A little this and a little that!

We have returned to the cabin and I have worked on a few new projects.

This is a pattern from 1894 Cottonwood House called 'Charmed.'

I love the rusted jingle bells on his crocked little mouth.

My husband made the bread board for me to mount it on.  I just need to stain it.

The first block of Raven, from Blackbird Designs. 

Another stocking from Kim Diehl's book.

And lastly,

Hospitality door hanger, again from Kim's book.

Not much else since these two precious granddaughters came with me.

Therefore, we have been playing at the river, enjoying a good old fashioned 4th of July celebration and camping in our new camper, Rockie.

And finally,

our newest family member.

Next on my list...

the tree skirt from Kim's book.

My daughter and I are also making the girls quilts for the camper.

Hope you are enjoying your summer!  I know I am.

It has been awhile...

so thank you for still following my blog,

We have moved back to the cabin for the summer,

 so perhaps I will have some time to actually write a few more posts.

I have been busy since I last posted.

During the 9 hour car ride to the cabin,

I sewed the bindings onto several quilts.

A Stroll through the Garden,

by Norma Whaley.

Okay, this has got to be one of my all time favorites and I am not a 'prim' girl.

Desert Dwellers, the row I designed for TOWQS Arizona Row by Row Experience.

Sorry for the poor picture.

The Saguaro cacti are chenilled.

The applique is wool.

Thank you to my co-worker, Lin, for such a great idea for our row.

I am making the shoppe sample of Merrie Halloween, 

designed by Buttermilk Basin.

It is offered as a BOM.

I am not known for my embroidery skills, but you know something...

I am really starting to like it!

I was blessed to be able to attend Spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City in May.

One of the things I enjoyed most was hopping to all the quilt shops in the area.  The ladies at My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe in Logan were so nice and boy, oh boy, do I envy their space!

However, Village Dry Goods in Brigham City was my favorite.

Why? 

They had a wall of reproduction fabrics that made my heart skip a beat.

American Quilting was inspiring as well. 

 Their workroom was to die for.  

Has to be when you have hundreds of participants in your Mystery Sampler program!! 

A lot of my time when I work is spent making kits.

Yikes, I cannot imagine making hundreds of them.

The one thing I came home very excited about was Kim Diehl's latest book,

Simple Christmas Tidings.

It was so exciting for me to meet her.

You all know how much I love her designs.

I actually brought home an autographed copy of the book.

And I had to rush home and start making projects from it. 

Luckily, I had the same fabrics she used in her originals.

I want to make almost everything in the book!

I also came home with new projects from My Red Door Designs and 1894 Cottonwood House.

I made two of My Red Door Designs projects.

One here and one is on display at the shop.

I have not made my Jack from 1894 Cottonwood House yet,

but I will share when I do.

The last two things I came home with were a Sue Spargo Embroidery book...

I told you I was getting in to it...

and the pattern, The Raven, by Blackbird Designs.

Yup,

I am in my middle childhood again...

so full of enthusiasm and creativity. 

Heading back to the valley of the sun on Sunday for a few weeks.

Excited to welcome my son's second son on Tuesday.

Cannot wait to meet him!

(oh yeah, forgot...I also joined Panama Pyramids on Facebook.  My magazine should be at the house when I get home.  I have not bought the templates yet.  Want to place wagers on if I ever start them. Love the quilt and what a great use of scraps.  Besides, picking different fabrics for each pyramid is right up my alley.)

The Stages of Life

Recently,

I have contemplated the stages of life

 as they relate to my quilting endeavors.

First, is the infancy stage...

I am so full of hope and vitality that
I buy multitudes of new patterns and want to make each one.

Just a few in my queue and
I am anxiously awaiting a few more from My Red Door Designs this week.

Then comes middle childhood, where my imagination and creative juices go wild,
 hence working on several projects all at once.

My Garden, by Kathi Campbell of Heart to Hand,
is a new BOM program at The Olde World Quilt Shoppe.

Another Kathi Campbell project, October Garden.

During my adolescence,

I have a great passion for the project and make good progress.

Just the binding to go on this wall hanging,
Home is Best by Norma Whaley of Timeless Traditions Quilts.

Then the project moves into early adulthood where I see it as a responsibility; 

but I want to make my mark,
so I actually finish a few things.

Heart Table Mat, designed by Norma Whaley.

 Flower Baskets, by Lisa Bongean.

Coxcomb Medallion, by Lisa Bongean.

In the midlife of the project,

I start to contemplate whether completing the project will truly enrich my life.

Scrap Basket Blossoms,
from Kim Diehl's book, Simple Applique.
Two of the side borders are quilted, but I doubt I will finish the other two.
I made this quilt while teaching Kim's applique technique.

As a benevolent, mature adult,

I consider donating the project to raise funds for a worthy cause! 

And in those last few years,
I am sure wisdom will help me let go of the projects that just don't matter.