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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Running!

My friend Patty has a saying that fits me this week....
I'm so far behind, I'm ahead!

I didn't write at all last week, didn't get to read all my favorite blogs, didn't get to exercise, seems like all I did was run, run, run!!  And I was so trying to "crank" out a few things.  This week I'll be teaching at the Jabez Quilt Seminar and I'm just now getting one of my sample quilt tops completed, still have instructions to prepare, packing to do (and laundry before I pack!), a trip to college to return my daughter (they require her back until I pay her ransom, i.e. tuition! :-D), and drum lessons, and basketball practice, and errands, the funeral of a friend. and...and...and...

So my little hiatus from blogging seems long to me although it has only been about ten days.  I managed during that time to get a few things finished.

Roll, Roll Cotton Boll!! YAY!!! :-D
I'm proud of myself for sticking out the mystery and pretty much keeping up with it from week to week (it kept me from adding RRCB to the way-too-long UFO list!!).  I didn't care for string blocks before starting this mystery, but never having done them before, I took the plunge! I enjoyed the process!!

I still don't particularly like the string "look"  (and if I'd seen JulieK's quilt top -- oh, my! Isn't that just gorgeous!?! -- I would have saved my string blocks for another project! LOL) -- but I like how this quilt turned out.  The teal/turquoise is a little more muted than Bonnie's poison greens, but still nice.  AND I used a TON of fabric!  As Lori at Humble Quilts says, "Woo-Hoo!!"

I managed to get both my quilt tops from Kim Bracket's Scrap-Basket Surprises finished, too.  Good thing, since I'm showing them at Jabez for my classes!

My favorite is "Christmas Ribbons."  Mine isn't Christmas fabrics, just scrappy.

The "Bali Sea Star" turned out OK.  You know -- and I know this is weird -- I don't love batiks.
There it is. I've said it. Out loud!!


The color saturation is cool.  And I can see how they are wonderful -- but I don't seem to be able to present them to best advantage.  This is a quilt I'll probably give away once it's quilted and bound.

When I get settled in at Jabez tonight (or tomorrow night, if I don't get my copying done for the Mountain Laurel Quilt Sampler that I'm teaching!), I hope that I can enjoy NOT running for the duration of the three day conference!
I thought I'd see what the Bible says about running.... :-)

Jeremiah, that prophet of doom and gloom (God love him!) said, "Run for your lives!!" three different times! :-D  in chapters 48 and 51.    There's nothing so dire going on in my world to require that admonition, thank the Lord! :-) O' course, Jeremiah's message was one of judgement.  Best not to be in rebellion against God as Israel was in at the time, huh?

Isaiah 40:31 offers this beautiful encouragement to runners..."But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." 

So does Proverbs 18:10:  "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

And if I need to re-order priorities in my life (and I always do!! :-) -- Psalm 119:32 offers this admonition:

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."

Makes me think of Daniel Day Lewis in The Last of the Mohicans (LOVE that movie!).  The Native American brothers run constantly through the woods and paths of the wilderness that was North America -- but always with purpose and integrity and intensity.  It's a sight to behold.  Oh that I would run in the path of God's commands so beautifully!

Gotta run!!
Blessings,


20 comments:

Impera Magna said...

Love how your RRCB turned out... and your choice of colors is very nice as well. Congratulations on finish it... and the others too! You were very industrious last week!

Staci said...

RRCB is just stunning! And quite an accomplishment. the half square triangles alone were a test of endurance. Congrats on the others, too. You've been busy busy while running running running!

Loris said...

Well, yes! You have alot on your list, And yet you have accomplished so much! I love your RRCB. Love Julie's version as well but do like the interest those strip blocks add. I'm hoping to make this one too. Your other quilts will be inspiring for those fortunate quilters you are teaching this week. The sampler looks particularly beautiful.
Great verses! Been reading Hebrews lately...12:1 "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith"... my favorite part is that He is the author and finisher. That way we can rest even while we are running :-)Hope the path is smooth and that you have a wonderful time!

Shelley said...

I don't care for balis or batiks either Mary Lou..I plan to make my Bali star from a jelly roll of KT fabric! Have fun at camp and don't run! Wonder what the Bible says about crawling?

antique quilter said...

I am tired just reading this post
beautiful quilts
have fun teaching!
ah yes the DD went back to college on Sunday , already miss her terribly!
get some sleep!
Kathie

Anonymous said...

Mary Lou,Mary Lou!!! You have my permission to stay away from blogging when I see results such as these upon your return! Love your style girl! The quilts are to die for!!! Just wait until you get your hands on Kim's 2nd book....your doomed with more projects I'm afraid. LOL

Barb said...

Hello!
I was wondering about you lately, and was going to write and here you are.
Great post. I get caught up with running around too much and I'm glad it's not just me.
I love all your projects - RRCB looks fab!
Love the display of the quilt in the standing hoop--

Patty Sumner said...

Have I told you lately...you are crazy!!! Girl, if you did all of those you are getting it done. Good scriptures.....Love all of them. I would think that a prophet of today might tell you not to run but to stop and slow down......Take care and enjoy the seminar.....I am sure it will be a hoot (to quote a friend) Blessings!

Teresa Rawson said...

I've missed you, but your silence has indeed been golden...just look at all those golden projects that you finished up. Your RRCB top is magnificent...LOVE your colors! Your ribbons quilt is also very cool. Your batik quilt is nice, but I have to agree with you...I'm not as fond of them as other fabrics. They are hard to hand quilt, for one thing. I hope you get to actually slow down and enjoy your conference!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

LuAnn said...

Glad everything is ok and that you have just been busy. I love your RRCB quilt and I think the batik quilt is gorgeous.

Taryn said...

Your post nearly left me breathless. Enjoy your three days in one place and in the company of quilters. All of your projects are lovely and my particular favorite is your scrappy ribbons.

Michelle said...

Congratulations on finishing your RRCB! It's beautiful...I love the how yours seems a little more subtle in the colors. Great job on the other two quilts too! You've been busy! I'm not a big fan of batiks either, but that quilt turned out great. I'm sure you will find the perfect home for it! :)

Tammi said...

Just found your blog. You live close to my area in KY.
I love to crochet, have tried quilting but was never very good at it. You do awesome work!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

I am amazed and in awe~ WOWZA; you've been BUSY! I don't even think one could keep up with you if they ran at mach speed. I absolutely love the tops you showed here, best wishes with your classes and congrats on these fabulous finishes.

Quilter Kathy said...

Wow! You have been busy! Love your RRCB! Way to go with keeping up with the mystery and finishing two other quilts!!

Dixie Howard said...

You have some gorgeous projects in the works! Just love them all!

Lori said...

I love what you've finished even the RRCB with the string blocks!
I have to admit too that I do not like batiks and have no desire to work with them. I like your quilt though:)

PJ said...

Your quilts are gorgeous! Your RRCB quilt is the prettiest one from this pattern that I've seen via the internet! I love your blog. I am filled with peace [piece ;-)] and contentment when I finish reading and looking @ your blog.

julieQ said...

Thank you sweet Mary Lou...I love all your projects!!RRCB is wonderful!

Michelle MMMM4 said...

Hello Mary Lou~your quilts are beautiful! Can you tell me more about the Mountain Laurel Sampler? It's a beautiful sampler, I love your color choices. Is this a pattern that is for sale? What is the designer's name?