March 22: why'd the chicken cross the road? (or crosses and feathers)

I finally had the chance this morning to sit down and sew!  First up, I worked on some cross blocks for my new pattern.  The pattern is actually written, I just needed to test it and make the cover projects.  Hopefully, this one will be done soon - I love it!  These are done with a solid grey and 3 different shades of shot cottons.

Not a chicken, but... I know that the feather trend has been around for awhile, but I'm finally starting to like them.  When one of my friends posted the link to a fabric feather tutorial on Pinterest, I had to try it!  This is actually my second one - I decided to make an extra small one first, and lets just say it didn't work.  Since we don't have a printer at home, I just free handed the design onto the interfacing, instead of tracing theirs.

I've already started sketching for a feather quilt.  We'll see how that goes...

March 20: what next?

I haven't done any sewing in about two weeks.  Heck, I haven't even read a book in the last two weeks.  Family emergency after family emergency left even one of my friends saying "when it rains, it pours."  Through all of this though, I'm still taking photographs, which has been wonderful.  Hopefully, the next few weeks will bring me back to "normal."

Beautiful roses that my wife gave me:

A family outing to Belle Isle gave me an opportunity for some beautiful shots:

My brother kindly took this last picture of me and my wife.  It's not my favorite, but definitely a good one.

I feel like there's just so much more to say, but I don't even know how to say it.  I was just reading an article about how reading blogs, facebook, etc., can make people more depressed because everyone's life looks so perfect.  I don't want to show that my life is perfect, but I also don't just want to share just the bad stuff.  I guess I'm working on that balance, especially at a time in my life when it feels like there's just a lot of bad stuff.  I'm only human.

March 8: redecorating

We're finally hanging things and redecorating our apartment (along with some much needed spring cleaning!).  Here's our front entryway...

February 28: working on...

Remember this sketch from the other day?  Well, now there's a quilt to go with it!  I'm getting ready to start quilting this quilt, and the pattern's about half-way done.  I can't wait to show off the pattern and finished quilt! 

February 23: Pow-Wow and a doll

I've actually had these two things finished for awhile, but haven't had the chance to post the pictures.  First up is my sample for Pow-Wow, which is a class I'm teaching in April from the Pow-Wow pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew.

Next up is a fun little doll.  She's from the Kit, Chloe, and Louise pattern by Wee Wonderfuls.  I've decided to name her Arianna.

I've actually been finishing a lot of things lately.  It feels really awesome.  I need to get back into blogging, so that I can show them all off (that is, after all, the point of a blog).  I'm also really jumping into designing.  I have about 10 sketches waiting, and 2 that are actively being worked on.  I can't wait to show them!

February 16: "woke up this morning..."

Sketches in the snow-lit morning

 

Yesterday I finally came to the realization that I wasn't going to transfer to a four-year university in the fall.  And it was hard.  It was hard because I really thought this was going to be easier.  It was hard because I have been procrastinating for weeks.  So, in some ways, this is really all my fault.  And you know what?  I feel pretty stupid.  I feel like a failure.  But, at the same time, I've spent a lot of the last few weeks examining my motivations for returning to school.  And I was beginning to realize that a lot of the interest in school actually had nothing to do with me.

Last night I went home after a crazy day of work, and with some very early classes this morning, and I expected to lose it.  But after a late dinner with my wife, I started designing.  And by the time I went to bed last night, I'd designed a whole new sewing/quilting pattern.  And it felt.... Right.  Like maybe this was the right place to be.  Then, when I woke up at 2:30 am (and was awake for 2 1/2 hours), I designed some more.  So yes, I'm disappointed.  I feel like I've let myself down.  But, at the same time, maybe this where I'm supposed to be, after all the agonizing over my decisions.  And you know what else?  I can still apply for the spring semester.

So, be on the lookout for up to 6 new patterns from me in the coming weeks.  I can't wait to show you what I'm working on!

 

* lyrics from Woke up This Morning by A3

February 1: cold and wet

I've started (and finished) so many awesome things in the last few weeks.  I guess the reason I haven't been blogging as much is because I really don't have anything to say right now.  Hopefully February will give me more to share....