So Cal Quilt Run Epilogue

I won!  I won!  I won!  lol... I've been on this quilt run many times and never won anything, but I just got a call yesterday that I won one of the Grand Prize drawings - a $500 gift certificate!  I'm can't wait til it arrives in the mail!  I can go on a little spending spree between now and December 31st, when it expires.  I'm so excited!  I usually never win anything, so this is a big deal for me..

Today I am grateful for hope... there's always hope for a better day, a lucky turn of events, a silver lining even on the darkest cloud.   

So Cal Quilt Run

Well, the run is over... for us at least.   Two friends, a 4 month old puppy and I traveled 980 miles in 4 days, hit 38 quilt shops, collected charms and patterns and had a lot of fun.  I bought too much fabric, but it was worth it... I did manage to curtail myself and keep the purchases lower than in previous years, but I still bought more than I wanted to.  I bought 3 books of patterns and just a little of this and a little of that.  I'm looking forward to making the new Buggy Barn Dragonfly quilt with some of the fabric I bought.  I started tracing the pattern tonight... I'll finish tomorrow and start pressing and planning my fabrics.  I got my 'Idiot' pin (it really says 'IDIDIT!' but it's all smooshed together and looks like it says 'IDIOT'.

Thanks to Marlyn and Debbie for going with me, making it a fun trip and keeping me awake when I started to fade while driving.  It was really amazing that we traveled without plans or reservations... managed to get a nice room in nice hotels (that accepted pets!) both nights we stayed out.  I love playing things by ear, something my husband can't deal with at all - he's a planner and a 'stick to the plan' kind of guy.  Sometimes it's nice just to be spontaneous.

On a completely other note, I'm feeling very guilty.  I missed my sister's birthday and didnt send her a card.  I should send out a belated card.  I promise to do that tomorrow.  I didn't get my husband a father's day card either... even tho he's not MY father, he did get me a card on mother's day.  It still makes me sad and wistful on mother's day and father's day - with both my parents gone, those days don't carry the same feeling they used to... sigh.

Today I'm grateful for fun.  Sometimes dealing with life's roller coaster doesn't allow for a lot of day to day fun.  Nice to take a break now and then and have some.

Smile

This morning, I forced myself to get up and out of the house - late, but out.  I finished the borders on Victory Garden before I left for class...

and took photos of that quilt and the unfinished Stars & Strips Forever.

Now I just need to finish it (borders and quilting) and write up the directions for the quilt and 'publish' the pattern.  I also need to finish and publish pattern #2 for my guild's b&w exchange.

On the way home from class, I picked up some cheap fabric at the J-store for the back of Victory Garden and pieced the back when I got home.  It's all ready to send to the quilter (I'm not doing this one myself).

Tomorrow starts another quilt run that I'll be going on with my friends Debbie and Marlyn.  It should be a lot of fun - I'm looking forward to the run, the companionship, and four days on the road, away from everything...  should I take the computer or not?  big question, but I probably will... Need to get my email fix every day, lol.

Anyway, time to head out for the gym, get some exercise and fresh air.

Today I am grateful for the simple capacity to smile.  Even when everything seems like a chore, there is a smile in so many little things in the day - from spending a little time with one of my cats, talking to friends, making something even if I can't finish it (yet), finishing something, greeting my husband at the end of a long day, sharing a joke with a friend... even a little smile - given or received, can brighten a gloomy day.

Another Finish... almost

So a little mojo back, I almost finished another 'flimsy' - sans borders... I call the quilt Victory Garden.  It's from the book Gathered From the Garden by Cindy Lammon.  I did it in all red, white, blue and gold.  I'm thinking a red strip for the first border, then maybe a floral in patriotic colors?  I'll need to find and audition some fabrics for that outer border.  But at least I finished something.

Hopefully it will get quilted in time for my guild's quilt show in October, which is patriotic themed.  It will fit right in with all the other red,white and blue quilts.

Today I am grateful for being able to get up and get out of bed while I can.  There are a lot of people in this world who can't.  Be grateful for what we have - no matter what we lack, there are others who lack more.

