What I’m Working On

I’ve been working with my friend Jan Petrucciani to update her pattern Geranium Star Bloom. She wrote this pattern over 20 years ago and wanted to update the look and fabrics. I auditioned three different fabric color palettes.

I wanted to LOVE the purple, but the background was just too busy. I do like the red, white and black combination and it was my favorite until I made a block with batiks. It was WOW! I’ll share a photo of the finished wall-hanging in the next blog post. If you want to purchase the pattern to make a wall-hanging, baby blanket or throw you can purchase it at her Etsy shop: Texas Thimble Design. It’s an easy pattern and goes together quickly.

I’ve also contracted with Threaded Lines quilt shop to make some store samples. This is a cute store in Montgomery, Texas that is worth a visit if you are in the area. They also have an online presence as well as a Facebook page. I’ll share photos of the samples in the future when I am able. Some of them are products that they do not carry yet so they are a “secret” right now.

Art-wise I am just sketching for fun. Nothing for a collection, but just to practice. Sometimes I sketch on paper and other times on my I-pad. The following sketches are just some rough pictures that I may try to recreate and finish them for future use.

What I’m Reading

I just finished A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci. It was a story set in 1968 that pits characters against each other based on race and wealth. It is a story that could be written about our society today. It is a good read and have a message that causes you to pause and ask whether you have just gone along without considering the consequences of your actions. Now I’m reading The Women by Kristin Hannah. It is the story of a woman that goes to war in Vietnam. For those of us too young to really have known what what happening in that war it is a story that spotlights women that put themselves in danger to sacrifice for the love they had for their country. It is a book that everyone should read, men or women, so we don’t forget the sacrifice others give for us to live in freedom. Neither of these are my usual genre, but I’m glad I picked them up.

What I Finished

I finished two of the four aprons for my daughter’s PK classroom.

I also was able to get photos of three more of my grandchildren’s quilts that I made them for Christmas. Now just one more to go.

Coming Up Next

Things I will be working on:

Art sketches to create a collection for fabric, cards, art prints, or some other ideas that I have.
Finishing my granddaughter’s puff quilt!!
Sending some quilt block designs in to be considered for a fall quilt along.
Finalizing a quilt pattern to be published.
AND, a secret that I can’t tell you about until JULY!!

Quips and Quotes

"It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up." – Vince Lombardi

Life is not fair. Never has been and never will be. What matters is what you do with the life you have been given. Every day is not going to be perfect, but it is important to keep looking ahead and to get up whenever you get knocked down. Every time you get up you are a little stronger, a little braver, and a little smarter.

Final Funnies

Kitty Escapades:

During the recent cold snap we had Kitty decided she is more of a fair-weather girl. She spent many an hour in front of our space heater.

Just a little chuckle:

What is Forest Gump’s email password?

1forrest1

Make sure you tell those you love how much you care.

God has a good plan for your life because He loves you. Jeremiah 29:11

Until next time,

Happy quilting

Where has January gone…