Reading Between the Lines of the To Do List

The "to do list". I don't know about yours but mine seems to be ever growing, endless, equally frustrating as well as equally fulfilling. I carry it around on my phone, on my calendar, in my mind. Always thinking about my to do list.

Somewhere along the line I developed the mindset that every day must be productive or I would be considered lazy. There are so many opportunities that beckon my attention - good things that perhaps benefit others, necessary things to keep life functioning properly (like laundry), activities that perhaps selfishly benefit my business, social or spiritual life. Lots of choices.

Recently on my "to do list" or calendar were two quilting 'social' activities. One being the Island Quilters Guild meeting in Galveston. I enjoy gathering with like minded folks and talking about quilts. I've always said that my favorite part is show and tell. Every now and then I have a quilt to share....

Here I'm pointing out my butterfly logo located on the map where I live, between Houston and Galveston. I was sharing that this quilted map hang in the A-1 booth recently in Dallas and I used it as a cheat sheet to help with my geography when a customer would tell me where they were from - I'd ask them to point it out on the map....

What I really enjoy is looking at other's show and tell...always amazed at the creativity of what others are doing, love to see their color choices, their pattern layout, and how the quilt was quilted. This particular quilt was inspiring. The blocks were a part of a block exchange among several members of the guild (unfortunately I wasn't one of them). I have always loved pinwheels, and seeing this quilt set in a beautiful purple was just over the top wonderful to me!

"attend guild meeting" Check.

Next on the "to do list" was teaching a Square in a Square class at Catcus Quilts in Texas City. This was an advanced technique class and each of the ladies have now been trained in Options 1-17 of the Square in a Square technique (for more info on this check out Square in a Square). We had a fun class, lots of sewing but more important talking and laughing. A great social outing that was also productive.

"teach SnS class" Check.

The to do list was being checked off as new things were being added. Isn't this what we are suppose to do? Be organized, be scheduled, fill our lives with lots and lots of activities, get a lot out of every day? Certainly productive!

Then it dawned on me yesterday coming home from worship. Life isn't a to do list. I'm going through the motions, checking things off, thinking about what's next, reworking that list, always always thinking of what I have to finish so I can get to what I have to do next. Wait a minute. I'm not really living. I'm missing out on the moments. I heard a phrase yesterday on the radio, in fact I think it's the name of someone's new album or something..."life isn't a snapshot" ... now I don't know what meaning that phrase has to them, but gee, I'm always taking photos and trying to "document" my life as if that gives it more meaning, more purpose....hum...as much as I enjoy rambling and sharing, that can't be my purpose. Nor is it to have bigger and brighter piles of quilts -although I really love looking at my top shelf in the studio with all the quilts folded as a testimony to my accomplishments - that's not my purpose in life, it can't be. It's a pleasure for me, but there's more to life than stacking up accomplishments and checked off to do lists.

The other day I was in a gift shop on the Kemah Boardwalk looking for a gift for my mother's birthday. At the checkout counter was a little display full of little metal seashells. I'm naturally drawn to anything beachie so I took a second glance and noticed that on each shell there were words etched such as inspire, believe, etc. Then I found the one that spoke to me. Balance. Wow. I'm missing out on that. For a few extra dollars above my gift purchase that little seashell went home with me. I need to be balanced.

Time to enjoy the moments. Time to take time off from the to do list and do something unplanned, something inspired. What's really neat is when that translates to something creative, and even useful - like a new personal quilt...

Sunday afternoon I did just that. I decided that I really really liked the purple pinwheel quilt that my fellow guild member made and I wanted to make one too. The joy was working through my own scraps and making pinwheels that had meaning and purpose to me. I didn't want to totally copy her quilt, and although I have really loved purple these past 10 years I'm sorta moving into a new color, or adding a new color, hot pink! I was going to call this Playful Pinwheels but decided that it's a new decade and along with HOT pink being added to my life there's a new season of personal summers so I'm going to call this Hot Flash (giggle) as I wish at times I had all the fan movement of these pinwheels!

