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?