Tuesday, August 11, 2009

easing back into things

Thanks for all your kind comments and encouragement since my last post. I am so thankful for your words of support. They mean so much. I feel so much better with all that off my chest.

My husband was on vacation last week, so it was a perfect time to step away from the blog. It felt great to take a break. So great. We went camping for a few nights (got that out of my system for another year-two days is all it takes!), spent some time with our families and I actually did very little quilting. My husband and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary, too. It was a good FULL week.



Now, back to business....the quilt along....it's day 23. I've got 22 blocks made. I spent some time yesterday and today trying to catch up. How are you doing on the quilt along? Still plugging away?

79 comments:

Linda said...

I still have two blocks to finish from the last one! LOL
Glad you had a good time with Kevin and the kids. It was nice to talk to you on the phone, sorry we didn't get to connect in person. Happy belated anniversary from J and I, too! ;)

Marie' said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! We celebrated out twelfth in June as well.

Audrie said...

Congratulations on 12 yrs! :D A break's always in order...nothing good comes of stress. Glad you feel better!

Janine B said...

Glad you're back and feeling refreshed. Congratulations on your anniversary.

Suburban Stitcher said...

I'm glad that you had a break, but glad to see you back too! Since I read the title of your blog so many months ago now...I've felt happy that at least one other person feels the same...Crazy Mom _____ (my blank can be filled in with stitching, quilting, knitting, etc.) Congrats on 12 years!

jacquie said...

so glad you had a nice break..you sound refreshed! happy belated anniversary!!

Jocelyn said...

So good to see you back Amanda Jean. Wishing you and your dh a Happy Anniversary :-) Glad that you were able to spend time together as a family.

Pokey said...

Happy anniversary! We who do not own a blog, but read along, take breaks too. Share when you have time, your ideas are so great, we'll be around when you post. I am enjoying the nine patch challenge, still have another row to do and decide on a border and backing. Thanks! pokey

AnneElizablog said...

Hi Amanda,

Don't worry about taking a break but I hope you don't stop blogging altogether. Yours is one of my favorites! I am still putting the rows together on the first quilt-a-long and I thank you for inspiring me. When you blog, you feel pressure to keep producing quilts which in a way is a good thing. But sometimes life gets in the way and THAT is a good thing too!

Thimbleanna said...

Hahaha! I'm caught up -- yipee, I'm caught up! (Ok, it doesn't count that my blocks are from the first go-round.) I better get cracking -- I'm going to be behind in 2.5 days!

Happy Belated Anniversary!

One Flew Over said...

Happy Anniversary! Nice to have you back!

Annie said...

I get the 2 days camping thing. You sound well and rested. Pace yourself and lovely to see your post again.

dolores said...

Good for you taking a step back and Happy Anniversary. Love camping....if we could just get rid of the biting bugs without having to slather ourselves with something!:)

Aimee said...

Happy anniversary! Glad you're back!

Heather said...

I'm so glad you're back. I couldn't remember what day we were on. I've been catching up the last 2 days so I don't think I'm that far off. Glad to hear you had a great break. Happy Belated Anniversary.

HMaas said...

Its always nice to have a break and regroup. Happy Anniversary!!!

CJ said...

You last way longer on the camping thing than I do. :D Happy Anniversary!! How nice that you had some time off with your family enjoying some time together. I am behind but hope to catch up this week with my blocks.

Unknown said...

Im not doing the quilt along but I went out and got fabric over the weekend because I just love how all or yalls are turning out!

Unknown said...

Welcome back, Im happy to hear that the break was just what you needed! Im either ahead for this quilt along or behind on the last one, I have done 32 blocks....but 25 are from the last quiltalong! Erin :)

Jenny said...

Glad you got to have a break and enjoy your family. I got a little excited in the quilt along and have 62 finished. Then I ran out of fabric and just decided how to fix the problem. Congrats on the Anniversary!

Marianne Penner said...

Welcome back. I have done 24 blocks. I'm trying to keep up. I'm glad you had a well deserved nice break!

beth said...

welcome back to blogland...and Happy happy anniversary! those camping trips are great...I bet you made lots of good memories with your kids!

dotti white said...

I'm definitely working on keeping up. My goal was to actually do two sets at a time. Not quite there but hope to be.

Jennifer said...

Happy Anniversary!!!
So glad to see you back !

BlueRidge Boomer said...

Congrats!....and glad to have you back!!

Enjoy....LindaMay

Renee said...

Happy Anniversary!
So nice to hear from you. Once a year camping is enough for me too. :)

Michelle said...

Congratulations on your anniversary!!! Hope you made some wonderful memories camping out!

M. Regina said...

Congratulations on your anniversary!Beautifu your nine patch. hugs from Brazil

Adrienne said...

Happy Anniversary!

MichelleB said...

I'm glad that you had a good anniversary! And remember Jacquie's motto - blogging without obligation! No one will forget about you ;) How could we?

Tivoli West said...

