quiltkeemosabe and I are leaving this morning. Think of me as your eyes and ears at the event. I'll be bringing you up to the minute daily at least one reports. Stay tuned!

Life is Good!

Adventures In Appliqué

I've begun stealing time. I'll snatch a minute here, grab a half-hour there, whatever is necessary to take a few appliqué stitches and complete my Southern Album assignment for this month. The homework is abundant. I pieced the Friendship Berries block after making the fabric selections and pasting samples on the mock up, I liked it. I added the first section of appliqué, it looked good to me. I pinned it to the design wall. Something wasn't quite right, yet, I couldn't figure out exactly what the problem was. I consulted the book. Oh. I was reminded, suddenly, of the poster that hung on the wall in my Jr. High Home-Ec. classroom. It depicted a distraught woman pulling her hair out by the roots as a pan on the stove was billowing smoke; these words printed across the bottom: "when all else fails, follow the directions". I had turned my leaves and berries inward, the plan for the appliqué shows them turned the opposite direction. Hmmm... I also recalled another phrase, one I've learned more recently: "quilters intent". Yep. They're staying the way they are. I meant to do it this way! *wink* Besides, I've stolen all the time that I can get away with! The scalloped frame block, pictured below, is one of four that will hold wonderful, intricate, appliqué elements in the months to come. They're symmetrical designs that can only be placed one way!

Life is Good!

Deer Crossing

In a flash I saw him. Out of the corner of my left eye I detected the movement; he bounded down the steep bank, descending fast, and landed right on the centerline in front of my car. I hit the brakes at the same time that he leaped again, to the opposite shoulder of the rural road, where he dropped downhill and out of sight. I had almost come to a complete stop; as I slowly accelerated around the next curve I came upon the herd. There were eight, maybe ten, deer standing there in a string completely across the entire road; motionless. They raised their heads in my direction and slowly stepped out of my way before vanishing into the dense tree cover along the side. I was still shaking from the close encounter with the leaping buck, but I couldn't believe my luck when I realized that I had rounded that blind curve at less than 20 miles per hour on a stretch that's posted at 45. Maybe luck had nothing to do with it.

Life is Good!

"What Time Is It?"

Yet another question... and another answer, too! It's time to celebrate Valentine's Day! You're shaking your head. You think the LAST thing I need to be worrying about is the time, you're thinking that I don't know the DATE! No, I do. My Valentine and I celebrated at breakfast today. He didn't arrive home until 2 AM. (Suffice it to say that air travel isn't what it used to be. Retirement can't come soon enough!) He gave me this precious Swatch watch. I collect them. I have special occasion Swatches and regular ones, I love them all. Isn't this one sweet with the little cut-outs on the band and the embossed flowers on the face? My Valentine gave it to me in a teeny-tiny gift bag with a little-bitty heart tin enclosed, too. Little-bitty, but big enough... for exactly one piece of chocolate candy! Awwww. Isn't that just the cutest thing? The gift of time is a wonderful thing, especially when it can be spent sewing; unfortunately that won't be happening today! I'm cleaning the house today (it's Friday, I can be such a schedule-freak sometimes, ask my friends and family!), shopping, and making a Lobster Pie for my Valentine for dinner. Thanks, honey; you're the BEST!Life is Good!
...whatever the day, or time...

"Where Do You Live?"

I have a new answer to the question, "where do you live?" I can now say: "not far from Quiltville". It's true. I didn't move. Bonnie did; and she brought Quiltville with her! I can testify, with all authority, that she did arrive, that her new home is every bit as lovely and peaceful in it's surroundings as the photos depict, and that her quilting area is just as completely fantastic as she has reported! Quiltkeemosabe and I dropped by her place the other day to take the Queen of Quiltville some lunch and to extend a good ol' NC welcome! What was she doing when we arrived? Well, you guess... setting up her wonderful, magnificent, long-arm quilting machine in it's new workspace! Now really, what else would you have expected? And, in the midst of boxes and chaos and the associated confusion of moving the village of Quiltville, what else did Bonnie do? She handed us cute, yummy Valentine's gifts! Yep. Mine is pictured here. She's a sweetheart. Thanks, Bonnie; I'm so happy that you're here! But you know, the world is a smaller place and the blogger-community is partly responsible for that; when it comes right down to it, none of us are very far from Quiltville; are we?

Happy Valentine's Day!
Life is Good!

Sunflower Love

I've been a quilt block making machine today! Not just any blocks, but what I'm calling "Sunflower Love" blocks; these are to be a guest book alternative for our son and future daughter-in-law's up-coming wedding! The chosen flowers for the big day are Sunflowers, the bride's favorite. The chosen fabrics, pictured, are the final result after a few trial blocks, taking their color cue from the flowers! I found a tutorial for this heart pattern at the Red Geranium Cottage and it seemed just perfect, the blocks measure 9" and each one can bear four signatures. I'm stabilizing them on freezer paper so that they'll be easier to write upon, I have tried out a brown Pigma pen with good results. The bride and I consulted and have decided that unset blocks will be on the table at the reception, rather than a pre-assembled quit top. The sashing strips are pictured to the left of the blocks, I'm piecing them at the same time so that they'll be ready to go when I am, after the wedding. Wish me luck, I've got a few more dozen to put together; I'd like them done well ahead of time so I don't worry and rush at the last minute. I can't wait to see where the happy couple choose to use, or display, this quilt after it's together and quilted. Regardless, they'll be covered with well-wishes and love; "Sunflower Love"!

Life is Good!

