Something I just remembered

I have a daily flip calendar in my bathroom that has scriptures on it. It's a morning ritual to flip to the new day first thing in the morning to read the verse for the day. Here's the one for 9/12

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked way; then will I hear from heaven,and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

I thought this a rather good verse for Evacuation Day (smile) especially the "will heal their land" part. There's going to be a lot of healing going on in my area the next few weeks. Many are without power right now, and they say may be weeks before they get it back -- and Ike hasn't even hit yet! Many are already flooded...

Right now I am praising God that the prayers of righteous folk have been answered for the protection of my family and at the moment that protection has extended to my personal property. Ike hasn't hit yet, I know things can change - but they can change as easily to TOTAL protection as just as easily as total devestation -- and that's okay, God is still in the business of answering prayers. He still cares about us, He is still on His throne - doesn't matter if we have a house to come back to or not. He never changes.

And right now this good news has energized me and given me courage and hope. What a miracle. Everyone around us has flooded, yet this small community has not. I'm sure the residents that are sheltered in place are facing this long night just a tad bit relieved. Please pray for the ones that are facing the night with continued rising water in their neighborhoods.

I'm holding on waiting for more miracles! Keep praying and seeking His face.

PS I'm always tempted to read ahead the verse for tomorrow - but I resist (smile) I like to be encouraged first thing in the morning...His Mercy Is New Every Morning!!!

65 miles from Galveston 10 PM report

My husband just got a phone call from our neighbor - he's still there and said we have power and no water in our houses, the ditches aren't even full. PRAISE GOD! Areas just up the road near NASA have 8 to 12 inches. The storm is still 65 miles off the coast so it's still early - but by not having flooding now means we may continue to have less than our neighbors or none at all. Right now I see this as God answering the prayers of my dear and faithful friends asking for His protection on our home. The outer bands are just hitting. We hear the wind inland. Continue to pray, thank you! Pray that our dear neighbor will be safe as they shelter in. We are praying that we continue to have power here, it's a blessing that I have a computer to borrow (smile)

A Small Ray of Encouragement

My youngest son has a friend who in still in our home area - they have a "hurricane proof" house and assist the local volunteer fire department and other officials, so it's okay for them to still be there...we were just in contact with him and he gave us this report as of 6:45 PM

He was sitting at the boat dock where we took photos the other morning - the pier is under water but the waves are just splashing on the cliff, still about 5 feet before it goes over the road. If you look at the photo of Noah's Ark his location would be just beyond that on the bay - That is good news, the streets haven't flooded yet. We know that it will eventually, but if it's not flooded yet there is hope of minimal flooding instead of total to the roof top flooding or at least that's what I'm beliving right now.

The young man then drove to our house while still on the phone with my son and gave us a report - he walked around the house, checked the locks, said everything was as we left it.

The sad news is that he reported that very few of the residents evacuated. This breaks my heart as we are a little community that ranges from trailer homes to mansions - Billy Gibens of ZZ Top has a home just down the road a little ways south- the roads there are flooded, don't know about his home...there are many many young familes - on any given "normal" day kids would be riding bikes, skateboarding, young moms with the "baby buggy bregade" walking. It's really a nice little community - no gated neighborhoods, just a sprinkling of all sorts of folks (the good the bad and the ugly).

So it does appear that the areas just north of us a few miles and just south of us a few miles are experencing at least street flooding. Our "cliff" in conjunction with our being on a "hill" between these other communities are keeping us dryer at the moment.

We still haven't experienced the outer bands yet. Seems Ike is getting a little stronger. Time to be praying harder "peace be still"

Late Afternoon Report

Just to repeat, we are 75 miles north west in Cypres, watching the news like everyone else. It is heart breaking to see Galveston Island already under water just from the storm surge and Ike is still 100 miles away. AND IT'S NOT RAINING YET. Moody Garden is surrounded by water, I haven't heard what they did with the critters from the rainforest or acquarium. On the TV we can see the waves crashing over the seawall at 61st well over the height of the street lights. This is an area my husband and I like to walk when we go to the Island. Quilts by the Bay - my local quilt shop - is located just off 61st between the Seawall and I45. They show deep flooding at the intersection of 61st and I45, an area that I drive frequently. (61st is the main street that leads to the ocean). The news says 40% of residents decided not to evacuate. I know that sounds so unbelievable - but the horrors of Rita evacuation were so great that I really believed it crippled folks in their decission making process. They just said the Stand area has 4 feet.

Oh my, what a horrible thing I just heard as I'm trying to write this - I didn't catch where, but some official has told those residents that chose not to evacuate to write their social security number on their arm with a black marker so they can be identified later. I can't even respond to that - too much reality.

The news has reported all around us in Kemah, Seabook (both north of us and a little lower). We are seeing some familar sites with flood waters covering the streets - the Boardwalk where we love to dine....it's not fun to watch believe me. All the models show our area being flooded IF it's a Cat 2 or 3, they say this is acting like a Cat 4 or 5 as far is the storm serge is concerned.

I've come to grips in knowing that there may already be water in my home. (My husband thinks it's not there yet because we are 1/2 mile in and higher than Kemah, so I hope he's right - if it continues though, we will probably have water). That old Johnny Cash song comes to mind "how highs the water mamma, two fee high and rising". If it doesn't go to three feet then my space bags with my quilts are okay since they are on my cutting table (grin) I didn't evacuate the longarm or my sewing machines or fabric or books or other STUFF. Insurance may or may not cover it but when we left we knew that things might not be the same when we returned. We closed and locked the door and moved on. I have my family. Nothing else matters.

Emotions are still high, but I'm not near as apprehensive as I was when we evacuated for Rita in 2005 -- and I wasn't even a home owner then! That evacuation was stressful - Johnny wasn't released from the plant even though Galveston County was under manditory evacuation...Jake and I made the drive 250 miles north east on our own without much problem, but Johnny was stuck in that horrible experience you may have read about. Never again he said.

