Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Answered prayers

I have friends who live in Maryland.  They have been trying to have a baby for a number of years.  Bless their hearts for their fortitude with failed IVF attempts.  In answer to their prayers, they had a friend raise her hand and volunteer to be a surrogate.  

In mid-January (before all the craziness of the Corona virus grounded us), we had a baby shower.  We had no clue as to gender of the long-anticipated bundle of joy, so I went with gender-neutral.


This is the quilt.  The pattern is from Missouri Star Quilt Company.  Although I didn't plan it, the quilt is in the colors of our beloved Georgia Bulldogs.  (G'Mama picked up on it immediately.)  In the picture are the mom, me, and three of the cousins of the long-awaited baby.  

On March 9, Luciana "Lucy" Rose made her appearance.  

Congratulations to Mom & Dad, the grandparents, and family on this long-awaited bundle of joy.  I am so happy to be able to contribute a gift to the arrival of this sweetheart.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Where does the MoJo go?

When I last posted in 2016 (😖), I pledged to post more often.  Well, life gets in the way.  My Dad passed away.  I miss him so much and have been somewhat depressed.  We've had the normal clean-out his house and settling the estate.  None of it has been easy. 

My studio got into a mess and with the depression from missing my Dad, it's been hard to pull up the boot straps and get it straightened up.  Last Monday, I had nine girl scouts come to make pillowcases for charity.  I couldn't let the girls into a mess, so they became my incentive to organize the space.  What kind of quilter would I be if I didn't set a good example?  I cut 30 pillowcase sets and let them choose their set to make.  The two Scout leaders helped facilitate the sewing and all nine girls got to make a pillowcase.  

So, looking back, I've been to a couple retreats with my primary Guild.  Also, the secretarial duties have occupied a couple days a month. This Guild also makes pillowcases for two charities.  I made 37 to donate last year.  

Even with the lack of incentive and other activities, I have had some finishes over the past couple years.  

This quilt was made for Alec and Ashley as a wedding present.  It is from Pat Wys' White Chocolate pattern.  I love Pat's pattern.  Her cutting directions were spot on.  I only had slivers when I squared up the blocks. 

When I can find the baby quilt I made for their first little girl, I'll post it.  One of my upcoming projects is a quilt for baby #2. 

This quilt was made for Shane and Natalie as a Christmas gift for Shane's mom.  
It is a braid quilt.  I took a class at a LQS on the technique.  I think I'd like to try another.  I didn't quite get it done for Christmas but they gave her some of the fabrics and I finished it in January 2019.  

Most of 2018 and 2019 were spent being a buddy to my husband.  Our days evolved into lunch dates out before or after running errands.  He broke his foot in three places in December 2019 so we've spent a lot of time at home and I've spent the first three weeks of 2020 in the studio.  I have really enjoyed my creative time and pledge to myself to spend more time there this year.  I think the MoJo's back.