Albert Einstein quote

Atlantic Inspiration

Despite the fact that inspiration is all around, I sometimes find it difficult to focus on how I want to spend precious time.  Should I work on tried and true patterns in favorite colors or pick up something I've never tried before?  Indecision gets the better of me.  Half-square triangles never let me down but I can also make them in my sleep.  Sometimes I feel stuck.  Really, really stuck.  And that's how I'm feeling now.  So I'll continue to watch for images and colors that inspire me to pick up some fabric and scissors.

There is something about that blue-green ocean view that stirs my soul.  Blue was my favorite color until my mother passed away.  And then there didn't seem to be enough yellow in the world.

Even during times when I don't have the time or perhaps just the inclination to work on a project, I can be quite satisfied reorganizing fabrics or patterns, tools and all that stuff we accumulate.

JULY 4

Symbols of freedom

Places of peace and tranquility

And here's to a day of doing what makes you happy.

Days, Hours, and the Minutes

This blog started out being about quilting but that is just a small piece of our lives.  When we get together, it's not about quilting really.  That's our common excuse for assembling in the studio, at a camp getaway in Connecticut or some other venue, or trekking out to a quilt show.  But it is so much more than that.  How can you explain all that is a relationship, a friendship, a kinship?  It is about knowing that with or without talking about what brings joy or ache in our hearts, we are together and we know.  We know about the joys and the aches.  We feel for one another and to move on through time together..  We are there to say that both painful and glorious, wondrous moments pass.  And they will both come again.  And so we will gather again.  We will spend days, hours and minutes together and celebrate our lives.

 Mary quilting her first quilt.  She is a talented and precise at piecing and has come such a long way in gaining confidence and more importantly, thoroughly enjoying the process of making a quilt.  With a kind and sweet spirit about her, she is a pleasure to work with.

Kelly and I spent time in her new Jeep on a road trip by the lake, into the mountains and back around to South Burlington during Easter weekend.  We packed a lunch and had a wonderful time on our road trip.  We agreed to do it again after the snow melts.  A great nest at the top of a mountain road.  

Contented. Relaxed. Happy.

A happy day with friends in the studio.  All we need is to set a date, send a group email invitation including any theme for the pot luck lunch.  That morning, I turn on the lights and maybe the heat, start the coffee and watch the cars come up the driveway.   

Candy with her wicked cool Elna and some funky fabric.  Candy goes about making her quilts in a quiet and focused way.  It seems like they suddenly come together in a beautiful and clever way.  

Kathleen sings along as her machine runs.  She has a giggle and laugh we all want to hear.  It is contagious.

Deb has a lovely singing voice, quick smile and seemingly boundless energy.

Grandma's Aprons

This is Grandma's Aprons, made entirely from bits and pieces of feedsack fabrics, including my Grandma's apron.  The apron was well-used and held memories of warm oatmeal bread baking.

It's one of my very favorite quilts and so comforting to me.  Memories....