A Patch of Light

It looks to me like we have all the patches we need for a Quilt. It looks to me like we're ready to set these on-point and start working towards a finish. I put the Spinning Hexagons up, grabbed these and made the last 26 blocks I think it was. I got this far and almost thought of making more but I need a finish and these are ready. Well, except I like to square up my blocks and I'm not sure I'm going to do that this time. Just nine patches. I think I can cut myself some slack... don't you?




Did You Know? - It's very hard for me to be a Blogger at my usual afternoon time. I've made some lifestyle changes sure, but that's not it. Florida ranks first in the nation for lightning, with an average of 100 thunderstorm days per year. With that in mind I attempt to get through my PC time before the storms get out of hand. Don't want to blow up the Computer.


To provide some sense of where I'm coming from... "The new maps show that Florida, for example, is one place where the rate of strikes is unusually high. Dennis Boccippio, an atmospheric scientist with the NSSTC lightning team, explains why: "Florida experiences two sea breezes: one from the east coast and one from the west coast." The "push" between these two breezes forces ground air upward and triggers thunderstorms."

Just a little interesting tidbit. Anyway, we've had some drought years with very few afternoon rains, as any Floridian will tell you if they've lived here for a few years. I'm thankful for the rains, I love them. The lightening is a little harsh this year. We've been talking about it, paying attention, noticing. So I thought I'd just mention it. Mother Nature is here in all her glory. She could give a flip about my Blogging and Computer time.

(see now, I would edit this down, make it shorter but the storm is really picking up so this is what you get... unedited blah...)

Karacteristics of Karen the Kwilter

When I woke up, the Spinning Hexagons in Kaffe fabric disturbed me. The sense of my reaction tells me it was rooted in shock. I'm not accustomed to seeing these beyond bold fabrics on my Design Wall. After studying them for a bit I returned to start, to the fun. Lordy bee they are that. Fun. You know what that means? If you've followed the journey of these little blocks from the start, this means the Universe wanted me to have fun on my last day. That Rocks!



That said, I don't adore them as I do these Hill Country Baskets (Bonnie Blue) and my Civil War Stash. My Civil War fabrics reflect one of the strongest aspects of Karen the Quilter. My heart rests here, in reproduction quilts and fabrics. It's the history, another time and daydreaming about that other life long gone and consigned to history books and museums and Quilters like you that hold onto and care for Antique quilts.





I can play and have fun but for my favorite quilts I rest in my stash. Any other aspects of my quilter (I think) come in with the piecing. What about you? Do you have different aspects to you quilting? Julie does. She's a quilter with a wide range. You never know what you'll see on her blog. I think you pretty much know what you're getting over here at LeeHaven.

Called to Spin

I'm intrigued by the mind and emotions. I think it's safe to say I'm a student of the mind, body (& emotional) link. Below is a photograph which I find to be a perfect study in how it plays out in my realm.



This is yesterday. A day. At first glance it looks chaotic - as if there's a struggle or a process afoot. A little bit of both I should think. Struggling to "let go" is a process and I had some personal letting go to do. It surely helped that process along to have such wide, kind support. Sometimes a woman does need that and I thank you with the depth of warmth a good heart has to give.



What I like about this photo is how it reflects my Action to Overcome. I'm leaning on my favorites to guide me. This isn't unfocused chaos, this is wise use during a process. I like that.




As the day wore on and I fatigued out I found myself sipping some decaf and simply saying/asking: "Today's your last day..." and Spinning Hexagons immediately came to mind. I followed the Spirit. I wasn't sure until today what fabrics to use but then I heard word from my small stash of Kaffe.



There's a lot of good going on here. I completely dig how this came about. No decisions all day then the question: Today's your last day, what are you working on? Out of nowhere up this pops. THAT is God at work in my life. I'm sincerely experiencing it.




On the other hand, Kanga is sincerely ticked off that I would snap a photo when she's all snuggled in the bathroom sink. I would have enjoyed this photo more if she wasn't so dern mad!

Disconnected Think Link

When you're wronged, cheated out of money, what do you do? How do you react? At 17 I fought for severance pay when I was fired in order to support nepotism. I was out, family was in! I seriously fought for that severance. Karen at 17. Later in life I took someone, an animal breeder, to the mat over 250.00. I was relentless, her worse nightmare for 6 months. In both cases I got my cash.



This time I'm in the right but I made the mistake. This time I called a locksmith without doing the proper "get 3 estimates" and "check better business bureau" routine. It cost me dearly. Financially and emotionally. You can imagine what it feels like to have a shady outfit work on your locks. ...and we've all been bilked at least once in our lives, I imagine anyway. I've been cheated out of money before but this one really ticked me off. Mostly because I knew better. Had I used my head I could have saved money and avoided the ensuing drama.

