Guilt

When I lived in Boston I had a very hard time adjusting. While the physical environs were lovely, I found it socially difficult to move around in ways that I was accustomed. It was then that I began practicing yoga. To this day, it continues to be one of the few activities that can calm my anxiety and clear my head. When I moved back to NJ in 2005, I searched for a local studio where I could continue my Iyengar practice.

I tried several places before settling on Starseed Yoga in Montclair, NJ. I loved everything about it. The class schedule was convenient and the staff were careful to re-direct me into a more deep and personal practice. During fall 2008, the studio announced that it's founder JyothiMa was ill. During this season there were a series of events in her honor and to raise funds. I, along with a former colleague, began working on a special quilt to donate towards the effort.

Here it is laid out and un-seamed...

Using batiks in the colors of the chakras, Edna and I began working on Jyothi's quilt. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I never finished it. I has lived on my "things to do" list for months now. Sadly it is pinned and ready for me to finish the piecing. Sadly, it was announced yesterday that Jyothi passed on Saturday.

For many minutes, I was speechless. I was overwhelmed with a sense of guilt in setting out to do something and not finishing it.

I called Edna late last night. After we caught up with each other, I made arrangements to pick up the remnants of the quilt to be finished...soon.

I am sure there are many opportunities for lessons here. Perhaps a lesson for one to not over-commit, to schedule and honor down time, to be diligent and finish what one starts. The lesson I choose is one of acceptance. I took on this endeavor in the purest of spirits and life altered my plans. I can feel guilty about that altered path or I can accept it and move on. I choose acceptance. ~ksp

Self-Taught

I have been sewing since I was knee-high to a grasshopper...(as the country folks say). At my mother's knee, I learned to first make pillows, then doll clothes, then clothes for myself.

A few years ago, I decided that if I can sew a dress with a 5/8 seam, that I too could sew a quilt on a 1/4 inch seam.

As my blog bears evidence, I have produced many a quilt...but never one cut on the bias.

Faithful readers may remember the post where I lamented this quilt. A few weeks ago, I took it to one of my favorite quilt shops and learned that I was reading my ruler incorrectly. After a quick tutorial and a few hours of sewing....

Voila!

I have so many mistakes cutting this puppy out that I have to redesign the entire quilt top...(the country folks also say that necessity is the birthplace of invention). I will post the finished top...when it's finished (insert shifty eyes here).

To celebrate my new quilting-ruler knowledge a contest...

Leave a comment (by 5PM EST April 8) about how you recovered from a craft disaster and be entered into a drawing for a giveaway. ~ksp

...And the Gifts Keep on Coming...A Recap

Life has surely been kicking my arse lately and I've had no time to blog. Plenty of desire...but not a stitch of time...please allow a brief re-cap.

As the calendar attests, my birthday month is over. Here are a few of the gifts that didn't get posted.

First off the bat...I got a new sewing machine. I was looking for a machine that would allow me to machine quilt at home. After some internet research and joining a yahoo group dedicated to the machine, I decided on a Juki-TL98Q from here. After some mix-ups with their shipping department I finally got her home.

Behold!

At the moment she is namely, she is very shy and hasn't revealed her name to me. When she does, I'll be sure to let you know.

While in Cali on retreat, my knitting mentor got me this hot little ticket.

For those not in the know, this is only one of the hottest new knitting books to hit the shelves in recent months. Already is its second print, I was pleased as punch to get it, and even happier to check the inside...

I dunno if i really will meet/see THE Nancy Bush at MDS&W and I really don't care. I will cherish this book forever...gotta learn how to make a nupp (rhymes with soup).

I got lots of other gifts and spent a lot of time with good friends. Can't beat that...

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In other birthday news...my mentee celebrated his birthday on St. Patty's Day. I took him to a brewpub in Central Jersey with the intention introducing him to micro-brews (interpret...get him drunk)....Happy Birthday D.

His best effort.

Crappy Crackberry photo
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