JOY & Frustration & More JOY

UPDATE: Oct 20th. Here is the photo!! YEAH!! Written on the five silver charms are:

Free Your Heart from Hatred

Free Your Mind from Worries

Live Simply

Give More

Expect Less

Joy...a new quilt piece that was created in the last month as part of an assignment in my MBA program. I was so excited to share it with you all! However, Blogger is having issues posting photos and so far I am not finding any way to share the photo with you...that is pure frustration! As soon as it is fixed, I will add a new posting.

It is approx 8 x 12 inches with deep purples, fuchsia and yellows. Our assignment was to do a creative project. I was one of the few people in class that was excited and couldn't wait to get started!

I actually gave myself a few rules:
-I need to start a new project from scratch...no patterns or finishing other projects.
-I had to use fabric that I had...no shopping.
-I needed to try a new technique.
-I could not rip out or redo sections...whatever happened had to stay in the project.

Life continues to be crazy...work, school, family and trips to LA to work on the estate. I continue to try to find moments of joy in each day...yesterday it was a great 45 minute walk out in the country side enjoying the wonderful fall colors of Oregon. Heading out the door now for another walk! Soon I will post more pictures....as soon as blogger fixes the errors!

September Updates

Not much sewing going on this summer, but the biggest news is this new wall unit from Ikea in my sewing studio. It even has empty sections, just waiting for my next project. I spent the weekend getting my studio back in order after the chaos of moving furniture and reorganizing my space!

This is coming to my home in Oregon, from California. It is one of the many items that did not go into the estate sale...along with a second older Singer!

While in California we spent an afternoon as tourists, taking my son to see Hollywood, including Michael Jackson's star...

Borders are on this quilt and it went with two other to the Long Arm quilter!! I'm actually catching up and ready to start new projects!! The border on this quilt made me nuts! I actually cut the binding strips before the long borders, then had to piece the border...what a crazy mistake...oh well it all worked out. I'm currently searching for the hydrangea fabric in purple and raspberry for a different project...one that I purchased fabric for several years ago...only to discover this weekend that I am short fabric :-(

Of course, a visit to Hollywood must include the sign! It was fun to be tourists...so glad we are back home and not there in all the smoke! Happy quilting!

Long Beach Show pictures

My computer is distressed and so am I at this point, as I use my son's computer for this posting. So, rather than sharing pictures with you from the Long Beach show, here is a great link to "The Quilt Show" website daily blog. Scroll down and you will find three sets of photos from the Long Beach show, along with other interesting show pictures, etc.

http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php

I've checked this site several times, trying to decide if it is worth it to be a member. However, at $42.95, I haven't yet parted with the money...here are my reasons not to join...

-The cost seems high for online access.
-I already take 6 magazines related to quilting, so I have lots of resources.
-I have more projects in progress than I can count!
-I'm not a fan of watching TV or other video on my computer...spoiled by big screen TV's!
-I already spend too much time each day on the computer between work and home projects.
-I have more email and newsletters than I can read at this time.
-I'd rather be working on quilting projects...

I'm curious if anyone has become a member and find it worth the cost...

Long Beach Show on Saturday!

First, a few quick China trip photos...so what is a quilter to do when she is not finding fabric to purchase? Buy Pashmina's in every color you can find!! These wonderful scarves were just a dollar or two, depending on bargaining and number purchased! I came home with 40, some for me and many as gifts for friends and co-workers!
You can't be in Beijing without going to the Great Wall. What an incredible experience! So beautiful and so hard to fathom this was built so long ago! We walked between three towers with steps from 1 inch high to over 24 inches. I would love to spend more time there!

Yes, I will be going to the Long Beach show on Saturday, so if any bloggers are going to be there would love to connect with you! Post a comment and I'll check back...

There is so much more to write, but I am behind in packing, writing a paper for school and other homework due on Friday...this is just a momentary escape, as I am tired and distracted after a full day at work, visiting dad at assisted living and over 6 hours of travel to one of our work sites.

Chinese Patterns

Everywhere we went I saw potential patterns for future quilts. Don't you love these circles, set in squares with stars in the lattice!

Patterns, patterns everywhere...textures on walkways, painted buildings in the Forbidden Palace and Temple of Heaven, beautiful tile work...


I'm finally back to blog life, after three weeks in China and another 4 weeks trying to catch up and recover from a nasty bout of bronchitis, asthma and allergies all kicked off during our last days in China, in Shanghai where the air pollution was incredibly thick!

Now it's time to sift through 1300 pictures, capture the designs in new quilts and enjoy this wonderful summer!

OFF TO CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for no picture and not posting recently. Life is crazy as always...work, school and family. Haven't been quilting for awhile, but spent time this weekend showing my sister from N. Carolina all kinds of projects she can work on while staying in my house for three weeks...lots of unfinished projects...bindings to stitch down...borders to add... Check back after May 25 for pictures from China!!

Mom's butterfly quilt

Sorry this is a bit out of focus...This is a quilt made about 15 years ago for my mom who always loved butterflies. When she passed away in 1998 it made it's way back to me. Her birthday was just last week, so she has been on my mind, so I decided to share it with you, since I can't find the picture of the red, white and blue flannel star I just finished.

I have finished tacking down the binding on the back side of a flannel star quilt and moved on to the binding on another one. Unfortunately, I'm not finding the pictures as someone has disconnected my external hard drive. In a house of young males...I bet I can guess!

The two quilts hanging on the arms of the treadmill (that is what they are for aren't they?) are works in progress. The one in the front (Blue, green and yellow) just needs two borders added (yes, I got bored with it...see August 27, 2007 post for a full picture of it) and the middle one (bright pink) the top is finished, I'm just wanting to add some words to the outer border.

Life continues to be busy with work, school and family. Hopefully, I will get at least one more posting up before I leave for China on May 6.