The Sheriff came out last night since I was seriously upset by unscrupulous locksmiths. I noticed him driving by late before I went to bed. He really was a great guy and understood how I might feel.


Yesterday I did have a reputable and helpful locksmith come out and re-key my locks. He taught me a lot about locksmiths in general, The Associated Locksmiths of America and their push to regulate the industry in some way. Can you imagine? It's not regulated but in a few states. ...and Florida is not one of them. I should clarify "regulate" ~ I simply mean licensing.


More on Locksmith Scams: Click here.

The following States require licensing for locksmith services: AL,CA, IL, LA, NJ, NC, OK, TN and TX.

~~~

I'm sad that I allowed this to happen. I'm sad that in order to fight this I'd have to put myself-health through what I know is unwise for my body. It's a bitter pill I swallow for the mistake I made. Sure, I got taken but I knew better.


I'm going to sit and sew today and make something of the day, pull myself out of this self-flagellating state of mind. Talk about health! That pity crap isn't doing me any good. Like my Dad once said when I blew it "Not pretty, not at all. Just don't let it happen again!"


...which makes me wonder how often I was an airhead like this as a kid. Sometimes it's like the "think" link is disconnected.

Double Secret Unveiled

Hidden away in the creative corners of LeeHaven...


Rope-wrapped Batik fabric basket hand-embellished. That beading was a bit of a thing. Could have used some real tools I think. I thought my hands might fall off!

...given in celebration to my sister, Jennifer Lynn Joyner, on this day - her 25th Birthday. This was my secret project. I don't think my sister reads my blog but you never know.

Calling All Writers

What runs through your head?

"Only people that publish are writers!"
~or is it~
"I write therefore I am a Writer."

My answer? I write therefore I'm a Writer. I've had the opportunity to notice quite a few good Writers around the Blogs. With that in mind I wanted to share my latest find. ...because I think everyone here is a Writer.


You see, I'm from the Natalie Goldberg school of thought. I'm in camp with Julia Cameron. Christina Baldwin is a member of my inner writer's circle. I find nuggets in Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird whenever I come across it. I've learned that Blogger's (and so many others) are writers. So of course I wanted to share "The Daily Writer" as soon as I flipped through it.


I will say this - it's not a simple book on the Craft of writing. It's not solid, direct, tough and clear like Stephen King's "On Writing." It's more like a creative writing class from a fun yet tough teacher filled with REAL creative challenges. That's why I'm sharing! It's worth a spot on your shelves and some time in your life. (...if you're into it of course.)





Because Susan taught me to keep my table cleaned up after each project I'm working on I was able to shift from the Stars right into binding for Lady Jane. I'm doing a bias binding here [first time] and I kinda like the fun of the stripe vs. the dots. It's just my little scrappy quilt and I love it. And I'm thanking Susan again for this really good advice. Simple things sometimes are important.

Kanga is in that bag and Kingston is chompin' down. I guess maybe you had to be there but this totally cracked me up! I mean, really, Kingston. She's in there. What are you thinking? Sheesh.

Shining Stars ...caught in the draft

Not the chilly draft of winter caught between creaky doors in older homes. Not that draft. I'm speaking of the first time you get something placed together. The spot just after the brainStorms.



I had the strips out for a still secretive project when I heard the whoosh of rapidly Spinning Stars. Out came the blocks, on went the sashing. It's a good place to stop now and get back to more recent projects. Why? Because I'm dern out of the batik's I want. It's a personal choice now and that'll have to hold off until we're off priority recovery mode. In other words - I'm not buying diddly! I know what I'm looking for and it can surely wait. They're printing more fabric as we speak.




But gosh y'all, these are the most lovely blocks a girl could ever imagine. How many times can I thank you? Let me count the ways...


[technically speaking: draft or draught ~ read about word usage here.]

Coping with Secret Projects

Asian fabrics are my newest layer of adoration. Newly shared here but Lisa and I have shared this ~ she knows. I've pulled a couple patterns that inspired me. We've shared. These Asian fabrics take me way back; I grew up with an Asian influence. I come from a family of "Wise Latina Women" but there is a strong Asian-American presence on the West Coast so the attraction isn't lost on me. They're beautiful fabrics. I don't have a single solitary FQ either. This venture will be from scratch.


A good share actually. A place holder. I can't post any photos of what I'm working on right now. It's kinda hard to keep it under wraps but I must be steadfast! ....so I think I'll subscribe to this Asian Fabric magazine, what do you think? I don't have any plans to buy up fabric right now anyway. We're in Recovery Mode here for a while after the appliance situations, which seems to be a popular topic on many blogs. Cosmic! Trippy. I'm just sayin'...



