Thứ Tư, 11 tháng 12, 2013

Still

 

But sometimes  it is a relief to say what is on your mind, as long as you are doing it not to hurt anyone else, but to just be clear about your boundaries.

I have been brooding of late, but last night, I slept better than I have in a month.  Even with my stiff, aching neck.  I think that getting something off my mind that has been bothering me was good medicine.
This photo is the kind of serenity that I long for.  I think we all do.



I love it when I am out and about, and some perfect stranger says to me, "Your neck looks kind of stiff, huh?"
Uh, yeah.   Silence.
What else to say?

It's an art, knowing when to speak up, and knowing when to shut up.  I have not always been good at that.   I find myself giving it a lot more thought these days than I have previously.


Smasher since Sunday, but the sun is shining this morning, even though it is bitterly cold, so I am hoping that the headache dissipates as the day goes on.  My youngest daughter said to me last week, "I don't know anyone who could have gotten through two years of a headache like you have."

Now I am sure that I am not the only one capable of this, but wow, isn't it nice that she thinks that of me?  I was very touched by her comment.  It makes me more determined to stay as strong as I can be, to walk this path that I have been given, with as much grace and courage as I can.
Good days, bad days, accepting them all.  Doing the best I can with all of them.





My first daughter, (not allowed to say oldest :), came to the studio yesterday.  She is going to help me with Crazy as a Loom, taking over some jobs that I think will get her acclimated to my business.   We spent the day together, me showing her what I do on my web site, and explaining what parts she could do.
Later, on the phone, she told me that she could 'go to work' THERE every day, and love it.
I said, "hmm, you are beginning to sound like your mother."

 So life goes on, daily stuff.... like Roy getting a bath.  Look at that face.  He hates it, but he doesn't move a muscle until it's over.


Sewing socks, and more socks, and more socks.........there is no end.  But somehow, the monotony of it is sometimes soothing in its own way.
I'm weird, I know.



And after your bath, there is no place like your blankie on the couch with your Mum.
No place.




Sitting with my second cuppa coffee, finally the sky is blue, the sun is pouring through the windows as I type.  The headache is lifting.  I am hesitant to leave this quiet little cocoon I am in at this moment.  Pensive, sad for things gone by,  but still hopeful, still grateful.

There is so much to be grateful for.


Thứ Ba, 10 tháng 12, 2013

A new WIP for WIP Wednesday

How about a sneak peek of what I've been up to? There's been some new fabric sitting in the sewing studio - taunting me as I work to compete my to-do list for 2013. And I couldn't resist any longer...


I was a lucky girl and picked up the only bundle of "Color Me Happy" by Vanessa Christenson that my local quilt shop owners brought home from Market. The prints are beautiful and I've combined some of them with some stash fabric in a blue/green color combo...


The block is from a pattern by Fig Tree & Co. called Nutmeg Stars...


I enlarged it a bit and mine is a little over 13"...


They've been super fun to make...


Linking up today with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!





Chủ Nhật, 8 tháng 12, 2013

Low pressure



" What's this Christmas Tree you speak of... "

 (that was her Daddy's Facebook post, and I loved it so, I blatantly stole it, so you could see this thoughtful little girl giving him the eye)

I love her so much!  We all do.

It was a busy weekend at the studio.  I did not sign up for the annual Christmas in the Country tour,  the second year I have opted out.  I wasn't sure how my head would be behaving, so decided to just be "Open", and leave it at that.
I guess some people figured I should be on their route, so they stopped anyway.

I was intent on  weaving table runners.
Still loving my AVL ........
 

There's a mistake in this one, didn't see it until I saw the photo.
Can't swear here, right?


We have a new "sock" rug that you might like.......the colors are more earthy, and the rug is a little thinner than most sock rugs, and super durable.
I think it's a winner.
Not sure what to call it.
 
