Cultivating Calm

Today I am sowing, not sewing; my studio has been transformed into a cultivating ground for calm. I am diffusing Holiday Joy (a soul-warming, spirit-lifting scent: wild orange, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove mixed with Siberian and Douglas Fir) and listening to beautiful music while working on next Sunday's church bulletins. The news has been banished from my "garden space" for the time being, if you live in America you know why.  I remember the first presidential election I ever voted in, the year was 1972; I was a college student and embraced the opportunity, and the privilege, of voting that year. It was only the year before that the voting age had been extended from 21 to 18. Voting for me was a really big deal back then. It still is. The climate today is different, however; it literally breaks my heart to witness the civility that has gone missing in our country. The memories I have of friendly, and informative, debates over candidates and issues where two holding opposing views could agree to disagree, shake hands afterwards and remain friends are seemingly just that-- memories, distant ones at that. The serene environment I have cultivated begs for extended prayer time today. Join me if you will.  "O, God,  as a citizen of  your Kingdom I pray that my vote is right and truthful according to your law, recognizing that to be above any human law, that I may be a faithful citizen on earth."

Life is Good!

On this, the seventh day of November, I lift my heart in 

gratitude to God for granting me the privilege of voting. 

The Decision Making Process

My decision has been made, I chose to add border #3 on my challenge quilt for the next round of "Head For The Border".  I appreciate everyone's vote and value the opinions and rationale given by all of you, thanks SEW much for that. The process for making my final decision was based, ultimately, on two things: 1. my ability to realistically piece the next border with precise accuracy and, 2. the opportunity to continue the corner block chain-effect. As you can see in the photo I have begun piecing the three inch on-point squares and, for comparison, there is a one inch on-point square below. I'm going to need 32 of the larger blocks to go all the way around; if I had gone with the one inch border ( choice #2) I would have needed 100 teeny-tiny blocks! The chances for piecing mistakes and distortion would have been multiplied over three times by going with that narrow border option. I might be a little bit crazy but I am not insane; #3 it is! When it's all said and done I do enjoy the visual effect that occurs with the black and white corner squares moving outward. I still have no idea where this one is going, but I am enjoying this process immensely!

Life is Good!

I Need Your Help!

This is a follow up to my last post, the one where I admitted to being directionally challenged. Yesterday was the third meeting of our "Head For The Border" group where we enjoyed an inspirational show and tell as well as learned our next "assignment" based on the random choice of a design element and a color. The element selected from the envelope was squares. Easy enough, right? The color chosen: brown. Hmmm. Well, I decided that if I needed to add one more color I would add four; so, along with brown I am incorporating orange, blue and purple into this next round. Now, for a design plan. Squares, as is, were too boring. Squares set on point, however, intrigue me and continue the movement outward. I have placed three design possibilities up for consideration and for voting.

 Let me know what you think: #1, #2, or #3.

#1 & #3 are almost identical, except for the corner blocks. (Pretend there's purple thrown in there too).

#2 is comprised of teeny, tiny squares, that border measures 1", finished.

Thanks, in advance, for your help... and your vote!
Life is Good!

Election Day

I was in the second grade, the year was 1960. We had a mock election in our classroom. Our teacher, Mrs. Wade, posted these two photographs at the front of the room with their names below the pictures. We had a ballot box set on a vacant desk and our teacher dismissed us row by row to cast our votes, marked on paper ballots, into that box. She tallied the votes at the end of the day and recorded the results on the blackboard. John Kennedy won that election in my second grade classroom, I was disappointed; I had voted for  Richard Nixon because he looked neater, tidier. Isn't it funny, the things that we remember and the what factors can influence us in our decision making process. I don't recall politics being discussed at home and my rationale for voting was mine alone. Today's the day, the candidates are counting on your vote; whatever your reason, get out to the polls and cast a ballot! 

What's the first presidential election you remember?

Life is Good!