Expansion

Has it been 2 weeks already?

We're still trying to figure out a new rhythm with Nikolai in the house. He's a pretty good baby, most of the time. His sisters are, of course, bursting with excitement. The realization that he sleeps a heck of a lot is finally sinking in though. As is the fact that they get nothing to do with feeding him until he is older. But they are very helpful and mostly entertaining.

The other morning I unexpectedly had only the little man home with me. He was sleeping and I was feeling rested. Mama decided to pull out the machine and quilt. It was only for an hour, but it felt great. And it was awesome that he was happily sleeping beside me on the dining room table. The Empire has truly expanded.

Now, about that book/baby poll. No one had both days correct. A few got the right baby or the right book date. (I even had the right baby date - I was hoping for the first day of spring and that's when he came!) But one person was awfully close.

Amy had the 5th for the book and the 19th for the baby. We got emails on the 5th saying that some folks had the book in their hands. And Nikolai was born only 4 hours into the 20th. I'd say Amy is the winner! I'll be sending out a book to you Amy.

Thanks to everyone for playing along and supporting me as I navigate this crazy time.

Rush

I'm totally blaming the hormones.

In the midst of all that I've got going on I'm in a rush to finish this quilt. Because a book, a pending baby, a reno, and that giant anniversary quilt is not enough. This is a gift for a friend and it is queen sized. And I somehow thought it would be a good idea to do this itty bitty quilting pattern all over the thing. I desperately want to get it delivered before baby. If the false labour stays false it just might happen. That anniversary quilt too. Oh, and that baby quilt and the other one. And maybe one for our baby...

Kinda, Sorta, Suns...

Ignore the fact that those aren't really circles. Or think of them as organic suns.

I'm so close to finishing up the quilting my To a T quilt. After taking the first machine quilting class from Ana Buzzalino I decided I needed to push myself a little. I doodled and doodled. Then I basted, hoping that process would force me to make a decision. I certainly had some time to think - basting took me a while with the belly in the way!

I was pinning on a block that has the gorgeous orange print, Moira, from Echo by Lotta Jansdotter when the inspiration hit. My sketch and my reality aren't actually all that close to the design on the print, but it is the idea. And Lotta's print doesn't have perfect circles either.

I'm using Aurifil 50wt thread to quilt this. A few weeks ago I won a pack of the Mark Lipinski Basics collection by Aurifil - lucky me! One of the beige threads was perfect. And it works fantastically with the purples I've put on the back.

Binding this week...

Branch Out

I fancy myself a decent free motion quilter. No, I won't win any prizes for my quilting, but I do think I can do some fun things. That being said, it is good sometimes to push your limits.

This weekend I took a machine quilting workshop from Ana Buzzalino. Ana is a member of my Flying Needles Quilt Guild and an amazing quilter. She can do incredible things with a New York Beauty Block. And her art quilts, which involve painting and stitching are at a level that is both beautiful and well-recognized. Oh, and she is ridiculously nice, genuine, and funny.

Ana's style is so far removed from mine. That alone would discourage many quilters, particularly those of us who identify as young and modern, from taking a class with her. It shouldn't, though. It should inspire us to try something new and push our boundaries.

When you take a class from someone whose work is different than yours the best thing to do is immerse yourself, learn something, then figure out how to apply those lessons to your own work. Do not let style, age, or perception keep you from a new challenge or experience.

I am so glad I took this workshop. Sure, I love dense quilting, but maybe not as dense as Ana was teaching. I still doubt I'll try silk or rayon thread, but she had great tips regarding thread, period. I have more intent in my stitching, some new patterns to try and new inspiration for my own, and I'm heading into the next round of quilts with a boost of confidence in my free motion skills. And next month she's teaching feathers!