One More Thing!

I also wanted to add that I have a family blog.  If you are interesting in reading more about our daily life and what I do when I'm not sewing, I invite you to come take a peek at Magnolia Manor in the new year!

2012 - The Year of the Perfect Exposure

I'm not one for making resolutions.  I'm much better at making plans than I am implementing them, so I kind of save myself the disappointment.  However, I do have fun making creative goals.  The kind that are fun to achieve.  Not the "lose ten pounds" kind that you have to work too hard at.  I like the "buy more fabric and make things" kinds of goals.  ;-)

To that end.....I'm declaring 2012 the Year of the Perfect Exposure.  I have a new camera.  She's a beauty.  But you know what?  Good cameras don't take good pictures.  You still have to learn how to operate them!  So, it's my goal to learn.  I enjoy taking photos of my craft endeavors, and now I'll be even more motivated to keep up with that.  This is still a quilt blog - it's my first love.  But I'm also excited to nurture my growing interest in photography and hopefully make this space here even more fun to look at.

I'd also be breaking with an awful long standing tradition if I didn't give my sewing space a once over and make a very unofficial list of goals (not resolutions!) for the coming year.  There are some obvious ones that stand out to me, so I'm going to put them in black and white and see if that motivates me to stick with them.  :-)

1.  UFO Management.  The increasing number of UnFinished Objects around here has officially exceeded the number of projects completed in 2011.  I have things stashed away that I'm still very excited about and would really love to see finished.  (Anyone else harboring pinwheel blocks from Rachel Griffith's pinwheel sampler??)  SO....for each new thing started I'd like to see one half worked item completed.  This surely tops every quilter's list.  It's trite but true....I'm tackling the stack!

2.  BOM.  Wendy and I are doing a block of the month together, and I aim to keep up.

3.  I want to have a pillow fight.  Pillows.  Specifically, new pillows for the couch.  I'm adding that to the list of acceptable reasons to buy new fabric.  When I see the right collection, I'll know it.

4.  I want to SWOON.  This is my year to finally use my Thimbleberries Swoon pattern.  I've had it for several months and have a few things I need to finish up first before I feel justified starting it.

5.  I have a Christmas quilt that I need to finish.  I know, I know.  Trust me, I know.  :-)

Whatever you do and where ever you are tonight, I wish you a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We Made A Little Merry

We had a busy and full Christmas here, and the party continues well into January while Hannah is still home from college.  Lots more in store in the next few weeks.

This is Christmas Eve and my gift from my son.  He's quite the shopper, yes??  I loved it!

I hope you had fun making merry too.  I'm actually thinking of Valentine projects.  Anyone else in my boat too??

Peeping

I'm off to Tennessee!  My Mom and I get to go spend fall break with my beautiful college freshman.  We plan to do lots of leaf peeping, and hopefully capturing photos of some quilt blocks on country barns.  Lucky for me, my girl loves to hit the quilt shops as much as Mom and I do, so we've got a rather spiffy plan for a super scrumptious fall break.  Be back soon!!

I'm Stitchin' On the Go...

I'm out of town and have been for the past week.  That is why this space has been so quiet.  BUT....I have been passing the miles while doing handwork, so I will have a few things to show you when I get home.

Home from where??

Today I went to the Parthenon and a Honkey Tonk on the same day.  Any guesses where I am???

Welcome!

Welcome to my new little space.  I have enjoyed keeping a family blog for the past three years, and am excited to carve out this new little spot specifically for sharing my creative endeavors.

My name is Brooke and I live in the south.  I have four children and I homeschool.  My oldest is preparing for college, my youngest is headed to preschool, and the two in the middle are busy brothers who are only one year apart.  My house is loud, busy, and usually messy.  I am perpetually behind in laundry.  I have a poorly trained dog, an over confident cat, a sweet and sociable bird, and a newly acquired bearded dragon.  They all live here to make sure my life never gets dull.

My husband is analytical, even keeled, and decisive.  I share none of his traits.  I live here to make sure his life never gets dull.

I use creativity as a way to embrace and celebrate chaos....and also to hide from it.  I love sharing ideas and being inspired.  Thanks for stopping by.  If you find joy and beauty in creative expression, please stop by again.  And again.  Let's be friends, and tackle life one quilt at a time.