To The Good Life

I made it!! I have completed 25 Dear Jane blocks. I know I have 144 blocks left to make but I have reached this milestone. I am Silver! I want to make 50 by this time next year. These are Baby Jane steps, a little block at a time. This quilt is such a treasure. the original quilt was made by Jane Stickle in 1863 "In War Time". Brenda Papdakis drafted the blocks, published a book and Cd so that people all over the world can enjoy,dream of, and reproduce this beautiful, haunting quilt. It is spectacular, it is a history lesson, and it is a hand reaching through time to touch ours. When I set out to make a block I think of Jane and her life, in my mind I contrast mine to hers. She is teaching me to be frugal and extravagant at the same time. Conserving fabric but stretching my abilities, to learn, grow, and treasure. The people who are talented and persistent enough to finish this masterpiece are loving called "godess", the quilt is called a "Baby Jane". Jane's quilt is the Mother quilt. The journey through this quilt is fascinating and rewarding, I will enjoy each step as long as it takes and when I finish the last stitch I will pick up my crown and dance.

I also want to link to my Etsy shop. I really do not have it set up just yet but it is a beginning, Everything begins at the beginning so thank you again for helping me along my way and checking often to see my journey and progression. I am grateful for my followers and friends. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7036976

Webshots Link

Hi Again! I thought I would include a link to my webshots page. I do not have all my quilts on the page but I am trying to keep up to date now. Please feel free to check out the pictures at your leisure. I will be uploading more of my Civil War Love Letters blocks this week as I have been trying to catch up on those. I recently became enamoured with Sylvia's Bridal Quilt and have been anxious to receive my silver status with Dear Jane, So there are more pictures to come very soon. Keep on quilting! http://community.webshots.com/user/litemotif

I follow Rosa's World blog and learned of this give-a-way there, I thought I would share ...
http://faithfulquilter.blogspot.com/2009/07/45th-entry-give-way.html
If you are interested in the Quilter's Stimulus package check out this blog. Elaine is having a contest.

Today has been a pleasant day. I began the day at church. We talked about being offended and what we can do when we have been. The Good Lord knows sometimes we are the offender.

We talked about living above our circumstances. God is in control of our circumstances. Praise the Lord, I am so glad I am not in control, I would mess up everything.

After church I fixed lunch. My husband was astounded that I still know how to cook. (I could have been offended). It was a good lunch but I ran down to my sewing room to work on some blocks. This is one I completed today. I am only 2 months behind, this is the May basket. I used felt to make the cherries and leaves which I intend to felt to the fabric very soon.

A few years ago I bought felt at a quilt shop in Missouri and recently I purchased the tools for felting. I made my sister a pin cushion and proudly exclaimed .."It only cost me $50." We laugh about that often but really the cost of her pin cushion is reducing as I use these items for other things. I have far too many interests and am master of none.

I later went for a 1-1/2 mile walk in the park with my husband and our son. the sun had gone down so it was bearable as it has been horribly hot and humid for the last 6 weeks. We finally had a little rain and the temperatures are now a cool 90 degrees. It is amazing how much better 90 is than 100.

I have enjoyed the day, slow and easy, no big surprises, a little sewing, good company and a good lesson to ponder this week. I am blessed.

Tiny Tote Swap

I have been involved in a several swaps with my online groups. We make various blocks in multiples and swap with others all over the world. However, I think this one intimidated me most because I had one little tote bag to make for a specific person. I wanted it to be special. We were given the guidelines but freedom to do as we pleased. The blue background fabric is called Botanicals but I thought of "Starry Night" as soon as I saw it and wanted to make my tiny tote from this fabric. I purchased some (enough to make a whole BIG tote full of tiny totes), went home and printed my LeMoyne star using the free download from Inklingo. (See Links to Love) Then after a few cuts with the rotary cutter a few stitches this tiny tote was born. I was very pleased, so off it went to my tote buddy Jillian, filled with prayers for her and her family, and good wishes from an invisible friend. Check out the Inklingo blog and the Inklingo sampler blog you will find all the information for making this adorable little bag.

Basket Case #1

I am definitely a basket case when it comes to sewing. I joined a group of quilters of this name and this is my first block to finish for the online group. As I look about my sewing room I see that I am a basket case in many ways. I have baskets of fabric, thread, notions, scraps, and of course laundry some clean and folded, some clean not folded, and you get the idea. I have baskets of books , patterns, cleaning supplies, dog toys, candy, gum, and dust. may be I should get some shelves.