Showing posts with label quilting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quilting. Show all posts

Friday, September 23, 2011

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. 

Saturday, April 23, 2011

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

 

 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

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.