There aren't any plans to lose focus here getting into Asian fabrics, I can assure you. I am going slightly off the reservation though. You see, I had the fabrics out for the Secret Project and when I about finished with that I heard a project calling. "The strips are already cut, Karen. Make it Happen!"



Out comes the new-to-me EQ5 ~ a gift from a different [from last post] Mentor and dear, dear friend. Yes, I got out the EQ5 and with the strips in mind I pulled something together. Nothing fancy but enough to keep me focused and planned out. Planning on Paper. I'm almost a real Quilter now.



Okay so the Dresden Plates are languishing and my Antique Patches really want to be finished and binding of Lady Jane is speaking to me for sure. All great and nice but the Spirit is taking over and I'm going where that place is. Don't you see, I'm feeling so much better. I'm not worried about the outcome. I'm just putting in the effort. Oh, did you hear that? I'm putting in the effort! I pretty much always do but what I mean here, to say clearly is -> More then usual - because I can. More time on my hands. More healthy time.


And that's all fine but I do have other life things taking place. I'm not just waiting around for bedtime. Between chasing cats, loving dogs all day, and playing parrot slave plus chores I sometimes wonder I get anything done but I do. Ha! I've even had Duke out for 2 training sessions. That's right, twice. How did he do? Ahh, that dog Rocks! I was reminded just how intoxicating training and working with your dog can be. ...and funny. He's a blast in that funny way. Not all dogs have a sense of humor when in the midst of training and working on an exercise (think of it like parlor tricks). He does. Duke's a thinking dog. He keeps me on my toes and together it can be hilarity. I think these moments can be some of the most rewarding of all when you're into working with dogs.



So lets see, we've covered New Fabrics, things I'm working on and can't share, how I got from the Secret Project into something entirely different (can't share that either) and oh yeah - EQ5. The software and how I actually used it to help me. Marcie will be so happy and proud of me. Oh, and the most important message I guess is about the type of effort I'm able to put in right now. Lets put it this way, by the time evening rolls around I'm really glad I have a new couch and really wondering if I can make it until 10pm. Why not go to bed earlier? Because of course I'm a 7 hour sleep chick. I don't want to be waking at 4 am. 5 is early enough. Silly Goose.


Dwell in possibility with Love, *karendianne.


(better get crackin' on these secret things so I can finish and start sharing!)

LeeHaven has Mentors!

We're talking about teachers, quilting teachers, mentors. One in particular, I've shared her before. Daphanie.

Mentor

–noun

1.	a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

2.	an influential senior sponsor or supporter.

Daphanie is my first quilting mentor. She'll love #2 there with the reference to "senior" sponsor or supporter. She'll crack up. In case you don't know, Daph got me started. We had 2-3 brief sessions on one of my trips home (Northern Nevada/California) to stay with Dad and visit family. Tom & Daphanie are friends of my Dad's, live down the road so it worked out great and I soaked up all I could in those mini-sessions. She sent me packin' with all the "tools of the trade" and the rest is history.


My Lady Jane quilt, with the exception of borders, is all fabrics from Daphanie's stash which she handed down to me. That's one of the reasons I think I love that quilt so much.


As the years go by, every so often I've been fortunate, blessed really, with things that she no longer has room or need for. We all love mail call, don't we? Those boxes that arrive and we really aren't sure what's in it? Well, take a peek below...

Nothing less that 1998 Judie Rothermel

Many of you may recall this from 1998?

Well in 1998 I was being a Wife and Career person, not a quilting person so I wouldn't know. That does not mean I don't know a treasure when I see it!


So it is that I leave you with this gift and say the following... It is my singular honor and distinct pleasure to share with you this treasure from the woman that gave me the Gift of Quilting, which I hold right up there next to the Gift of Reading!

Lady Jane

"Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in."

My Stashbuster Lady Jane arrived today, quilted with a luscious feel and classic, simply classic. Quilted with a delicate flow that gives it an instant feminine touch. I have loved this quilt. Oh I just have!!! It's the scraps and stash and the simplicity. I think she's precious and the quilting - the way it shows up in the border - well I just find that sheer delight. Thank you, Mary!



...and a close up a corner. This quit is my first quilt all for me.

Scenes from:


The Corrugated Cat Park

Above. Vacuum cleaner delivered by "Brown" (aka: UPS) and is now in use. The box was donated to the makings of a new corrugated cat park. Cheap toys are the best and Kanga is certain she's out of site.




