It’s been awhile since I’ve updated with anything, but rest assured I do create almost everyday.   I’m just extremely lazy when it comes to blogging.  It is a Monday, which isn’t my fun day because that’s on Sunday, like yesterday when I finished my baby ripple blanket.

I’m calling it ocean breeze.   You can call it done.

If you’re wondering the photo above isn’t photoshopped.  It’s Gimped out.

So very often we take what we have for granted. Our family, friends and more important our pets.  We forget that they have a limited life span.  Sometimes we get lucky and they stay in our lives for 15 years and sometimes they leave us much sooner than that.  Yesterday was one of those days for my dad.  I just deleted all the details of why. That’s his story to tell and not one that is my business to share.  The main thing is that he did what was best for Molly, his Springer Spaniel.  And I came so very close to having to make the same decision he did.  Thankfully, I didn’t.  By him losing her and having our family cat runaway, it reminds to never, not even for a second to take them for granted.  They may do things that drive us crazy and sometimes make us mad.  But I’d gladly take all of that chaos, then to have none of it because I didn’t have them in my life anymore.  If you’re reading this, then just stop for second and be glad that you have them, one day you won’t.  So scratch them behind their ears, give them a kiss on top of their head.  Just be thankful for what and who you have in your life.  What’s there today, may be gone tomorrow.

I decided to take a break from quilting for a week and pick up crocheting. I didn’t really want to start another ripple blanket.  Okay,I do want to start one, but I don’t have the yarn to do so.  What I did have was tons of little bits of yarn here and there and lots of white, so of course I’d make a granny square blanket. What else is there to make?

I took this picture at the zoo on their donate to support the African Adventure Wall.

I’m tired of you
and I’m tired of me
Sick of this state of being
that I’m trapped in
Use to be carefree
now I feel captured.
I want out
Out of here
Out of there
I want something open
Fresh and real
The way nature is
The way life in the country is
when No one else is around
I want to be able to breathe again
and not owe you for my breaths
The freedom to jump around
to just enjoy life as is without
Constantly wishing it were something else
I want to love
with fear
Because it’s fear that can make things
feel earthy and alive
It’s a real feeling I haven’t felt
So where are you?
Where is my place?
There’s more to me and
more than this life I’ve living.
So why am I living without?

Some days it feels like I haven’t done enough to justify myself, but then there are days where I have more concrete proof that life is moving forwards and dreams being realized.  Those days are usually when I have completed a small milestone and in my case they’re quilt tops.

I’ve had this quilt top finished for about a week now, but I’m only now getting around to posting it.  It’s made from Honeysuckle Batiks.  They’re called Depression Blocks. I like the mix of reds, purples, and light colors.  Not too dark and not too light.

This is the Mary Rose Quilt Top.   It’s my first coin quilt I’m attempting. So far it’s coming out exactly the way I imagined it.   I’m think a rose print for the backing to tie in with the rest of it.

Hopefully soon I will be able to finish these and show you the results of my love labor.

We brought the kiddie pool out and it was Haley that seemed to enjoy it the most. Me, I just enjoy watching them. It doesn’t matter if they are playing in the pool or just laying in the shade. It’s all good memories to me.

By the way; What’s so bad about Crocs?

The warm colors mixed so brilliantly together with the cool colors, I wonder if I’m doing such beautiful fabric justice.  When I look at the colors it makes me think of islands and women with the long flowing skirts and baskets on their heads.  The men dancing around a fire.  Perhaps I’m way off base, but I know it’s different than anything I’ve worked with.  It’s more bohemian than modern.  Probably because it’s batiks and not just simple prints.  So far it’s only one block of twelve, that will make up an even more radiant quilt than I could ever begin to describe.

Mother’s Day here went well. Mom received her quilt and I got banana bread. Mom cleaned the house.  I swiffered the floors and made her scrambled eggs for breakfast. She made me doughnuts.  And she made beef and noodles with homemade mashed potatoes.  Let’s see she cooked, cleaned, and has to listen to my mumbo jumbo all day long.  Happy Mother’s Day mom! I love you!

Here’s what I did while she cleaned.

I sat on my bed with my dogs and comforted them while she vacuumed.  Go us!