Little Blue Quilt

I finally finished the Blue Lap Quilt. This is the one I started for the baby, but my friend didn't like the colors so I put it aside and did the Pink and Green one. Above is a close up of the hand quilting.

Three quarters of the quilt is hand quilted and one quarter machine quilted. I had to go to the machine because I ran out of time. I was sewing the binding on, on Christmas Eve. I finished about 10pm.

We gave it to Miss Viola on Christmas. She pronounced it much warmer than the lap robe she had been using, and just the right size.

A couple of blocks got chopped, so not exactly symmetrical, but thats the Homemade Goodness showing.

2011 Journal part 1

I bought this Journal with my Birthday money. I guess they've been doing them for several years, but this is the first time I've seen them. Their are cards that go with, but the store (Borders) didn't have them. And I already have so many fortune cards. I don't even know how many. Maybe 15 decks? So I think I'll be able to get along without them.

I always like to put my own spin on things anyway.

Here's what I've done with the inside cover and first page. This will continue to evolve as the year progresses.

I like the layout of the book. It gives you direction for journaling each week and month. It asks you to track your goals, blessing and symbols for each month, equinox and the year as a whole.

Each month there is a space for Affirmations and Gratitudes.

There is space to write your dreams and your Credo. Here is what I wrote.

I live with Integrity, honesty and compassion.

I respect life, my own, other peoples, animals, plants and Earth.

I am aware of my words and emotions and how they affect others.

I make amends when needed.

When making choices, I will choose Love. Not romantic candy and flowers love, but of myself, love of the you in me, the me in you, and the all that is that is reflected in all of us. I ask that my choice be for the Highest Good; sometimes the Highest Good will require me to make a sacrifice. I willingly do so.

I am forgiving. I do not hold onto anger.

I will find My Hearts Wings in Forgiveness.

I am Grateful. I am thankful every day for all the miracle and gifts I receive.

thank you, thank you, thank you.

2011 Journal part 2

So this is a continuation of a theme that appeared earlier this year, Release. Let go of desires, attachments, grudges...part of living in the now.

The journal asks you to select symbols for the year, here are my symbols for 2011.

The lotus represents connection to Spirit. Reaching upwards, Beauty.

The massive roots are for grounding, being rooted in the Earth.

I'm fascinated by trees. Their strength, so sturdy and so supple. Their underground system is just as complex and echoes the network of branches above. So the two pictures together are about Balance.

The Swallow Flash is Movement and Freedom and Beauty. As are the Wild Horses. They have become increasingly prevalent over the past two years and more so the last couple of months. I'm still learning what they have to teach me. A lot of Strength there, and Caution. The direction is up.

The Owl is an old friend. She represents Wisdom, Protection, and embracing the Shadow Side. The line drawing is something I've used for many years, and is another aspect of the Lotus and Roots. It's the middle part of the tree, the trunk. Reaching up to the Stars and down to the Earth. Feminine.

The triskle is the Three. Maiden, Mother and Crone. Waxing, Full and Waning, with the Owl as Dark.

The leaf is another fascination, the path of the veins, so like the path of our veins and capillaries, like the hairlike roots beneath the Earth. If only I knew how to read this language; what tales I could tell.

The Running Horse makes another appearance. splashing through my subconscious, everything a blurr, blurrrrrr except for the feel of the wind and the rush.

Pink and Green are the colors for 2011. Healing colors, and the colors of the forth chakra; the Heart.

I've made a tag that hangs from the middle of the two pages. On one side the words:

Spirit

Movement

Grounded

Healing

Protection

Wisdom

Freedom

Soaring

Release

Choose Your Path.........

Choose wisely, you must

And on the other side: this. Doesn't it seem like she's trying to tell us something? Maybe she just didn't want her picture taken.