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Saturday, February 26, 2011

Instant Connection

I picked my husband up at Lexington's Bluegrass Airport on Monday evening!!  It's so very good to have him home!!

But....I'll just tell ya...Jeff being home on R & R from Afghanistan has put a damper on my sewing room time! :-)  It's a good thing, of course, but I an accustomed to sewing everyday and leisurely reading blogs on my computer and leaving facebook up on my own I.D.  Having him home means re-arranging my priorities a bit, and it's thrown me off my routine!  I'm having withdrawals! LOL

But I've gotten little doses of quilt-mania that are sew refreshing! :-D

I went with Jeff to the doctor's office, and while I sat in the waiting room, I worked on my Tumbling Blocks -- an English paper piecing project that I keep in a box and carry with me when I'm in the mood.  It's portable and interesting and fun....and what better way to while away the time!



As usually happens, a lady inquired about my quilt blocks....and then talked with me about her current projects!! Another quilter -- an instant connection!! Moira is new to the area, so I invited her to Mountain Laurel Quilters, gave her my phone number and was thrilled to talk "quilt" while Jeff talked with the doctor (nothing serious, a rash on his hands and feet that needs some prescription-strength cream).

Later, my friends Autumn and Tracy looked over the blocks and played with arranging them....one of my favorite parts of making the Tumbling Blocks!

I love the instant connection we make as quilters!  It happens both off-line and on- and it is a blessing every time.  During this week when I need to keep my quilting more subdued so as not to neglect my gone-for-the-last-eight-months spouse (!), having a dose of quilting tonic with new friends and old is an extra special blessing.

The apostle Paul told Timothy, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV)

Seems I am always ready to talk quilts! Summer or winter, hand- or machine-piecing or quilting, applique or patchwork...I'm "instant in season!"  I hope I am also always ready to "give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have," (1 Peter 3:15) to tell them about the God Who gave His only begotton Son, so that we might have everlasting life!!

So Jeff has my (mostly!) undivided attention.  The UFO for February, Moon and Stars Whimsy, is languishing; perhaps March will be more productive for all those projects I'm delaying while I spend time with Jeff and accomplish some things he wants to see done while he's home.  For now, I have Tumbling Blocks for ballgames and doctor's offices, with old and new friends.  Connections abound!!

It's always good to be a quilter!!

Blessings!

30 comments:

Karen said...

You're on the right track! Give hubby the undivided attention he deserves after being overseas! Enjoy yourselves!

Love your blocks!

Karen

Lindah said...

Welcome home,Jeff!
Tumbling blocks are looking good, Mary Lou.
Blessings on you all,
Linda H

Anonymous said...

That's beautiful! Great job.

krisgray said...

Sometimes we just have to put the UFOs kn the backburner, don't we? Enjoy your spouse time!

Those tumbling blocks are beautiful. I've not seen a paper piecing pattern - only y-seam instructions.

Reenie said...

Oh, congrats and enjoy having your honey home!! That tumbling blocks is justs gorgeous!!

Sarah Craig said...

I've been thinking about you and Jeff this week, and while I just knew it was going well, I love hearing from you that it is! Enjoy your time with him - the quilts will always be there!!

Taryn said...

Love, love, love the tumbling blocks!!! Please share your template. That is a design that's been at the top of my bucket list for ages. Such a great take along project. Is it weird that I am thrilled with the sight of your rubber banded pieces? Tell your buddies they did a good job laying out your quilt.

Autumn said...

I wasn't feeling particularly well, but playing with your tumbling blocks made my day. Now I want one. Thanks!

Tracy said...

Love laying with those blocks! I'm thinking maybe I need a paper piecing project, too! Glad you're getting to enjoy Jeff. The quilting will wait!

antique quilter said...

love the way the tumbling blocks are laid out!
ok what template are you using for these I love the size of your pieces and oh the fabrics are to die for!
your stars and moon quilt made me smile I am working on one too! love your version you will be shocked at mine! LOL
yes Jeff deserves all your attention and Thank him for his service I am very grateful to all of them for keeping us safe.
Kathie

Crispy said...

Your tumbling blocks are wonderful, one of my favorite one block patterns. Even though you don't get to quilt as much, I bet it's wonderful to just reach over and give your sweety a hug any time you want.....a good exchange for missed quilting :0)

Crispy

Lori said...

How exciting to have hubby home!!I know you are enjoying him while he's there.
Love your tumbling blocks.

Gale, Ky quilter said...

So glad your husband made it home safely. Love the tumbling blocks. I made a tumbling block a couple of years ago and love it!

Happy Stitching!!

Gale

LuAnn said...

I love your tumbling blocks. Glad Jeff is home. Thank him for his service; I appreciate the sacrifice that he (and you) make so that the rest of us are safe. Have a great week!!!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I'm so glad he's home safe and sound - tell him thank you from me for taking care of me and of my family. I can talk stitching any time too and often do. It's like a whole nother language and those who don't speak it look at you like you've lost your mind. :) I'm so grateful that God gave me this gift, this hobby, this love. blessings, marlene

Dixie Howard said...

Wow, really love your tumbling blocks project, and so happy to hear that your husband made it home. Sweet times!

Loris said...

Both quilts look wonderful. I'm sure arranging those tumbling blocks really is a great way to enjoy them. They look lovely all together.
Enjoy your time with DH. How nice to have him home !

farmhousequilter8 said...

I love those scrappy tumbling blocks.
Paula

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today and for your kind words of encouragement. Isn't it so refreshing that not only can we share our love of quilting through our blogs, but our love of Christ as well?

I'm so excited to join the online family of quilters! This has been a passion of mine that I have put off for too many years. I started the blog to encourage myself to continue and grow.

God's blessings on you and your family!

Keith

John'aLee said...

Your 'take-along' box looks just like mine!
One definitely has to be organized with these little buggars!

Debbie T said...

Tell Jeff hi for me. Glad he's home safe and sound. I love the tumbling blocks the best. Especially the scrappy look. Those are my favorites! The ugly fabric quilt is pretty, too.
I'm sure you will find a minute, here and there, to get some stitches in.

angie said...

I LOVE english paper piecing--and your tumbling blocks are beautiful. Hope you enjoy your time with your husband!

JudyCinNC said...

I love your "not completed" finish and especially the reason why. Enjoy that man and the quilt will fall into place on the finished list.

tram9596 said...

Yeah! Jeff is home! Love you tumbling blocks.

Miki Willa said...

I am looking for a good take along project, and the tumbling blocks look very inviting. Do you remember where you got the template?
Enjoy the time you have with Jeff. The quilts aren't going anywhere.

Ann Champion said...

I LOVE your Tumbling Blocks! It's so pretty the way it's laid out. good for you for making a fellow quilter feel a part of the community.

The Moon and Stars quilt looks wonderful!

I know you're glad to have your hubby home, but I also know how we get into a routine of own while our guys are gone. Sometimes it's hard to shift gears and be a couple again? ;)

Barb said...

hi!
Your tumbles are awe inspiring!! I think I breezed through this post when I was super busy. I think I was blown away and couldn't take the time to say how fabulous these projects are. Oh my! I love the stars and moon!

Jeanne said...

Love your tumbling blocks! Praying for Jeff's safe return in May.

Jeanneke said...

Mary Lou, I lóve your Tumbling Blocks! Nothing better than a scrappy traditional quilt.

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