A Bountiful Life

Sooo I didn't make it to post last Tuesday. I had some things come up and couldn't get to the computer. I planned to write the post on Thursday but I slammed my fingers in the car door first thing that morning. The blog was forgotten. 

Fingers are now yellow and purple but working. So all is well.

I rarely work on anything that is not related to my design work but I have always loved the Bird of Paradise quilt from the American Folk Art Museum.

Last year a small group of us decided to make the quilt. We would meet once a month for 4 hours to stitch and share. We can only work on the quilt when we meet- no other stitching. For me that one day a month is the only time I work on mine. Because of my travel schedule I have missed several months and am way behind. We actually meet next Monday but I will be in Arkansas doing a trunkshow presentation and last month I was in Minneapolis for market. Hopefully in July I will be able to join the girls.

We are working from the late Karen Mowery's book  A Bountiful Life. 

Here are my six finished blocks so far. I have found that my designs that I create are waaay more simple, primitive, chunky than I thought. I have simplified some of these blocks as you can see. I have a hard time following a pattern but it is nice to have it all done for you. 

This is my bride block in progress. She is finished but I still have to do all the flowers and leaves. It is so fun to work on these and see how different all of our blocks look. When we finish no two quilts will look alike. I am doing this quilt just for me which is a very nice change. I have also started stitching Blackbird Designs' Anniversaries of the Heart in counted cross stitch just for me. I will share when I have enough that you can tell what it is. The "just for me" projects are always on the back burner but so worth it. Since I have very little time to dedicate to these you would think I would choose projects that weren't so involved, wouldn't you?

I will be away from home still on Tuesday next week, so barring any personal injury I should have a post up on Thursday.

Happy Quilting,

Dawn