Another Jacob's Ladder Quilt Top

Another Jacob's Ladder (unquilted) Quilt Top in earth tones, and a warm cinnamon border.Taking outdoor photos was tricky because it was quite breezy.  The quilt is hanging sideways. (74" x 92")

"Jacob's Ladder Quilt Top" - Double Size

"Jacob's Ladder patches" - Up Close

Most of this was done today...a few blocks were left from the previous top. I was surprised to see it became another double bed size quilt. Now I am out of these fabrics, and I'm not going to get more unless I have special requests.

Jacob's Ladder Quilt Top and Happy Flag

Moving right along here on Jacob's Ladder Quilt Top #5....

Jacob's Ladder Prototype

This is a layout to see how adding the muslin and forest green blocks looks...I like it. It's both more subdued and more sophisticated. The muslin fabric came from the circle cutouts from the backs of Dresden Plate patches...never throw fabric out! I mean, who would. It's simply unthinkable. Of course.

Fraternizing Attempt?

That's my mailbox with the happy flag...well, it's always just so good to see the mail carrier! Is there a National Mail Carrier's day by now? No. Make that International Mail Carrier's day.

KidZ Quilts; and Where Do my Quilts End Up?

My membership to our local quilt guild has lapsed quite a number of moons ago, & not because it wasn't absolutely fascinating to attend. It was! It's just that I am such a die-hard morning person. It really takes a lot to drag me out of the house in the evening part of the day when every part of body and soul are begging to be laid to rest for the night on my very own sweet bed. But, when I was a member in good standing I enjoyed "Show and Tell" most of all the activities. The guild participated in making quilts for children that were hospitalized with serious illnesses. "KidZ Quilts" they called them. Like the one pictured here.

KidZ Quilt

made by Gentle Hand Quilter in 2006

Recently, I found this cute quilt by Gentle Hand Quilter Maritza of our fair city at the Goodwill I frequent - priced at less than $3.00.  I looked at it. And looked at it - not quite believing my eyes. Wow! So, we never really do know where not only our handiwork but also our charity is going to end up - do we? Anyway, it's here now and I am going to get it to a good home.

Dhyana or Meditation

osho sez:

"The Hindi word for meditation is DHYANA; the connotation is very different. By meditation, one thing is meant in English; by DHYANA something else is meant. So first we must understand the basic difference between these two words. Meditation is not a right translation, because by meditation thinking is implied. When we say someone is meditating, it means someone is thinking about something. In meditation an object is implied. In dhyan, no-object is a basic condition. By dhyan is meant a meditative mood without any object.

Objects must cease, mind must become just a pure mirror - a mirroring, not mirroring anything - just a mirror without any object in it, a pure mirror. By dhyan, this purity of the mind is indicated.

So first, no object should be in the mind. Mind must remain alone without thinking about anything - with no thought, just a consciousness, just an awareness, just an alertness.

This alertness without any object is meditation." ~ osho

Purple Zafu Meditation Cushion

 Last one of the Purple Corduroy Zafus still available at my etsy store...

Dresden Plate Quilt Block

Dresden Plate Quilt Block  10-17-2012

Six of these blocks have been completed - 12 more to applique tomorrow.  It's been a rainy kind of day - great for mellowing out but not so much for creativity. Not me, anyway!

Forgiveness Process – Accepting Atonement (by Nouk Sanchez)

Forgiveness Process – Accepting Atonement (by Nouk Sanchez)

1. I recognize I am not at peace, so I must be wrong-minded. And I want to be at peace so I ask Spirit to help me look at my mind.

2. I remember that any sign of threat, pain, sickness, sadness or grief, anger, conflict, or scarcity is not part of God. I acknowledge this is the ‘ego’ in my mind. I remember that I must deny the ego’s appearances and focus on the Love that is Truth, beyond all appearances.

3. I invite You (Spirit) in to look at these fears and judgments with me. I will not judge myself or another while we do this. I will leave a space of total non-judgment, so as you can fill it with Love and healing.

4. As I look on it all, I say to myself with sincerity, “Even while this appears as a problem, and despite feeling fear, sadness, anxiety, anger, guilt,  doubt or poverty – I open myself to receive healing through the miracle, in this instant.”

5. God is in everything I see, because God is in my mind. What God sees through my mind, is healed. Together, we look past ‘ego appearances’ as they represent our unconscious ‘wishes with the ego’. In looking past appearances we join with God (light) in asking to perceive what is true, beyond ego appearances (darkness)…this is forgiveness.

