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.