Life Of Faith

Some of you who know me well might have noticed that I've been kinda quiet lately. Others may have thought they were getting a reprieve! No such luck. It's not like there's nothing going on, there is. I want to share with you words that I received today from my Pastor, he is a dear man; and this is precisely why I think so:

"The best part of our life of faith is not knowing what will happen, but Who will walk with us in the unfolding of life. If we knew in advance the difficulties of the journey we would be too afraid to move; but as it is God will watch over us and walk with us in all that is to come."

Aren't those terrific, comforting words? They are! Especially meaningful during Lent, I cherish them and offer them to you, today; wherever you are in your journey!

Life is Good!

Survey Said: "RED"

The results of the survey, "Help Me Decide" are in. Red, it is! Rather than "float" the swap-blocks out on field of black they are now reined in, held captive and enhanced by the inner, red zinger, border. Thanks to one and all who voted and helped me make the ultimate decision. There were not only an abundance of comments (everyone had an opinion) on the blog, but also e-mails from non-bloggers and a phone call too! You never let me down when I seek assistance, I deeply appreciate your insight and perspectives. One more top to add to the ever-growing pile awaiting the arrival of "Sundance", the long-arm quilting machine!

Oh yes, the soon-to-be-here long-arm has officially been named! My husband came up with the winner, I had solicited his help a while ago. Like all expectant "parents" we were having a tough time choosing, and settling on, a name. (There's always the problem with negative name association; problem machines we've had in the past, that sort of thing!) In a moment of pure inspiration, Sundance came to mind and was immediately agreed upon, it was that easy! The APQS Road Show that I attended last fall was held in a hotel by that name; so, it's not only where I first met my eventual long-arm, but the name also conjures up (to me) an idyllic image of the the sun (as well as the machine) "dancing" over the quilt's surface creating hills and valleys of light and shadow through stitches. It's a great name, don't you think? Expect to see Sundance working her magic here before too long. And so it goes... opinions, choices, decisions; it's all good.

Life is Good!

It's About Time!

We all know that in order for some of the finest wines, and antiques, to reach full value they need to spend the proper amount of time aging. I would suggest that the same is true for quilt projects. In June of 1998 my daughter graduated from college. I traveled from Auburn, Alabama to New England that summer and visited Rachel's Quilt Patch in Staunton, VA along the way. At that time Rachel Brown, the owner, had just introduced an applique project, in a block-of-the-month format to subscribers. Entitled "The Adoration", it featured precious figures and animals in a nativity-themed wallhanging. I happily signed up to receive the pattern and fabric kits by mail, at great expense; as I was still living in Switzerland at that time. But, I reasoned, it would be worth it. Well, I collected all the kits; in a basket. I moved, and took my collection of kits with me. I moved again; and again! Last year I happened to notice that Rachel Brown had published the patterns in book form, a very affordable option. Do I regret my "premature" purchases? "No", I rationalized, "I still have all the fabrics included with my patterns"! And, after all, my kits have now aged to perfection. I finished block #1(of 13) last week; it's about time, and timing is everything!

Life is Good!

Presto, Change-O!

This isn't an original idea, I saw it in a magazine years ago. In fact, this curtain rod and hanging hardware have been waiting in the stash closet for exactly as long! Yesterday my husband installed it here in the studio, I just love it! The beauty of a rod mounted like this is the ease of ability to change out your quilts. Simply unclip one and replace with another, as if by magic; you can change your quilts as often as your mind.

"Presto, Change-o"!
Life is Good!

"She Took The High Road"

How would you like to be remembered? At our recent Church Council retreat we were given an assignment to create our own, personal, coat-of-arms. We were to depict various characteristics and traits, accomplishments, growth opportunity areas and, finally, three words we'd like to have etched on our tombstones! I had trouble with the three words. Although, naturally, LIFE IS GOOD did come to mind. (The humor that epitaph might elicit wasn't lost on me, either.)

When installed as a member of Congregation Council these words are spoken: "It will be your responsibility to see that the words and deeds of this household of faith reflect him in whose name we gather. You are to work together with other members to see that the worship and work of Christ are done in this congregation, and that God's will is done in this community and in the whole world. You are to be diligent in your specific area of serving, that the one Lord who empowers you is glorified. You are to be examples of faith active in love, to help maintain the life and harmony of this congregation."

As an elected officer these words take on magnified importance. I have prayed, listened, responded, acted, and been present when it was necessary and important to maintain the life and harmony of my congregation through an example of faith active in love. God has placed me in this position of trust and responsibility, He has faith in me. I've had to dig deep; ethical questions and situations take on a new focus when acting on behalf of so many others, each day brings a new challenge. I know that I must prove at all times that God's faith and trust aren't misplaced in me. I tackle every situation head on. I can't deal in rumor or innuendo, but must stick to the facts. Emotions and personal feelings can make the water murky when a clear answer must be found. I play fair, by the rules; and expect everyone else to do the same. I keep lines of communication open at all times, for everyone. Closed doors and small, divisive groups are counter-productive. As I type this I am well aware that today is only February 1st, still a long eleven months left in this elected position! With God's help and guidance, much can be accomplished, in His name; and the time will pass quickly.

So, back to those three words; the assignment has stayed with me. I thought of "She Played Fair", I like to believe that I always do, but that didn't quite capture the spirit that I hope to communicate after I'm gone. I don't think I can limit the words to just three, I've decided now that I need five. (I don't know if I would have known this much about myself before this last month of daily challenge.) My phrase captures even more than playing fairly; it says that I will rise to a challenge, that I am bound to uphold a high level of ethical and moral justice, that I seek to understand before being understood, that I can stand up for myself and for what's right. How do I know that I can be and do all these things? Because God is by my side! With confidence, and faith active in love, my words are these:

Life is Good!