QOV and mystery quilt update

Today was supposed to show mystery quilt process only. However, I got to messin around with the QOV strips yesterday and am pretty tickled with how the design of it came out after sewing.  If Blueman weren't taking me to a luncheon movie date, I would probably spend some time sewing today. I've made due with household chores so that when we get back, I'll walk in pleased with the little left to do.

I just love the way the strip is starting. There is nothing better than the eagerness you get from working on something you enjoy. Do I really need to clean the kitchen or can I just sew???

This is my step one and two of the mystery quilt. I'm learning so much and having fun with it. It has made me aware of what's in my stash too! I can't wait to start on step three. Thanks KevintheQuilter!

QOV part 1

I've committed to making a Quilt of Valor. Along with red, white and blues, the request included turquoise and goldenrod as these are pertinent to the recipients, Navajo code talkers. I had some (tiny) bit in my stash but I needed more so I started plotting design and color layout. I've started on the turquoise and yellow cutting.

These were stripes within a larger design that I couldn't resist chopping up!

Other strips for the six inch outer edge.

I should have gotten a close up of the fabric at the top. It's more teal than turquoise but it has goldenrod dots and white lines that look like signal lines to me or communication satellites. Too cool.

Today I'm off to the fabric store for triangles and a review of what other fabrics I can come up with.

Next post will be update of my mystery quilt progress. What was I thinking to do two?  Oh, yeah, and two knitted shawls and crochet potholders....and library books....

In process

I have about four in process yarn projects. I was blessed with some yarn for my birthday and couldn't wait to get started on it. I began on our three hour drive north for an in law visit and QOV presentation. I'm using needles gifted to me by one of my two bff's. I was concerned about the colors but the longer it goes, the more enamoured I become.

I also sent out the rainbow squares prayer shawl for a friend of Blueman's who is going through some health issues. So glad to have a home for it. AZ, I hope it brings you comfort.

And I received a thank you note for the blue/white prayer shawl I sent a couple of months ago. It about made me cry. I'm so blessed that folks enjoy what I do. I like to think it helps brings a feeling of caring and concern.

Persevere or call it quits

i followed up on the potential job offer and had to leave a message. Now we wait. I think I'll start perusing other options too.  The veil of not needing to work is thinning out and I am seeing how it would help to earn some monies. It's just frustrating. Do you wait for a solid yes or no or do you put more irons in the same fire? I've never been good at juggling. I'll give it a few more days, and decide next week what to do.  Do I persevere trying to win this job or call it quits?

I had been posting my projects but reading got in the way of crafts for a few weeks. I finished Ben Falcones latest book as well as Ilona Andrews latest (and quite awesome) book. I've been reading three to five books a week in the last few weeks. That cuts into the crafting time.  I don't figure anyone needs to read about my constant angst (which sometimes is what reading covers up for me) so I don't write everyday and yet... It's comical that I think that because no one reads this anyway. Do I persevere in writing the blog or just call it quits?

I am being taken on a short trip next week and I'm already planning what crafts I will take, and better yet, what crafts I might buy along the way.  I don't know if I can persevere with my no craft buying! I think I might quit during vacation.

Suddenly my angst is less!

Super Saturday.

my old crochet/knit group met yesterday. It was quite fun. Seven of us were there. We've been as small as three people before. Two new ladies to meet and they were quite sweet. My heart sighed at the comfort familiarity brings.  Then of course because we met at Barnes and noble, there was book searching afterward. Woot! I love books. I only bought one. With my current library book addiction, I needed to dial back my normal activity!

Blueman has made it his mission to surprise me with housework this weekend. If I didn't love this man before, I really would now. He really makes me believe in partnership.

The sad part of the day is that I'm seeing more deterioration in my mom. "Did I say that?" And "did I know that?" As well as just general mis speaking ...well it's becoming disturbing. If I consider going back to work, it may just be to pay for help for my mom. It's uncharted territory on how to proceed. Am I being an alarmist? Is she really not doing well or am I projecting gloom and doom on her?  It's a bumpy road I'll walk for awhile. I fear my sibling won't see things the same way I do and I worry about possible dissension.

Mystery quilt. Part 2a

The first three hours of cutting on clue 2 is complete.

 So far I have a decent pile of scraps. I will admit a few are strips I cut wrong when I moved my hands in the wrong way.

I must be wicked slow in cutting. I'm only half way through cutting these pieces. Haven't even started on sewing yet either but I walked into a local quilt store and got inspired again. They say they'll have classes in September. I might just have to go to one. Seeing the finished projects on the wall makes my want to get moving on my stuff again.

Tomorrow is our knit/crochet group and I'm very excited. I haven't been part of a group for awhile. Will be nice to be with like minded individuals. I just need to figure out what to work on!

Negotiations and self esteem

so a sort of offer was made today for employment. Salary negotiations have commenced. I've never really negotiated before. Mostly just took what was offered with a grateful heart because I couldn't afford to walk away.

Being in my unique position of having a choice means that I can make an informed decision. It also opens up the option of being too cocky and arrogant with an overly inflated sense of worth.

I've never been driven by pay. Yes, it's necessary and yes I like a bit o the green in my bank account but I have other requirements too. Will I like what I'm doing? What is the degree of difficulty?
Will I like who I work with?
It's especially difficult when you move around in the same industry. I don't want to be that person who says, "well when I worked at xyz company...." but at the same time experience has to count for something, right?

Oh, the drama.
It will be a nice birthday present methinks.