Then the wait. The not knowing what was happening - we were so far NE that they weren't covering the Houston area and we had no idea what was happening. I didn't handle that too well, I hope to think I've "grown up" since then (grin)

We came home from Rita praising God we had missed the worst of the storm only to find that our townhouse had been broken in to and looted prior to the storm. Not only were we dealing with theft, but the bad guys broke our windows and that let the storm in so we had to deal with water damage too. We didn't own the townhouse, so we didn't have to deal with repairs -- but I can tell you I was so thankful we were moving in two weeks to the house we now live in mainly because of the helpless feeling of invasion. It's horrible to know that someone blundered through your nightstand and your underwear drawer. Once things settled down we again said "thank you Lord, it could have been worse"

Funny, I just remembered that I have a quilt on display at Moody Methodist in Galveston. It's hanging high in their foyer so it might not get wet (grin) The funny thing about this is it is the same quilt I had on my bed that was almost ruined by the theives breaking my bedroom window - this quilt was on the bed and stayed saturated for several days before our return. Hum..if it's still there I guess I'll be able to relable it to say "Simply Texas (name of quilt) survived Rita 2005 and Ike 2008" If you want to see what this quilt looks like I think it's in the personal quilts 2004 album on my webshots . Just goes to prove that even Texas quilts are tough!

I'm trying not to be impatient - I just want this to be over. On one hand I just want to turn off the TV, but on the other hand I'm glued to it. Me who listens to the radio all the time! Hum...maybe I should take one final walk around the neighborhood before the rains come - that would be a nice diversion...oh, speaking of which, I forgot to mention that we went to Arby's for lunch just because we could - my idea was to get out while we could and to try to keep cabin fever from setting in (grin). I remember blizzards in Tennesse with small children and cabin fever - never experienced hurricane cabin fever - guess I will!

By the way, Pixxie is doing fine. She's really such a good puppy. She's a little restless and has missed most of her numerous daily naps. I'm sure she'll curl up and sleep well tonight! As I think we all will because we have been on high alert so long.

okay. I know this is getting old - I know I'm not the only woman in the world to go through a storm, but I bet I'm one of the most talkative (grin)

I smell a roast! My brother-in-law is a great cook and already brought me a sample. Umm Umm Good! He surprised me to say it was Buffalo! So we are eating heathly my friends!!

The Quilt Rambler taking a break...

Higher Ground

We moved inland about 75 miles northwest to the Cypress area and landed at my sister and brother-in-laws -- who for the record told us a week ago we could come (smile). Again, we were waiting to see if the storm would move more eastward and it didn't. It's a large storm as far as size is concerned, but thankfully it is still a Catagory 2. The storm surge was the deciding factor in our leaving.

We will not miss the huricane, we just hope to miss the danger of the storm serge. It's only 10:30 AM right now, sunny and hot - but as I watch the news, Galveston Island is already flooded with the waves going over the seawall -- and Ike isn't even here yet.

The news station just showed the Kemah Boardwalk which is 5 miles north of us (and a little lower) Without ANY RAIN the boardwalk is already flooded and piers in that area are starting to erode. Kemah is near the Clear Lake/NASA area - home to millions of dollars of water craft among other stuff.

You've heard me say "it's only stuff" -- the only thing we took with us was clothing, food, the external hard drive backup, our pillows, and a couple of quilts for bedding. The rest was left behind. The important things are with me, my husband, my youngest son, and my Pixxie.

The traffic was less than a Sunday drive, one advantage of evacuating late I guess. We traveled in three cars. I cried the first 25 miles of our journey while petting Pixxie in th front seat. I did't cry because I was leaving my stuff, I cried as a stress release and I cried in joy of God sparing us thus far. He's the author of "my story" and if this is the way this chapter is turning out, then so be it.

One of my favorite songs was on the radio as I drove out the drive way (I think this is what prompted the tears) I wish I had the link here to give you to the words, but the part I want to share "strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, wait upon the Lord, wait upon the Lord....You are the everlasting God, You reign forever".

I'm still a little emotional and weepie right now, but I'm not appologizing for it (smile) just worn out and things really haven't even got started yet. The rains should start after noon, the storm should hit about midnight. There's still a long wait...

I have my camera with me, but not uploading photos right now because I'm on a borrowed computer.

While it's still nice outside my husband and I took Pixxie for a walk. You would never know there was a storm out there. I guess that's how it was for the great storm of 1900 that totally wiped out Galveston - thankfully we have much better communication and have an advanced warning system.

Things are going to be rough for my friends who live on the island. I have no idea how my favorite quilt shop planned for her evacuation...I have several friends who last I heard were still staying (they weren't on the bay like us but still in the area). My biggest concern is for my neighbor and his wife - we'd planned on riding this out together, he assured us that his generator was powerful enough for the both of us and he had a 100 foot cord (grin) When we left this morning he said they had no where to go, mainly due to large dogs. He didn't think the surge would get us...I called his wife when we got here to say the roads were great and to get out. I have no idea what they will do.

Pray for lives to be spared. I know the media play folks up as fools for staying, but you have to realize, there are folks that really have no where to go - they have no transportation, or money for gas and hotels. A lot of folks really don't have anyone to stay with, especially if they have pets. And yes, I know there are shelters....but again, with a Catagory 2 most of us weren't worried until we started to see the storm surge. Many of these folks have weathered larger storms. Its hard to know what goes on in people's minds. Some panic, some withdraw and can't function. Unless you've walked in their shoes it's hard to understand.

I know I'm rambling...but hey, that's what I do. My therapy is either quilting or talking (writing)...I do want to state the possitive so far with this storm. The miracle (and answers to prayers) is that the eye of the storm is not well organized and not building up strength. God indeed is calming this storm. The other good news is it continues to move east - not that we wish it on our neigbhors - but the Bay goes way up into Houston - this is a very populated area. The more east it goes perhaps the less the bay takes a hit.

In reality, just looking at the waves breaking up the piers in Kemah, I can only imagine the little pier I photographed the other morning in our town is probably already gone. In truth, I'm not concerned about losing my stuff - I just don't look forward to the clean up (grin) I'm already tired LOL.

Okay, enough for now. We are safe, we are away from the actual coast/bay. We are still going to go through the storm, but we are together and we have plenty to eat!!

more later,
ko

We are Evacuating

The morning news has made our decision we need to get off the bay. We will still experience the hurricane by going inland, but perhaps not the storm surge. More later.

Continuing to monitor Ike

Latest models show Ike with continued small shifts eastward...if it goes east of Galveston Bay the area is spared the storm surges. We'll know more in the morning. Hoping to awaken to good news

An all day affair

and this is just my studio! Customer quilts first then my quilts. Fabric will just have to fend for itself - except the bolts that went in the attic along with the rolls of batting. The walls look so bear without the quilts. Sigh.

The storm keeps changing. One report says our area will be completely underwater due to the storm surge another report says the storm is still uncertain and could still shift north...I'm still praying it will fizzle out. We are waiting for the 9 PM report to see our final options. Thank you all for the prayers on our behalf and our region. Pray for His protection!! more later

Views Around Town

Many businesses were closing early today - we thanked our friend Tommy who owns Dickinson BBQ for staying open for lunch - told him it made us feel a little more normal. Not only that, but with all the hard work it was great to have a hardy meal.

