The Lazy Days of Summer

Oh how I am wishing for a lazy summer day. This summer has been jam packed. I can't believe July is almost over already. I typically have a bed size quilt at least started by now for a Christmas gift. Hmmm, not this year. I haven't had any time to think that far ahead. Now don't think I'm complaining, really, I am not. This summer has been full of really exciting happenings, well exciting for me anyway. In May I went to Portland, OR. In June I went to San Francisco. In July I've been catching up.

I have been working on a log cabin quilt with a lotus block. I've finished the top of version one. Here are the teasers.

Love, Love, Love the second combination. I'm combining this block with cream and gold log cabin blocks. Sew much fun!

You'll have to check out the next issue if Quilter's Home http://www.quiltershomemag.com/ as well. It should be available August 5th. I'm camping out by the mailbox for my copy. My quilt "Just for Jan" is in the Sept/Oct issue! I made this quilt for my sister for Christmas last year. Our birthday's are back to back, the 3rd and 4th. I often wonder if that is why we like so many of the same things. She is my color companion. We like the same blend of colors and the same types of design. This issue is coming out just in time for our birthdays. How appropriate! When I told Jan, she said she wanted an autographed copy! What a great sister. My sisters (I have 4) are the main reason I have started publishing my patterns. They ganged up on me and demanded I start writing out the instructions. I promised them and now one of my quilt has been published. Smart girls, those sisters of mine

I've also been working on a baby quilt for a friend of my sister in law. I love pinwheels for baby's. I'm also using Minkee for part of the blocks. This is a one block quilt. The pinwheels are in the center of the blocks.

I hope you all are enjoying your summer as well. I'd better get busy again.

My Perfect Day

I've been thinking recently, it's time to have one of those perfect days. I know exactly how I would spend that day, so I've been planning. Not that it takes long to plan. I want to spend my day riding to several quilt shops. I rode to my brother's house last weekend for the holiday. I brought my sister her quilt. It was a beautiful day for a ride and that just got me thinking again.

I've read about quite a few people that use quilting as a way to relax and and get away from the craziness of everyday life. Mark Lipinski shared his view in the last issue of Quilter's Home. http://www.quiltershomemag.com/issuex/0708/. I have to admit that I also use quilting as a way to relax. How can you be stressed out when you are sorting through beautiful fabric. I fold and refold, put it away, take it out again, put it away again, just to sort through my stash and see what I have. I love to put pieces next each other and see how they play together. I get into that zone, stitching the pieces together, where I can sort through the things in my life. I feel blessed to have this wonderful craft.

I have to admit though, I get the same feelings riding my motorcycle. When you ride a motorcycle, you have to constantly watch what is going on around you. The same kind of focus you should have when running a sewing machine. Pay attention, you wouldn't want to sew through your finger. (I've come close and know a few who have.) My favorite trips on my bike involve a remote country road, a few curves in the road and trees overhead. As I ride down these roads, my mind starts drifting towards the colors around me and the shapes of the scenery. A new quilt design comes to mind. It is very similar to sorting through those piles of fabric.

So, my perfect day involves riding my motorcycle down some of those country roads to the quilt shop to pick out new fabric. I'll take in the colors and shapes and then translate them directly to fabric. and then start all over again on my way to the next shop. I wonder what the weather will be like on Saturday.