There has been a lot going on around here. I haven't had much time for sewing last week, so last night I sat down and put together this Bee block for Kim. It felt good to sew! This block is a free tutorial called Scrappy Crossroads by Lori Holt. It was a fun, and pretty fast one to sew. I think I need to make myself some of these. (How often do I say that?)
The past few weeks have been kind of crazy! Mostly fun crazy, but still crazy. I attended and taught at the SNAP social media conference which was great and where I always learn a ton. I meet some really talented people.
I got to hang out with my friend Melissa again this year and for the first time we actually remembered to get a picture! She also gave me a pretty bundle of her Derby Style fabric collection.
On top of a conference we also celebrated a birthday last weekend, my oldest daughter went to her first prom (it was so sweet! I kept feeling like the strains of "Sunrise, sunset...' from Fiddler on the Roof were playing in my head), and I had a bunch of needs/demands with my church responsibilities. By Thursday morning I was emotionally and physically buuuurned ouuuuut.
So I let myself take the day off to veg. I stayed in my pajamas until 1:00. (Of course it was the day when two friends dropped something off and wanted to see our painted kitchen and there I was in my pajamas and hadn't cleaned the kitchen for two days!) I tried to catch up on some computer/email stuff in the morning and then I took some time to clean up my messy sewing space, sorting fabric and watching Call the Midwife. It was very therapeutic. (Plus, when I watch that show, I feel a lot less sorry for myself!)
Yesterday was even better. I went to the annual Women's Conference at BYU which is always SO inspiring and motivating. I also ran into good friends, visited Sarah Jane who was there selling her art prints, and ate the world famous mint brownies. Talk about good therapy.
Back to a busy weekend here with soccer and lacrosse games, etc. but I did just get my neutrals quilt back from the quilter and am looking forward to some more down time while I get to sit and bind it. I hope you get some therapeutic down time this weekend too.
Patricia Cash
The scrappy block is pretty. I need to remember to use leader and enders, read what it is and why did I not know this.
I love Call the Midwife!
Karen Seitz
I love your neutral quilt and look forward to the complete reveal.
Diane
i just love your neutral quilt and Call the Midwife. Can you explain SNAP conference to be?
Amy Smart
Thanks Diane! SNAP is a conference about blogging and social media specifically geared toward the craft industry. It's held once a year in Salt Lake City. Here's the link to more info: https://snapconference.com/
Wendy
Therapeutic indeed! I spent the last few days quilting, sobbing, and wiping tears as I caught up on the missed episodes of the newest season. Such a great series! Hard to sew on a wet quilt tho lol!
Amy Smart
I love it! And I know what you mean. Such a heart-felt series. It's kind of made me a lot less sympathetic to the "drama" of some of the Downton characters. 😉
Jenny faasavalu
I love these kind of posts! Makes me feel normal. I so wish I could have gone to Womens Conference. Maybe next year when my missionary daughter comes home!!!!
Sigi G
I'm so glad you got some 'me' time. I know the feeling - AND - it never fails, that on those days, visitors appear :)! Yes, murphy's law!! Love your posts. Beautiful Quilt with the low volume fabric and your Bee Block - I made a table runner with the Crossroads blocks - love that pattern.
Dianna
Brownies? World famous mint brownies? Do tell! Please?
Amy Smart
From the BYU (Brigham Young University) book store. They're epic-ly good. 😉
Jodie Zollinger
Hi Amy, loved all the pretty photos you shared. Especially that lovely fabric. That Derby style fabric is amazing. My colors. Seems to be in this year! Turquoise, navys and pinks. I love to see peoples creative spaces and hear about even productive quilters like you having trouble coping with quilting or life or both! Makes me not feel so incompetent! Just wanted to say love your blog, it is still one of my favorites. For a quilter and fabric designer you still have the blogging (writing) side covered and I like that! The 'Diary' part! But that is what, for me real blogging is about. Thanks for sharing.
Jodie
Amy Smart
Aww, thank you Jodie! Your comment made my day. I appreciate you taking the time to share that. xo
Michelle
Hi Amy. It's always nice to find out that you're not the only one crazy busy. I love you scrappy block. The colors are so bright and cheery. Your neutral quilt is also very nice. It has an elegant look. Hope you will be posting a picture of the finished product. Quilt therapy? There is nothing better. Life can be insane crazy but the minute I sit down to do some sewing it's like taking a super deep breath, letting it all go, and basking in the beauty of fabric and watching the new creation come to life. Happy Quilting!
Des
Haha....i laughed out loud about Call the Midwife. I can't watch that show. Way to 'birthy' for me.
I knew I should have gone to women's conference! I haven't been in so long. So do they have vendors and such set up?
I'm bummed I miss the Beehive Bazaar every year. 🙁
Amy Smart
Let me know if you come one year! It would be so fun to meet up. There are a bunch of artists at the Bookstore - that's where Sarah Jane was set up. Beehive Bazaar is again this weekend so you could run down! 😉
Melissa
I'm so late responding to this post! I don't know how I missed it!! It was so nice to see you!! I'll be out for a week in July we will have to plan a day to hang out... maybe a sew day? I've got some UFO's that would fit in my suitcase...