Several are on the freeways -- the trip from Galveston Island to downtown Houston is about a 2 hour drive - more than three times what it would be normally. Most folks we encountered today were staying put.

Wish I could have gotten more photos from the locals - one motorcycle shop near us had "ride a bike Ike" spray painted on their boards. I guess you gotta have a little attitude, laugh in the face of danger so to speak. Not as a fool obviously, but golly - you either laugh or cry or freak out. There's enough folks out there freaking out.

At this point the traffic is so bad I'd rather take my chances with Ike. But for the record, we did go borrow life vests from my in-laws. I'm praying that is way over prepared! I truly appreciate the emails and phone calls we are getting from folks that are worried about us. My answer, just pray. Pray for safety - for those staying put and for those on the roads trying to out run the storm.

Another beautiful day in Paradise

We walked to the bay this morning, about 1/2 mile. I wanted to be visually reminded that our cliff was pretty high, hopefully high enough to protect us from the predicted 15 foot storm surge expected by good ole Ike. The tide was a little high, but that's to be expected.

Along our way I noticed a lady putting a box of kitty litter into the back of her van, obviously she was planning on evacuating - her house was a little over a block from the public boat ramp and pier we had just walked to. I asked her about the "history" of this area, since we've only been here 3 years. She said she had never been flooded due to a storm surge during the 12 years she lived in that house, and only flooded once during Alison 2001 due to faulty drainage - they have since reworked our ditch system and she felt confident it would be better than 2001. This was reassuring! As an added note she said she was taking a neighbor out of the area that had no other mode of transportation, this lady had an autistic grandson and several critters (hence the kitty litter). I told her we would pray for safe journeys and that God would put the animals in hibernation mode - similar to what I image He did for Noah. It warmed my heart to think of the personal sacrifice this lady was engaging in for the love of a neighbor in need.

It wasn't long after our walk that my oldest son called. He and his friend were on their way to help us put up our boards - makes me really proud to know that somewhere along the road we've done something right in that our grown children and their friends are concerned enough to "make the rounds" and help their parents, grandparents and their friend's parents with the grunt work. Oh, we could have done it ourselves, but why rob them of their blessing of servant hood! And truth be known, it was much faster with the help! And as my husband added, "they are young and will get over it" - we tend to feel it for a while (smile) For now the front windows are left uncovered so we can continue to benefit from the sunlight and not get claustrophobic too quickly.

I have to admit that I'm sorta numb right now. Not numb with fear, but numb to the fear and panic. Does that make sense? We have a check list of things that we hope to accomplish and we are just working down that check list. There's nothing else to do, what will happen will happen. I commented to a friend last night that I hope this isn't a test of my faith and personal resolve that "none of these things shall move me" - recently heard a wonderful sermon on standing firm in the midst of trials based on the verses Acts 20:22-24 by Don McClure from Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa - that I'm hoping when I'm "squeezed" that His grace flows. I'm counting on Him to calm this child, while I'm hoping He will certainly tell the winds and seas to be still!!

I'm ready to check this one off our list!!

More later.

I just love my Pastor

This was in my email box too:

"So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matthew 8:27

We know that Christ is Lord over every storm, so we ask that everyone pray concerning hurricane Ike. The church offices will be closed Friday, and Saturday, and all church events for those two days will be postponed.
Sunday services will go on as normal (whether in the Sanctuary or in the parking lot) however the water baptism will be postponed. Keep your eyes on the Lord! Heb.12:2

In Calvary Love,
Pastor Ron

The Vision of Calvary Houston

WORSHIP | WIN | DISCIPLE | SEND

Exciting Quilt News!!

I just checked my email and had the most wonderful news -- earlier today I did an online entry for my recent quilt, Starry Starry Night, to be considered for this year's Innovations Quilt Show -- today was the final day to enter and guess what!! The acceptance email was in my box just a few minutes ago!!! (nothing like waiting until the last possible minute to enter!!) If you've kept up with my blog you know I didn't quilt this quilt to be a show quilt, but more of a tribute to the memory of my dad. I actually just found the deadline to enter yesterday when I was surfing quilt websites -- I don't normally do this sort of thing since most of my quilts are just every day fun usable quilts for the family. I'm not even sure why I entered this...however, I believe every quilt has a story to tell and I'm pleased that this event gives my quilt "a voice" and an expanded audience for my tribute to my dad and I hope a witness to my faith. The event is in Tacoma Washington in October. Unfortunatelly I will be unable to attend - I'm hoping some of my online quilting buddies will be there and send me photos!!

For those of you unfamiliar with this event here's a quote from their website:

"Innovations is a Machine Quilting Conference dedicated to promoting machine quilting in all formats. Whether quilting on a domestic, short arm, or longarm quilting machine, beginner or advanced...you will find classes and products to expand your quilting techniques and knowledge base! We have an outstanding faculty and a wide variety of vendors, a quilt show, challenge quilt, fun quilting events, and so much more! Innovations is also a great place to meet other longarm quilters, share experiences, and make new friends!

Innovations is the ONLY event of its kind on the West Coast!"

Wow - wish I were going! But very thankful my quilt will be in attendance. This certainly adds to my sweet dreams tonight as I drift off peacefully (grin)

We Interrupt this blog to bring you the latest in our storm watch for Ike

I'd much rather be talking about quilting. See the top pink computer model line - that's to the west of Galveston Bay where we have our humble abode. It's still too early to know what's going to happen - but Galveston County has issued voluntary evacuations, with the west side of Galveston Island on mandatory. One of the neighboring counties west of us has also issued mandatory evacuation.... We have been blessed by friends and family inviting us to come hunker down with them if we decide to leave. Truly makes you feel loved when someone says they even have room for Pixxie! At this time we have no intentions of evacuating. All too fresh are the memories of hours on the road before Rita 2005. There are a lot of folks that feel that way too - some have chosen to leave already to avoid that traffic jam while others have chosen to stay put no matter what to avoid that traffic jam...hard decisions either way.

My storm prep today included grocery shopping and finishing up the laundry. Yep, clean clothes just in case we lose power. Most of the day however was spent trying to focus on the quilt on my frame...easy to be distracted with phone calls, emails, and news bulletins...but I truly needed to work today - if nothing else, just to have some sense of normality. Ah, but what is normal? I've heard it described by one Christian author (can't remember who, but one of the Women of Faith ladies) that "normal is just a setting on your dryer". I tend to agree. What's not normal is long gas lines and crowded grocery stores in the middle of a weekday afternoon. But I can say everyone was really nice about it!

