My mind is wandering

There are about seven or eight blogs that I love to read daily. These blogs do so much for me, from exciting me with color and design to making me think about why I do what I do and the way I do them.

Lately I have been having this niggling thought in my head; am I really a quilter? I don't mean a topper versus a quilter, I mean do I piece/applique/quilt because I have a need to do it? Or do I do it because it was a phase in my life and I now have too much money invested in fabric and machines to just give up on it all.

I can go weeks and weeks and not even have a desire to go in my sewing room or look at one of my many many quilting books. Is that the way a real quilter behaves? I read blogs such as Wanda Hanson's and Judy Laquidara's and I am in awe of the vast number of quilts they make in a short amount of time. I don't need to make that many quilts, and I really don't want to make that many, I am just amazed they can.

I used to dye fabric. I used to dye fabric as a business. I love to dye fabric but I have not done that in a long time, there are many reasons too boring to go into right now. I brought it up because I got into dyeing because of my quilting. I think my dyeing was one of the reasons I stopped producing quilts. Anyone who has had a business in the quilting area knows you give up your own quilting to make or do for your customers. I was too busy or too tired to make anything for fun. The need for samples took precedence over everything else.

After I closed my business I felt sort of lost. It was going to be just a short closing, just until I got moved and settled. This short time has lasted over two years. With this economy I don't see it starting back up any time soon either. I do have some former customers that I stay in contact with who I am happy to make a special piece for when they need it, but nothing big.

You will never believe what got me going this morning on this blog posting. I read Judy's blog and she was talking about Batik fabrics. Then I read Wanda's blog and she showed the top she is working on and her goals for the month. I started comparing myself to them. Am I a quilter? Or just someone who dabbles in making quilts. Do I love it or am I just stuck in it because I have too much invested?

My conclusion? I love to make quilts and I am not stuck in it because of my stash of fabric, machines or books. I need to iron fabric, and cut fabric. I need to plan quilts in my head and on paper. I enjoy looking at books and magazines. I have a desire to be great and make beautiful heirlooms to give my children. Quilts are what I found will hug those I love when I can't, so therefore... I am a quilter.

Diane

I really like this

The more I applique this way the more I like it. I finally got the leaves done. I wasn't quite sure if I was suppose to glue those pieces down at the same time as the others since there was going to be three pieces sewn in the same spot, so I left them off and did one layer at a time. The best parts about it all is that I have everything (almost) in place to start with, and I don't have to fight pins and worry about the pieces shifting. I would always get cramps in my thumb while I tried to hold it in place. I would hold so tight my hands would hurt. I have NO pain while appliqueing this way. I am really happy about that. I have enough pain on a daily basis, and I don't need more.

WOO HOO!
Diane

Oh man what a week

Since last week my poor computer has been through the mill.
A received an email from a friend with a link for looking at pictures of their recent cruise. I clicked on it and all H - E double toothpicks broke loose!
It took my husband and son two full days to get rid of the virus.
Why do people have to be so mean?
What fun do they get out of other people's misery?

Now today the Dell guy is coming out to replace some parts on my and my son's computers. I love my Dell and have only owned a Dell for YEARS, but they just aren't made as well as they used to be. Well, I know it doesn't help any when you shut it in the hinge of the trunk of your car, but still...

I will post more after he gets through with my puter.
Later,
Diane

27

Twenty seven years ago on this day my first child Alan was born, and my life has never been the same. My son, named after his daddy looks like me and has a tender heart. He has his father's stubbornness and desire to do things his own way. He loves to read and laugh. Alan is still learning to wait upon the Lord and listen to his heart and not always his head.
Last year, after we moved to Florida from Alabama, he moved to California. I don't get to see him but he does call. Until he has children of his own I am sure he won't understand how precious those phone calls are. There is nothing like the sound of "Hi Moma" when you answer the phone.
I never knew love could feel like this. When I saw his face after he was born I had a feeling come over me that I had never felt before. It was panic. The feeling that for the first time I was responsible for another life. I was just a child really when he was born, being just shy of my twentieth birthday. I had a job until the day he was born but the first time I held him I knew I would never return to work. Ray and I had talked about me staying home after the baby was born but it wasn't settled until I held him.

You don't know how fast time flies until you look up and your newborn is 27...

I'm a convert

I tried the starch/Templar method of hand applique and I love it!
It took a bit of getting used to but once the pieces were starched and glued in place the stitching was so fun! It went so fast!
Sitting in the living room while Ray watches the back of his eye lids, I mean TV I can stitch and I don't feel guilty being off in my sewing room. In two evenings, and two programs each night I have everything stitched down except the leaves (base of hearts) and the mauve dots. I didn't glue the leaves down since they sit so close to the heart bottoms I was afraid I wouldn't get something stitched well. I will glue them in a bit and stitch them later.

Later,
Diane

Teaching this old dog new tricks

Since deciding I would try applique again I have been trying to remember what I know about applique. I know the old way (how my Granny taught me), and I know how Ms. Louise taught me. They are similar, with a few differences. I also know how to do back basting.


I have been intrigued by a new method I have seen over the past couple of years. This method uses Templar, starch, and an iron to prep your pieces.


The Templar that I ordered from Karen K Buckley arrived. I found a pattern that I thought would be pretty easy and I liked since a pattern isn't a good idea, no matter how easy, if you don't like the way it looks.

I decided on the book Simple Blessings by Kim Diehl. I LOVE this book. Sometimes when life gets too stressful and I can't think straight I will pull this book out and study the quilts. Have I said I love this book?

The Country Whig Rose is the pattern I chose. It has nice big pieces, lots of color (scraps) and it's not too big to actually finish.

Today I prepped the first block. It took me quite a while and I hope it is just because I have never used this technique before. It did get easier as I went along. Now I am going to use glue to baste the pieces down to the background so I don't have to use pins. Then I should be able to have a portable piece so I can stitch even if I am away from home.

Later,

Diane

Today

*Woke up at 6:34am
*Dressed and left for Dr. appointment 7:33 am
*Filled out new information form, kept making mistakes and crossing out.
*Had to weigh...I gained 4 pounds!
*My blood pressure was elevated, the drive over didn't help much.
*Had blood drawn
*Tires rotated
*Stop off at auto insurance office
*Tuesday Morning- found new kitchen towels
*Stopped at Earth Box research center-sounds interesting
*Home to make dinner
*Made dessert
*Longing for bed