Works In Progress - WIA Updates

WIP (work in progress)


Underground Railroad Quilt


all pieces are cut, labeled, and organized

Five blocks sewn, Seven to go!


Redwork Quilt


Embroidery of 7 blocks

2 blocks stitched, 5 to go!


Choose red and white fabrics, cut 8 inch squares

Choose borders/sashing

Quilt with white thread


Black & White Paper Pieced Flowers

Hexagons cut

Pieced five flowers, this is an on-going work so progress is constant.


Wool needle Kit

Pieces cut

Stitch together-applique


Kitchen Coffee Potholders, hand Towels, wall hanging

Add border trim

Applique to hand towels

Quilt squares for wall hanging and potholders


Brown Bear, Brown Bear Quilt - Jeremiah

Add borders to squares

Join squares with solid color blocks

Add sashing and borders

Quilt

UFO's (Unfinished Objects)



Pink/Brown Girl Quilt


Pieced

Add borders to extend size

Quilt

Bind

New Projects
Joined the Wool Crazy club at Oklahoma Quiltworks last month.  I love the uninterrupted time to focus on this project. 
My project is really taking shape and coming along.  I've been with the group for three months, and we started a new quarter in September.  I should definitely be finished with my pillow by December.  Take a look at my progress.

Projects to Start



Art Quilt - New Pieces Fabric, Berkley, CA for Momma


Flower Art Wall hanging - Adrien


Jean Quilt - Ramsey

The Big Rocks First

The Big Rocks First

For the past two decades, I have used the Franklin Covey system to manage my life, dreams and goals.  The simple concept of putting "first things first", a phrase coined by Stephen Covey allows me to focus on what really matters most.  This process allows for me to dream big, and to breakdown the dreams into daily work that causes me to gain momentum.  Whether the task is finishing the Underground Railroad Quilt that I started last year, by December or finding the perfect school for my boys, it can be accomplished by putting the big rocks first. 

As I look at my big rocks today, a few things resonate for me about this year.  This has been a remarkable year of transition, movement, change, and opposition.  Throughout the entirety of each of these occurrences I have remained true to my compass, set to reach the goals that are within my reach, as a wife, mother, parent, community advocate, and professional. 

As we wade through the last quarter of the year, here are some things I'm pondering:

• My thought for the year was "Consider This"  Looking at things from the perspective of others, rather than my own narrow vision has caused me to appreciate people more.  I believe I'm less likely to jump to conclusions, and allow the person to be revealed before my eyes.  Believe me lots has been revealed in such a short period of time.  I think, this phrase is a great tool to join with treating others as you would like to be treated. 

• When you are in the midst of crisis, it really reveals our true nature and character.  When things are well and flowing, it's easy to be kind, respectful, thoughtful of others.  That's the easy part.  When everything falls down around you, and people don't treat you fairly, and life continues to unfold in all of the schemes of life, that's when our true character arises. 

• Making things with my hands, makes me happy!  When I have needle in hand, and get to create crafty goodness, I smile from the inside.  I believe it's just an innate part of who I am, and that's why it resonates so strongly with me.  Quilting, scrapbooking, making personalized birthday cards, embroidery, redwork, cross-stitching.....they just make me happy. 

• My family is a source of joy, comfort, love and support.  My nuclear family smiles to see me coming, awakes me with lots of love and appreciates the work I do on their behalf.  To see smiling faces in the morning, when I roll out of bed, and to be greeted by three excited faces when I step through the door after work makes my day, everyday and always.  My greatest accomplishment this year is returning to the family table, eating meals at the table with the boys, has proven to be one of the greatest accomplishments of the year.  The laughter, the conversation, the bonding makes it all worth it. 

• New opportunities are unfolding in my work as a educational consultant.  The launching of a fresh works begins in October.  Stay tuned for more information on the newly formed Parent Support program and the DPI Director's Network.  I'm glad to be in partnership with colleagues that support the work of equipping families and nurturing children. 

A Morning Cup of Joe

My mornings are always full of sights and sounds.  This morning I stopped by the Red Cup for a cup of java, and as I waited for my breakfast sandwich, just listened, sipped my coffee, and watched the sights in view.  At the Red Cup, you can view the world outside through the big glass windows.  It was formally a home, that has been transformed into a coffee hangout.  The walls tell the story of the family who resided here once. 

