Something Different

Life is unusually crazy and insane for us, even more than we've become accustomed to for April.  It could be the fact that we have four kids who have very busy and active lives, but I know it's more than that.  The economy has made for three very tough years for us and it impacts so much of our everyday lives. Fuel, groceries, rising electric costs and higher basic rates on every other bill just grind away at our bottom line.

Did I really make this?

I have been so glad for my quilting hobby even when I have to stomp on the overwhelming urge to buy all that beautiful new fabric that continually tempts me.  And tempts me.  And tempts me.  There is a time to stock up and unfortunately Spring is not my season to reward myself with new treats stash.  Time to dig through the totes with a fresh eye!*wink

All this work on two different Broken Dishes quilts has got me to thinking.  Ever since waaaay back when I wrote this post, I have considered trying to piece together a small quilt top without using my rotary cutter and ruler (then I would chicken out--every single time).  The last couple weeks build-up of run, run, run and my underlying stress levels all finally combined to make me crack and make it a reality.  Don't ask any deep questions.  It is what it is.  I took the only two large pieces of solid fabrics I owned (plus one fabric that was close enough) and started hacking away with my scissors.  This large--approx. 40"x40"--Broken Dish block was the result of about 2 hours of pure drive and energy.  I was all sweaty and wrung out by the time it was finished because I don't purposely do big messy, out of control quilting stuff--ever.  And let me tell you!  It was exhilarating!  Then my daughter came into my quilting room and commented that it wasn't straight.  She doubtfully asked if I realized that?  Then she commented that it didn't look like my work at all, did I like it?  Oh well.  Kids.  It'll be years before she can understand the rewards of a hobby like quilting in an all-to-often imperfect adult world.  And that's the way it should be.:)