They Followed The Star

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them 

until it came to rest over the place where the child was.   -Matthew 2:9

The star that led the three kings was their compass. What directs you, what points you in the direction that you're traveling this new year? Is your path one that leads you toward what is real, true and authentic? Or, is it the path of least resistance? Even worse, do you find yourself stuck in a rut? For me, this year is one of taking stock and assessing where I am going. If I need to make slight deviations, I will. I won't fear leaving the comfortable, well-worn path. I may choose that less traveled, road not taken*. I trust in God to be my compass, to point me where He needs me to go. This is not a new year's resolution; not this year, I'm on an adventure with a most trusted guide! Where are you headed in 2016?

Life is Good!

*"...I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."   -  excerpt, The Road Not Taken by: Robert Frost

About the photo, above: this handmade plaque was a gift from our son and daughter-in-law this Christmas. They made it themselves, it's a forever treasure.

Where Am I Headed?

Back in December I joined a round-robin group at my LQS entitled "Head For The Border". This is a round-robin that never leaves the hands of the original quiltmaker, everyone works on their own creation the entire time. As a way of sparking creativity and building skills, the unknown for the next border "round" is revealed each month by the drawing of a color and a design element to be used from a brown paper bag. We don't know where we're headed... it's the journey that makes this experience so much fun.

In order to develop a sense of direction toward the destination it's important to not only know where you are but how you got there. I often find myself relying on the most basic skills that I learned in the very first quilmaking class I ever took, back in 1983. (Are you reading this, Ann?) Back then we cut templates from plastic and drew every seam line with pencil. I don't use mylar sheets anymore for templates but sometimes certain situations (unusual sizes) call for me to draft the shapes in EQ7 and print them onto freezer paper sheets. I cut them out (on the stitching line) and iron them to the backside of my fabric pieces; then lightly draw around those shapes with a fine mechanical pencil. The pieces won't shift (I use a sandpaper board beneath the fabric pieces to ensure stability while tracing) and then cut them out 1/4" beyond the drawn line. The freezer paper is reusable (over and over and over...). This is much more accurate than using rotary cutting directions to the 1/16th or 1/32nd of an inch. I'm happy to have a solid piecing foundation, basically anything that can be drafted can be stitched using this technique. Even with a closetful of specialty rulers and a die cutter it's always a good feeling to return to the basics.

Ready for tomorrow... my "Head For The Border" medallion work in progress. This now measures 23.5" square; I believe there are to be three more "rounds". The four "Winding Ways" blocks are where I began. Round #1 saw us adding the color black and the design element of rectangles; round #2: green and flying geese. I can't wait for tomorrow's reveal and to see what everyone else has come up with. As for me, I may not know exactly where I'm headed, but I am guided by good directions and am having an enjoyable time getting there. I believe I am going to name this one "The Long And Winding Road". Stay tuned for more clues along the way to the ultimate destination.

Life is Good!

C'mon Along...

She's here! Sundance has arrived!! I could barely sleep last night at the very thought, I felt like one of the children in the Disney World commercial exclaiming: "we're too excited to sleep"! And now, the long awaited day, has finally dawned and this is what she looks like sitting in the studio. It's more than a little overwhelming. I'm inviting you to come along with me as I journey, baby- step by baby-step into this wonderful world of long arm quilting. I have no idea how long the path will be, or the twists and turns that await me along the way. I do know where I hope to end up, I'll just keep looking forward, with my eye on the goal. You may need to remind me, at times, to do just that! OK, ready? Here we go; the time is upon us.For the next month or so I will be signing off with a stress-reducing "tip", or discipline, there are 35. These came to me in the form of a numbered list, in an e-mail, I decided to separate them and include them here; they are each of great value individually.

1. Pray
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!