6. A Prayer to Spirit within:

“Spirit, I accept the miracle being Your Atonement; I accept Your divine correction of error in my mind, and I allow Your healing to flow through my mind. I accept that You can heal both the cause and effects of any problem, as they are both in my mind together. If the problem’s ‘appearance’ continues, or if there are continuing ‘symptoms’ (appearances) that cause me to doubt – then I offer these doubts to You as well, to correct in my mind. I remember that in any holy instant that I sincerely accept Atonement, it is done! To continue to be concerned after I have forgiven and accepted Atonement, is to doubt Your Love and prolong the illusion of time and suffering. Remember: Love without trust is impossible; doubt and trust cannot coexist.”

~Nouk Sanchez

New Page w. Siesta Beach Pix

New page with siesta-beach-pix-10-6-2012

Morning Sunrise

Reclaimed Linen Zafus

This week I finally got around to beginning my line of reclaimed linen fabric zafus. As follows:

Chocolate

Grape

Lavender Floral

Natural

Taupe Cotton

 The last one is not made of linen fabric but is a sturdy cotton. And now I have to go unload the dryer - more reclaimed linen!

Eye Popping Zafu in Hot Pink!

Now this is "Reese Witherspoon" pink! You know...the movie where she had "all things pink" while studying law.

Zafu Meditation Cushion Cover in Pink

Spiral Quilted on Both Sides

My Lucky made it into this photo.

Espresso Zafu and Lucky dosing

Burgundy and Teal Floral Zabuton

Lucky yawning...no, he wasn't saying Ha Ha!

Espresso Zafu and Floral Zabuton Combo

P.S.... "Legally Blond" is the title of the movie referenced above....

Geometric Laptop Bag and Sage Green Zafu

Another Laptop Tote Bag in a Geometric Tapestry print fabric...

No pockets, but it IS Lined!

Vintage Button and Loop Closure

Sage colored zafu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

x 6...in a sturdy cotton fabric

 And, another Zafu cover in a dried sage color...(Both items available in my etsy stores - widgets on the right.) 

And, that's all she wrote for today! 

NOTE: Remember to enter my September 16th, 2012 Cathedral Windows Pillows Giveaway...to find it scroll down a bit.

Cathedral Window Pillows Giveaway - Sept. 16, 2012

Giveaway is open to entrants worldwide, and the drawing will be held  September 16th, 2012 A.M. EST. The giveaway is for both pillows.

To enter:

#1. Leave a comment here. 

#2. To enter another time add the blog link for the giveaway to your facebook timeline and leave another comment here with your facebook link. 

#3. To enter again, blog about the giveaway, and leave another comment here with the blog post link. 

#4. To enter again include an item from one of my etsy stores (links below) in an etsy treasury, and leave a comment here with the treasury link.
#5. Enter again for every time you include one of my etsy items in a treasury, and add the link here in a comment. 

Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you in the event you win the Giveaway.

Front View

Front and Zipper/Back View

Specs:

Cathedral Windows pattern in off-white muslin background and flame print insets. Mostly handstitched. Small pillow measures 9.25" x 9.25" square from side seam to side seam. 100% Cotton fabrics. Zipper closure along the bottom seam. Shown filled with loose poly fiberfill. Cover Only. 

Made by a Small Business in the USA. Smoke-free, cat friendly environments. Free shipping worldwide.

Care suggestion: Avoid continuous bright lighting or direct sunlight. Cover is removable, and washable by hand with warm water with mild soap. Air dry.

Valued at $18.95 each.

Cathedral Windows pillows see: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahsquiltsncrafts
Zafu Meditation Pillows see: http://www.etsy.com/shop/zafuchi
Tote Bags, etc. see: http://www.etsy.com/shop/eclecticarmadillo

Wallhangings to Pillows Makeover

Cathedral Windows Pillow in Muslin with Lime and Fuchsia Print

Originally, these pillows were wallhangings with hot pink binding - now made-over into throw pillows.

Hot Pink with Dots

Lime Green with Dots

Vintage Needlework Tulips Pillow

Batik Backing

Available at SarahsQuiltsnCrafts on etsy.com.