Mission accomplished, the quilt is finished, and my professional quilt model Pixxie was more than happy to lend her services.

My oldest son and one of his friends came over today. His friend works with a construction company that travels all over to rebuild areas that have been damaged by the storms. He's been working in and around New Orleans for almost three years. He's here 'on vacation' with my son but has been notified that he's on first alert concerning this storm. Ironically the quilt above was pieced by his aunt -- our families have three generations of history together -- my husband's parents and his grandparents each had three boys (my husband's generation) who grew up together and now our son and one of their offspring are good buddies, actually there are three brothers and they along with my son have had some interesting times together to say the least! Their family has a head start on the fourth generation - one of the brothers of my son's friend just had their first sweet baby girl this past month...but I'm rambling again....back to my original story of distraction...when the boys came over I shared that I was looking for a scratch and dent sale for a kitchen corner cabinet and with him being in construction would he have a source for me -- I'm wanting to redo the corner of my studio to make it more functional and shared my ideas...one thing grew into another and it was decided that he could just build me a corner cabinet out of the plywood we have leftover from the windows -- and he said he'd do it tomorrow! Wow, what a nice distraction from the storm prep! I've had time to think about it though, and I'm sure the boys services could be best used elsewhere helping someone get ready for the storm...but for a moment there I thought I'd be doing remodeling tomorrow!!

I wish I could say tomorrow will be business as usual, but it will be Storm Prep 201. My husband will mow the yard since by the time the rain is over it will have probably grown two feet - best to start out short (grin). I will clear off the paperwork around my computer table and backup the system after updating business records and such. We'll probably head to Mickey D's for lunch just because we still can (double grin) and then the afternoon will be spent boarding up windows and bringing in the outside items. Its forecast to be a nice hot humid 90+ weather. As the old saying goes - make hay while the sun shines. Much easier than working in the rain!

What was normal about my day was how we chose to spend our evening. Our pastor had just returned from Israel with a group of church members and tonight was the "show and tell" - the slide show from the trip. Pastor Ron (Calvary Chapel Houston) is quite a gifted orator. He shared the travel photos and synopsis of the teachings they enjoyed on the very sites where the original event took place. Imagine reading the Sermon on the Mount while sitting under the olive groves in Israel! What a wonderful place it must be to see and visit, those that have gone say it just makes the scriptures come alive. As the Jews say "next year Jerusalem" -- one place I would dearly love to visit...

It truly was good to worship together tonight with fellow believers, fellow neighbors who all share the same hurricane warning (grin) Ours is a large church so there are several counties and cities represented -- some more inland than others. Many had plans of evacuating in the morning, many will sit this one out. We had a time of prayer together before the service ended that God would spare lives, allow minimal damage and keep those in the path of the storm safe. I was once again reminded of the song I love to sing by Scott Krippayne "sometimes He calms the storm, other times He calms His child". Reminds me that whatever happens to me, my family, or my stuff that God loves me unconditionally and will never leave me.

So tonight..it's sweet dreams

Storm Watch

Good ole Ike is a big fellow. Looks like he's gonna cover the entire gulf pretty soon. It's still early yet for exact forecasts, but we're keeping an eye on him - wondering if he's planning a visit to Houston/Galveston. This is one shifty character - at this point very unpredictable. But then again, who can truly predict the weather? Just another reminder to man that God is in control. Thankfully God has allowed mankind to understand just a bit of His design, I'm amazed at the understanding some do have for natural things like weather...it just goes right over my head. Very thankful that folks much smarter than me can help me be prepared through their predictions.

So time will tell if we need to batten down the hatches again. Not looking forward to the process - but will put up boards on the windows if we need to, will pull out the Space Bags to store the quilts if we need to, will have supplies on hand if we need to. Gosh, I'm even washing clothes to make sure we have clean undies (grin) something about all those childhood warnings of clean underwear seem to permeate my thinking at the moment - perhaps I need to just take a deep breath, say a prayer and ask for the peace that passes all understanding so I can have a good night's rest and wake up refreshed to take on whatever the day brings - grocery shopping, finishing a custom quilt (and returning it before a storm so there's one less to be accountable for), and keeping an eye out for Ike. Just a small price for living in paradise (grin). Into every life a little rain must fall -- here's hoping that it's not a lot for anyone on the gulf coast!!

Just Because It's Old Doesn't Mean It's Gotta Be Ugly

Yep, driving around a 15 year old car could be considering humbling by some standards...but when you are thankful to have a car, who cares what it looks like right? Unless you are an artist. A self-proclaimed 'starving artist' like my son Jake.

Well, Jake is one of those guys that when he gets something in his mind he doesn't stop until he's finished. For example, about three months ago he decided he wanted to learn to paint with acrylic paints. He was "waiting" - waiting on insurance to settle up after totaling a car, waiting for this car, then waiting on the mechanic to find a used transmission after the other one blew up. The wait cost him his job as a parts delivery driver (life does throw some curve balls) and now he's waiting on an employment call after that first interview... lots of time on his hands, so he painted. A picture a day.

Saturday night he decided he wanted to paint the hood of his car. Why not? Had it not gotten too dark and the bugs been so bad he would have worked outside until it was finished. Instead, he worked all day yesterday...and here's his art...so if you see him on the road I hope you will flash him a smile! And say a prayer that he will once again (soon) be gainfully employed so the "starving" part can be removed from his resume.

Quilters Trade Days

Today was the Quilters Trade Days at my home/studio. I had invited members from my guilds - the Bayshore Longarm Quilters, Mainland Morning Quilt Guild, and Island Quilters Guild as well as quilters in general to attend - both as a vendor and a shopper! We were blessed with beautiful fall like weather - unseasonably cool without humidity, more importantly NO RAIN - a nice sunny 85 degrees.

Several ladies brought tables laden with goodies - we had longarm supplies such as pantos, thread, books, DVD's as well as piecing supplies ranging from fabric - by the bolt or by the yard, fat quarters and scrap bag sizes - books, stencils, patterns, notions, ready made items - in general anything quilt related or of interest to quilters.

The idea of a trade days was well recieved and everyone asked if this would be an annual event. To which I replied a resounding YES - I need to get my money's worth out of the yard signs (grin). I'm pleased that everyone had a good time, some of the gals made some money, some found some incredible deals, others like myself and Sara ended up "trading" - I think I bought from her almost the same amount she bought from me! All in all a good day.

