It's a long, long, long, process...

....divorce, that is.  It will be over soon, or so I keep telling myself.  In the meantime, I managed to squeeze in some time to finish my placemat.  What a cheery way to start the morning, having my Lucky Charms (or oatmeal if I'm feeling like a grownup) on a little something I made. 



One made and one more to go!




Gratuitous shot of the back - kept the quilting very simple.




Since I took this photo last October, I've made the quilt sandwich, quilted most of the top, decided that I really don't like the quilting after all and am now in the process of picking out the stitches...fun times!

 

This was meant to be the center medallion on my divorce quilt, but I don't really feel like doing anything more with it.  Time to put it away...on to better things, right? ;-)


Enjoy!
Mary-Frances

A little something for WIP wednesday

My first WIP project for the year is a small one, but rather cheery if I do say so myself. After making a few more string blocks the other day, I decided to make a table runner and two place mats for myself instead of a lap quilt.  It has been so cold lately, I think this fabric will certainly add a little warmth to the kitchen table. 




For the place mats, I took four 6-inch string blocks and sewed them together, then added two 2-3/4 x 12 inch strip of white fabric.

 

I had some of this fabric in my stash and thought it would suit as a backing - this fabric is also by Kate Spain from her Fandango line.



Here are the 6 large blocks put together for the table runner.

  

Backing fabric, also from the Fandango line.  I just have to cut it up and then make the quilt sandwich and I'm ready to go!

 I'm linking up to the Needle and Thread network for the WIP Wednesday extravaganza!  Be sure to check in with all the other quilters and fiber artists and see what they are up to!

Enjoy!
Mary-Frances

And I'm off...like a herd of turtles!!

 Well hello everyone!  To say I've been moving like the proverbial tortoise this year would be an understatement...yesterday was the first day I spent working on a quilt project..yikes!  Guess I just needed some downtime to chill and get those creative juices flowing again..if only I could have done that while sipping margaritas on a warm sandy beach somewhere...oh well, maybe next year, right? :-)




Thanks to Sue for inviting me over for a sewing Saturday, I finally dusted the cobwebs off my little Janome and did some sewing - hooray!  A few more squares added to my string quilt.

  

Even though I haven't done anything much in the way of sewing, I have been busy perusing the quilting books at my local library.  I love this book - I think I need to find one for my own bookshelf.



I've always wanted to make a spiderweb quilt, but I think I'm going to work on a diamond string quilt instead...I'm loving this one and have already sorted through my fabric strips.  I definitely have enough to make this...one more for the 'to do' list!




I stopped in for a visit at my LQS and couldn't resist this beauty from Robert Kauffman...love, love, love it!  Oh yes, I signed up for a mystery quilt class as well - have never done anything like that, so we'll see how it goes.  It's scheduled for the end of March.  Should be fun!




I found this little gem of a box at Homesense and thought it would be perfect to store some of my fabric in.  I bought two boxes, but I guess I should have bought that third one after all. ;-)

 

I did spend some down time in my sewing room, working on this puzzle my daughters bought me for Christmas.

Like many of you, I'm also an avid reader - so far I've read:

Death at Pemberley, by P.D. James - for the Jane Austen fan

V is for Vengeance, by Sue Grafton - Kinsey solves another one

Home, by Bill Bryson (listened to this on audio tape) - pretty fascinating stuff, if you like trivia and history that is

The Scottish Prisoner, by Diana Gabaldon - stopped reading after 200 pages...sorry Diana, this one didn't hold my interest

When God was a Rabbit, by Sarah Winman - interesting story, well written, look forward to more from this author

Enjoy!
Mary-Frances

Out with the old and in with the new - a 2012 wish

A friend sent me an email the other day, pointing out that 2011 had been a year of one emotional punch to the gut after another for me...and you know what?  She’s absolutely right.  2011 was my very own Annus Horribilis...a horrible year indeed. 

And yet, when I look back, I see how much good there truly was...because of the breakdown of my marriage, my relationship with my daughters has grown and we have become closer than I ever thought possible.  I helped them through this trying year and they have done the same for me. 



Christmas self-portrait - even the dog wanted in on the action!

I no longer have that male voice reminding me of my imperfections, how I am not pretty enough, young enough, smart enough or good enough...and I relish the silence. 

A granddaughter was born...what a reason to celebrate!  A beautiful little bundle of love...she helped remind me of the goodness in this world. 

Existing friendships evolved, some ended, new ones made, here and in blogland...how wonderful to know other people appreciate and value who I am.  I travelled on my own, with family and with friends...new adventures, good and bad, but always a learning experience. 



Good times in San Francisco.

Through it all, I quilted, I planned projects, I searched for fabric, I cut, sewed, cut some more and sewed more, piece by piece, discovering my likes, dislikes, who I am as a quilter, as a mother, as a friend and as a human being.

So, goodbye 2011.  Thank you for all the lessons you’ve taught me, but I don’t really want any more learning experiences or times of personal growth.  My greatest wish for 2012 is to live in peace.  Sounds simple enough, and yet...

I hope we all find ways to spend more time in our sewing room this year, more time sharing quilt stories and tips, and more laughter with friends and family, yes, definitely more laughter and joy in 2012. 

May you be filled with gentle loving kindness

May you be well

May you be peaceful and at ease

Mary-Frances