A New Chapter in Quilting for Me

 I have been 'wishing' that I had time to devote to my quilting. I got a message one morning: "Quit 'wishing' and Start 'Doing'. I did.  

A friend connected me with a Facebook Group: 'America Patchwork & Quilting's UFO Challenge'.  I was provided with a sheet with a place for a UFO (UnFinished Object) for each month of the year. At the beginning of each month the Group will give me a number from 1-12. The Challenge is to finish the UFO listed for that number in a month. 

The January number was '12'. I finished it. 'Asian Sunflower' a Shisobi Tie Die fabric with embellishments. I tie-dyed muslin at a class at the Emergent Arts in Hot Springs, Arkansas. 

SHELTERED-IN is a Good Thing

I find time to work on my quilt UFO's*

*Unfinished Objects sometimes called WIP-Work in Progress

finish a collage project, 

work on a paint by sticker book that was a Christmas present. 

and even venture into painting with acrylics. 

In between all of that my husband and I work jigsaw puzzles (starting the 22nd one today). Here are some of my favorites:

We go to church on the computer and started our own Bible study to begin each day. We always went to the grocery store, but now are getting back to most of our 'away from home' activities. The result: our priorities reversed. Now our 'at home' activities come first and then we get out and about. Which is a very good thing since we are retired. 

Coming Out of Retirement

Okay, my friends are right. I have failed at 'Retirement'. I am working harder than I ever did in the 'Real' world. The 8am-5pm five days a week world was a piece of cake. 

My Heritage Quilt
Double Wedding Ring
Hand-pieced/Hand-quilted

When I retired in 2005, I had a bucket-list of things I wanted to do that I didn't have time to do when I 'worked'. The problem is that there are too many things on the list. In order to get them done I have to change my mind set. Therefore, I am no longer retired. I am working as always, but my hours vary from day to day. However, I am working not retiring. My work is different. I volunteer at the library, quilt, paint, sell stuff on Etsy, blog, and read. The only way I can get it all done is to work at it.

Garvan Woodland Gardens
Hot Springs, Arkansas

We even take vacations from retirement. 
Sometimes it's a day-trip. 

Crystal Bridge Museum of American Art
Bentonville, Arkansas

Sometimes it's a longer trip to visit family or enjoy each others company.  














I already feel better. I spent today checking things off my list and still had time to read, watch a little (very little) TV, exercise, and nap.

National Quilting Day and St. Patrick's Day 2018

March 17, 2918

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

and

National Quilting Day

Here are a few of mine!

Holly-Wall Hanging

Morning Glory-Wall Hanging

Purple Mountains Majesty-Wall Hanging

Heritage Quilt-Double Wedding Ring
Hand Pieced and Hand Quilted

Rescued Everything Vintage
Wall Hanging

Double Wedding Quilt Project - Done

In 1990 I had an idea for a quilt and wall hanging for my king-sized bed.  The problem: I did not know how to quilt.  Solution: take a quilting class.  


I started with a pin cushion, progressed to a wall hanging, and then to a sampler quilt.  I was 'Hooked on Quilting'.  Then, I took the quilt class to end all quilt classes...a Double Wedding Ring Quilt.  Of course, mine could not have been a simple double wedding ring quilt.  No...I went for a queen sized quilt with three different colors and a white center.

All documented in this book

Fabric selection documentation

Here you go! 
22 years later...Not only for the quilt, but for the quilter...

2001

20 Year Anniversary
2010

Now, 22 years later...

Of course, I have many more ideas to embellish it.  

I have decided to declare it 'finished'.  Now on to the future.