::Behind the Camera and What I've Been Up To::

Hi. 

How are you?

What have you been up to?

In between Tball, softball, swim team and being outdoors during the long-awaited springtime, I've managed to squeeze in some quiet time which I've needed desperately.  I'm being a little selfish these days.  

Like most moms, I've given so much of myself to my children and it's been to my detriment.  The constant care and nurturing of my three girls over the last 12 years has left me depleted and lost.   Now that they're older and in school for longer periods of time, I've forced myself to take better care of me.  This includes actually showering every day, putting on make up, long walks, a nap here or there, reading during the day and all those good things that feed my soul.  These are all such minor and little things that add up to a huge change in my state of mind.

Surprisingly, I don't feel guilty.  I don't feel guilty and I can't believe that.  I had to work at not feeling guilty that the house was a mess or that gourmet dinners weren't on the table at 6pm sharp.

But I've noticed a huge difference; I feel calm and peaceful and happy.  And for that, I am grateful.  

Because when the first one gets off the bus at 3pm until 9:30 at night when the last one falls asleep, I'm much more patient with the girls (and the husband) and not so exhausted and cranky at dinner/homework/bed time.    

During my quiet time I've been working on blocks for the Virtual Quilting Bee with Amy Smart @Diary of a Quilter.  What do you think?  Do you like this one?

I think it goes well with these.

 


I've been reading about one women's journey to from panic to peace.  I could use a little more peace and a lot less anxiety in my life and she shares some great ways to do that in her book.

Cuddling with the kiddos has been at the top of the list.  My oldest just turned twelve and I feel the years just speeding by.   I cringe when I think about a few short years from now when she will be out of the house.  One day I'm going to look back and be so happy that I cuddled with my girls instead of putting laundry away in drawers and keeping my kitchen crumb-free.

I've been chain piecing blocks for Bloom Bloom Pow Quilt-a-Long with Lee @ Freshly Pieced while this one keeps me company.

I've signed up for Sewing Summit 2013.  Cannot wait!

I've been learning to use a 60* triangle ruler to cut Bloom Bloom Pow triangles.  Trying to keep the ruler from moving around while I cut has been so hard.  I'm hoping my mistakes don't mess up my quilt in the end.

And I've been getting in front of the camera with my pumpkins.   When I first had Colleen, my oldest, I called her my little peanut.  I call each of my girls 'peanut' and also 'pumpkin'.  I think I picked this up from our mom.  I use the words like you would use "honey."  I'll say, "Come here pumpkin and let me brush your hair."  The other day, one of Maeve's friends heard me call her 'pumpkin' and roared with laughter that I "...called her a pumpkin!"  I'm now wondering if they are funny or odd terms of endearment.  Is it strange?  I don't know but I've used them forever and I'm pretty sure our mom used those words too.  They are affectionate and special to me but now that I think about it, it might seem pretty funny if I heard a mom call her child a 'squash' or an 'olive' or some other food product.  But that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Hope you had a great weekend.  Have a great Monday!

 

::Fabric Selection::

Here's the stack of fabrics I've pulled for the Virtual Quilting Bee.  I'm happy with all the color choices but I may have too many polka dots in there.  I'll have to see as I go and make sure I space them around.

This stack was used for my first Block 1.  Love, love, love it and really happy with how the block turned out.  This block was designed by Sherri at A Quilting Life.

This stack I pulled was centered around the top fabric~ Marmalade Floral Pink by Bonnie and Camille.
I love how it looks but ended up changing it for Block 2.  I will try to use it again in another block.

Here's Block 2.  The tutorial is by Sukie of Sukie Don't Ya Know and it's fairly simple.

And because I'm loving this Bee, I made a second version of Block 1.  I hope to make two of each block but we'll see how that goes.  Doesn't hurt to try!

 

::Block 1::

Behold my pride and joy.  I'm smiling today.  Block 1 for Amy's Virtual Quilting Bee is done!  I was able to piece it without too many mistakes and am a little amazed that I was so accurate with all those points.

Choosing fabrics that go well together is hard and takes practice.  It's so much easier to start with a collection from a fabric designer~ and I've done that plenty~ but I wanted to take a risk and pull fabrics on my own.

The seam ripper is also my friend.  I sooo want to just leave a mistake if it's not too bad, but I always feel better when I rip it out and redo it.  I ripped out one of these seems 5 times.  It was worth it.

I'm so pleased with how it turned out.  I love the colors, the variety of scales and the placement of them. In looking at blocks that other quilters made, I was pretty sure I wanted the main square and points to be the focus with the background more muted and the corners to pop a bit.

What do you think?  Do you like?

::Virtual Quilting Bee::

I joined a virtual quilting bee.  My first one evah!  And I picked an awesome one for a newbie like me to do.  I've always wanted to join a 'bee' but was hesitant and unsure but this one is too good to pass up.  I'm totes confident I can do this.  Amy of Diary of a Quilter has started this one and so far it's been awesome.  I haven't even made anything yet, but that's beside the point.  Ha.

I trust Amy to guide me through the process~ her blog is the best around, plus I met her at Sewing Summit '12 last fall and she's sweet as pie.  I like to think I can call her a bloggy *friend* but not sure she even remembers me.  I'll have to ask her in September during SS '13.  'Cause I will be stalking her, for sure.

me with my friend Amy!

Want to know all about the Amy's Virtual Quilting Bee?  Go here to get the deets.

Want to get the information about Block 1?  Go here.

Want to get the actual tutorial for Block 1?  Go here.

Want to see blocks that the VQB members have made?  Go here.  I love seeing all the blocks that people have started.

I'm at step one, picking out fabric and here's what I've pulled.  Gray, lime green, yellow, turquoise/teal blue, orangey red and some pink.  What do you think?  I seriously need opinions, people.  No seriously.  Please jump in with your two cents.  

Wish me luck.  I'm off to make Block 1!