Christmas, Quilts, and Dogs

 A very Merry Christmas and tidings of a Happy New Year to all!
I just finished this quilt recently.  It is McKenna Ryan's At Home in the Woods pattern.  I worked on it for a client for 2 years, slowly doing the cutting of the pieces next to the fire when it is really cold up here.  The quilt came out quite nice but I have decided that I do not love the look of fusible applique.  It is just raw and unpolished for my taste.  The pattern was beautiful though and there was no way to create it using any other technique.  The fine details in the flowers, bumble-bees and hummingbirds could not have been achieved without using the fusible technique.  All in all, I am very happy and proud to have finished this quilt. 
The photo of the dogs is basically for my husband's mom.  She loves to see how her grand-dogs are doing.  This is Bo and Gwyn (who is growing up) sleeping on their favorite blanket (which has proceeded to the next life already) and the fireplace glove that Gwyn likes to have close by.  I love that they keep me company in the studio, yet lately I've been trying to explain to them that if they interrupt my too much - no Kibbles next month.    Also, they lack the knowledge (or faith) that I will be right back, they don't need to follow me everywhere.  Ah, it is good to be loved though.
Peace, Blessings, Love, and Hope to you all!

Twas the Week Before Christmas...

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house, no one is safe, especially that louse!  Just kidding!  After last weeks blog, my mood this week is shameful.  I have been busier than usual though as I picked up a babysitting gig.  I have been discovering that how one uses words really affects how they make you feel.  Last year, I didn't "have to go to work", I "got to go to work".  You see how one makes it feel like a problem and one makes it feel like a privilege?
Therefore, I am not babysitting, I get to hang out with my new friend Miles twice a week.  He is a really great kid and I think he will help me remember how to just play.  The ability to play is something I completely forgot how to do.  All the stuff I did for play/hobbies have become my means of work.  And I do a lot of work but am very stressed.  Crawling on the floor and playing ball or cars or just making noise laughing is so good for my soul!!!!  When I got home after the second day, a jealous husband asked if he could pay me $10/hr to play ball with him.  Maybe I should, it was fun when he taught me to play lacrosse a few years ago.  Later though, right now he is template cutting pinwheel pieces out of silk ties for me.  Isn't he great?
What a great week we have:  Happy Channukah, Solstice, and Merry Christmas!
Let light, love, and laughter abound!

Giddy-Up and Go Time

Today is the day I decided to wrap up and box all of the presents to be sent out.  My goal is to get them in the mail tomorrow which would be ahead of time for me.  I trained my family members years ago that Christmas is mid-January in my necks of the woods.  I've been slowly returning to my Holiday Duties (as I see them) for a few years now.  I remember calling my mom 4 years ago and asking if the family would understand if I just didn't do Christmas that year.  You see, my husband had just broke his neck (C2) and was in a halo and I just couldn't face getting everything taken care of.  My mom said of course the family would understand.
Well, I've been getting back into the swing of things ever since.  This time of year is really a reminder to hold those family members dear.  It is not about the purchased gifts, it is about LOVE!  Love for everything - love for all humans, animals, plants, rocks, light, laughter.  Love for those close to you and love for strangers.  Every holiday season, the people of Boulder get uglier and meaner while doing their shopping.  It is horrible and builds in tension each day until Christmas is over.  For years now, my husband & I jokingly refer to this phenomena as the "Christmas Spirit".  Honestly though, it is quite sad.  I believe it happens because everyone wants to make everybody else happy for the holiday.  News Flash:  Angry people aren't happy!  Instead of fighting for and/or over that "perfect gift" (i.e.- whatever is popular and expensive), invest some time or love instead.  Love is much more rewarding and definitely the longest lasting man-made item out there.
Good luck to all in the next few weeks.  Share smiles with strangers and maybe they will pass them on too.  

All Tied Up

Roxy's Quilt

I was recently hired at my favorite local mountain establishment as a barista (coffee maker). As usual, within due time I found myself not only a barista but a waitress, line chef, pastrychef, and early morning bartender. It is fun and I have been creating breakfast menus and doing anything else to get used to this new job. Funniest thing about it all is they hired my husband as well. Long ago, he and I met at a coffee shop we worked at. And, we actually had our wedding reception at the Stage Stop where we now serve coffee again together. I love life's little circles.
The quilt to above is one that I finished for my husband's mother. It incorporates my late father-in-laws wonderful tie collection. My husband dyed the backing and I quilted it all together with lots of love. Now Roxy can have all of us snuggle with her at once regardless of distances apart. That is one of the best things about quilts. They completely embody the love of the maker and this love is seen and felt by others. That is just way too cool don't you think?

Happy Thanksgiving

This holiday is more meaningful each year to me. It might be because I have so much to be thankful for, especially the last few years. My web of family and friends mean so much to me. Not just for their warm hearts but for the amazing support they have shown me. Sometimes, I wonder why they haven't given up on me. It is the people who love me no matter what that I am the most thankful for. Love is what makes the world go around, nothing else. Without these people I wouldn't be writing, quilting, living in my mountain paradise, or able to share all they have given me with everyone I can. That is the best thing, sharing. Whatever is given is usually returned somehow. Food, Wisdom, Laughter, Warmth, Love, Smiles, Music, Dance... the list of things to be thankful for and share is endless.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day with their friends and family. Eat, Share, and be Merry!

Love and Chocolate

I love how I can tell what season it is by what candy is being sold in the grocery stores. Looking around, I see Saint Valentine's day is coming up soon. I always love a good romance and whichever of the many stories to believe, St. Valentine was a romantic. There were three saints of the Valentine name and all three were martyred. We are not even sure if this day celebrates one of the saints, all three, or if it is just another adaption of older pagan holidays.

Anyway, according to the tales, Saint Valentine performed marriages in secret, against the laws of the time. He either married Christians or soldiers, neither of which were allowed then. He was imprisoned and died for his efforts. (That is how one becomes a martyr you know.) According to one tale, while imprisoned, he wrote a love letter to a woman. Possibly she was the jailer's daughter. It was signed "Your Valentine", and became the first valentine card in history.

It certainly was not the last though. Sending loved ones a token of our affection on this day has become increasingly popular. Cards, flowers, and chocolate get sent around the world. All sorts of delicious chocolates go on sale to tempt our hearts.

Chocolate.com is ready for this holiday. They have marvelous boxed chocolate collections and with the attached code, you can get 10 percent off your purchase. Visit their site and pick something perfect for those you love. They will be happy to help make Valentine's Day special.