Below. Kanga thinks: "Cattress Powers Kingston - stay back. I know you're coming. I know you're slinking up on me. You're not going to get me. I'm here. See me See You! I'm a scary Jack-in-the-Box and I will get you in your sleep!!! I'm now giving you the evil eye..."





In other news from LeeHaven, the IV went just fine. The team in the hospital infusion center loved my bag. It attracted quite the attention. Today the water heater was installed and the day was hectic with no real rest however I do have plans tomorrow. A secret project is in the works for a celebration this month. I've had to put the Dresden Plates up so I can work on this one but it wont be for long.


Yours Quilted in Love, *karendianne.

Healing Visualization

Chinese Symbol of Health

Not all the time but some of the time my life makes me crazy! When you think a problem is MS, sometimes it's not. Other times when you think its not MS it just might be. What-ev-er! There's no dental problem causing this pain and I'm rockin'. All systems are go for Health today.



What is the pain then? Well I don't flippin' know! I'm getting old, it's The Crazymaker (aka: MS) or make up something. What-ev-er! You'd be hard pressed to hear me ever use the "H" word that ends with an "E" whens peaking of my relation to The Crazymaker. But it damn sure pisses me right off!



Okay, enough of that. Just had to get it out and let it go. Time to head out and this attitude wont do. I'm actually looking forward to taking myself and going alone. I watched a video a while back about how the disease works and I'd like to use that visualize while getting the IV.



Watch It Love, *karendianne.

Burning Thru the Cash!

There was a peaceful feel to the morning. Thankful, grateful, grounded. Something was released. There was rain, the sun was just rising and I was quiet with myself. There was no tension ~ it was all peace. A nice period of well-being after the harried days that started the week.

Getting ready for IV day means ensuring the house is stocked. That worked out fine since it just so happens that I needed everything anyway. Dog food, cat food, human food. Plus paper products, cleaning things and just stuff you're completely out of that you don't normally buy. $$$ So, okay this is a slim pay-period. I can hang. Truth be told, I am thankful I could take care of these errands on my own!

Then the vacuum cleaner died. $ Long haired dogs and cats. One simply cannot live without a vacuum cleaner. Had to make that purchase. I vacuum daily. What did I buy? I'm a girl that goes for the basics and buys cheap when it comes to this item. It works for me. This one is also a Bissell. Not pricey and works great. Lasted for 4 years. Fine by me.

So okay, we're starting to burn through some money but it's a tight pay-period and that happens. I just figured I'd roll with it since this isn't anything new and really, come on, we all deal with it. Could be much worse. So I get back to my chores, somewhat distracted grabbing my pile of laundry only to come upon a leaky Water Heater. $$$ Drats!!!


The Water Heater has been working great for 13 years - a lot of work out of it, really. I did have this money earmarked for a generator. During Hurricane Season I'd like to be able to stay home and "well" out of the heat. Power outages dontcha know. Unfortunately, the money for the generator just went to the Water Heater.

Who was it that was talking about things growing on Trees? Huh!

(ps: ...and the dentist is a fairly emergent appointment today. That came up, too and could impact my ability to get my infusion tomorrow. But maybe it's not so big a deal and we'll be able to roll with it. I'm thinkin' that...)

Block Interpretation: A First

Masculinity. Do you see it?

Most everyone that glances at my plates sees Ties. Delightful! How delightful to see yourself interpreted ~ in some way, any particular way. I just loved the fabrics, I didn't plan that business about the ties. This is the coolest quilty creative thing that's happened to me in a long time! The interpretation just happened. Trippy. Completely cosmic.



Above is my first finished machine appliqued block. Cotton thread in the bobbin and monofilament on the top. I really felt like I accomplished something yesterday! (besides the laundry list) This is truly "head down" work!


Below is another Dresden Plate that Susan is working on and/or almost finished with. She's my friend that works at the Olde Green Cupboard. Susan really should have her own Blog but she's a busy woman and not into it. She told me. I shamelessly asked! She did give me permission to share and I absolutely love this one. I like the size and I love the fabrics.



The Kanga-Roni-Bucket-o-cute is running to track down a sound in the other room. Very much in "huntress" mode and I'm lucky I caught it. Truth be told, I'm lucky I remembered what was going on. The thought of "little huntress" is what makes it cute to me.


Hope you had a joyful, patriotic weekend. I enjoyed the Blogs with the Patriotic displays. That was truly delightful!

Coaxing Out New Skills

Do you have Blog Posting Syndrome? I do. That's when you are so riddled with guilt for putting up a post when you haven't completed visiting primary Blogs not to mention caring for the replies which represent the circle of support, friendship, good quilting vibes and a strong uplift. When I don't tend to all this, when I don't follow my own rigid guidelines, the guilt sets in and the Blog Posting Syndrome sets in.