I made over 50 eight inch blocks yesterday afternoon and was blessed with a friend coming over to visit with me while I sewed. She even pressed a few blocks and helped me put them up on the design wall. The blocks will be tucked away for another day, but the thoughts shared with this friend I hope will stay with me as they were profound and encouraging..

We were talking about this very subject of the to do list, balance, life's ups and downs and she shared with me what she'd learned about worry -- that worrying about something is really a control issue...

For example, she shared that she was waiting on her income tax return because there were some bills that needed to be paid and this check was the source that would relive these burdens of debt. She had been given the estimate that the check should be received on Friday and worried all day waiting on the mail...when it didn't come she worried about the overdue bills. Her husband said "worrying doesn't change anything, it's in God's hands". Simple. True. He then shared that her worrying about it was as if she could control the outcome.

Hum...how many times have I worried and fretted over something I have absolutely no control over, as if my worrying would change the fact that I could have control, and if I had control then I could fix it. I'd never thought of worry as a control issue. No new revelation that I'm a control freak, but didn't realize to what degree. I need to recognize the fact that many many things are out of my control, that I can only do what I can do, and that sometimes the to do list is just that, a list, not a mandate of what I have to do - just things that I'd like to do or need to do. I also have to realize that I can't control other people - how they will react, if they will like me or like my quilting or whatever, that all I can do is all I can do - trying to second guess what others want me to do or trying to do everything to please others is tiring. All I can do is the best that I can do. Worrying about what other's think is something that I now recognize is out of my control....what I can do is recognize that I need to take time to balance and balance means taking a moment to live. Enjoy the moments, not rushing to the next item on the to do list. A time to smell the roses....

For some reason I've been taking a lot of flower photos lately. Perhaps it was because I was rushing by so quickly and wanted to savor the moment later by reviewing the photos... perhaps a little part of me was reaching out for recognition that I must stop and smell the roses, that I need this time to reflect on God's beauty, time to be renewed and refreshed.... Here's a sample of the photos I've been collecting this past week...

Life isn't a to do list. It's not accomplishments that will long fade after I'm gone, it's not even the quilts that will be inherited (grin). It's about taking a deep breath and recognizing that God has blessed me by placing me in the middle of His beautiful creation. That He has a plan and purpose for me, and sometimes that's only revealed one day at a time - verses thinking it has to be a big grand and glorious accomplishment that will be recorded in history (grin). It's more of a "what can I do today that will glorify His name?" It is being faithful in the little things such as fulfilling my obligations on my to do list like keeping my word to show up for an appointment (on time) or it could be more about the people factor of those appointments, sharing an encouraging word to someone I encounter along the way? Both perhaps. Each day brings new opportunities. The key is to not place the focus on the to do list, but instead place the focus on balance and embrace life by reading between the lines of the to do list. And taking time to rest. That part has been missing for a long time. (maybe I should add that to the to do list!)

"Be Still and Know" that He is God!

Running the Roads!

I love going and doing! Family, friends, meeting new friends. Teaching, quilting, going to quilt shows, or just a Sunday drive on a beautiful spring day!

Seems I've been on the road a lot these past few weeks and I think I'm behind in documenting the Kronicles of Karen...

Here's a new purse I made today on my "day off". Several weeks ago I quilted a four yard piece of fabric on my longarm in preparation for future bags...yep, this self proclaimed bag lady just can't get enough bags! And the funny thing is, my bags have bags! Remember all those little zipper bags I've made in the past as well as the ones I purchased in Mexico on my cruise? You guessed it, they are safely tucked inside my new bag holding all those little important things that I just think I have to carry around with me (grin).

So...here's a recap of a few of the things I've been up to this month...some that I'd forgotten to post..

The first weekend in March I taught a Square in a Square technique class at Cactus Quilts in Texas City.

In this class my students (and my friends!) made a practice book demonstrating Options 1 - 9 of the SnS technique. They were really busy and really serious! Ah, but we had our share of laughter too. If it's not fun, why do it?

