It's official

Today was my last day of work at Mission Hills Church. Yes, even churches feel the recession. With giving down, my position, as well as that of several other employees, needed to be sacrificed to meet the actual giving at the church. I am excited to be able to attend church with my husband again, and especially for the extra time it will give me to spend quilting. I suppose that the good news for having almost a 2 month notice of my layoff, is that I was able to find a new client to do graphic design work for. Hopefully, he will make up a portion of that income.

The other good news is that Quilts with Flair is back in business, mom and I have started designing 2 new quilts this weekend. A sweet little bunny with an umbrella and a darling birdhouse and cat. Applique of course. Did I ever think I would give up the details of paper piecing for applique? No not really. But I am having lots of fun, and isn't that why we have hobbies? Look for pictures of the quilts coming up soon!

Kami

Spring is in the Air

I love spring. I love the birds chirping, the flowers blooming again, finding "baby" grapes on the vines, and digging my hands into moist rich soil. Yesterday, Katelyn and I decided to weed the area around the birdbath in the yard. One thing led to another, and the entire area was cleared while we chatted happily about, school, the books she is reading, life.

After a job well done, I decided to take both girls to Home Depot to pick out a few flowers to plant in the area. Katelyn chose a 6 pack of violas in beautiful spring colors and Alyssa chose to get a 6 pack of cosmos at my suggestion. I picked 3 different types of bulbs--Summer daffodils, ranaculas, and a dahlia. I hope that the Dahlia grows, I have never had good luck with my bulbs because the gophers usually find them before they can bloom, but I am going to be optimistic.

This morning with Jason's help, we moved the rose bush, trimmed, divided and moved a lavender bush, and trimmed back several other plants . Then it was time to plant the girls' flowers and my bulbs. The yard feels so much more peaceful with all the weeds gone and the flowers planted.

After everyone else went inside for lunch, I stayed outside to save the lavender stems that we had to trim off before transplanting it. By the time I was done, I had developed a lovely sunburn and very stained fingers from the lavender oils on the stems, but I had these beautiful bouquets of blossoms. There are 13 bundles of them hanging upside down throughout the house to dry. I can barely walk into my craft room without being overwhelmed by the aroma of 5 of the bundles hanging in there. I love spring.

My UFO

I hate being on a budget. Today I went to my second quilt store in a week and between both only spent less than 8 dollars. And that was on thread. How did I managed to walk away from the myriad of patterns and fabrics calling my name. Simple, I am totally focused on finishing my current quilt. It has been a two year labor of love, and I am so excited to see it find its way off of my to do list, and hanging on a wall. There is only one corner of poinsettias still to applique.

I have to admit that I have a new love of applique. Never having tried it prior to last year, I am finding it a great way to quilt on the go. Of course, with my 3 and 5 yr old daughters I spend a lot of time on the go. This is great, I get to have me time -- at dance class, waiting to pick-up from school.... So I am excited to start something new, but first I really want to finish this. I will post the finished quilt soon, keep looking for the completed pictures.

Kami