June Review and a Seashell Basket

This is the seashell basket that sits on my screen porch. It has been known to contain 'treasures' left by a mermaid. Just ask my grandkids. 

So how did June turn out for me?

My intention was to finish more than I started. I was actually thinking more along the lines of finishing projects without starting ANYTHING new. Can you imagine a month of not starting anything new? 

First portion of additional project:

I took on the project of sorting thru over 30 boxes of books and stuff. I was determined to find good homes for as much as I possibly could. I am very happy with my results. A few items went to a charity's resale shop, some old paper handouts found their way to my recycling bin, and very little had to be completely discarded. Many people have been blessed with the outcome of this project. So even though this was a new start, it was a finish as well. 

And just before the last couple of boxes were sent on their way, my garage started looking better. 

I declined adding a couple of projects, for others. That's a hard one for me. I like being involved in community projects. I needed to pull back and take a more realistic look at my time and how I wanted to utilize it. So, even though this isn't a finish, it's a positive step for me. 

I finished the binding on my Batik Star quilt in time to take to the guild meeting for show and tell. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I finished sewing the binding on the back by hand. 

I also ice dyed 36 fatquarters. Each was done in a different color, none were pure colors. These were done to test the splitting effects of mixed dye colors. I loved how some of them came out, but not all. The only image I have is when I was waiting for the ice to melt. 

I really need to do a post of each fabric and the color used. I took an online class with Lynda Heines over at Bloom, Bake, & Create. Serendipity with a bit of planning! I enjoyed the class, and she is very easy to understand and follow her methods. You might want to check it out. A real bargain, under $40. 

So, here I am at the end of the month of June, halfway thru 2016. Often I have looked at July as a time for a new beginning. This year is no different. In looking over the past 6 months, I realize that the ebb and flow of life often dictates just how much I progress with the creative portion of my life. I will continue to be mindful of how my time is used, and who is making the decision. I have lots of projects started, and a gazillion more on the way. 

May God bless the work of your hands. 

June in the Rear View Mirror

Sometimes I need to look in that rear view mirror, not just a quick glance, but really look and see what is past. This month has been a month of passings. 

My mother in law passed away. She will be missed, but I have the hope of seeing her in heaven. 

We also dealt with the passing of a very dear member of our church family. Mike, will also be missed. And I have the hope of the Lord to see him again one day in heaven. This flower reminds me of him. 

Also in the rear view is my Batik star quilt. Completed and already put to occasional use. I hope to get it up on a wall, but that may not be its intended spot. Only time will tell. 

I became the recipient of over 30 boxes of books, yarns, notions, etc. from another church family. The lady had passed away, and the family wanted her fiber related treasures to be shared with like minded people. I was able to get the sorting done over the course of two days. Whew!  I took 11 boxes to Fabulon Studio on Wappoo Rd in Charleston. They will be shared with people that visit the studio. This was just the tip of the iceberg. 

I have several more boxes ready to go to various places and people. This endeavor has given me another heads up on my own collection of "stuff". I plan to do some destashing, trashing, and a lot of sharing. I have enough resources to keep several people supplied with creative activities for, well, for more years than I will live! 

When does having sufficient supplies turn into excess and hoarding? I wondered about this and there's not a difinitive answer. However, somewhere along the line, I can spot excess has crept in. Now just to put your minds at ease, I don't plan to eliminate everything that I can't use within 5 years! My plan is to do a destashing in a mindful way. I may just need to touch a piece of fabric again before I am willing to send it out into the world to become something special to the next recipient. 

With this in mind, I doubt I'll be back to the blog for a bit. I want to put in some much needed time with a favorite creative of mine, ME. I hope this doesn't sound selfish, it's about taking care of me so I can continue to help others. 

Goodbye May, Hello June

I just can't believe that it's June 4th already. Time has a way of moving swiftly when you're busy with enjoyable activities. I spent the last week with family, most often at the beach!

These are the two munchkins that brightened our days at the beach and touring Charleston.g

I thought I hadn't gotten very much accomplished during May, until I reviewed my calendar. Oh, yes, I did get quite a bit accomplished:

My Dragonfly book pages are now a book

The two Desert Sky layouts became two quilts. 

And this one has already been given away. 

Quilted up this fun Bugs quilt for a client. 

Made two pillowcases to coordinate with my tumbling blocks quilt. 

Iced dyed 4 tshirts for the girls. 

Finished my whole cloth quilt challenge. 

Cut over 500 squares and more than 600 strips for Enough Pie's Indigo Vat Shack 

Attended 6 meetings, 1 concert, and visited family and friends in Orangeburg several times. 

And stopped by The Edisto Memorial Rose Gardens

I also finished the quilting and first step of applying the binding on my Batik Star quilt. 

I think that's a pretty productive month, and I got a lot of reading done too. 

Almost forgot a major project,,,

Did I hear someone ask "what's on the horizon for June"? 

Today is the first of several meetings. 

The upcoming week will be spent mostly with family. 

This month's intention:  more projects finished than new ones started. 

That's a big challenge in and of itself. I'm always thinking up something to try my hand at. Like the loom and embroidery stand that I picked up. They 'JUST' need to be assembled, and I haven't found any directions to help me with that as of today. But I'm still looking. 

May God bless each and every one of you with loving family and friends to make memories with.