As I peered outside the window, I saw an older woman walking a baby in the stroller.  She's probably the grandmother, or caretaker of the child while the parents are off to work.  How often do you take a stroll down the sidewalk?  What things do you see?  What do you hear?  How do you feel as you walk slowly, not in a hurry down the neighborhood walk.  She stopped to talk to another woman, exchanging smiles, sharing experiences, again, not in a hurry. 

Do you see a them emerging?  Not in a hurry.  We are definitely too busy, and always in a hurry.  Our bodies suffer from it, tense shoulders, migraines, indigestion....because we're always in a hurry.  As I approached the coffee shop, there was a toddler running down the pathway from his mom.  He was having a ball, going back and forth, as she pursued him each time.  On my way out, his fun was all over, she had him in tow, under her arm, he was screaming and yelling and rebelling against being corralled and not being FREE!  He represents our inner self, trying to get some freedom, yet unable to break loose from the day to day grind to just  take a leisure walk down the path. 

All of this in a mornings view through the glass windows.  Where will my path lead me today?  What will I fix my eyes on?  How will I experience the world around me today?  Let's take a plunge together, and explore in some way today.  Get out of the car, and walk down a road, a pathway and see what awaits us. 

Have a Happy Tuesday!

Life, Summer, Travel, and More

It feels like I have been traveling abroad as I balance all of the daily life events and my schedule.  This blogpost is an update of all the activity in my life from June - July ( just the first week).  Lots of exciting events are going on.


Quilt Displayed at the Museum - June
In my post in January, I featured a picture of my first quilt which is now proudly displayed at the Owen Arts Place Museum in Guthrie, OK.  This great honor was given to me, by our guild founder Beverly Kirk, who organized the exhibit to share our annual project Quilting Through the Generations. 

IMPACT conference - June 2011
Chicago, IL
This conference was so refreshing!!!

CARS 2 movie with Jason and his entourage
We went to the opening night release of CARS 2 in Chicago, IL and it was so exciting!  The movie started at 8:30pm, and I was sure Jason would fall asleep, but he stayed awake and engaged the entire movie.  By the time we got back to the hotel, he had talked the entire time in the car and given a synopsis of the movie to all in earshot.  LOL.  Well worth the memory!


Podcast Ideas:
Opened up an account on podbean about three months ago when I started listening to my quilting podcast favorites.  I finally think I know what I want to talk about.  Ideas for managing our lives as mothers, parents, and creative people - practical tips for everyday living - and everyday life.  Tag line:  Family Life - Simple Living - Creative Inspiration.  Sounds like something I would listen too, how about you?  Drop me an email or respond to this blog if you have other ideas. 

Quilting Projects and Such

Wool Crazy group at Oklahoma Quiltworks
I joined the Wool Crazy group last month.  Loving the fellowship and just sitting working on my project with experienced quilters and store employees.  Check out my progress so far...

 (Pictures)

Make time for friends - Day trips with friends.....
This is just an idea of something I would like to incorporate into my busy life.  Friendships and relationships are key in our lives.  We make time for the things that are important to us.  I meet once a month with my quilt buddy, Beverly and once a month with my craft/photography/scrapbooking buddy Valerie.  This is my gift to myself, to keep inspiration going.  Next step a day trip to go and explore......, antiquing,...quilting stores,...and just plain old fun. 

Career Updates

In April I was the keynote speaker for the Austin AEYC (Asscociation for the Education of Young Children) and presented a breakout session on reflective practices as an ECE professional.  This was a great honor, that I never imagined would be possible.  There I stood on the stage, powerpoint loaded, participants gathering, thinking, " OMG they are all waiting to here from me.  :)" 
I've attended many ECE conferences in my career over the past 25 years, and this time I was the feature presentation.  With great joy, and a little fear I began to share my heart, with my mom and aunt in the audience cheering me on.  They came to Texas, must to be present with me. 

Many times we journey through life with our plans and goals in place, making progress and moving through without realizing the impact we are having on others as we just do our work.  This keynote speaking engagement showed me that all of my labor and work over the years has now come to a culmination of events.  This marks the beginning of a new and greater work with teachers. 

