Construction

I have been thinking a lot about the ways I build a quilt in order to make covering a cloth in hand stitches from edge to edge manageable. Working on a small scale has been helpful and I love the look of the all over stitches. I love the meditative process of sewing the stitches and the feel of the finished cloth.

These last few weeks I have been working and daydreaming of ways to include areas of dense stitching as a design element and strengthening element but changing the construction a bit to allow a cloth to grow into something that can keep my children and my family warm and cozy. So I am going to try working towards building bigger - one block at a time.

This red and yellow shoofly block given to me by my grandma. It was likely given to her by her mother or maybe a friend.

List

The short list of plans for my needle and thread in the new year:

- start and complete a collection of small quilts that have been developing in my sketchbook

- make and mend the things that are needed and wanted for my boys, my family, my home and my friends

- document the way the fibers of a quilt and the threads of my days are all a part of the same patchwork

My long list is much more adventurous - but I am hopeful these few things may lead to all the others.

Happy New Year!!

hold

snow

To You...

Thank you to all who take the time to visit me here.

I have some (grand!?) plans for January (aren't there always!) and the year ahead. Right now I am wrapped up in enjoying this time of year with my boys. Health and happiness to you all and warm wishes for 2012!

Last Weekend...

between visiting with family and friends, walks in the woods and helping Brett with the wood pile...

I had many little moments to stitch. I have left these threads top and bottom. I plan to use the loose ends on top to hang it - thoughts on just how still in progress.

Brett does most of the work with the wood - the boys like to help for awhile. I think the way he has stacked it is beautiful.

New blue details.

These always amaze me.

The tangle.

A tiny forest in bloom.

Radiant

My first quilt block with curves - started here. I think it has a nice glow. I am also seeing it as a compass.

Golden

Our sweet Beandog passed away 5 days ago. She was 14 years old - lived a long and happy life. That first day without her was hard for us. So difficult to keep my mind from wandering towards the saddest departing details, so I searched out fabric in her colors - traced, cut and started stitching. Keeping hands and brain busy and bringing back the good memories - which are so good and so many. She was the sweetest girl.


Loving and caring for her was our way of life for over 14 years. Her fur is woven into our carpets and our clothes. We patted her sweet head when we walked into the room and again when we walked out. We walked outside with her many times every day. We anticipate the sound of her toenails on the wood floors and her rustling shuffle in the fall leaves. There was much worrying in the last weeks - thoughts of her were hovering in front of all else - and near impossible to concentrate fully on anything. It has been hard to let go of that quiet urgency of wanting her to feel better and also knowing it was just time.


This was her season of camouflage, sitting in the dry grass and golden leaves and and looking lovely - this taken just 2 weeks ago.


It is becoming a little bit easier to just be sad - smile through the tears and not fall apart. There really are so many wonderful memories of her - we are so fortunate to have known and loved her.



So I will be stitching on this little golden sunburst for awhile...