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.