Quilting Muse? (Patagonia, AZ)

Confession time:  I have to admit that I had lost my passion for quilting.  Even the thought of creating something new made me...okay, I'll say it "cringe".  Every time I tried to work on one of my projects for the last couple of months, I felt like I was making myself do it.  The love of quilting just wasn't there and I did not know why.  

During my 3-day break, I found my creative passion for quilting and I understand why I lost it.  I contribute this enlightenment to yoga. I know I'm getting a little deep here, but bare with me. I promise to keep this short.  

I started back into yoga about 7 years ago to help lose weight.  I keep to simple poses for strength, stretching, and relaxing/meditation.  I did not realize how much I and my body were missing these sessions until last weekend.  

Halfway through the first session, I could feel my spine stretching, the blood flowing to the brain, and oxygen filling my lungs.  My relaxed mind kicked into high gear and all sorts of quilting ideas start flowing....images of quilts, color schemes, new ideas for finishing UFOs.  

It was a wonderful feeling!  Welcome Back!  Okay, so I sound a little weird, but nothing else motivates me like yoga.   Yoga is my Muse and I cannot ignore it.

On to Q U I L T I N G !

I pulled out the four Dresden Plate blocks and added sashings to them.  It seemed a little small and unfinished.

After some thought, I decided to add borders to make it a little larger.  All right! One top is ready for quilting this summer.  WooHoo!

I also finished the last Redwork block of Teddy Bears.  I bought the red polka-dot fabric just for this project.  I came pretty close to using it for other quilts.  I'm so glad I did not use it.  I hope to start on the sashings soon.  We get another 3-day weekend for New Years.  Guess what I'll be working on.

Did I tell you that I like to crochet too..just for something different that is fast and easy.  I usually crochet while Dan is driving, but I decided I needed to get this one out of the closet and get it done.  I'm about halfway through this one and I hope to have it done before we leave here.

I love this yarn.  It is so soft and fluffy.  I think any child will love having it.  The yarn color is called Tutti-Fruiti, but I think it looks like Cotton Candy, don't you?

Oh, and all three above projects are going to Project Linus unless I can find a local charity that takes blankets and quilts for children in need.

Remember my Delighted! squares that I won?  I thought I would save some time doing some fast stack-n-whack cutting.  BIG mistake!  I cut one of the stripes the wrong direction!  Nooooo!  I should have known better.  I guess I will replace it with some of the green fabric that I bought for the border.  I'm hoping this is a good mistake because I did not plan to add the green into the quilt blocks.  Maybe it will look more uniformed with a little of the border in the blocks.  Fingers crossed - well, not while I'm sewing, of course.

I am curious.  Do you have a Muse?  Not one that inspires you, but actually gets you motivated and gets your creative juices flowing. 

My Memories Freebie Friday

** After today, I will be adding the Free designs on a separate "Freebie" page along with coupon information and tips.  Each one will be available for one week.**


Please note that all of these are .png files only, not MyMemories Suite Templates. They are usable in any software so these freebies are for everyone!! These freebies include 2 Quick Pages, and all of the papers and elements used in creating them. The elements and QuickPages are .png and the papers are .jpg format.

This Digital Kit Includes:

• 5 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages

This Digital Kit Includes:

• 2 Digital Papers
• 5 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages

It is easy to make your own digital scrapbook. I created the below scrapbook page using one of the free Designer Packs.

Here are the simple instructions from My Memories - LIZ:

Just open MyMemories Suite to a blank layout, click: Photos ==> Add (find your .png Quick Page on your computer)

Add the Quick Page to your project, and then do the same for your photo. Add a little Text for your journaling and voila - you're done in an instant!! 

If you are interested in getting the software, please go to My Memories website and don't forget.....

Use this discount code: STMMMS75192

during your checkout and receive:

$10 off  the software purchase

and a $10 gift  certificate to the online store

Freebie Friday and More Delighted! Blocks Done

It's My Memories Freebie Friday

Please note that all of these are .png files only, not MyMemories Suite Templates. They are usable in any software so these freebies are for everyone!! These freebies include 2 Quick Pages, and all of the papers and elements used in creating them. The elements and QuickPages are .png and the papers are .jpg format.

This Digital Kit Includes:

• 2 Digital Papers
• 3 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages

This Digital Kit Includes:

• 2 Digital Papers
• 7 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages

Here's a tip from My Memories - Liz:

Creating many different layouts using a single Quick Page is fast and easy, and your pages will all coordinate! Many Quick Pages work when turned 90* and then turned again!! So you can use and reuse them!

Let's look at this Quick Page:

And see that you can make it into this:

Now take the same Quick Page and turn it 90*

And look how you can use it again!!

And look how coordinated the pages look!! Perfect for a 2 page layout in a photobook!!

     Go here to learn about Loading Up Your Albums for Print
If you are interested in getting the software, please go to My Memories website and don't forget!

