Butterflies are Beautiful and so are Sisters

Butterflies are Beautiful reminds me of a movie from the 70's with

Goldie Hawn.  I just happened to catch it the other day as it was on T.V.

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What do butterflies and sisters have in common?

They are both beautiful!!

I have been blessed to have two sisters in my life, Sheila and Shannon.

We all live in the same city and yet we don't see each other

very often as life dictates otherwise.

I had the privilege of spending an evening with Sheila tonight.

Good timing as she is going through a really tough time right now so we

talked and cried and encouraged each other tonight.

Sheila looooves butterflies - she even has a butterfly tattoo.

I had originally intended to donate this table centerpiece for the silent

auction happening at my church in May but I felt compelled to give it to Sheila.

I hope it has cheered her up a little.

I left the backing off while I sewed the strips onto batting around the butterfly center.

Then I cut out the top and backing putting right sides together to sew it together.

I didn't feel like I wanted to bind this one like I did the last one - too fiddley!

Once it was turned right side out, I just went around the outside with a stitch about 1/8".

I'm happy with the way it came out.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Shauna

Puddle Jumping or Ski Jumping

Yes, that's right . . .

We have had another dump of snow so I think I should 

change the name of this quilt from Puddle Jumping 

to Ski Jumping.

Okay, so that may be a little extreme 

because this quilt is really springy in it's feel.

I really love the softness of the colours.

I still need to put on the borders and then of course quilt it.

It even looks good with my new picture hanging above the bed.

I have also been working on this little gem.

The ladies at our church put on a dinner once a month or so.

In May, the dinner is called 'Spring Fling' and I am thinking I may donate

as one of the auction items.

 It says, 'What is there not to love in a butterfly'.

Better not show this to my sister as she just may claim it! 

She loves butterflies!!

This week has been really hard for me with personal 'stuff' going on.

Life can be really tough. 
Sometimes all you can do is take one moment at a time.

"Remember," they say, "that the darkest hour of all, is the hour before day."
I'm hopeful that my 'day' is just around the corner.

It's on weeks like this that I tend to hole up in my quilting room, play uplifting music 

and meditate as my sewing machine hums along.

Our sermon today really challenged me so I will have a lots to think about this week.

Remember this quilt from a year ago?

It was for my Auntie who was very ill and wasn't expected to live a year ago.

I finished it last Mar / Apr and my dad sent it in the 

post 'overnight' so that she would get it.

She surprised us all by being on this earth until now.

She past away just a day ago and leaves a void in all of our lives.

I am optimistic that even though life is hard, God is still good.

There is a lot to be thankful for and if you look around, 

you will see things to be thankful for no matter how small they are.

On that note, I hope you all have a marvelous week

filled with pleasant surprises!

Shauna

Feeling 'Blue' and a need for a Fresh Start

 This is how I have been feeling lately . . .

 

I moved into my place in the city just over a year and a half ago 

and am now just starting to discover who I am and what I like.

I have decided that I like soft pinks, greens, teal blue and yellow colours.

 I have always been wired this way but I think lost my way for a while.

Based on this new 'knowledge' about myself, 

I have decided to paint the upstairs of my condo 

a nice teal blue, aqua, blue, or tourquoise  colour.  

Now to find 

the right colour, 

the time 

and the energy 

to bring my vision to fruition.

This would include my craft room, bedrooms and bathrooms.

I'm excited what this summer will bring.

In keeping with my theme, I need to finish off a quilt that I started eons ago.

 The top in finished and it just needs to be quilted.

 

This was such a fun quilt to work on as it definitely was 'my' colours.

I learned to accomplish a lot of different blocks in this quilt and each border was different.

I learned how to do flying geese, bear's paw and working with triangles.

After an appointment I had this afternoon I took some time 

to unwind and wander around my favourite furniture consignment shop.  

Oh my, do they ever have some neat and unique items.

Well, in keeping with my girly, romantic and soft theme, 

I found this beauty for 1/2 the price.  It will grace the wall above my bed.

So even though I am feeling 'blue' emotionally, I can start to see a future.

I have adopted this verse since the beginning of the year . . .

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
 

Enjoy your weekend!

Shauna

Addicted to Cuteness

Remember this pattern that I picked up in Phoenix?

  

And remember this lovely stack of fat quarters?

Well, I couldn't resist cutting into the fabric and starting this pattern.

All sixteen blocks are done.

 Super cute fun pattern and fabrics!!

Now to just cut the sashing, put the corner stones in and sew it together.

My favourite block.

Don't you just love this colour?

When finished the quilt should measure 75" x 75".

I needed something springy in this dreadful midwinter weather.

And this quilt provided that for me.  

Even the name is appropriate 'puddle jumping'.

Have a great week!!

Shauna