I thought you might also like to see how I packed my car coming home from our P&B Fabrics run prior to the Dallas Quilt Show last weekend - for the record, not all of this was mine, remember my side kick Trish? To protect us both I'll not disclose the actual split (grin). By the way, I think everyone should keep bungie cords in their trunk don't you? never know when they will come in handy!

While at the Dallas show I had some good friends stop by and say hi. Many were friends that I know only through the internet - either on Facebook or Blogger or some of the other lists I'm on. It was great to meet you in person! I wished I'd of taken more photos! Those of you who stopped by please know how much you blessed me by introducing yourself and encouraging me - especially those who shared that they were "forever friends" (as in we will spend eternity together because we share the same Savior) and who said they were praying for me. Oh how I needed your hugs and your prayers! The weekend was soooo much fun and sooooooooooo much work! Long days, short nights, only meal to speak of was dinner after the show. All good and I'd do it again in a heartbeat - but only after a few more days to nap! Again, it was such a blessing to meet you and hear that you'd been reading about my Texas quilt and other ramblings. Thank you for being so special to me!

My friend Tom Russell had a beautiful little quilt in the show and won a special recognition award. He stopped by the booth and we took time for a photo op.

Here we are with Kathy and Trish, whom we fondly call our side kicks. Enjoyed a great dinner out after the show and stayed up way too late considering it was the time change weekend. Who needs sleep when you are among quilting friends!

Another good friend, Sue Needle, came by to say hi. Sue also had some beautiful quilts in the show. If you are in the Fort Worth area and need a good longarm quilter I can highly recommend Sue!

Remember Justin? Our A-1 Tech and son of owner Stewart Plank ? Remember on our set up day he asked me to show him how I quilted my feather puff that I used in the Texas Quilt? Well, I'm hear to tell ya that Justin is a quick learner! Any chance that he had during the weekend he was on the machine perfecting his feather puff! At the end of the show he cut out a section of our practice quilt to take home. I have it on good confidence that he woke up his roommate, fellow A-1 worker Victor, at 0215 AM upon his arrival home Monday after the show to show off his feather puffs! Way to go Justin!! Stay tuned, Justin said he's going to go home and make a Missouri Quilt as inspired by the Texas Quilt.

Speaking of drive home - thank you again to those special friends who prayed me through this show, especially the drive home last Sunday night. We packed up the booth by 7 PM and hit the road after a great dinner ....didn't arrive home until 0130 Monday morning and in dense fog. Prayers are what kept me awake and on my side of the road (as well as the deer in their proper places and not in my lane!)

I'm hoping spring has sprung! These beauties were on the side of the road on one of my morning walks this weekend. Later that day the weather turned a little nasty with wind and rain and turning cold again, but I have hope. God promised that as long as the earth lasted there would be the seasons. Oh so ready for spring!!

In the meantime, a girl's got to have a little fun so I decided to finish up some UFO's. This is Lime Jubilee, a quilt I started on my birthday in 2007 and have worked on here and there ever since. This weekend I finally finished it up by adding a narrow lime green border and then using all the purple scraps from the blocks to make a braided border. Now it enters the "Quilts in Waiting" category... ah, but the joys of finishing a top!

As much as I'm enjoying working through some of my UFO's (clearing away some guilt perhaps) I can't resist starting something new! I'm taking a class with Winnie Flemming at Quakertown Quilts in Friendswood and this was part of my homework. The class is called Lone Star and we are using the strip piecing method. The final quilt will have 22 different stars. I'm a little behind in my homework for tomorrow night's class. Sigh.