Seriously, I have this rigid rule with myself. (1) Visit everyone else, (2) reply to the replies and only THEN can I feel free to post something.



Today I'm just going to have to get over it because I'm working on something new to me and I wanted to share. Here 'er goes...

Design Wall mostly showing the WIP of Dresden Plates that I've pulled out during the scrappy making process. I also have a Bounce Dryer Sheet pinned to the wall which comes in later...

Little Dresden Plates in the process along with my test piece and notes in permanent ink. Oh, and my 4 year old gingher snippers. (note to self: get a new pair) These Dresden's are a breeze to chain sew by the way. So addictive.

Machine Applique Testing with monofilament thread. My Mom gave me quite a few tips last night about this thread. It does in fact like to unravel. Here's where the Bounce Dryer Sheet came in handy. I wrapped it around the thread and pinned it. Nothing permanent and it worked! You know, this could be my very own cool tip to submit to a magazine. What do you think?

I never once claimed my circles were circular. I'm practicing sewing here. Machine Applique on circles. I started off pretty good. A few little hiccups and I need to change my bobbin thread but that'll be after nap time or tomorrow.

In my finished piece I was looking for comfort working with the circles and "no see 'ums" in my Machine Applique work I played with my stitches and it looks like this will be the one I'm going to go with. Again, I will be changing the Bobbin thread as that's coming through a bit. Ultimately it wont show because I'm going with a different color/tone of fabric for the delightful centers on my Dresden Plates.

So that's why I had to overcome my Blog Posting Syndrome. The Dresden Plates continue to be "the thing" and I've been dying to share and plus, I wanted my Mom to see what I did since she did give so much of her time over to me, imparting her 40+ years of sewing experience which probably made her late for a poolside rendezvous with my cousin Debra. Hopefully Susan is around and will see this work, too. She certainly deserves the credit for getting me into this and I definitely want her to see what she thinks. Are you out there Susan or are you out riding the Harley with Rob?



Breaking all my own Rules with Love, *karendianne.


ps: Happy 4th of July!

Inspired and IN-Spirit

If you want to see the Heroic,
seek those who can forgive. If you want to see the Brave,
seek those who can return love for hatred.

As the process, as life flows along, I find solace knowing there will be something of my inner gift to reflect upon. There is real sense, a real strong inner-knowledge that my quilts will provide me with endurance and faith that I'm able ~ come what may. It's a habit and my quilts are my proof.

Blogging is a form of writing that asks for endurance as well. It's a form of writing just like any other only it's so much more. One must make an effort to keep up, keep on and keep relevant, interesting. Then the writing/photos start us off on a conversation ~ another form of writing. Building relationships and finding that diamond, that *spark* is completely worth the time put in. And that time is precious for us all. Personally, I'm acutely aware each day.

The time that I do have demands re-evaluation & re-prioritization every so often. I'm not a deep well of endless energy all the time and when I am I'm in the throes of my Art, my Passion & on Fire. That's when I'm fully connected with The Source, God, and you wont find me turning that off. I've given over quite a bit of thought to this.

When you're inspired, you're IN-SPIRIT. To turn that off is a form of what I call a creative abortion. I just can't get there. I wouldn't know how. That's the Spirit, my Source working through me to Create and I'm supposed to turn that off or temper it's Fire because I have MS? For me, that's like saying: "Excuse me God, I know you're working thru me to create but I'm going to kill it in 2 hours so I don't wear out." The time to stop is when I hear the inner-voice gently guide me to the point where I can come to a resting point.

Everyone with MS has their own approach. This is mine. That passion and fire doesn't come along very often so I grasp hold when it does, when all systems are "go." And no, I don't think about the price that I might pay. When I'm aligned with Spirit, I don't hear those voices. I simply hear "GO CREATE."

I'm grateful for these moments where I have the opportunity to live up to my highest potentional. They remind me to dwell in possibility. These moment remind me that I'm uniquely blessed to be on my Second life-passion. You see, I had Dog Training/Showing but had to let that go with MS and never imagined I'd have another Hobby that could eat me up. Then along came Daphanie, my mentor/starter, and everything changed. My second chance came along.

Grateful. Oh yes, I am a girl with MS and a big huge Grateful heart.

MS after all these years is, for me, a lot about managing my health, energy, emotions and a host of other things. I keep it all going fairly well but again, you'll not find me holding back when I'm inspired and IN-Spirit, aligned with the Source, God. And perhaps it's not so different for you???


Spirited Love,*karendianne.