On Your Mark - Create! Hop Begins

Exciting news!  The On Your Mark - Create! Hop just started!  This blog hop will feature  Simone Bradford’s new line of fabric - On Your Mark by Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.  There will be new projects revealed over the next 10 days by 10 very talented designers.  You won’t want to miss it!

So to get us started, rush over to Simone’s blog, Simone Bradford to see a beautiful chair she reupholstered in On Your Mark fabric.  It is a wonderful transformation!  And, be sure to leave a comment and you may just win a bundle of this fabulous fabric!

Don’t forget to check out all the designers - a new project every day.  Check out the schedule and follow either on Instagram or their sites!

Wednesday, April 18: Elizabeth @occasionalpiecequilt; OPQuilt

Thursday, April 19: Stephanie @spontaneousthreads; Spontaneous Threads

Friday, April 20: Linda @quiltlady63

Saturday, April 21: Joan@alaskanquilter

Sunday, April 22: Carol @carolanngillen

Monday, April 23: Sarah @nohatsquilts

Tuesday, April 24: Afton @quiltingmod; Quilting Mod

Wednesday, April 25: Allison @quiltstudio62; Quilt Studio 62

Thursday, April 26: @pbstudiofabrics; Inspired by Fabric

MQX East - Mini Country Quilt Class

I am so excited to attend this class later this week! The class is taught by Jenny and Helen of Sew Kind of Wonderful and the pattern is their Mini Country pattern. I chose Amy Ellis Wanderlust fabric. This is a small quilt and it will be perfect for the "mini quilt" wall I want to create. I love learning new techniques and I can't wait to see how it turns out!

More Anita's Arrowhead Blocks

I really do love these blocks!  I have been really busy with the "day job" and graduate school, which makes me thankful I have some simple projects underway that I can continue to work on.  These blocks are great when I have just a few minutes.  I love the way these look!  Block pattern is by Anita Grossman Solomon.  Sheer genius!

I am hopeful that I can finish these blocks up this week, but let's see how it goes!

Gridster Bee Blocks - January - March

This year I had an opportunity to participate in my very first online quilting bee - the Gridster Bee.  The bee is hosted by Elizabeth at Occasional Piece Quilt.  I could not feel more honored and I am having so much fun!  It is helping me to step outside my comfort zone and learn some new blocks and techniques.  What a wonderful group of fun and talented ladies!  Here are my first three blocks for this year.

This block was for Carol in January:

This block was for Elizabeth in February:

This block was for Marsha in March:

You can follow all the fun on instagram - just look for #gridsterbee.

Anita’s Arrowhead

I have become obsessed with the Anita's Arrowhead Block by Anita Grossman-Solomon. The technique is very different - sew two pieces of fabric together, make 3 cuts, and you have all your pieces! So very cool! Check out her Craftsy class! You won't regret it!

Fun Sunday With Pineapple Blocks!

I spent the afternoon watching Anita Grossman Solomon's Craftsy class and made these two pineapple blocks. I love that you just take two pieces of fabric, fold them, cut them, and stitch them!
I used fat quarters that I had laying around, but these are just test blocks. I will definitely be making more and will play with color and design.

Hello 2018!

Hello 2018 and welcome to a world of change.  For the last 35+ years I have worked in technology and in various capacities from development to leadership and everything in between.  Obviously I have a passion for technology or I would not have thrived in this field for so many years.  Why is that important in 2018?

When the New Year starts, it always seems like the perfect opportunity for a new beginning .  An opportunity to facilitate change - a reason to focus on winding down some goals and setting new goals.  I am determined to set a path for a new journey;  a future retirement career in quilting and while I am not sure exactly where I may land, I want to enjoy the journey.

I want to explore the possibilities and not set expectations or an outcome, but enjoy the learning process and discover my passions.  Maybe that passion lies somewhere between technology and quilting - wouldn't that be amazing?

For these reasons, I am dubbing 2018, "The Year of Opportunity".  I have to be honest, I have a demanding job and that isn't going to change, at least not until I find a new focus.  I want that focus to be a passion; something I feel so passionately about that I lose track of time instead of counting the minutes.  I want to jump out of bed excited to start my day!  And go to bed exhausted, but fulfilled and looking forward to the next day.  

Like everyone else, I struggle to find work/life balance.  This year, I am starting out with a list of goals and sharing them here to help seal that commitment!  Here we go:

My year of opportunity is here and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me!  I hope you will join me and share your thoughts and advice along the way.  Welcome 2018!   May it be all that you hope it to be!