My Splendid Journey

with

The Splendid Sampler 

www.thesplendidsampler.com 

I guess I don't have enough UFOS or WIPs to keep me busy or broke, (depending on how one chooses to view my quilting/sewing endeavors). 

I say this to prepare you for when one of my favorite fabric designers and quilty authors in today's quilt world, Pat Sloan, adds a new fabric line or project, I tend to jump in and join the fun! I mostly do it for the chance to buy more fabric. **

Even if I have no plan for it, I have a love affair with fabric. I guess you could technically call me a fabric addict. I don't think I'm alone in that regard.

This is only one of six drawers of fabric (not including the baskets, totes and boxes) I've hoarded over the last 28 years. Most was either inherited when my Gram passed in 2007 or scraps from projects I've made. I have, however, slowly added other pieces along the way when a fabric spoke to me.

Even though I can't really afford name brand fabrics and do not get to purchase them very often now that I'm not working outside the home, shopping for fabric at Hobby Lobby or Joann's is my go to for birthdays, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Anniversaries and Christmas.

I say all this to explain the range of stash I've built up and the fabric choices I've made for most of my projects.

This blogspot, started on a whim, but I have decided it will now be turned into a way for me to share my creative journey, life experiences and other thoughts. I'm not focusing on getting a ton of followers. Really, I've decided I just need an outlet for my personal thoughts, etc.

So if you're looking for inspiration (whether spiritual or my own personal thoughts) or tips for stitching or cooking, you might find yourself on here once in a while. I consider myself to be a bit eccentric and a whole lot scattered. Depending on the day, or how much/little coffee I have had, will determine the posting. I'm looking forward to posting more frequently here rather than just a quick pic or two on Instagram.

Today I'm posting a few pics from my Splendid Sampler that I began last year in the hope that it will inspire my creative processes to flow again. I'm kind of in a funk lately and haven't spent any time in my studio for a couple weeks. I need to get back to work on several projects and hope sharing these will bring out some personal drive to get with it!

I also hope you will comment and connect, so I know if you're interested in me continuing to blog daily. If so, I think that will give me motivation to actually follow through with this goal.

Here's my pics. I'll add more again later. Enjoy!

 

This was a free pattern for a pin cushion.

This was the first block, "Hearts Aflutter" by Pat Sloan. I did do a couple for my project because I just fell in love with the pattern. Since it was designed by Pat Sloan, of course I had to use some of her fabrics!

The second block is called "Wings".

These were my most challenging and my least favorite blocks. I plan to redo both, eventually.

My first attempt at sewing a block together, cutting it apart and sewing it back together to create a new design. I really like the affect.

These fabrics all came from my maternal Grandmother's stash. I love the daisies so much!

I also made two of them because it was so fun! I have it photographed here along with Amy Sinibaldi's block, "Snug as a Bug". It was fun doing embroidery again after not having done any for several years.

I decided to use some black as an accent fabric. I'm not sure if I like it or not, but I do like this block.

This is my little quilt shop block. I'll probably make another one of these, too, because I'm not a fan of the colors, but it was fun creating! 

The patterns for these previous blocks, while no longer available at the website at this time, are now in print in the newly released book, The Splendid Sampler. I encourage anyone interested in learning new techniques from many talented quilt artists/designers to purchase the book and join along in the journey. It is a collaborativery project by the creative Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson, a talented Australian designer, for Martingale Publishers.

I look forward to sharing more of my journey with you in future posts. If you made it through this entire posting, please comment below do I can say hello! Happy Friday y'all!

Next Monday, this amazing man and I will celebrate being together for 26 years!  It might be cliche to say, but the time has flown by!  It seems like it was just yesterday at times, when I think about our first date.  It is surreal, too, when I realize all the things we have been through and accomplished in the last 26 years.  

I can't imagine having lived it without him by my side.  His leadership of our family has kept us going through some pretty tough times.  He has always trusted God to lead us and that is why I am willing to follow him.  His focus on Christ's will for our life, has gotten us out of some pretty bad circumstances that we created for ourselves by forgetting to stay focused.  I am thankful for his heart and his love of a perfect Savior!

He is such a hard working and genuinely giving man!  He does so much for me.  My life has been easier because of his servant's heart.  He gives so much of himself to make sure I am happy.  This life would be so much worse without him in it!  I love to see him with our grandchildren.  He is so fun-loving!  They can't seem to get enough of him.  I know as they grow older, they are always going to hold a special place in his heart, and he is going to go out of his way to make sure they know it!  

That is another one of the things I love about him.  He always makes time to help his children.  From making sure our middle daughter who still lives at home has a vehicle that is safe to drive, to keeping the grandchildren on a Friday night after working a long and physically exhausting week on the job.  He always makes time for others.

He is also very dedicated to seeing others grow in their spiritual walk.  He encourages and prays for many and always finds time to do projects for the church.  He worked really hard early in our marriage to complete his college education and even when he switched his career from law enforcement to education, he was able to work full-time to ensure our financial situation was stable.  He has never gone without work of some sort in order to provide and take care of me.  He trusts in God's provision and looks to Him to seek His will for the work that he does do.

So, thanks for the indulgence as I spell out in words all the things that I love about this amazing man!  It is ever on my heart to show him how much I love him!  I look forward to the next 26 years and beyond!