Where did the week go?

What a busy week this has been.  The kids did a beautiful job on their camp quilts.  Below you will see a couple examples.  They finished them completely with the quilting and binding done.  

I finished with the kids and started a beginning adult class.  Yes, there is contrast with the two age groups.  Kids jump in with little or no fear and adults are more cautious and afraid of mistakes.  When do we start to let those fears creep in to our lives?  I try to remind my students to relax, remember to breathe and enjoy the process of learning.  Quilting has been a time of relaxation and renewal from the stresses of life for me and I'd like my students to experience that same calming effect in their lives.

Spending time catching up with an old friend was so delightful this week.  Amazed at the places and journeys life has taken her.  Learned a lot about parts of Africa and its people and saw some amazing fabric from there as well.   The car had to go in for some repairs - ugh!  I was able to complete a couple of quilt tops and two nights of open sewing with co-workers and friends topped off my week.

Tomorrow I will put up the scrappy trip around the world tutorial that I shared on my retreat last month so watch for that.

Enjoy these waning days of summer and find times to celebrate each day with family and friends.

Dee

Kid's Quilting!

Today started the week of kid's camp at a local quilt shop.  I am very excited about the week.  The girls are lovely and have such delightful personalities.  As always, the instructor needs to lay down a good foundation to get started.

Nine years of age is the youngest I like to work with and even then their attention span doesn't last a long time.  If you have a child in your life you want to get started on this journey called quilting here are a few tips to remember as you get started.

1.  Kids are capable of a lot more than we as adults think they are.
2.  Do your best to let the child do their own work even if it has mistakes.  That is the only way they really learn the techniques and they take such pride in their accomplishments.
3.  As you get started - thoroughly acquaint them with all the tools and how they are used.  Pay special attention to using the rotary cutter safely.  I like to have them wear "klutz gloves" when they are cutting.
4.  Use the proper words for the techniques and tools.  If you need to explain what the words mean it only helps them learn and grow in this sport.
5.  Practice cutting and piecing on scraps before you work with the good fabric.
6.  Have fun and be an encourager.  The quilt may not be perfect when complete but it will be theirs.

I'll share some pictures at the end of the week.

I am finishing up the T-shirt quilt finally.  It is a long way around that quilt to bind it.

My big news this week is that my son, Brett, proposed to his girlfriend and she said "yes".  We are very excited about this upcoming wedding and can't wait for the plans for it to get underway.  The bride to be is an event planner and has great style so it should be an absolutely gorgeous wedding.

May every day give you something to celebrate!

Blessings,
Dee

I'm Back!

Vacation was a wonderful time.  After spending time in Sacramento we headed to Bakersfield to the wedding  of a very good friends son.  What an exquisite day it was.  From there we headed back to the Bay Area and was busy teaching a class at "In Between Stitches" Quilt store in Livermore, CA and taking care of last minute preparations for my annual quilt retreat in San Juan Bautista.  This year, inspired by Yvonne Porcella's self portrait quilts, a good portion of the group created their own self portraits.  They turned out fabulous!!!!  They will take them home to finish with borders and quilting but look and see if you don't agree they are all special, whimsical and so much fun to create.

I truly love these women and the friendship I share with them.  I am blessed.

May each day be filled with moments of joy, laughter and love,

Dee