During this presentation as I shared my ideas of dealing with challenges as professionals and reflecting on our daily work, I began to get new ideas of how to expand my work for this next decade.  My next phase will include the launching the DPI Director's Network.  The birthing begins with the new Director's Network that will work with agencies to promote best practices around reflective teaching practices, professional development,  and maintaining a work environment that promotes excellence in service to children and families. 

Joining other colleagues is also a part of the next phase of my work.  As a new associate with ECE Trainers and  Harvest Associates, we will be opening doors to dialogue with colleagues from around the world. 

Scrap Swap Updated!

Well I recieved all three of my scrap bags from my partners on the scrap swap.  I am so excited.  We had our quilt guild meeting on Saturday, and of course I brought my scraps to show and tell.  Now what will I make, to use up these awesome scraps.  Here's a picture of what I recieved:

I Love my Scrap Bag Goodies!

Projects

Saw this cool idea on Crafty Garden Mom's Blog, and had to make them. Here are my pictures.

Here are my english paper piecing hexagons.  I'm using black and white hexagons, with white centers.  I am just piecing them now, and will decide how to use my pieces.  The backside still has the paper shapes in them, and will be removed once they are appliqued on top.

Scrap Swap

As a newbie quilter, in my second year, I'm embarking on a new adventure.  My first fabric swap.  I'm just meeting my partners this week, and finding out what they would like in their quart size ziploc bag.  Colors, hues, prints, and sizes...Oh My! 

I am going to use my scraps to work on my hexagon flowers or to create a black and white scrappy quilt.  Here's an idea for inspiration, that I saw at a quilt shop in Bush's Family Affair in Chickasha, OK. 

Or maybe I should make a quilt square for my favorite coffee shop in Oklahoma city, Red cup.  This beauty is gracing the walls now, as inspiration. 

A New Year of Opportunity

2011 brings a new opportunity to create ourselves anew and to rise to the occassion.  As we enter a new year, let's be sure to keep in mind that we cannot return to the past to change it, but we can create new experiences as we move forward. 

My first quilt!

I have accomplished so much this week! I completed my log cabin quilt and here it is! 

Quilts, Redwork, and Cross-stitch

Well I have decided to begin writing about another element of the Developing People, whole-life focus.  The creative self.  I've found that when I am creative, I am a better person, easy to engage, and full of life and vitality.  Creativity allows me to exhibit the attributes of my Father, God and to create something from nothing.  Here are my creative works: 

WIP (work in progress)

• Underground Railroad Quilt
• all pieces are cut, labeled, and organized
• Two blocks sewn
• Redwork Quilt
• Embroidery of 7 blocks
• 1st block in progress
• 6 blocks to go
• Choose red and white fabrics, cut 8 inch squares
• Choose borders/sashing
• Quilt with white thread
• Black & White Paper Pieced Flowers
• Hexagons cut
• Pieced one flower 
• Wool needle Kit
• Pieces cut
• Stitch together-applique
• Kitchen Coffee Potholders, hand Towels, wall hanging
• Add border trim
• Applique to hand towels
• Quilt squares for wall hanging and potholders
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear Quilt - Jeremiah
• Add borders to squares
• Join squares with solid color blocks
• Add sashing and borders
• Quilt

UFO's (Unfinished Objects)

• Pink/Brown Girl Quilt
• Pieced
• Add borders to extend size
• Quilt
• Bind

 

Projects to Start

•   Art Quilt - New Pieces Fabric, Berkley, CA for Momma
• Flower Art Wall hanging - Adrien
• Jean Quilt - Ramsey

This is not an exhaustive list but it starts the record of what I'm working on.  Often people ask, how do you have time to do all of this?  My answer is simple, I make time for the things I'm passionate about and creativity is one of those passions.  When I make time to create, I feel joy, happiness, and complete.  So use your creativity today, and rediscover your passion.

Kelly

 

 

Today I will.....

Often we start our day with good intentions but only end up with regrets by the end of the day.  In the business world, they have a term called "frontloading".  Frontloading is defined by freedictionary.com, means to concentrate costs or benefits of (a financial obligation or deal) in an early period. 

This is used in correlation to getting the best of what we have in view early, and then preceding with our work accordingly.  Here's an idea that can be used to combat our hurried lives and busy schedules:  Let's frontload by ordering our lives the night before and then speaking positive declarations over our day, our work, our relationships, and our time.

