Gratitude and Glimmers #103

Welcome to my post of glimmers (of joy and wonder) and gratitude for the month of January. You can find links to more posts like this one at LeeAnna's blog, Not Afraid of Color. 

1. I love this quote which, I think, embodies all that we who link up with LeeAnna feel—

It's so easy to get bogged down especially as the media emphasizes all that is wrong, and rarely do we hear about good things, so taking time to notice the good things, no matter how small, is extra-important in these times.

Project Quilting 17.1 A Clean Slate

The first challenge for this year‘s project quilting challenge was 'A Clean Slate'. Trisha always includes within the first prompt the Pantone colour of the year, which is not even a colour: white aka Cloud Dancer. We were in Cuba up until late Thursday, so, because many American sites are blocked due to the American embargo on Cuba, I did not know what the prompt was until I got back. That left me two days to figure something out. I knew it would have to be a smaller project so I chose to make a couple of placemats.

I’ve made many placemats over the years using this stitch and flip, quilt as you go method that I first saw on Janine‘s blog, Quilts From the Little House. It’s a great way to use up those proverbial ever present strings, batting scraps, and make a useful item.

Gratitude Glimmers #80

Here we are at the final gratitude post of the year. Gratitude does lead to a happier human, though I admit I’ve had to dig deep these past few months. You can find more grateful posts at LeeAnna's blog, Not Afraid of Color.

1. I like the book Dayna got me for Christmas. It’s one of my all-time favourites, and I highly recommend it. I read it in 2022 and waxed poetic about it in a gratitude post that year.

It confirms a sense I’ve had about trees from, well, pretty much forever, but the moment I entered Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island, I was utterly transformed into a tree-hugger, tree lover, an advocate and worshipper. Scientists around the world have been studying their communication powers, and their amazing findings about these sentient beings is ongoing. 

Oppression

This blog is mainly about quilting but it's also musing, ruminating and sometimes lamenting. Today is a lamenting day, so if you'd rather wait until a quilting post, off you go, no worries. We can only take in so much misery, and we need to take care of our own mental health so we can continue to fight for the good of humanity and our planet. This blog is mainly a record of my quilts and their stories, but it's also a record of my life, and how I see my place in our world.

Something I read last week has stuck with me,

Makeup Pouches and Etsy Thoughts

One of my favourite parts of the quilting process is combing fabrics, whether it's all one family or several. I really like making makeup bags either with 2.5" charm squares or strips. Last week I sold a deep blue makeup pouch and this week I've made two more, one in white and ivory, the other in pinks. I kind of went down a rabbit hole, aka had a Drop Everthing And Make it! moment.

I've adapted the latest few to use Noodlehead's zipper application that allows the bag to open to its full extent. These two came about because I'd cut a few charms from scraps from my spring tote bag I made for Benartex. I never make just one bag these days, always two as it's a more efficient use of time.

Gratitude #61

It's time for me to reflect over the past month about things for which I am grateful. I will be linking up at LeeAnna's blog, Not Afraid of Color, where you can find others who post their 'likes'.

1a. I thought would start with some of the recent additions to my sewing room. When Dayna was finally, after more than two years, able to come and visit us, she brought a few items with her that had been sent to me care of her. One was my thank you from Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict for participating again in Hands2Help.

Do I like both of these packs! I can see two charm pouches being made with these cute mini charms! It's a pleasure to participate in Sarah's comfort quilt drive, and I will be again this year, with Mari of The Academic Quilter as the host. I will be sharing a quick and easy make for a comfort quilt, as well as donating at least three.