Thank you Lord for answering our prayers concerning the weather, as well as the safety of those involved as they traveled here (some came over 50 miles), participated in the event, and traveled home. Your hand of protection was appreciated. It's always a good day when quilters gather. Truly a day full of blessings. Thank you for this opportunity.

My Tribute - Starry Starry Night

It’s finished, well, almost – still need to do the binding and add a hanging sleeve. This quilt has truly been a labor of …well, a labor of a bunch of things. Thoughts of love concerning my dad of course, since this particular quilt was pieced prior to his homecoming (see earlier post Long Over Due 8/29 for the story behind this story)…and thoughts of being free in my quilting. Free to fail or free to succeed (in reality a combination of both) Just free to experiment, practice, giving myself permission to mess up. Freedom to prove to myself that it just fabric and I could thread play without fear of the quilt police. Some things I liked, some things I know not to duplicate (ever again!). A true journey so to speak. And an enjoyable one!

While I was working on this quilt I thought of my Creator, God, and imagined that I was looking up into the heavens which declare His handiwork – instead of constellations from stars, galaxies and super novas, my night sky was filled with quilting designs. I kept telling myself if someone would just squint when they looked at this quilt and imagined a night sky then perhaps they wouldn’t be too critical of the parts that didn’t balance out correctly or the designs that weren’t executed precisely. After all, when I behold the beauty of the night sky – when I’m away from the city lights of course – there is nothing governing the stars saying that they have to be just so, no one is commenting that there’s not a proper balance between the bright ones and the ones barely flickering, and I’ve yet to hear anyone complain of the shooting star that interrupts the tranquility of simply just looking up. No, the night sky is truly the handiwork of the Creator and who are we to be critical if it wasn’t designed to our liking! It’s my hopes that my quilt is viewed with similar thoughts – someone may not like it, but I didn’t ask their permission to be creative, I didn’t try to balance things to their liking. I just quilted. Quilted to honor my father, my Heavenly Father, and those who have inspired me in my quilt journey.

One thing I am proud of is my son Jake lending a design element for this quilt. Jake is my artistic son, while his older brother is more of the negotiator or businessman/salesman temperament. A couple of years ago Jake really got into tattoo art and has prominently displayed some of his own personal art in a very permanent manner. Although I don’t particularly care for the permanence of his art, I do have a respect and admiration for his talent. One of his first tattoos was a tribute to my dad, an original design. While quilting Starry Starry Night I asked him if he would simply his design in such a way that I could add it to this quilt. I am very pleased at our compromise and the design element that resulted – an added memory to this quilt.

This quilt was my canvas, my practice piece from the workshops I hosted this past year with both Sherry Rogers-Harrison and Jamie Wallen. Two different styles, formal feathers vs feather flurries…but both designs that I dearly love from quilters whose talent I respect. This quilt was my opportunity to attempt to develop the ideas they shared. There are a few other designers’ inspiration in this quilt, a distinct Karen McTavish “McScrollwork” in the bottom left corner and a few of her design elements on the right side…as well as a few other ideas mingled in by various other longarm masters. Again, this was just a canvas, just fabric, and just plain fun! Detailed photos can be viewed in my webshot albums.

One other personal element I added was the scripture reference to 2 Timothy 4:7-8. It is words that I feel described my dad’s life, and words which I hope will some day be said of me.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing”








Starry Starry Night

Making Progress

I've been working on my quilt since Friday night. It's now the wee hours of Tuesday morning. Technically the Labor Day Weekend is over and we've missed hurricane Gustav. Time marches on.

This quilt is really a mindless meander, or perhaps a purposeful practice. My girlfriend called it a messy masterpiece! And questioned my sanity for all the detail work. I'm still in the middle of the process. (photo shows it rolled up on the quilting frame) And the verdict is still out! I've come to the conclusion that's what separates the masters from the hopefuls...the masters of our craft plan and visualize before ever touching a needle to the fabric...people like me just go for it. Big difference with the end result. Maybe I'm thinking that not trying to be perfect takes the pressure off - who knows! My creative side is still trying to discover my own personal style...so I do what any good student does, I mimic those who have succeeded. Gosh I'm too tired to get into deep thinking - perhaps another time!

Kinda funny that I've done the signature area before the quilt is finished. A result of trying to reduce thread changes I think. Also because I had my son working with me off and on today. He's a self-proclaimed artist and I lean on his opinion a lot. We combined our talents tonight. He drew out a traditional tattoo rose similar to the one he wears so I could add my tribute to my dad.

By the way, Jake just started a blog tonight at my urging. Why not take a peak and see what's on his mind Shaggy's Art We have high hopes of combining our efforts on future projects. I'll try to remember to get a photo of his tattoo honoring my dad and either post it here or ask him to post it on his blog.

Time to turn off the studio lights and call it good.

Major Mess or Mindful Masterpiece?

The verdict is still out, but the commitment has been made. This is either a "Wow" quilt or "What was she thinking" quilt. A major mess of threads or a mindful masterpiece inspired from masterful quilters...wishful thinking? Time will tell.

Did I mention that I've been honored to host two national longarm teachers in my studio? Last fall Sherry Rogers-Harrison and this spring Jamie Wallen....In my studio I have two little class samplers hanging - one each from their workshops. The first is a really nice little wholecloth with formal feathers that I quilted in class with Sherry (and yes, that's a second place ribbon from one of the local guild shows, thank you very much), and the other is Jamie's trademark dragonfly that he quilted while here (I just added the binding and made it a little quilt). Well, early this morning when I came into the studio to "think" before breakfast and getting ready for church I noticed these wallhangings....and that lead me down my current path.

Hum...somewhere on the computer I had a whole file full of digital photos I'd taken of each of their sample quilts...why not take them to the local one-hour photo joint and have a collection of masterpieces to look at for inspiration! Great idea! There was a corner drug store with a photo kiosk on my way to church. Perfect!

I also made the decision to be brave. Instead of matching thread is your friend why not just go wild and have thread play that will show up. Scary thought actually. I would run the risk of ruining this quilt, or worse yet, making it look like a quilt teacher's sampler instead of a real quilt. (whatever that means). It would be a chance to step outside the box. A "no turning back" journey once the commitment was made. Could I live with the end results? Was it worth the risk of disaster? or worse yet, having a quilt that wouldn't be understood at guild show and tell? It bordered on the brink of insanity...and I guess I must have woke up in an insane mood, because I have taken the plunge. Down the river of no return. I hope no regrets. But what's done is done, I don't plan on unquilting -- no matter what the mess!