Jade and Cream Floral Tapestry Laptop Notebook Bag

Something I've been wanting to try making ever since I got a laptop of my own is a laptop bag or sleeve. This is the result....after making a simple, more basic version/prototype. It has an exterior zippered pocket that accomodates the power cords; it's lined - with an interior pocket. It sports a vintage button and loop closure, and over the shoulder carrying straps of cotton webbing.

 

 

Jade and Cream Tapestry Laptop Bag

Fits my Compaq Notebook and Power Cords

Matching Zipper Pouch and Credit Card Purse

Zipper Pouch fits into Interior Laptop Bag Pocket. Purse fits into the Pouch

Like Russian dolls one thing fits into the other. I am actually quite pleased with the result of my venture into laptop bag making! I hope the set will find a great owner in the very near future. Available in the laptop section of  EclecticArmadillo.etsy.com . Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post, and if you know of someone who is looking for a beautiful laptop/notebook bag please consider recommending this bag! Thank you!

Moving Day

Today is moving day for me. I am leaving here permanently and temporarily moving into a friend's log home loft while she is on a trip...what's next after that remains to be seen. Some changes are easy and some are not, and some are mixed - which is pretty much the case this time. I have more "stuff" than anytime since moving to Florida 10 years ago. In fact, this is the first time in my life that I have rented a self-storage space for things I won't be needing on a daily basis. How long before the cost of the storage rent will exceed the cost of replacing the items? So that's one thing. Of all the plants I grew here I have about 36 potted plants to take with me, and two young adult cats that have been with me most of their lives. One is indoor/outdoor and the other is outdoor/indoor. The home I'm moving into temporarily already has a cat and a dog. The owner is concerned her cat will bolt and disappear when my cats arrive. I really hope not. If her pets don't get along with my cats then I will have to find another place for my cats.


And this time I really feel like I'm too old to be invited into someone's life and then shuffled off again when the other person is no longer satisfied with me - not once but twice. One for sure thing, I am ready for that part of my life to change. In all fairness, my heart's desires and innermost dreams weren't about to be fulfilled in this place either. So, it's all good.


Here's a favorite quote by Lily Tomlin: 
"Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past."


Last but not least - for years I dreamt of one day living in a log home! However brief this stay may turn out to be, this is it!

Little Free Library

This is the most charming idea...totally something I would love to do in a less rural setting!

A Little Free Library

To participate, build your own or buy one, and so much more about this micro library visit their website: littlefreelibrary.org/


Etsy has a fascinating blog post about this miniature library, and others like it!
etsy.com/blog post

Textured Bliss Studio

One of my Cathedral Windows wallhangings has been included in this fine etsy treasury. 

Artistically curated by JCStrong Original Acyrlic Watercolor and Ink Paintings.

beautiful things you may have missed

Lovely to have my new etsy listing of a custom zafu cover included in this "beautiful things you may have missed" treasury...I like!

Curated by Maggie of englishpreserves who sells: 

Vintage Linens, Prints, Porcelain, Boxes, Home Decor

Transitions and Adventures

I haven't posted in awhile...been busy focusing on personal transitions and adventures... :-) I'll be back on a regular basis in the near future.

"Make me happy, or plan your exit strategy" is the contemporary way of saying "It's my way, or the highway" When your s.o. says those words to you (or something to that effect) one way of looking at it is to see that you are about to embark on an adventure.  Now may be the time to "Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls." ~ Joseph Campbell

"The voice within is what I'm married to. All marriage is a metaphor for that marriage. My lover is the place inside me where an honest yes and no come from. That's my true partner. It's always there. And to tell you yes when my integrity says no is to divorce that partner." ~Byron Katie

First Friday Art Walk Weekend on etsy

Oh lovely...one of my Cathedral Windows wallhangings is included in this warm and beautiful etsy treasury! A heartfelt "Thank You" to the treasury curator  Jo Ann ...a dedicated AWEteam member!

Gardening and Sewing Pics

Flannel Nine Patch Boyds Bears Baby Quilt Top (unfinished)

The nine patches were leftover from making a baby gift quilt. The polka dot and white were purchased additionally so there would be enough to make another baby quilt top - albeit scrappy.

Rooftop View of Garden 5-30-2012

Weeded all the pathways this morning, and then I decided it was a good time for a roof top view photo. One thing leads to another. While I was up there I swept down old wasp nests from under the eaves - something I've been meaning to do for a long time. And a few not so old ones, too.