As you can tell, I like color. I came to an important conclusion this weekend. The UFO's on my to do list are there for a reason. Either it was complicated and I gave up, orI ran out of time to work on it, or I was bored, or I just didn't like it. Some that I lost interest in I've discovered that I can always make the quilt smaller than I intended and then filter the remaining fabric back into my stash to be utilized another time. That's been a good way to finish up some projects.....but there are a few UFO's that I decided that I really just couldn't work on because the colors were not my pallet.....hum...new revelation - why not give them away! Why not indeed! I belong to several guilds that are very prolific in making charity quilts. So first chance I get I'm moving out some fabric that just isn't my flavor knowing that I'll place it in capable hands to fellow quilters who will add their talent and use it for good. It takes all of us sometimes - one provides the fabric/supplies and others provide the labor. It's all done in the name of love and caring about someone other than ourselves. Why didn't I think of this sooner? Hum, maybe that's why it's called Spring Cleaning! My fabric is going to get a good cleaning out this week and in doing so it not only blesses me by reliving guilt over unfinished projects but hopefully it will bless someone else in working with and enjoying what I've shared. One person's discard is another's treasure!

So that my friends is what my goal is for this week. Thanks for catching up with the goings-on of this quilt rambler!

Busy Weekend

Busy month! Hum, busy season! Feels like I haven't had a breather since pre-Ike when we were boarding up for the first time in August. Just this past week have I felt somewhat 'normal' -- and have been surprised that several of my local friends have felt the same way. I know folks are tired of us whining about Ike, but I tell ya', you survive a major life-changing event like that one and it does take it's toll on you.

But that's not what I wanted to ramble about this morning. Actually I have a couple of things I want to ramble about -- one being the quilt that almost took away all my confidence as a quilter...but that story needs lots of photos to tell so it will have to be delayed until another time.

So about my weekend...while it's fresh on my mind (grin)

Saturday morning I hosted four new students to a Square in A Square Class -- they learned the basic options (techniques) to make half-square triangles and flying geese out of squares and strips. Everyone finished one complete block and parts and pieces for others. The pattern was called Garden Party.

When class was over we all high-tailed it over to Cactus Quilts in Texas City to see what was left from her anniversary sale (it's a wonder we didn't delay the start of class to go shopping first!) We weren't disappointed. And yes, I was tempted. No stashbuster broken promises here, I gave up being a stashbuster (grin). I came home with a cute little panel that was half price, a few cordinating fat quarters that were 40 percent off and a little yardage of this cute matching pink print (that wasn't on sale). Oh, and did I mention that I just had to have a new book - needed some new reading material for the nightstand...25 percent off to boot!

Well, can't let a new project just sit so Sunday after worship I decided that I just needed to do something with that panel. I'm not really a "cheater cloth" sort of gal, but when it's on sale why not break out of my box. A few added SnS and tada....

Seems I didn't guestimate my pretty pink fabric well -- I've got to go back for 5.5 inches x WOF to be able to finish the narrow border on the other three sides (sigh). But! I did get the cordinating backing material on sale - so there.

Once that was complete I wanted to finish out the class demo from Saturday...even though I already had a class sampler made I always demo a block or two for the students to see and understand the process...so instead of having another UFO I worked really hard to get my blocks together. We cut out enough for 5 blocks, and my original sample had 5, but one of the students mentioned that this design would look good set on point, so that's what I did - used four blocks on point and parts of the fifth block in the border.

So that's what I did this weekend.

I've got more to share...that quilt that totally depressed me, and the re-organization in my studio (mainly my UFO section)....but this is all the time I have this morning...Have a customer quilt calling my name and it's a little past my normal time to 'clock in' for work...stay tuned...the rambler isn't out of stories just been a little short on computer time.

How'bout a SnS class!

Take 5 ladies, 5 sewing machines, a bunch of precut squares and strips and you've got the makin's of a great day!!

Yep, time for another Square in a Square hen party, er, class! Add a couple of tables to the studio and away we go!!

This time the Christmas Star or Exploding Star from Jodi Barrows' book Advancing On II. This little wallhanging is only six Option 14s, a lickety split project!

All were new to SnS today, and learned a new vocabulary of "options," "side one, side two," "short strips," and "Texas Two Step" without ever missing a beat!

Everyone is busy concentrating on sewing their strips together, although the chain piecing method really lends itself for yackin' time I happen to catch this serious moment on camera.