I am still shaking in my boots, still unsure of the overall picture. Will it look like it was quilted by a foolish woman? Will it be unbalanced and unforgiving when it's complete? Will the quilt hate me for ruining it's life? (grin) I still don't have the answers to this as I am only two rows down in a quilt with seven rows. (sigh) I can't visualize the whole thing yet. Hum. That's not the way Sherry teaches - she's so well thought out and planned. Many quilters are that way - sketching things out first, making things just so. Jamie draws before he quilts, lots of doodles in notebooks. Somehow I missed out on these genes. Too free spirited perhaps? But I'm a fearful free spirit. How did that happen?

Up close, when working on a particular design element, it is fun. I'm enjoying the process. My husband tells me that's what I'm suppose to be doing, enjoying the process - not rushing to the end result (how did he get so wise?). It's been fun to try to mimic the examples from those photos of Sherry's & Jamie's quilts. Oh, I don't pretend that mine are anywhere near the caliber of theirs, but I'm being a good student and practicing. I've always said it's more fun to practice on a "real" quilt instead of muslin...and it is...you just have to be willing to accept the sacrifice in case you ruin the quilt. I'm sure you are thinkin' she must either be a fool or a real risk taker (grin) to be sacrificing a quilt with such sentimental value. Ha, but here's the flaw in that thinking. It's just fabric. GASP. Yep, I'll say it again. It's just fabric.

The other day I was notified by the curator of the quilt exhibit in Galveston that they were taking down the quilt show and that I had the option of coming to get the quilt that day or allow them to put it in their safe until the scheduled pick up at a later date -- the option was provided due to the uncertainty of the current hurricane approaching the gulf...I emailed back that I felt my quilt was in good hands, one way or the other, storm or no storm...that while I valued my quilt - indeed, that quilting was my pleasure, my passion, and my chosen profession - but that it wasn't my life. If something happened to the quilt, then so be it. People are what matter to me, and of course my cute puppy Pixxie (grin). But the point is, as much as I love quilting, it's just fabric. Something I delight in, but bottom line, it is worth repeating...it's just fabric. And I have lots of it (double grin).

I may need reminding of that when this quilt is finished, when the verdict is final and the end results are unchangeable...it's just fabric. I'm having fun. I'm enjoying the process...yes, I'd like for folks to like my quilt...but if they don't...well, what's the worse of it if they don't? they can't take my birthday away from me now can they?

Here's what I accomplished so far on my day off today. It will probably be a week before I can zip it back on and play some more. Who knows which masters I may choose for the next advancement on the quilt frame...I have wonderful books and DVD's by so many talented quilters...who knows what I may decide to practice later. But for today, it's Jamie's and Sherry's class notes that I've referred to. I hope they think I've passed (grin). Despite the student, both are excellent teachers!!

Quilter's Block

Wow, haven't had this happen in awhile. I have no idea what I want to do on this quilt. Funny, all this time I thought it was emotions that have kept me from quilting my "Starry Starry Night" but I think it's really because I just didn't know what to do with it! Writer's Block meet Quilter's Block -- you are kissing cousins.

It's really a "nothing" sort of quilt. Oh I do think it's pretty, but not really anything special. Just memories, and I realize that in itself makes it special...but from a quilting view point there's nothing special about this quilt.

I did get it loaded last night - oh, notice that the border has changed since my original photo taken December 2003 I posted yesterday...so somewhere in the past year or so I decided to redo the borders. That in itself was some positive progress in working through the emotions of this quilt. I made small strips out of the rectangles I took off then joined them together for a scrappy narrow border. I still have more leftovers, can't decide if they will be a scrappy binding or what...but that's a decision to be made later -- goodness! I need ideas on how to quilt this quilt!

The top actually measures 70 x 82 - I would have like to made it bigger but could no longer get the beautiful black batik. Believe me, I searched! That outer border is pieced from 2 x 4's that were left over from the blocks! It worked. Lots of seams, but it lays flat! Which in and of itself is a small miracle.

Well, today I managed to use my trusty mono-thread to stitch in the ditch along the bright narrow border and around each star to stabilize the quilt. By the way, it really wasn't that emotional for me. I turned on my iPod full of praise and worship songs and focused on the blessings of today as well as the memories of yesterday, without dwelling on the "sad" part.

I have quilted three out of the four borders (and yes, I turned the quilt) and have one more to go before I tackle the interior. By the way, I did the ba-bump feathers -- if you're familiar with Jamie Wallen's teaching this is a take off of one of his feathers...photos to follow later for those of you clueless to my expression of "ba-bump". Just imagine a feather that really looks like a molar at the end and you'll get a visual. It's a narrow border so I marked a soft wavy line for my spine (with chalk) and ba-bumped away (grin).

Oh, and did I mention that I'm using Hobbs Tuscany Wool batting?! I love that batting - even here in hot humid Houston it's the best to sleep under. It's as light as a feather and breathable. Most of my personal quilts have the Tuscany Wool in them. This special quilt is no exception.

So, as I'm turning the quilt and thinking of all sorts of things to do I notice that I just love the way the wool makes the fabric seem softer somehow...and I'm thinking, do I want a dense quilt? I love dense quilting...but am thinking I want more "poof" in this quilt, feel more of the wool...hum...that's my problem. I don't remember how to do light custom. My thoughts for this quilt ran more towards a chance to play around with different design elements and somehow connect them with loops and swirls...sorta like how the night sky is full of constellations and yet are all connected...but then there's the draw of the poof. It's soooo soft..

So that's where I'm at...do I want to do light and fluffy or dense and interesting at the risk of being flat? Running the risk, actually, of just making a mess of this quilt. And this is just considering the black background! Goodness I don't know yet what I want to do in the stars. I thought about multiple thread changes and do Jamie's Flurry of Angels - very appropriate for the memories associated with this quilt...and yet, I sorta just want to leave the stars unquilted...or maybe treat this like a sampler and make every star different. oh the decisions! Oh the pressure (grin) I really wanted to work on it this weekend (as publicly declared) and try to finish up a long overdue project...but I'm tempted to take it off the frame and save it for another time (I think that's also called procrastination).