Three Day Weekend...

So the three day weekend (Memorial Day in the States for anyone outside) is over.  I actually sewed this weekend, finishing a few blocks in an Americana Garden quilt I'm making.  I also got to spend a little time with my husband - playing D&D, walking, shopping.  I'm feeling a little better, but still depressed.

It makes me feel better that I'm actually working, accomplishing something.  Yet when I'm in the worst of my depression I can't work and that's when I most need to do so...  This half-depressed state is something I can literally work my way out of, which is a good thing, and I'm doing just that now.

So here is what I've done lately:
I made a bag for my guild's opportunity drawing last month - it brought in about $90, which isn't bad for my guild.  It was a lot of fun to make even though it was all very last minute - depression and all - I started it on Monday and the meeting was on Wednesday - I got it done - BARELY in time.  Pattern is called Tahoe Tote by Pink Sand Beach Designs.

I made a one block wonder quilt.  It's finally together and just needs to be quilted.  I call it Parrot Nebula because it reminds me of the Hubble photos of distant nebulae, and the original fabric was beautiful parrots on a deep teal background.

I also made some postcards for an exchange through Stashbusters.  They were supposed to be a floral design and represent spring.  I made cartloads of flowers, represented by yoyos which were made by my friend Marlyn. 

Today I am grateful for cats... and dogs... for all the animals with which we share our lives... while right now I only have cats and a dog, I know our animal companions also come with feathers, scales, carapaces and shells.  Right now I have a kitty stretched across my arm, trying to help me type.  Each with their own personalities and needs, they certainly add whole dimensions to our existence through their companionship.  What would we do without them?... I pity those who live without pets.

Progress

Tonight I am at the local senior center with some friends, quilting and chatting.  I am playing on the computer while they sew, crochet and applique their various and very diverse projects.  I sewed two blocks today, did a little shopping, went out to dinner with a friend.  I'm actually looking forward to going home and spending a little time with my husband... maybe watch a little tv.  Is my life boring or what?

I'm no longer working for the census bureau.  It was fun while it lasted, but the last few cases I had were difficult to close so it was time to hand them off to someone else.  I'm glad I did it, but I'm also glad it's over.  In a few days I will start worrying about election day - I work as an Inspector (basically a supervisor of Election Board Clerks) at a polling place.  It's only one day of work, plus a 1/2 day training, but it's a very looooong day of work  (basically 5:30am to 9:30pm).

Today I put together two blocks for a quilt I'm making... that's progress, and I actually enjoyed sewing, so maybe I'm getting my creative juices flowing again.  I have a lot more work to do on it, but I'm making progress.  I feel so slow and lethargic at it... A year ago, I would have finished this quilt by now.  I am SO all about instant gratification, so the progress, or lack of it, is making me frustrated even while I am actually working and making headway.  I can't win for losing...

Tomorrow I will try cutting a couple more blocks... I hope I get something done - I think it will make me feel better about myself and my work.

Now, if I can just get over being intimidated by my longarm so I can get some work done on it.... I need to talk to other people who have these blasted machines and see if they ever feel the same and how they get past this total paralyzation when it comes to using them.

If I don't use it, I think my husband might start having fits over what I spent on it.

Quilting Mojo

I seem to have lost my quilting mojo for the time being.  Not sure what is wrong... the new job with the census bureau, a problem with my depression meds, just general ennui, addiction to Evony... pick one.. pick any or all.  Whatever it is, I force myself to do a little from time to time, but I'm just not up to my usual speed, determination or inspiration.
I DID do something fun this last weekend - I went to Renaissance Faire.  I attended their 'Queen's College' and learned how to make batiks!  that was SO much fun... probably more fun than I've ever had before at Ren Faire, at least since my 'going in costume' days.  They had all these crafty classes, and if I'd been there sans husband, I could have stayed all day making things.  As it was, I only did the batik class.  We got to work on muslin and on silk... oh my... that was fun and really made me want to work with fabric again.  I hope I can carry that inspiration back home with me.
Today I am grateful for being alive.  'nuff said.