We are at the helm of a brand new year!
This is naturally a reflective time of year, as well as a time to look forward to what we have planned. I want to be intentional in each day to notice the things that are easily overlooked or go unnoticed.
This week as we head off for a business trip I am grateful for the ability and freedom to travel freely across multiple states... I am also grateful for the vehicles that we have and the confidence that that they have been properly maintained for us to safely and easily change plans when necessary.
Yesterday as Dave prepared to change the oil and filter on our Jeep he ran into a snag and ended up needing to get it to the local garage for some assistance. While it was not part of the plan, we also knew that our truck would be just as reliable and trustworthy, IF we needed to use it.
Fortunately, the mechanics at the garage were quick in getting the job done allowing us to be able to carry on with packing the car when it returned home.
In the midst of cleaning and packing, an idea for my next sew along came to mind! I guess maybe I should clean a little more often... just kidding! Inspiration for the next sew along came from a needle point that I made in 1985 for my Maternal Grandparents' 50th anniversary. (Grandpa looks a little serious in this picture... but this is how he looked most of the time. But he had a great smile when he let it show.)
If you know me at all, you know that I firmly believe in knowing your personal history and encourage you to record your own personal memoirs. If you haven't already, be sure to grab the free document "Priceless Conversations" to help you record your story. It is only because of a book that our daughters (I) had gifted to Grandma in the early 90's that I have more than just important dates and events of her life. It was a year or so later that a similar book was gifted to Grandpa.
My Mom & Dad would make annual trips to visit them in February and Mom would sit with a tape recorder and ask them the written questions. When both had answered all of the questions I filled out the books and made copies for my brother and my cousins to have.
So, like my other two sew along series, I'll be sharing stories of my family, bits of history and more along with a block and pattern designed to reflect their lives. It will be a row quilt. I am planning for the blocks to be traditionally pieced blocks, but miniature blocks. Something similar to this bitty block row quilt. It will be a great scrap buster project!
I'll work out all the details of block sizes, number needed for each row and finished dimensions on the road. I will begin choosing the blocks to tell their story and planning release dates. Watch for details coming soon! Oooooh! I am so excited! And so thankful that an idea has finally stuck and is coming together! I love it when that happens!
What are you thankful for this week?
Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you
Keep Piecing,
Melva
Safe travels this week. I’ll be watching for your QAL. Also, I’m going to check out the Priceless Conversations link.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful we've been able to visit our out-of-town children and grands. And now I'm grateful we'll be going home and staying safe there for awhile. I'm also tremendously grateful for quilters like you, who share so much and are so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for retirement. I've enjoyed it officially since 2014, but since my last "job" was catering, I have felt retired for quite awhile.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see how you work out the details of the SAL. I hope you enjoy your biz trip!
Great idea Melva! Well, I had some great news today that I am excited about. I had an appointment with my Heart Doctor. He said everything looked really great, that I was doing very well and I don't need to see him again for a whole year. I knew I was feeling better. I am very thankful to my Father for being with me through the bad times. (And the good times as well) Have a safe trip!
ReplyDeleteHi Melva! I have a recording of my Mom from a book I gave to my sister with a bunch of questions. The voice recording is priceless to me and I wasn't able to listen to it for about ten years after she passed. Now it comes up in amongst my iTunes music. I need to do something like that with my sister and Sue's Mom. Your potential row quilt sounds like fun, and you weave a wonderful story throughout the blocks you share. I look forward to hearing more about it. Happy Thursday! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteFunny how cleaning can spawn more projects! Those itty bitty blocks are stunning!
ReplyDeleteThe new sew along sounds wonderful. Safe travels. I am thankful for a warm home during the very cold winter days.
ReplyDeleteI love when a plan comes together! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for so many things it would fill a book. I am thankful for a warm house (it is only 17 degrees out and quite windy. I am thankful my husband's cell phone was found yesterday and we were able to retrieve it and it was not tampered with. I am also thankful for your blog.
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