  Copy and Paste the code below before clicking on the above link: STMMMS75192

Check out MyMemories Suite,
the #1 Rated Scrapbook Software

Use the DISCOUNT CODE
(provided above) during your checkout and receive:
$10 off the software purchase
and a $10 gift certificate to the online store

Go here to learn about Loading Up Your Albums for Print

And Now - Back to My Project...

Delighted! Fabric is now 9 blocks.  This is as far as I have gotten on this project.  I'm still using up the first pack.  So what do you think?  This should make a perfect Spring time quilt with these bright colors.  I know one thing - I'm not adding any applique to this quilt top.  It is busy enough.

Another Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Mother Nature dressed up this morning with dew drops

Mr. Hawk flew by....

....to say Hello

Even the dry weeds glowed

Crispy air....Clear blue sky.....Perfect!

Happy Quilting!

Birds and Hikes ~ Hops and Freebies!

Blog Hop Party!

Quilting Gallery is celebrating their 4th Birthday with a Blog Hop Party and giveaways.  The list of participating bloggers will be revealed on 10 December.

It's My Memories Freebie Friday

Please note that all of these are .png files only, not MyMemories Suite Templates. They are usable in any software so these freebies are for everyone!! These freebies include 2 Quick Pages, and all of the papers and elements used in creating them. The elements and QuickPages are .png and the papers are .jpg format.

This Digital Kit Includes:

• 2 Digital Papers
• 5 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages

This Digital Kit Includes:

• 2 Digital Papers
• 5 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages

If you are interested in getting the software, please go to My Memories website and don't forget!

  Copy and Paste the code below before clicking on the above link: STMMMS75192

Check out MyMemories Suite,
the #1 Rated Scrapbook Software

Use the DISCOUNT CODE
(provided above) during your checkout and receive:
$10 off the software purchase
and a $10 gift certificate to the online store

And what have I been doing?

It has been a quiet week for us since Shaun left.  The birds have been our biggest entertainment.  A cold front is moving in with rain, so I’m hoping for some more frosty morning photos.

Western Bluebird

No, you are not a Hummingbird….

Gila Woodpecker

We hiked the Ramsey Canyon Preserve on Monday.  It was a wee-bit steep of a hike and my legs have been sore for the last two days.  We saw lots of fall colors, a couple of deer, and some Western Bluebirds.

Well, winter is finally here.  You know what that means….lots of Quilting Time!  Okay, so it is always Quilting Time, but you have to admit that it is more fun to stay indoors, drinking lots of hot tea, and working with fabric on cold windy days….Or….Better yet!...curling up under a quilt I am hand-quilting.  Who wants to be outdoors being wind blasted?  Not me!

Our New Home and Freebie Friday (Arizona)

Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve

We started our new volunteer jobs.  It is soooo quiet here that I can hear things from far away - cars, people talking, and grasshoppers flying around in the fields.  My ears were actually buzzing the first couple of days.  You know how they are after being in a noisy area for too long and then silence?  That's the way they felt.  Funny, I never realized how much noise was surrounding us until we came here.  I might have some problems going back to a noisy location.

All settled in - view from Visitors Center

The cats love their new home.  We take them out every day and they - including Max - all want to explore the area.  Dusty and Squirrel love trotting down the trail near our motorhome while Hitch likes to explore around the road and the visitors center.  Max has even ventured out and up to 50 feet away from the motorhome.  I guess because it is so quiet here that they do not feel threatened.  We are aware that there are dangers here so we are keeping an eye out.  Don't want to lose a kitty!

Our first morning

It's My Memories Freebie Friday

Please note that all of these are .png files only, not MyMemories Suite Templates. They are usable in any software so these freebies are for everyone!! These freebies include 2 Quick Pages, and all of the papers and elements used in creating them. The elements and QuickPages are .png and the papers are .jpg format.




This Digital Kit Includes:

• 2 Digital Papers
• 5 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages

This Digital Kit Includes:

• 2 Digital Papers
• 3 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages

If you are interested in getting the software, please go to My Memories website and don't forget!

  Copy and Paste the code below before clicking on the above link: STMMMS75192

Video Tutorial

Using Outside Content in Your My Memories Suite

*Using outside content in your My Memories Suite software* from Lisa Jurrens on Vimeo.

Now I don't know about you, but I'm terrible about following verbal instructions.  I like reading instructions so I can refer back to it when I have problems.  So, here are the written instructions to the .pdf by Lisa Jurrens

Share the Memories ~ Freebie Friday!

It's that time again, Scrapbookers!  Here are two free downloads from My Memories Scrapbook.  Just click on the picture and it will take you to the website.  (downloads only work with My Memories Scrapbook v.2)

If you do not have the digital scrapbook, please use the code below for a great discount!

Use the DISCOUNT CODE

STMMMS75192 

during your checkout and receive:

$10 off the software purchase

and a $10 gift certificate to the online store

This Digital Kit Includes:

• 2 Digital Papers
• 3 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages

This Digital Kit Includes:

• 2 Digital Papers
• 4 Page Elements
• 2 Quick Pages