Wonder wallet for Jen...

I made this wallet for Jen. I like it...cute, easy, and gave me ideas of how I'll make it next time!! Each little thing I make puts a smile on my face...now time to sew!

A little girl's creation

My niece, age 7, asked me to make her a doll. It's taking shape...and a new experience for me, each step of the way. I've let her choose the embellishments...so far she's chosen the hair and the eyes! The eyes...hee hee! I love it so far. Next we'll be making clothes and attaching the headband. I've never made doll clothes before...I'm still fairly new to sewing!

Magic Nine Patch

Working on my next quilt. It's in the design wall stages...but I like it! This material is called "Arcadia" by Sanae for Moda. So fun...

The daily bag...

In July, my friend Tami and I went on a trip to the beach. I love the beach. We spent much time taking photos and more time making bags. It was so much fun and nice to get away. And I must say I enjoy working on projects with friends...gives me inspiration and makes it more fun!

Here's the result...

My First Finished Quilt...

And so it is done...my first quilt.

After several sewing classes and even a few on quilting, I finally took a beginner class to learn correct techniques! The pattern was for a quilt called "A Trip Around the World". I used mostly all Amy Butler fabrics (which are some of my favorite!!) and decided I'd make Angela's soon-to-be baby, Willow, a quilt.

I have heard it is tradition to give away the first quilt you make. And so...this one goes to Willow. I wrote out a few thoughts about my quilt that parallel a new baby. When thinking of the two, there are many similarities...I'm sure you could think of many!!

I love this quilt. It's a pattern I hope to use again and again...

Life...

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...

that's on my mind today. 

Fear...

I have been reading a book called "The Raft is not the Shore" this week.  The book is a conversation between two people - a Buddhist monk and a Catholic priest (both peace activists).  They talk of the subjects of the times (published 1974) - life, death, prisoners, exile, religion, government, etc.  

The interesting part (to me) is how although this book was written over 30 yrs ago, it still fits with what is going on today and I hardly know I am reading something of the past.  

This morning I am reading on government and religion.  Here are a few points I find interesting...

"Because the tactic of power politics, of the military, is to create fear so that people are paralyzed and cannot move, cannot change, cannot unite, cannot be truthful, cannot be in command of their own existence and their community.  But if you break through this huge mirage, this myth, there is no one in the armor."...

"I think fear does two amazing things; maybe they are just aspects of one thing.  First, it creates the impression that a person is facing a god, usually a god of war or god of violence; fear makes the adversary look superhuman.  Secondly, it creates a new psyche in one's self - a very disrupted, distracted, terrorized person, the opposite of a stable, self-aware person.  Two aspects, one fear.  If one's soul is so enslaved as to bow to the god, one is already destroyed.  ...the other great weapon they have, besides fear, is hatred."

And so I continue to read, wanting more than ever to be at peace inside my own self  and with the world around me.