Maybe if I slept on it I'll wake up inspired. I hope it doesn't keep me awake thinking of it! And people wonder sometimes why it takes so long to get their quilts back to them....I remember hanging one quilt top in my studio for 36 hours just studying the quilt and trying to decide what to do (of course I was working on another one, a panto, while trying to decide how to custom quilt the hanging one). It's not easy. Creativity, I believe, is a gift from God...but sometimes I can't seem to plug in immediately. I've had folks tell me that they aren't creative...I tend to argue that thought - my point being...if we believe in a Creator, the One who put it all together with unspeakable amount of creativity, and if we take to heart that we are created in HIS image, then it goes without saying that we have the gift of creativity from Him -- oh, I can't make something out of nothing like God - I must start with something -- for example fabric -- but I can use the materials He's provided and the spark of imagination He provides to come up with something considered creative....therefore, with this reasoning, we all are creative because we have inherited that trait from our Creator God in whose image we are created. Makes sense don't ya think?

Hum..now if I can just quit trying so hard and let His creativity flow through me I'm sure I can finish this quilt...it may not be traditional or a show stopper, but I'm sure it will be creative...maybe like " a quilt that only the maker could love" -- but after all, who am I doing this for? Me and my Creator, and I think He'll like it. Daddy's are like that, so I'm sure my heavenly Father is too -- He delights in His children.

With that said...I can't wait until time to turn on my machine tomorrow after worship service and family lunch to see where the creative spirit leads. I'm sure it will be interesting to say the least -- maybe some lessons learned on what not to do on a customer quilt (grin) who knows what tomorrow will bring! But I know who holds my tomorrows!!

Long Over Due

At the 2002 Houston International Quilt Festival I was on a treasure hunt - a hunt for fat quarters. Not just any fat quarters, mind you, they had to be batik. It was my "lean year" -- seems about every other Festival it's either feast or famine, I either have money to spend or I don't. That year I didn't -- well, not much anyway.

But I had enough. Enough to pay for parking each day and enough to stretch out the hunt over several days -- enough to purchase about 20 fat quarters to make what I knew would be a fabulous quilt. And I had fun. For you see, it was just a pure joy to be there. The quilt bug had bit in 2000 and I was still fresh in this craft where everything was new and exciting. So what that I didn't have a shopping budget, it didn't cost much to be there (I'm 'local' and could make the daily commute -- that was before gas prices were so high!), I had a couple of days off work...why not go to simply absorb the excitement of the quilts on display, view the mass array of the vendors, and be lost in the simple joy of "people watching" -- and let's not forget -- the thrill of the hunt. My batik fat quarters! I guess you could say my thoughts that year agreed with the Apostle Paul when he said in Philippians 4:11 "..for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am" I was more than content to be at Festival, I was blessed!

I had a wonderful pattern in mind, Lucky Stars by Terri Atkinson, it was fat quarter friendly and I just knew my new found treasure would light up like the night sky on the background fabric I hoped to be able to purchase soon - a beautiful black batik that was speckled with what appeared to me to be super novas. Yep, the treasure hunt was a huge success, I was overjoyed with my purchases and my plans.

Naturally I was eager to begin this project as soon as I recovered from all the Festival goings...I made a few blocks and was so pleased with myself. I can remember sharing those blocks with a few special friends hoping they could envision the outcome as I could...but alas...things have a way of stealing away that piecing time....all too soon my wonderful treasure hunt had become a dreaded UFO to be packed away in the sewing closet of our tiny apartment -- a closet that was actually the laundry closet with the washer and dryer behind accordion doors in my kitchen dining combo of a room. A closet carefully organized with clear plastic shoe boxes housing all my fat quarter stash, my patterns, my UFO's and my special hopes for "Starry Starry Night" -- what I had dubbed my hopeful quilt.

Time passes by. Life throws some curve balls. Other projects were completed before Starry Starry Night, after all, I was now teaching beginning quilting classes at the local quilt shop and area churches and I had to have class samples. I had already taught Lucky Stars and didn't need another one for show and tell...it would just have to wait for it's someday.

As a little girl I grew up with "show and tell" -- well, at least that's what I call it now. My mom was a gifted seamstress and made all my sister's and my clothing, plus her own. I can remember holiday weekends such as this (Labor Day, 4th of July, New Year's) when the local Cloth World would have their big sales. We were always up bright and early ready to go pattern and fabric shopping with mom. I can only imagine that she and dad saved up for these big events -- that and the big sale days at the local mall where we did purchase a few "store bought" clothes. Regardless of which type of sale when we got home everything was spread out on the couch for our "show and tell" for when daddy got home. We'd either be showing off the pretty fabric and the future pattern, or modeling the dresses we found in the "bargain basement" at the Foley's Department Store. Didn't matter, it was all met with a round of applause, lots of ohhs and ahhs from daddy. We felt like princesses.

I never out grew "show and tell" - my husband learned the proper responses when I'd come home from a shopping trip for myself or our two boys...and he was always sincere too. I guess he knew how important it was for me that my efforts met his approval.

As I entered the world of quilting and discovered quilt guilds this love of show and tell followed me -- that's actually my why of being involved in local guilds...but I digress and get ahead of my story as it wasn't until April 2004 until I joined my first guild. And yes, for the record, show and tell is my favorite part of the evening!

Back it up almost a year after my treasure hunt for batik fat quarters. I am eagerly awaiting the approaching Houston International Quilt Festival 2003, this year with a little more spending money! It's still weeks away when I get a phone call from my dad. It's not good news.

Seems my dad, who had never been sick a day in his life, was feeling poorly. He'd gone to the doctor and they did some blood work. He was having a biopsy on his liver "just to check". The news wasn't good and a colonoscopy was scheduled. I went to be with my parents some 250 miles north of where I live...in a matter of weeks our lives were changed forever. Dad had colon cancer. And it had already gone into his liver.

I was back and forth to my parents. My sister, who lived in Florida at the time, arranged to come stay several weeks. I was working full-time, had a senior and freshman in high school and trying to maintain some sense of normality. I turned to my therapy of quilting. And I prayed. First I made a prayer quilt for my dad...I'll share more about prayer quilts another time, but I've photographed the several that I've made throughout the past 10 years or so in my Webshots. And I prayed.

I also pulled out my "Starry Starry Night". I needed to piece. Time to finish this one. It was my prayer time. My prayers for daddy. As I pieced, I prayed.

In November of that year (2003) I decided that I needed to give my notice at my job and be more available to assist my mom with my dad's care. My last day at work would be right before the Thanksgiving holiday. My husband, two sons, and I went for a quick one day trip to see mom and dad on Thanksgiving (500 mile round trip). He wasn't strong enough for us to stay long, his surgery and cancer was weakening him. My sister was scheduled to return to Florida the following week, so that's when I was going to come back to be of help, I could stay longer now since I was no longer gainfully employed.

