"Single Girl" Quilt Along and Support Group

Thanks to my friend, Mary who blogs over at Mary on Lake Pulaski, I found out about the "Single Girl Quilt Along."  It was the brainchild of several bloggers, among them, Katy at I'm a Ginger Monkey, Nova at A Cuppa and a Catch up, and Megan at Lucy and Norman.  They have gathered a fairly large group of people who are all working on creating quilts using  Denyse Schmidt's wonderful "Single Girl" pattern.  There's a Flickr group, the "Single Girl Support Group," and the pictures are fantastic.  There are so many wonderful color combinations coming together. 

Since I'm working on my third "Single Girl" quilt, Mary figured I would be interested.  I have to get moving on my latest one because the baby I'm making it for was born last weekend!  Here's a small photo update.

Finishing up the yoga quilt

My yoga quilt is nearly finished.  The binding was sewn on last night and today I am sewing it down.  I've decided to make a bag that will hold my mat and the quilt rather than making the small mat bag.  The baby quilts will take precedence for the moment, but I'll get working on the bag soon.

On the Sketchbook Challenge front, I've got an idea page started for the February theme which is "Opposites."  For more information about the Challenge, just click on the button to the right.

Here's the top with the label pinned in place.  How apropos that upward facing dog is so close.  It's a pose that reminds me how much strength I've lost.

Thanks, some thoughts in praise of Susan Piver, and a little rationalization: an all-sorts blog post

Thanks to Rev. Danny Fisher for the nice shoutout on his blog concerning a great quote from Susan Piver that I posted on Facebook. It came from an interview she did with Jenna, the author of the blog, Drinking to Distraction and was in response to a question that dealt with issues of vulnerability.

"I think the attunement with your essential vulnerability is the same thing as attunement with your highest wisdom and your deepest creativity and your heart of hearts. It’s difficult to be human. It’s difficult to walk around with what we know is true, which is that we each have a raw and open heart that is without protection at any time."


I love her writing and I think she has a wonderful ability to home in on the heart of complex issues. I've written before about my own struggles with anxiety and Susan's words made me realize how much time I spend trying to protect myself from my various vulnerabilities.  This idea of making peace with them, embracing them as you do your wisdom, your creativity, and your own true heart, just took my breath away. At the same time, I can think of artists, writers, musicians, who have channeled their own vulnerabilities to produce stunning creative works.  Think of nearly any self-portrait by Frieda Kahlo. This is the most difficult piece for me.  Much work still ahead.

I know I haven't posted in days and days, but it's been crazy at school and we seem to have so much to do in the evenings that there's never any time then either.  Last weekend was our 34th anniversary and we had a lovely celebration.  I have been quilting on the yoga quilt when I've had any time at all and it's nearly finished.  Pictures of that will follow soon.

One ring finished : the new baby quilt

Three quarters of the ring finished.

And finally, one ring all completed.  Back to the studio to make more rings.