As I said last week, I need to work on more than one project at a time. When one project is stalled, leaving it to work on a second, gives me time to reconsider, ponder, and look back at the first project with new eyes and new enthusiasm. For the past few days, I have switched to quilting on my G.P.S. wall quilt (one of the bySher patterns available on my website).

Choosing designs for machine quilting is a fun challenge. I feel that each quilt deserves a fresh design, so even if I have made the quilt several times, I try to quilt it differently each time. Not only does this make each quilt individual, but it gives me opportunity to continually reach out in new directions.

By the way, my first project is coming together nicely. And I've even dug out another quilt top (after an hour search) and basted it for hand quilting. Multi-quilting always works!

The wind is blowing, it's rainy and cold. What a glorious day! I love walking into my studio filled with bright fabrics and know I can enjoy sewing without the thought of other things pulling me away. "Sorry, can't do that today, the weather outside is frightful." So I can hide away in my studio, play loud music, dream up new projects and stitch away.

Tall Pines

As the seasons change, new colors brighten our landscape. In this art quilt, I experimented with the use of basic squares and rectangles to create an abstracted pictorial image of my world. The tall pines stretch out above the lowly, but colorful, undergrowth.

Enjoy the process of discovery as you reach in new directions in your work. May you find joy in your life today.

Yesterday I spent the day with a special group of quilting friends. For over ten years, we have been making and donating quilts to help others in need. During this time, we have developed a wonderful friendship, feasted on fabulous lunches, enjoyed high moments, and supported each other during low moments in our lives. Just like the quilting bees of old, we have bonded because of our love of fabric and the thought of warming someone's life with a quilt.

The quilting world is full of caring and gracious people who are giving of their time and generous in sharing their knowledge. Aren't we lucky to be a part of it?

Multi-quilting

How do you work? Do you continue - start to finish - on one project before you go on to others?

I found I have been "stalling out" on my latest sunflower project. I do want to finish it, but can't seem to constantly continue. I feel that I must jump ship and work on another unfinished project. Actually, this means both projects will soon be finished, for it seems I work best when I am "multi-quilting".

Are you a "multi-quilter"? Do you switch from project to project? Does your brain need time to think and plan project 1 while you are working on project 2?

More sunflowers

I'm definitely in a sunflower mood. I found this traditional sunflower design and decided to hand piece it. I've never done much hand piecing, always in a hurry.

With the short curved pieces, I thought it would piece as quickly by hand as it would on the machine (and I think it did).

I found the process of hand piecing very relaxing and certainly more portable. Maybe I'll try more. How about you?

I, like so many of you, like to decorate for the season. Enchanted by the many sunflowers with heads heavy with seeds, I added their bright colors and interesting textures to my home. Pillows are a fast and easy way to change my decor so I have them piled high. What is your favorite seasonal decorating touch?

These pillows and other seasonal ideas can be found in my book "Quilting Through the Seasons".

My neighbor, Kathy and I had a fun time exchanging stories and ideas with Cheryl Weiderspahn (center) at the Quilting Expo in Madison, WI. Cheryl is the owner of Homestead Specialties Patterns (www.homesteadspecialties.com). She is one of the most creative people I know when it comes to making the most of the things we have. Her book "Low Sew Boutique" is full of ideas for re-purposing ready-mades into designer accessories.

Congratulations to my friend and fellow quilter Mary S. who was a prize winner at the Madison Quilt Expo. The Quilt Show was diverse and filled with outstanding quilts from all parts of the United States. What a source of inspiration for us all!

Madison Quilt Expo was exciting and invigorating. I had a chance to present both lectures and classes and through these met so many wonderful quilters. Students in my classes traveled from down the street in Madison to as far away as Hawaii. What an inspiring exchange of ideas and view points!

It was nice to speak to many of you after my Stage Presentation "Serge and Merge Quilts". I will be in Booth 411 Friday and Saturday morning. Stop and say "hi". I would be happy to answer any of your quilting questions.

See you in Madison at the Quilt Expo.

My, this is such a busy time of year. I feel I have not had any amount of time to sit at my sewing machine. Perhaps that is why I look forward to cooler temperatures and relaxed moments to sit in the midst of piles of fabric and enjoy the view!

Our grandson Nicholas enjoys sleeping under this twin size version of Lily Pad Bay.

Lily Pad Bay

Use your new-found skills at curved piecing for making this fun picnic quilt called Lily Pad Bay. I am writing the instructions and you can be the first to order it. Contact me for details.