I need to figure out a way to spend more time in my sewing space.

 I realized this morning just now how much I miss creating.  I have been spending most of my time finishing things for the last two years and it just isn't as stimulating.

Making something new gives me the enthusiasm to create more.  It makes me happy.  Whether it's with cloth or some other medium, making and doing are my spark.  

I even like to create in the kitchen.  One of my favorite things is to bake. . . make desserts.  After Christmas I put all the leftover cookies and fudge, and cake etc. in the freezer (there was a lot) and we have been slowly eating them up.  Convenient yes, but I miss cooking.

I think it's normal to have the post-Christmas Blahs.  

Time to snap out of it.

So, I gathered the fabrics for the rest of my bird quilt.  

They just sparkle!

Robin

Also, Dotti in Connecticut, I appreciate your comment but I have no way to send you a reply.

Quick Post

 I finally figured out what I wanted to put in the corners of my bird center blocks.  I think the stars fill the space nicely.  I also added the little red upside down teardrops in the center because (of course) the bird isn't quite centered.  

I've only done 3 stars so far.  (Pardon the wrinkles)  I thought today would be a good day to concentrate on stitching these stars.  Only 45 more star points to go and they only take about 1/2 hr. to stitch.

Who am I kidding . . . this is going tot take a while~

I didn't post anything about my finishes for last year.  I do still have a quilt to show but I haven't taken a picture of it.  I also have my collected empty spools which is proof I did do something.  

Last year was definitely not about quantity.  It was more about trying new quilting ideas (that didn't always turn out) and learning new things.

An example is this quilt top I call "I can't hear you!"  because it is so muted.  I found out that these colors are not my color scheme.  I didn't enjoy this at all.

Please click on the picture to enlarge it and you'll get a better sense of the colors.

I have put it to the back of the queue for quilting.  Not sure what to do with it.  Lovely fabric line just not ringing any bells.

Robin

New quilt in the frames

 

Well, I put a new quilt on the frames.  I think this one is going to take a while.  It is about 86" square.  I was trying to think of ways to make it not seem so monotonous.  I thought maybe choosing 3 or more different colored quilting threads might make it interesting.  But, my husband (who normally has absolutely no opinions on anything I quilt) convinced me it would be distracting and not add anything to the quilt.  He's right of course.  So I'm in for the long haul.

I haven't really come up with a name for this quilt though it reminds me of the scripture in Isaiah 1:18. 

My daughter #2 and I put Grandma's curtains up in the living room.  I love how it looks.  And we rearranged the furniture.  It seems so much bigger now.  I had the piano and an antique organ on the far wall.  The organ went to my daughter#2 who has a degree in organ performance and the piano went to my youngest son.  That picture on the far wall was centered over the piano and now should be moved over the center of the couch.  But, I keep thinking I might want to do something else with the open space on the right.  I thought about hanging a quilt but there is already a quilt in the room.  (see below)

I need to do something to make the room more cozy - warm it up a little.  Any suggestions?

As I'm going through things because that's what I do in January.  I noticed this darling picture of my mother and her sister.  My mother is the one on the left with the over-the-top bonnet on. She was 2 yrs. old.

I decided to get it out and enjoy it for January.  It's on my hutch.

I thought I'd share this cute picture that was a gift to me for Christmas.  It is supposed to represent our family including our little one that passed away (flew the coop).  It is a sweet reminder of everyone.

I am having a hard time coming up with a new project.  This has never happened before.  When I sit down I am itching for some handwork and I suppose I could get out an applique block I started but it's on hold because I can't make a decision on what should go in the corners.

I  really liked the scrap quilt Quiltmania tried to do last year.  All the patterns are online.  But when I started with the first block that is just four-patches and HSTs and it didn't come out to size I decided I didn't want to fuss with the French/English - inches/cm and I'd move on to something else.  I need a project that's not going to give me grief.

It is so cold inside today.  I made myself some cocoa to try and warm up.  I'm always trying a different cocoa and right now the thing that tastes the best is regular instant cocoa with 2 generous squeezes of Hershey's chocolate syrup.  (and miniature marshmallows, of course)

We had a funeral last Saturday and I was at the church from 9:30 till 3:45.  We served crockpot soup, rolls, cookies, and had a Hot Chocolate Bar.  Going to the cemetery for the dedication of the grave chilled everyone and they were pleased to return to a warm meal.  

Well, I've rambled on long enough.  Keep inside if you can and stay warm.

Robin

Just a quick post

 

I took my front room curtains down.  I had blue toile curtains and I've had them for about 10 years I think.  They were cumbersome to open and every thing was so dark when the were closed.  It is time for a change.  (If you look closely you can see the Christmas lights that are still on the tree on the left).

These are my grandmother's curtains that have been in a box since she passed away in 1993.  They are gorgeous French embroidery on voile.  My grandmother worked in the drapery department in Z.C.M.I. for years.  These curtains were hung in her apartment on 50 East 5th South  (a building that has long since been torn down) and so I remember them from the 60's. 

I've decided that this is the year I'm no longer saving things to be passed down.  My kids don't have any memories with these curtains, I do.  So I'm going to live with them and see them everyday.  Which is what I should have done a long time ago.  If the sun shines on them - I'm not going to fret.  I'm going to enjoy the filtered sunlight just like my grandmother did.

My kids can make some of their own memories with these curtains at my house.  I'm anxious for my daughter to come over and help me hang them.

I'm working on the binding for this quilt we tied Christmas eve.  (See the whole quilt in my previous post)  I found a piece of drapery fabric (coincidence?) for the binding that has all the colors of the blocks in the quilt except for the lavender.  I had just the right amount of this backing fabric with bunnies on it.  This little quilt is so happy, I don't know if I can donate it as planned.  I want to keep it.

I finished another quilt but it needs a label and I don't have a picture of it. 

Next time. . .  Robin