Project Beginnings : :

Thank you all for your kindness and understanding this past week, as well as over the past several weeks that have come after the loss of my Dad.  I'm so grateful to have such wonderful, positive, and encouraging family, friends, sponsors, and readers. From your words we've received so much love and wisdom, from those of you who have and are still grieving the loss of a parent, and now from those of you who have suffered or have had a loved one suffer a similar heart event as my husband just did. Your shared stories have been a powerful and extremely helpful resource for us as we understand what happened, how to prevent a recurrence, and now as we begin to heal after going through so much these past several weeks. We are all on the mend. As for me, at any moment a thought will come to mind and will bring me to tears. It's been a very tough, extremely emotional Summer to say the least. I've shared before that for me creating is medicine, and I trust that many of you who read this blog will understand that. Just as running is so helpful and healing for my husband, this hobby of mine nourishes my soul and spirit, it makes me feel good, as does any great love. Today I'm sharing the first sewing I've done in two weeks, other than a few etsy orders that had to be done quickly. Yesterday I was so grateful to wake up to a rainy day, and as soon as I made it to my sewing machine I felt the calm and soothing of a long exhale, as I began to stitch.

When issue ten of Love Patchwork & Quilting arrived I immediately fell in love with the Hourglass Twist quilt Karen Lewis created on the cover. I even had a fat quarter bundle of the gorgeous Cloud9 Fabrics Grey Abbey collection she used just waiting to become something. Since I had so much fun making my recently finished scrappy hourglass quilt top, loved that this pattern had a twist, and wanted to begin my return to sewing with a project that was repetitive, effortless, and pretty. This was perfect!









The quick work of this pattern, a little chain piecing, and since I decided to make my blocks just a little bit larger, easily used up all of my Grey Abbey fat quarters. After laying out each hourglass block and cut piece I only had enough to create a large crib size quilt. Which would be adorable and would give me the quick quilt fix I need, but still I decided to go bigger!





I'll be adding in my Simpatico stash which I think will blend in nicely, and possibly a few coordinating solids. What do you think?



After snapping a few shots this morning I've tucked these pretty project beginnings away for another day!

Gosh does it feel good to be back in this space! I'd love to hear what you're working on these days?

♥ Maureen