MARCH MADNESS

March has been a really crazy month and I am happy to be saying goodbye and welcoming April.

I certainly did not get all on my list completed, but I have made some progress. 

I will keep trying to get it done!!

This week I will be working on my Easy Street components.  This was a Bonnie Hunter Mystery last year, I think.

 

I finished all of the blocks for my version of an "Auburn Quilt" for my grandson to take to college this fall.

I am taking them to Retreat to assemble the top.

 

Nothing else is finished.  I am still adding sleeves to the quilts for the exhibit that my guild is doing during AQS Quiltweek in Chattanooga in September 10-13.

 

I did go to A Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge this month. 

Had a fun chat with Bonnie Hunter!!

 

Please enter April!!  You will be most welcomed this year!

 

-sandi

 

WEEKLY UPDATE

This has been a very busy week for me and not much quilting time.  I did finish my Cascade scarf.

I made another little scarf using a wash away stabilizer but I did not get a picture before I gave it away.  That is a funny story.  We were having dinner out and the waitress kept commenting on how much she liked my scarf.  Finally, I decided I would just give it to her because I "can make another one" whenever I want, right??
She was thrilled that I just gave it to her-- just like that.  It made me feel good, too.

I did get another Improv block up on the design wall.  I haven't sewn it together yet.

I made this center medallion piece for a round robin I am starting with a couple of my friends.

Next week, I will be going to A Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge for three days so I won't get much sewing done --  well, I plan to put bindings on a couple pieces while I am there.

                               -sandi

WEEKLY UPDATE

I have no new quilty pictures to share this week.  I have put new sleeves on four previously made projects that will be going as part of an exhibit later this summer for the AQS Quilt Week in Chattanooga. 

In addition, I am trying to complete three more projects for a different exhibit as part of that same week.

I have also been busy cutting fabrics for projects for my small group round robin and workshops.

My next quilting retreat is coming up this month too.

Still plugging along with "the list" that I put up at the first of the week.  Did a little more quilting on my QAYG Improv project.

 These blocks are waiting for more attention, too!

Hoping to get more finished for pictures next week!!  Want to see more sunshine this week!

                               -sandi
 

WELCOME MARCH!!

March is such an unpredictable month here in the Southeast.  Sometimes it is warm and balmy and other days we have sleet, snow, and wind.

It is also a wonderful month for seeing the first of the spring flowers pop up! 

 

I am so excited to put together this list of projects to get finished and out of my to-do stack in my studio.

I did not get this QAYG finished last month:

I now have 3 blocks completely quilted and a fourth one about two-thirds quilted and three more pieced.  That leaves me with only 3 more to get pieced and then get all of them quilted and bound.  I do want this finished this month!!!  I have the fabric pulled for the pillow slips that I want to make to go with this quilt for my guest room.

 

I will continue with the Pineapple blocks for the small wall hanging for my living room.  In addition, I would like to get one done for my daughter.

 

 

Of course, I expect to have my Cascade scarf finished.

 

 

Quilting the Facets and Gems quilt is in this month's list.

 

Okay, now just don't let myself get sidetracked by other projects.  I have spent enough time moving these project boxes around!!!

 

Of course, I have three projects with deadlines this month that cannot be shown yet!  Those will take up some time.

I also will be attending Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN for its annual quilt show.

 

-sandi

 

PORCH CHATTER: THE PRESENT MOMENT

There are many paths that bring us to where we are at this present moment.  My paths have included joy, sorrow, pleasures, pain, and surprises along the way.

The path of motherhood has brought me a deep joy and profound gratitude for a precious bundle that arrived in my life.  The surprises and pleasures of watching a new little being evolve into a strong, mature adult with children of her own still makes my chest swell!  This path certainly changed (and continues to change) my life forever!!

Another path that has significantly changed my life was begun thirty-six years ago today.  I became a widow at a very young age.  The life lessons on this path were overwhelming at times and most comforting at other times.  Recognizing that each day is a gift has been the greatest life lesson I have taken from this.  Being grateful in the beauty of the moment. 

 I had to find solid footing again after the chaos of monumental change.  Trust did not come easily.  Knowing that I had to put my faith in a power that was so much greater than I became a comfort over the years.  This catastrophic event has molded me into a woman of strength; a woman of gratitude; a woman who is flexible, and can accept change with a minimum of angst.

The woman who was emerging from the ashes of a life (as she had known it) was becoming a woman with confidence.  This woman knew she was a survivor!  Gratitude slowly surfaced in this living day-by-day pattern.  Seeing beauty and joy even in the worst of times became the sunrises of each day.  Knowing there was a Comforter ever present became the sunsets.

Being content to live the moment brought me to another life-changing path to my present moment.

I was given another chance at sharing my journey with a life partner.  This newly emerging woman with confidence, strength, and determination was once again blessed by her Maker with a partner who accepted, respected, and loved her completely.  A man who was willing to help her become the woman she was designed to be.  A life mate who supports and shares her ambitions and her creativity.  The man who makes my life a joy everyday as this path of my journey continues . . .

Many paths have brought me here and there are still paths to follow.

"It is about coming to realize you are on a path whether you like it or not, namely the path that is your life."  -Jon Kabat-Zinn

I realize these are my paths and I am choosing to live each day on each path to the fullest!  My eyes are always open to find the new paths. . .

                            -sandi
 

WEEKLY UPDATE

Even though I set up a tentative list for completion this month, I seem to easily get off track. 

One of the projects I have done this week is a play quilt for a friend of mine who is going to be a first-time grandmother.  I like to make these little play mats that Grandmother can keep at her house for her precious bundle to lie on and eventually play on or be read to.

The Pineapple Workshop was a lot of fun. I had hoped to get back to it before the month ended, but that did not happen.  I will add it to next month's project list.

Pineapple Blocks Workshop used a ruler by Jean Ann Wright that makes it fast and easy.

I have seven blocks completed and I think I need a total of 16 to do a small wall hanging.  Of course, I want to do one for my daughter, too!! 

This will be a great leader/ender project as I work on other things that have deadlines.

 

Another project not on this month's list is the quilt I am making for my grandson.  I did add another round of the Courthouse Steps strips.  I have been using this project as a leader/ender for other projects.  This is now at a place to make it the primary project.

 

 

 

I also started a project that will be unveiled much later in the summer.  Here is a sneak peek at one of the blocks.

 

 

 

My Cascade Scarf is growing. .

 

I am working on three other projects that have deadlines for a special event and I cannot show them just yet!

 

LilBit is having a little slurp treat!!!

 

-sandi