In the meantime, I needed to continue my therapy of sewing. My quilt of choice, back to "Starry Starry Night". As I pieced, I prayed, and I received peace. My goal...to have the top completed by the time I went to see dad so I would have some "show and tell".

It's almost been 5 years, but I can still remember sewing on those last pieces on the quilt top. I had taken all the parts that were suppose to be sashing and made a scrappy border -- I just didn't like the way the colors in the pattern were breaking up my night-time sky effect in the body of the quilt, so I changed the pattern to my liking. I had just pronounced it good and had laid it on the couch to take a photo when the phone rang. My dad was passing.

I didn't make it home in time to say goodbye. Dad never saw my last show and tell. Brings tears to my eyes as I think of it now, yet in my heart of hearts, no, deep in my soul, yes, deep within my very spirit, I know my dad was whisked into the gates of splendor and welcomed by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who said "well done my good and faithful servant, enter in to the joy of thy salvation".

Why today, why am I writing this? Two reasons. One, I attended a funeral today of another dear man, a true servant of our God and King. He was a co-worker of mine 5 years ago when my dad passed. A good man. A true solider in the Lord's Army as his pastor stated today. His illness wasn't an 8 week battle with cancer like my dad's, but instead a longer trial with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He fought the battle well. He finished the race on Tuesday morning of this week and today friends gathered with his family to say our farewells. For you see, if you are a true believer in Jesus, you know it's not really good bye, it's just "see you soon" -- it's a temporary separation. That's our hope. To one day be reunited in heaven spending eternity with our God and Savior.

Returning home from this celebration of a dear saint's life I was reminded of my own dad's homecoming, and the unquilted "Starry Starry Night" -- for you see, even though I finished piecing it the day dad went to heaven, I haven't been able to quilt it. First it was pure emotions, naturally, and well, added to that I didn't have a longarm yet -- but my dad shared that dream with me. The last time I saw him he was encouraging me to purchase a longarm and start my dream. Two years later, on the anniversary date of his homecoming, I had an open house to celebrate my own longarm and the new home that God provided for me to set up a studio (and for my family to dwell- it's not all about the studio, but that's where I spend most of my time). No more working out of the laundry closet, I now had an entire room to call my own. I chose the date of dad's passing as a tribute to him believing in me. That was 2005.

I have to take a deep breath here because I am publicly making a commitment to finally finish the quilt that was to be my show and tell for dad. This weekend I will be loading "Starry Starry Night" on my quilting frame and praying as I quilt that the good Lord will comfort the family who is temporarily separated from their loved one through this process we call death. I will be praying for God to guide my fingers as I guide my longarm...not that the quilting would be anything over the top or show quality, but that He would be honored in my thank offering for the gifts He has given me...the gift of life, love, and His promise of eternity. I know the journey of "quilting through" will not be without emotion...but it's long over due and I intend to do my best
- for His glory.

Update on My Dangling Carrot

Earlier this month I started a new project with 40 four patches found discarded in a UFO pile. I used the Square in a Square (SnS) technique to go around them twice, once with the woodgrain black fabric and once again with the wild lime green stripe to grow the blocks (they will be 7.5 finished). Wow, enough now to make this a lap size quilt instead of a baby quilt had I used used the 4-patches as is (heaven knows I didn't want to make a 100 more of them just to get a bigger quilt!)

I mentioned in my blog that I should add some carrot fabric so I could legally call the quilt "My Dangling Carrot" and received offers of help...I am still accepting carrot and veggie prints as my plans have now changed to include other fun prints...

You can see the progress I made yesterday on my 'day off' -- the photo is deceiving, these aren't attached yet. To each "green" SnS I added two SnS with carrot fabric purchased from equilter.com . I just twisted and turned for the photo...the blocks currently only have carrots on one side, but this will be the future layout.

Here's the plan. That "hole" in between the setting solution of the two orange SnS blocks will be filled with the 5 inch squares I have received from my internet friends and a couple of local gals.

So far I have a dozen or so conversational fabrics to add and I'm so eager to see how it all comes together! I love the peas in a pod from Dawn in Idaho and the veggie melody from Jeanne in NC, Kaye in LA sent me a yard or more of cute little carrots, I may have enough for a narrow border, who knows! Dolly in OK sent me carrots on green background and carrots on my favorite PURPLE background. LeAnn in OK sent me tomatoes, peas and radishes on yellow backgrounds, and my local buddy Donna gave me carrot fabric similar to what I bought but with BIGGER carrots and a brown stem area instead of the green - so I'll be able to distinguish her fabric from mine.

A few more have offered their assistance in creating this quilt, so I look forward to going to the mailbox and being delighted even further. I am going to send a thank you five inch square in trade once I get my round-to-it. (you can email me if you want my snail mail address to add to my fun! karen@quiltsnkaboodle.com)

Since my "day off" is Sunday afternoons after worship it will take a few weeks to complete. I'm not sure what I'll do for borders, will just have to wait and be inspired. This is truly an unplanned quilt, but I'm finding this very fun and rewarding. All because I cleaned out my drawers due to a potential hurricane threat and found 40 four patches! God truly does work in mysterious ways, and loves to delight His children.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall direct your paths!

Square in a Square Tumbling Blocks Class

Over the weekend I taught two SnS classes in my studio -- three students on Friday and five students on Saturday. The class was 9 AM to 3 PM and the ladies all accomplished several rows of tumbling blocks done the Square in a Square way.

The technique used was very very easy, simply Option 1, which is the basic square in a square, I love this technique -- sewing strips to a square and trimming with the SnS ruler, it's so much easier than the flip and sew method or the adding of triangles to the sides. I never could get those to turn out square!

By watching our color placement, the illusion of tumbling blocks was formed. Many of the ladies did the rainbow theme similar to the project in Jodi Barrow's book Advancing On II which was our foundation for the class. A few were brave and branched out in new and exciting colors. Here's the smiling faces proudly showing their accomplishments for the day...several have already emailed saying they have finished their project or are almost finished. All loved the SnS technique and I love teaching it!!

Quilting Makes the Quilt

or perhaps, not as bold, quilting enhances a beautiful quilt. I love to watch a beautifully pieced quilt top blossom under the needle of my longarm! Here's a few photos showing how each thread change, each design element, enhanced this quilt top. I hope you'll agree. For more photos visit my webshot albums

blue feathers are a fun first element to this block

next comes the interior with multiple thread changes

final thread color is added to inner circle

Finally finished! Ta-Da!