Pause for Thought

May 5, 20181 Comment

I received an email from Makelight and she’s hosting a Pause for Thought series for the next two weeks. I joined.

I’m taking a break from the 100 Day Project.

I have been sick this week and haven’t taken any photos. I attribute this to stress. I felt stressed in preparing for the VCQ retreat, and the retreat was not that retreatful (a new word I just made up). I do love meeting new people, talking shop and learning new things, but all that doing overwhelms me. Too much stimulus. I have trouble shutting off the thoughts in my head.

Getting back to taking photographs this week was too much. That’s why I’m pausing for thought. I know you see the irony in my pausing for thought when overthinking is what I’ve been doing.

Breathe with me.

*the featured photo is from Death to Stock Photos by Maresa Smith.

Facebook: Should I delete?

March 27, 20189 Comments

A few years ago I unfriended all but three people on Facebook. I did not delete it entirely because I was a part of several quilting groups and to participate I had to maintain my Facebook account. I was able to participate in closed groups without being Facebook friends with the participants.

I slowly added quilting friends as “friends” on Facebook, and now I have 97 friends.

The recent revelations about Facebook aren’t that surprising. When I unfriended everyone, I also researched how to improve my privacy on Facebook. It was tedious, and afterward I felt it was not enough. Of course, it wasn’t.

Facebook founder Zuckerberg will say, “You agreed to this.” But it felt like a uneven exchange. I give you all my thoughts, interests and associations. You use that for your advertisers, who pay you. I’m the product. In exchange, I get my community.

Is it worth it?

I regret my agreement with you Facebook.

You own Instagram and I have a community there too.

If I leave, you still have all that data, but you won’t be able to target me. On the other hand, I will lose my easy access to my quilting community. It’s a difficult decision.

I’m interested in what you think.

Wanda

Modern Plus Sign Quilts Book Blog Hop

March 20, 2018March 17, 201854 Comments

Paige Alexander at Quilted Blooms and Cheryl Brickey at Meadow Mist Designs have a new book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts. They asked me to make a project from the book and share on my blog. I was very excited for them. I met them when I participated in the 2015 QuiltCon Charity Challenge. I got to meet them in real life at QuiltCon 2018. They are awesome folk.

I’m one of many who are participating in the blog hop for the book. Paige and Cheryl are having giveaways, so go to their blogs for details on that.

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs

Paige @ Quilted Blooms

I chose the quilt, Cute as a Button, from the 16 projects in the book.

This is my version:

The pattern uses machine raw-edge applique for the “buttons”, but I used needle turn applique because I enjoy the handwork more. I also used some of my hand-dyed indigo fabric. The button template was simple, and I just added an eighth of an inch to the template for the needle turn. I cut the template out of freezer paper and ironed it on before cutting it.

I hand quilted it and emphasized the plus-sign pattern in the quilting. I took the photo above along the Appomattox River at the Old Brick House in Colonial Heights, Virginia. (An ancestor was an indentured servant there). I’m using my new photography skills, but I haven’t mastered that blurry background effect yet.

The quilt measures 30″ by 30″. I plan to hang it on my living room wall.

This is Paige’s pattern in the book.

Photo: C&T Publishing

As you can tell, this is a versatile template and offers options for playing with color. Each block is 6″ square finished. The button template uses a 5″ square — great for pre-cuts. The quilt measures 39.5″ square.

You can purchase the book from Paige at her Etsy shop or from Cheryl at her Etsy shop. Just click on their names. It’s also available on Amazon.

Also there are other bloggers who are sharing their projects from this book:

Tuesday, March 13th

Soma @ Whims and Fancies

Ann @ Brown Paws Quilting

Kitty @ Night Quilter

Sophie @ Luna Lovequilts

Afton @ Quilting Mod

Shelley @ The Carpenters Daughter Who Quilts

Wednesday, March 14th

Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal

Jen @ A Dream and a Stitch

Abigail @ Cut & Alter

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl

Sandra @ mmm! quilts

Karen @ Run Sew Fun

Thursday, March 15th

Linda @ Flourishing Palms

Bernie @ Needle and Foot

Liz @ Savor Every Stitch

Stacey @ Stacey In Stitches

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

Patty @ Elm Street Quilts

Melanie @ A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog

Friday, March 16th

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts

Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts

Ruth @ Charly and Ben’s Crafty Corner

Christa @ Christa Quilts

Monday, March 19th

Jessica @ Quilty Habit

Cindy @ Hyacinth Quilt Designs

Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter

Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

Tuesday, March 20th

Tish @ Tish N Wonderland

Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Katherine @ Sew Me Something Good

Wednesday, March 21st

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Kate @ Smiles from Kate

Sue @ Sevenoaks Street Quilts

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts

Thursday, March 22nd

Debbie @ Esch House Quilts

Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts

Janice @ Color Creating and Quilting

Joanne @ Quilts by Joanne

Photo: C&T Publishing