So I have had a few days off.  I love it.  But don’t get me wrong – I also love my job.  Update: I am an assistant manager at Quilting Adventures.  I’m also a teacher there. Actually I’m teaching tonight so maybe it’s not officially a day off. Whatever.

Yesterday’s day off involved going to the Outpost and Ellwood Thompson’s for organic/local veggies.  I also found some excellent personal products like henna!  So I went ahead and henna dyed my hair.  I got chestnut brown – which is apparently my natural hair color.  I just wanted to condition and refresh my hair.  I have a spray of gray hairs and I’m not self conscious about them necessarily… But what’s the harm in dyeing them a little, right?

This morning I was lazy!  I sat and stitched while watching a movie. It was great.  Then I journaled outside for a while.  Which was also wonderful.  These spring breezes make me so happy.  I love watching the birds – including our chickens.

One part of my journaling included a gratitude list so here that is:
- Creatures great and small – wild birds, our pup, our cats, our chickens, etc.
- Spring breezes and spring rains (don’t have to get out the watering can)
- Dinner at home with friends last night (chicken and veggie lime honey kabobs, black bean with corn salsa, cheese quesadillas (corn tortillas)
- Flowers blooming in the yard

A dear friend of ours is expecting a baby boy this summer.  I just itched to make a baby quilt (of course)!  When looking at her registries I didn’t quite know what vibe they were going for.  So then I asked her for some input without giving away the gift. I’m sure she guessed though.  She sent me a picture of the awesome blue and yellow curtains they hung up and off I went!
I used the pattern Seeing Squares by Empty Bobbin.  Her pattern was very clear and informative.  (Quilting Adventures carries the pattern if you’re looking for it locally).  My only word of advice is make sure you have a true scant 1/4″ set up on your sewing machine!

I got a little too carried away with making the strips… I do enjoy making large baby quilts!  But since I decided (with advice) to make two borders I took off a strip to make it more square and put that strip on the back.  You know how I love making pieced backings!

I inserted a signature block to personalize it.  I used a Sharpie fine point and it bled a little.  I much prefer Micron pens but didn’t have the right color on hand.  Plus I was working on a deadline to get it done for the shower! And speaking of the shower…. She and her mother were very moved by the gift. It’s hard to give quilts at showers sometimes because I don’t like the attention it draws to me.  But I love seeing the joy it brings someone to have a handmade, customized gift.  I can’t wait to see the little boy enjoy it!

One more shot for fun.  My husband is such a good quilt holder.