 

My head, or my personal barometer, says that a storm is coming.  The weatherman concurs....he calls it a winter advisory.
 Days like these, I just try not to think about it.......I keep busy, and trudge onward.
Blue skies are coming.  I just know it.
I'm setting my sights on them.

Thứ Sáu, 6 tháng 12, 2013

On A Whim

As I mentioned in my WIP Wednesday post, I'm trying to start 2014 with a clean quilting slate. Three tops to quilt - one down.

On A Whim is a great pattern from Thimbleblossoms. And it was the perfect quilt to make when I bought a FQ bundle of Denyse Schmidt's Florence line on a whim {you know, one of those impulse buys!}. There are some beautiful versions of On A Whim out there in cyberspace! And here's mine...


The solid is a Moda Bella - Dusty Jade - and seems to blend perfectly with Florence.


This is a big quilt for me... 72" x 87". Since there was such contrast in the fabrics, going from white to that dark charcoal gray, I really wanted custom quilting with plenty of thread color changes.


So despite the size, I decided to quilt it myself, all free-motion and I'm super pleased at the way it turned out! I started with the white areas, just going back and forth to fill in the space. I came up with this design for the colored portions of the block that I was able to quilt in one continuous line. I thought of doing feathers in the on-point solid square, but thought it may look too traditional, and ended up with squiggly lines giving it tons of texture.


The back is a pretty Florence print that echoes the jade green solid.


My husband has claimed this quilt because of the size. His napping quilt is probably 15 years old, so I think he's due!

Mmmm... maybe I should start more quilts on a whim!

Thứ Tư, 4 tháng 12, 2013

Weaving and babies.

Hi everyone.

I make my Mimi smile, even when she has a headache.


 Do you blame her????



She actually makes me smile even when she's sleeping.
Her name should be JOY.
 



This is what L has been up to lately.......she has talents she's been hiding.  




Weaving means something different to every weaver.
We all find our niche.


This might be hers.

I love them all, don't you??


On the studio front, I have about 50 bags of small loopers, that do not fit my Hip to Be Square looper loom.  So in the spirit of ZERO waste, I have purchased some small plastic looms with hooks, that the loopers will fit on.
I am selling these kits for Christmas for $14.95, with instructions, and enough loopers for about 10 potholders.   Will have them on my web site soon, but you can email me if you're interested.  They will be in my next newsletter, along with MORE monkeys.  Yep, they're back.



Other than that, I am just doing one day at a time, because it still works.

That works and a good night's sleep.  Amen.



WIP Wednesday

Today I'm guest hosting at Freshly Pieced! I've been a busy sewer, between holiday projects and finishing up some 2013 projects! Visit Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday to see what I've been up to!







Thứ Bảy, 30 tháng 11, 2013

I'm back.

I'm ok, honest. 
I guess I have been pretty quiet here lately.   I haven't had much to say.   Amazing, right???
Sometimes it's just that way.  

What's that phrase............"you act like you've lost your best friend?"
Sometimes life  leaves  you feeling  that way.





I've been keeping busy.  Weaving on the towels on my AVL......loving the pattern, and especially loving it with this variegated blue 8/2 I found in my stash.

I've been taking Roy for frosty, early morning walks.



At home, I've been sewing socks together, for rugs.

I have had some awful headache days, when there are storms.  But on clear days, my headache has been pretty doable.  And you know I will always take that.
I have books from the library, lined up, and I'm sitting in front of the fire reading them whenever I can, escaping to other worlds.

I recently read........We Are Water, by Wally Lamb......very good.  And one that surprised me........The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope, by Rhonda Riley.  I highly recommend both of them.


The cats are all fine.  Next still resists coming in.  He has his solar house, and a heated bed in the barn, and another bed on the porch.  Every time I bring him in, he cries and cries, and is not happy until he's outside again.

Miss Puss says:  he's stupid.


I think that's a bit harsh, don't you???


This little girl brings smiles no matter what the weather.


Love for my family puts it all in perspective.

Thanks for worrying about me!!!