Applique Therapy...

I get excited and optimistic about Eleanor Burns and her Quilt in a Day franchise. I mean what could be more promising and therapeutic than COMPLETING a quilt in day!? I have several of the books and several sets of blocks completed and ...

Well, I just get so distracted, you know!? I ran across another title in the QinaD menage... Applique in a Day. I learned to do needle turn applique at the end of the last decade (that would be December 2009! :-D), so I've been tempted to purchase another title just for the patterns, but really...? Is that wise?

I mean, Cheaper than Therapy Quilting is quickly turning into Obsessive/Compulsive Quilting. I can't just do ONE applique project! I must do...

Well, there's

• Circuit Rider by Jennifer Dick, and I have 17 of the 42 blocks done.
• Honoring Emma, the beautiful pattern by Lori Smith, 2 blocks of 16? or 18?
  

  

• Summertime from Primitive Gatherings...1 block of 12 (I think)
• Land of the Free from Piece O' Cake -- 4 blocks of 9

I've just started getting "Ladies of the Sea" by Susan Garman through a block of the month. You see where I'm going with this!!? And it's not just that I have more than one quilt started -- I've also taken to doing two or more blocks at the same time!

How many blocks at a time can I do!?

Is it really therapy if I'm bordering on insanity? And yet the quilts call to me! The fabric pleads for white chalk and serrated scissors and applique needles and upholstry plastic overlays. I, who never, ever, ever in a million years thought I could do needle-turn applique, am thoroughly, hopelessly, gloriously addicted.

I did a "spiritual gifts" survey a few weeks ago. Needle Arts rated in the top three. Hummph. BIG surprise there! :-D Does quilting really count as a spiritual gift!?

Ladies of the Sea

Yes, I believe so. Colossians 3:23 says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord..." Philippians 4:8 tells us "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things."

KY Agriculture Development Team

While my father-in-law is undergoing a heart cath, or my husband is in Afghanistan, or my child is at college. Or when the day is long and hard, when times are restless and insecure, I turn to my quilts. And I pray or rest or glory in them. Quilting a spiritual gift!? Oh my yes!! One I am thankful for day after day after day.

And multiple projects in the works...Well all the best things come in multiples, don't they? :-) (You figure in out! :-D)

Blessings!

Mary Lou