Betcha' didn't know a longarm machine makes a great cutting station (smile) I have 4 mats that go on the table (covered with a quilt to protect the tracks) that allow students their own spot to trim their options. Our time is spent at the sewing machine, the ironing station, and the cutting station. Good exercise.

A view from the front of the table show how I use the longarm as a place to showcase other SnS projects - ya'll know how much I love "show and tell."

And here's the best show and tell!

By the end of the afternoon all the ladies had their blocks complete -- all that's left is to add a couple of borders and its done! The Square In a Square method is fun, fast, and finished!!

Pixxie' pooped, but agrees that it was a great day! And she wanted me to remind everyone that we are having an Open House 12/6/08 from 10 to 3 to demo the SnS method and to talk about our longarm quilting services as well as our new opportuinity as the A-1 Texas Dealer -- which simply means you can get your hands on my longarm at open house and test drive one yourself! So if you are in the area plan on stopping by...demos, door prizes, and desserts -- email for directions!!

Oh and by the way -- if you are one of my SnS students bring your project for show and tell!

Time out to Sew!

Saturday I taught a Square in a Square class at Cactus Quilts in Texas City.

There were just two students, mother/daughter who are members of my guild so this made for a fun day as we really got to visit while we worked.

The project was Christmas Exploding Star, it works up really quick the SnS way -- no triangles to cut!

Both ladies got their inner blocks pieced and together, all that's left is to add a pretty border and quilt it in time for Christmas!

Since the class was small and I was demonstrating the blocks I decided to go ahead and work on a sample for myself. This is new fabric I purchased at Quilt Market a few weeks ago. My plans are to use the Exploding Star as a center and make this a medallion quilt -- in my spare time of course (grin). Just don't have the heart to think of this as the beginning of another UFO (unfinished project)....but realize that it's not probably not going to get worked on again until the first of the year. Oh well, gives me something to look forward too!

I have another class set up next week to teach the same project, this time to six ladies in my studio...so stay tuned for more photos!

Sew Much to Tell!

I've finding that I'm "behind" in my blogging -- even though I'm trying to stay current there is just soooooo much to share and it takes time to sit down and do this...but a true rambler just has to share (grin) so take a deep breath, pour yourself a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or a big glass of sweet tea (depending upon your location and preference), get comfy in front of your computer and hang on cuz I'm fixing to ramble!!

Will do my best to be chronological...so step back in time a couple of days to this past Saturday....want to share a photo from my Square in A Square class at Cactus Quilts in Texas City. The pattern of the day was Ohio Star, using the basic option #1 (square in a square) and option #3 (flying geese). I just love the ah-ha moment when my students "get it" and they are then true converts to this fabulous method of piecing. It was a great class, as was the sister class last Saturday - we all needed the "Ike break" and an opportunity to share with others our experiences. Without too many details, one of the ladies shared that she had lost a co-worker due to Ike -- a couple died from carbon monoxide while using a generator during the power outage. I was at a total loss for words - this was the first I'd spoken with someone who experienced this type of loss. A reminder that stuff doesn't matter, people do. Even though we were sharing our stories, many serious, we all had a wonderful day laughing and learning together. My idea of teaching is to emphasis that quilting is our therapy so we are not going to be in bondage or be stressed over it. We relax, have fun, and go home with a newly acquired skill. Too many times I've been in classes (as a student) where the ladies were almost in tears because they were so hard on themselves in trying to be perfect as they were learning. I tell my students that this is not allowed in my class - that they are there to have fun and to learn, but it will be done without pressure. Typically I teach in a step by step demo method but I tell everyone that they do not have to keep pace with the "smoking needle" gals, that where they are is where they are suppose to be. I gauge my demos by the "average" speed setter and will always always be willing to repeat myself and assist anyone at the point they find themselves. I truly believe in individualized teaching. Doesn't matter the size of the class, it's my goal that each student feels like she got as much of me as she needed to accomplish her goals. Oh, and did I mention that there's no ripping out in my classes? I call it "frogging" - rip it rip it...I tell them that if they find a need to unsew that they pass that piece over to me -- I'm the queen of frogging and can do it pretty darn fast thank you very much. In my class you aren't there to unsew, you are there to sew, so frogging is part of my job description if necessary (smile). I hope this small service makes a difference to my students, it truly is my goal for everyone to have a good time and to go home with at least one completed block of the technique they are learning so they can duplicate it at home...These ladies all made three blocks and I hope went home feeling like they got their money's worth from the class.