Take tonight for instance, I already had dinner ready, so I just had to plate the food and serve my family.  That left time for me to create birthday invitations for my oldest son, who's turning 4 next week.  Instead of going to bed, I looked at the sink full of dishes and decided to "frontload" by clearing the sink,  loading the dishwasher, and clearning the cabinets of STUFF!  Now, when I wake up in the morning, I have a clean sparkling kitchen to greet me.  Ahhh!  That feels good already.  So now we arrive to the next morning ready to meet our day. 

Here's a starting declaration for today(or tomorrow depending on when you':re reading this)
Today, I will.........

• Celebrate the gift of time by paying attention to what I do with my hours, minutes, and seconds of this day.
• Choose to speak words that uplift, encourage, edify, build up, rather than tear down or demean others.  Even if they are riding in the other car, that just cut me off driving.  (smile :)
• Make time for personal reflection....What made me smile?  How did I demonstrate gratenfulness for life?  Who was changed for the better by my presence today?  What are lessons I learrned from my experiences today?
• BREATHE......, RELAX,...........and LIVE

Black Threads: Tara Evans - Omaha Quilter

Black Threads: Tara Evans - Omaha Quilter: "Wanted to introduce you to Tara Evans, a quilter in Nebraska! She shared with me how she started quilting: Well, back in 2003, I bought an ..."

Growing Old Togetther

      Today, I walked in Bernal Heights, San Francisco, CA for my morning walk.  Trekking up the high mountain felt invigorating and like a breath of fresh air.  I encountered many dogs on the walking trail with their owners, people of all ages and walks of life, and the cutest couple I had ever seen.  Why my eyes were drawn to them, was their age, they were holding hands, smiling, and most importantly said, "Good Morning" as I passed by. 

     I thought of my dad, whose life is resounding in me in such a great way.  I thought of the gift of health, life and vitality and that a life gone, can never be regained but a life lived can be recreated day by day.  I have an opportunity to live my life each day for the benefit of others, celebrating the gift I have to begin anew each day.  New mercies are new each day. 

     So growing old together allows for a meshing of two personalities, sharing of dreams and fears, and a new beginning everyday.  I have this opportunity with my husband, to grow together, older, better, less cynical, with lots of joys and memories.  GrowingOldTogether, it's the simple things things that make the difference.

My Dad, His Legacy

 

A good laugh is like medicine.  My dad had the coolest laugh.  He would make you smile just listening to him tell a story, and laugh at the punchline before he even made it to it.  It's simple things like this that I'll miss the most. 

On Thursday, February 17, 2011 we celebrated the life of Albert Terrell Sanders, my dad.  As we process his life, this blog is the beginning of telling his story, capturing the essence of his life and continuing his legacy.  Simple memories, and simple times cause me to smile, cry, and laugh.  A great man, a greater story of searching for the meaning of life, and of epitomizing community at it's best.  This is my dad, my friend, and my confidant. 

Just Begin!

The key to getting things done is to Just Begin!  Starting is half the journey.  This is my second blog of the year, and this year I plan to write, write, and write again.  I asked Ali Edwards how she posted so many blogs and she said, just start and pretty soon you see how far you've come. 

This picture captures my January post on my start as a quilter.

Quilting Through the Generations

A year ago this month, I attended the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show at the Cox Convention Center, and happened upon the booth of the Oklahoma City Community Quilt Guild and a passionate woman named Beverly Kirk.  This meeting has rekindled a love for quilting, that began as a little girl in the home of my great-grandmother Amanda Winslow.  In her home, I learned the simple art of hand-quilting with scraps of fabrics and held on to those moments through adulthood.

 

This year I completed several projects with the support of the Oklahoma City Community Quilt Guild  members.  As a beginning quilter, I feel quite accomplished at the break of a new year of quilting experiences.  Here are my completed works for 2010:

•  Swing Purse
• Wall Hanging
• Red & White Nine-patch - "Family Picnic"
• Table Runner - 4th of July
• Log Cabin Quilt - "On Golden Pond"
• Tool pocket Organizer
• Savage Quilter -Challenge Quilt Project
• Dr. Suess Lap Quilt

 
Come join us for a New Year at the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show  this year and learn new techniques, reawaken passion for quilting and the arts, and just for fun.

Authentic Living in 2011