One Positive Baby Step at a Time

OK, so I've signed up for the Journal Quilt Challenge and I've managed to make.....ONE. So I sign up to participate in the Color & Composition study group, thinking I can kill 2 birds with one stone and make my journal quilts part of my study exercises. Efficient, in a multi-tasking kinda way. But how can I squeeze any of this into my busy life--and still have some sort of pleasant home environment?

First, I really tried to find a self-cleaning house. Couldn't find that.

Tried to find the kitchen that flushes, but failed on that count, too.

Finally I accepted the fact that our house does require a human being to clean it more than once a year, so......

I took BABY STEP #1: I have just dropped off my house keys at the office of MOLLY MAIDS, who will come and CLEAN MY HOUSE tomorrow!!!!!!

Please join me in doing a celebration happy dance!!!!!!!!!

January Journal Quilt 2006

"Their Hearts Grew Four Sizes That Day"
January Journal Quilt

This month's Journal Quilt focuses on the birth of my best friend's baby, which brought back memories of my own daughter's birth13 years ago. When I saw the delivery room photos-- their very first family pictures--I was struck by the joy on their faces and by the similarity to our photos, and to the photos of every happy family upon the birth of a child. That intense joy, those overwhelming feelings of love and pride, mixed with wonder and disbelief-- that is really what connects us a"l.

I decided to demonstrate the "connectedness" using the family photos framed by linked hearts. The heart on she right is outlined in bright pink, which is Betsy's signature color, and filled with light blue to represent her son. My heart is outlined with neon green, one of my signature colors, and filled with pink to represent my daughter. I printed the family photos on cream colored fabric and cut them out with a pinking blade rotary cutter to make them look like old-fashioned photos.

I used the raggedy reverse applique technique, which I saw on Simply Quilts. I also used scattered seed beads in pink,
blush and perriwinkle blue to convey joy and add sparkle.

Next month, I'm considering doing a portrait quilt of my husband, focusing on his love of the outdoors--and his total misery upon being trapped inside all winter long!!!!!