Last night was "date night" -- my husband and I have a favorite Mexican Resturant just up the road that we try to frequent regularly, we consider it our escape. I believe I've mentioned it before when we were so pleased to be able to go out to eat after Ike and NOT have Spam and macaroni at home (smile). This establishment has outdoor patio dining which is our favorite - just as soon as they open it up in the spring we are out there! Even in the winter months they will sometimes have big heat blowers and we are out there -- we'd much rather be outside, we're just wired that way I guess. Well, on Sunday nights during the "patio season" they have local bands so we try to go as often as our schedule permits. After Ike many of the resurants in the area where these bands play have had to close due to damage, we were pleased to learn that our favorite spot decided to have bands on Wednesdays and Thursdays to give these displaced bands a venue. I told our friend Amanda, who cordinates the bands, that they (as a resturant) would be blessed for reaching out like this. I truly believe they will be.

Well, back to last night. Since we go there so often we know many of the servers, oh not really by name, just by their smiles. Once or twice we've been other places and recognized someone and said hello. Seems since Ike we've been becoming closer to our familar faces and learning names and their Ike stories. We feel like these people are our community, they are our normal, and right now it just seems right - and important - to know them not merely as our servers but as our friends and neighbors. I can't tell you how blessed I felt last night when one of the young men that waited on us last week came up and shook our hands when we came in for dinner. Another of the young ladies we visited with last week gave me a hug when she passed through the patio area (she said "I'm working inside tonight" as if she were disappointed that she wasn't working on the patio so we could visit). When our server for the evening came to take our order I commented "we haven't seen you in a while, were you okay in Ike?" to which she replied that she had to take a week off to clean up -- she lives in San Leon, where we had just driven through earlier that afternoon. I "knew" this young woman had a family since we'd met one time at McDonalds -- a beautiful little girl -- and I asked her if they needed anything. She said someone had given them a mattress and she had been given clothing. She said she was so touched by the things people were doing for her and her family. I then told her about the Quilts for Hope and asked if she would like a quilt for her little girl. She said she would and gave me her address and phone number. Well....we enjoyed the band, we enjoyed visiting with Amanda (the owner's daughter who helps run the place) and I can't tell you how thrilled I was to have this opportunity to get to know some of the servers - all due to Ike -- the silver lining to a dark storm, truly finding my community - a wonderful sense of belonging, after three years of living here I'm finally meeting my neighbors!

To keep the story flowing "in order" I'll share now about my morning....can't tell you when I've been more excited about a Monday! For today I would get my second chance at water aerobics. Okay, go ahead and laugh - but I got so much relief from the pain in my hip and legs after just one workout of Friday that I couldn't wait until today! I wasn't disappointed. It was a tad cooler this morning and I don't think the pool was really "heated" but that didn't dampen my spirits.

My husband was off today and I hated leaving him at home for the duriation of my class...as is my habit I usually call him when I'm on my way home. The phone rang and rang. Hum. That's odd. A little while later my cell phone rang and he said that he and Pixxie were busy and didn't hear it -- I couldn't imagine what they were doing -- then he shared that Pixxie was actually on the couch watching him vacuum. I thought wow am I blessed or what! I had figured we'd spend the morning doing chores and I find that he's already working ahead of me! He also told me there was another surprise! That I'd received a large box and he was pretty sure it had Quilts of Hope in it.

