Fabric and Quilts

I love quilts. I love fabric. I absolutely love to go to a fabric store and let my eyes caress the rows and rows of beautiful bolts. Such eye candy! They inspire me and get me motivated to open the door to my sewing room and listen to the hum of my sewing machine. As much as I love most of the quilt designs out there, my passion lies in the antique - the simple. Since I am a lover of primitives, a good old 9 patch has to probably be one of my favorites, although log cabin patterns is right there with the 9 patch. I have noticed that whenever I have made a quilt for someone, it usually ends up being one of those two designs, although I have done others as well.

I remember when I first started quilting. I had known how to sew for years and had made my own clothes, as well as some for my children. But quilting.....I had really never embarked on that journey before. But once I did, I was hooked. Like everything I have done, I taught myself. I never took even one formal class. I might be much more accomplished today if I had, but since primitive is where my heart lies, it really doesn't matter. I am not out to impress anyone. I sew for myself. I sew what I like. And that, is good enough for me. Since I haven't put any pics on here for awhile, I will add a few of the quilts I have made. My all time favorite is the red/white/blue log cabin pattern that I made for a friend who lived in Stockholm, Sweden. Those were her favorite colors and since I live in the USA, I decided to do my own design of a log cabin version of the American flag. This is by no means all the quilts I have made or hope to make in the future.

Honestly....can a quilter ever have too many quilts or too much fabric?

Enjoy!

Ponderings

It's a dark dreary day. Cold, wet and rainy, gray. Fits my mood perfectly. It's a "soup" kind of day. Think I will drag out one of those quarts of beans and the ham I have in the frig and make some for supper.

Woke up feeling like the wrong side of the bed. I don't mean to be cranky. I'm just tired of people using me and throwing me under the bus. I try to help and I get used for it, taken advantage of. My sister once told me that we (she and I) were "not on the list". In other words, others always came first and we never mattered. I feel like that a lot. Jesus said we were to serve others, be servants, that the first would be last and the last would be first. However, it would be nice to have people think about how I feel once in awhile. Don't get me wrong. I love to be able to help others. It's the being "used and abused" that gets old.

Things I wish:
1. That, above all, my family were all saved and living for God.
2. That I would have a closer relationship with my Lord.
3. That I had a better relationship with certain members of my family.
4. That I wasn't in debt.
5. That I wasn't always feeling bitter and resentful.
6. That I wasn't in such lousy physical shape.
7. That I was THIN.
8. That I could feel free - to be happy, to love more, to forgive more, to laugh more.
9. That I could go on a missionary trip to some place like Peru.
10. That I could just get rid of all the encumberances of life - all that STUFF I think I need or want.
11. That I could live simply - out in the country on a quiet little farm (surrounded by pine filled mountains) where I could have my own garden full of veggies and herbs. Maybe raise a few chickens and have a couple of dogs and cats, and a horse or two.
12. That I could give up the computer, internet, tv, telephone, and electricity - except for essentials like a washing machine and a refrigerator.

I want a quiet, peace-filled life. It is the complete opposite of what I have - which is drama and chaos. I don't think God meant us to live in such disharmony.