A Tradition to Pass Down

I have always admired my grandmother's quilts and treasured the ones she has given to me over the years for each of my beds.  On one of my overnight trips to visit her years ago, she let me take her spot at the sewing machine and piece one of her blocks together (with her guidance, of course).  Despite the fact that we barely touched the surface of "Quilting 101", I was immediately hooked and hopeful to one day have a beautiful masterpiece like Mawmaw's.

I quickly learned that quilting wasn't so much a hard skill as one that took time, patience, and some precise calculating.  My math-inclined brain and creative tendencies clicked well with this new found interest.  The most challenging moments have actually involved knowing how to thread my sewing machine and fill the bobbin.  Guessing my way through them has worked thus far!

My first quilt completed followed a fairly simple and basic pattern using flannel material.  Feeling satisfied with my first finished product gave me a confidence boost and, of course, encouraged me to tackle something more advanced!  Back in 2006, I was browsing through Jo-Ann Fabrics one day and found a quilting book with a pattern that looked "interesting".  Being inexperienced like I was (am!), I thought that I could just quickly jot down some basic instructions and figure out how to make this particular one without having to purchase the book.  Let's just say it turned out a little different than expected.

After many trips to the fabric store, a 5 year hiatus, changing the design numerous times, carting my machine and fabrics back and forth between Williamsburg, Mawmaw's, and Richmond, here we are 6 years later and I finally have a completed top piece.  It's "done" in my mind even though it technically still has to be quilted and a binding has to be sewn around the edges...

Can you see the kaleidoscope pattern? I used a Kaleido-Ruler to cut these blocks.

A few pictures below to show the process...

One of the first steps...cutting strips and sewing them together

A majority of this quilt was made during Christmas "break" in 2006 and then 2011.  It seemed a perfect compliment to watching football and the snow fall outside!

Amazingly enough, I actually taught Mawmaw to do this particular design.  We spent a whole Saturday in January working on our quilts together.  The pink blocks above are hers. 



Signs of Spring

A few (new and old) photos to get me excited for warmer weather...

A Chilly Escape

Mom & I took a quick two day trip to Duck, NC to get away and allow me some time to recharge my batteries.  Work has been especially intense lately and I needed to be forced to rest and take my mind off of my to-do list(s).  The 30-40 degree temperatures didn't make it ideal for getting any sun, but it was still a wonderful little beach getaway. Leisurely mornings, chilly beach walks, camera around my neck, and time with Mom...some of my favorite things.

Besides a couple people we saw walking dogs, we basically had the beach to ourselves...well, besides all the seagulls!

To Blog or Not To Blog?

It seems like I cannot catch my breath these days.  The more things (mainly work) have picked up in my life, the faster time flies.  I have contemplated over and over again starting a blog because...1- I love taking and sharing pictures, and 2 - I so enjoy documenting life's happenings and being able to look back and remember details from things I have done or places I have traveled.

But how in the world can I justify taking the time to blog when I sometimes cannot find a spare minute to do a half hour task that's been on my list for months?!  Better yet...I've been known to leave dead bugs I have smooshed in the corner of a room to vacuum later "when I have time."  (Should I admit this?!)  Maybe writing about things going on will actually slow time, though!

As much as I talk about finding a better balance with how I spend my time, maybe I should focus on certain priorities and ignore many of the other things on my "to-do" list that just aren't that important.  I've been convicted recently about how much I focus on getting things done...even if they really aren't significant to my quality of life or the benefit of others.  In so many situations, isn't it the process that matters, not the end result?!  I have a long ways to go, but maybe creating a blog is a good start.  This could, perhaps, help me with the more balanced life that I would like...

The answer to the question (for now) is....

Yes! Let the blogging begin...