I couldn't wait to get home and open the box. Indeed, it was packed with love and contained some of the most beautiful quilts -- all in my favorite colors!! Thank you Barbara from NC for your generous offer! I enlisted Pixxie's assistance and we photographed each quilt. Be sure and frequent my webshots for what I hope to be a growing collection of Quilts of Hope. Here's my favorite one -- Barbara, I'd love to know how to purchase this pattern, I'm just in awe of it!


We had made arrangements to meet with our new friend from the restaurant after lunch today. With the addition of the larger quilts we were able to offer her family not only the beautiful small quilt for the little three year old, but a quilt that will serve as bedding for the couple. Smiles and hugs abounded. I wish you all could have been there to see this precious family. With your generous donations there will be many more families snuggling up in homemade quilts covered in love.

Each quilt has a "letter" attached - it reads something like this:

Quilt makers nationwide are reaching out to families affected by the devastation from Hurricane Ike by offering their love through quilts that they have made -- what we are calling "Quilts of Hope". It is our collective wish that the quilt presented to your family will let you know that you have not been forgotten. Please know that people are praying for you. This quilt is our way of offering you hope during your time of rebuilding and recovery. Quilts are being collected by Quilts 'N Kaboodle in Bacliff and being distributed throughout Galveston County as they arrive. Your quilt was made by.... wouldn't you love to have your name here? knowing that you were making a difference, one quilt at a time?

Guess what! A new quilt shop opened up today! We stopped by to say howdy after we delivered the Quilts of Hope. The grand opening had been delayed by Ike, but today was a day to celebrate! Meet Peggy, owner, and Dawn, manager (seated) of Pinwheels and Poises located in Dickinson Texas at I45 and FM 517. Lots of fun exciting days are ahead for this beautiful shop -- I love Peggy's antiques used with her displays. As you venture down south you've got to check out Pinwheels and Poises! Tell them Karen sent ya (smile)


Told ya there was sew much to tell! Tonight was the first gathering of the Island Quilters Guild (Galveston) since Ike. We had a special guest....but that will have to wait until I throw in a little ramble...

See this quilt? It's part of a display inside Moody Methodist Church where we meet. It's on the second floor level....viewable as you walk into the door....


Well, it happens to be one of my personal quilts. Not that it's anything special mind you (well, to me it is, its the first big quilt I ever made and it's the first custom quilt I quilted on a longarm)...but basically its just a quilt...but a quilt with a unique story! This quilt was on my bed when we evacuated in 2005 with Hurricane Rita...even though our area was spared the brunt of the hurricane this quilt was not. See, we were looted. And the looting took place prior to the hurricane. The theives broke out our bedroom window to make their escape, thus letting IN the hurricane which ruined our bed. The quilt sat wet on the bed for the several days it took us to be able to retun to the area. It was washed, "saved" and continued to be used until our guild was asked to provide quilts to be on display at Moody Methodist...a week prior to IKE!!!! yep, you guessed it - this quilt has now survived TWO hurricanes -- but with Ike it was hung high enough not to get damaged....who says quilts don't tell tales!

Well, the main attraction tonight was not the sharing of Ike stories or even the hugs that abounded due to some of seeing each other for the first time since the storm....nope. The starlet of the night was Jacqueline de Jonge, of Becolourful. Jacqueline is from the Netherlands and was here on the island as a guest of Quilts By the Bay. She will be doing workshops this week prior to teaching next week at the Houston International Quilt Festival. A delightful woman. And very talented! Her trunk show was a sight to behold. Nothing like getting to see the orginials up close and personal! What a feast! What a welcomed Ike-release. What inspiration! I took several photos but wanted to share this one tonight. I believe the pattern is called The Colourful Quilt.



I wish I were taking her workshop...but there's just not enough hours in my day...If my clock is correct there's only 3o minutes left in THIS day, so I'd best sign off and get my beauty sleep. Tomorrow is another busy day.....perhaps they'll be something to ramble about...or perhaps I'll give you the day off (grin)

Thanks for hanging out with me!
karen