OK, so I went a little overboard and I finished 123 9 patch blocks. Now I just have to figure out how to put them together.

Angela Nash said...

I'm camping this weekend! Here's to fun summer breaks, and then enjoying getting back in the groove.

heather said...

not even close to being caught up but will get back in the swing of things when i get home. glad you had some time off!!

Unknown said...

Nice to have a break, it definitely refreshes the soul. Happy Anniversary!

Wendy said...

Happy Anniversary, I can't believe we'll have our 25th next month!
I'm only on block 16! But have lots of squares cut... I've found I like doing 6 at a time, so I'll be caught up soon...

Kristin said...

Happy Belated Anniversary.

As much as I wanted to join in on this quilt along, I had to stand my ground and not add anything else to my plate. Your squares look lovely

connie said...

I started with the first quilt along and I now have 121 squares all assembled waiting for their boarder. I am making a queen size quilt. Thanks for the inspiration and keeping me going.

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

so far one done for round two.. kinda sad.. but i'm workin on it.. blogged about it too.. glad your back.. i missed you.. but also glad you got well deserved time for you!!

Becky said...

Happy anniversary! Glad to see you back out here!

Robin aka Bookquilter said...

Happy anniversary!!! I have 35 blocks. Hopefully I won't fall behind because I think I'm ahead....that always seems to happen to me

Jennicakes said...

Happy Anniversary! After letting my first go languish for a while, would you believe I'm at 44 blocks for round two?

twig said...

Happy Anniversary. I have 41 blocks done. I'm going to run short of material so I'm not sure if I'll do a lap quilt or figure out another solution.

brigette said...

happy anniversary!!!
love the red blocks!!!

Lara said...

Happy to have you back :)! And happy anniversary!! I've got lots of catching up to do! I have 15 blocks.

Janet said...

congratulations on your anniversary. It was good to hear you'd taken a break and relieved any pressure you were feeling. I love the nine patches.

Miaou said...

Glad you enjoyed your break, and congrats on twelve years! My dh and I will celebrate our 15th next month - can't believe it's so long! Love the quilt blocks - I think the turquoise and green are my fave colourways.

Anonymous said...

Amanda

I don't know you, but I really enjoy reading your blog. I would have to say that I have come to realise that every person needs something to nourish their soul, and only then can they have energy to give anything back.

You must and should do what you need to first and foremost. Don't worry about others, they will be fixed through you being fixed.

And remember, only superwoman achieved everything on her list everyday!

Rachelle x

Theresa said...

Camping? Quilting? Hummm....you can't do both...something's gotta give! Glad you had a lovely break and thanks for sharing your blocks. I'm piecing but I broke the rules! Don't worry, I'll get behind again!

Julie in the Barn said...

Happy Anniversary to you & hubby. It's nice to have you back.

house on hill road said...

happy anniversary! i'm glad you had a full week - breaks are good!

Laura said...

Happy Anniversary! It's great to hear that your break helped you feel refreshed and re-vitalized!

Ann said...

Welcome Back Amanda!

I am glad to hear you taking the week off. And a Happy Anniversary to you!

Not sure of the exact number of squares I have done, but it somewhere around 50!

Take Care,
Ann

Dara said...

i always love to read your blog. i am amazed at what you do. one thing i always wonder about is all the time you must spend cutting all the fabric. perhaps one day you could do an entry about cutting fabric. thanks again for all your inspiration and honesty.

Dorrie said...

I'm caught up at the moment, because I made 5 blocks on Friday! School starts today and the past three days have been CRAZY. . .5 kids 5 schools. . .AAAAHHH! I really enjoy this though, I love the scrappiness of the whole thing! Have a good day and welcome home!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!!

driftwoodthimble.com said...

Hi Mama! Glad you are feeling more at ease - I love to read your blog because of you, your perspective and the inspiration you give me :o) I am going to attempt to get caught up in the next few days on the nine patch quilt...I will let you know how it goes!

Dee
x

Threeundertwo said...

Happy Anniversary!

Kristen in OK said...

I am so woefully behind, I might have to respectfully duck out of this go around...maybe next time?!?

Glad you are rested and enjoyed your lovely week. Sounds glorious!

Kerri said...

I'm so glad you had a great week, and got a little break! We went camping with our 6 kiddos the week-end before last, and only lasted one night! We also just had our 15year anniversary. :)

monica said...

happy anniversary!!

and in response to your previous blog?... I think we should all think more about blogging to live, not live to blogging.

We can all take it too seriously, but you're right, where is the fun in that?

Sara said...

Glad your break was productive...
and congrats on your anniversary...

The Quilt Along - glad you are keeping up with the days...I am still plugging away on it...

Toni from Molalla said...

I was thrilled to find you back at it again! I thought of you when I saw the movie "Julie and Julia" this weekend. I, like Periwinkle Pumpkin, have all my blocks done. It is too fun! Silly me! I also did 120+ as most of my saved strips were 1 1/2 or 2". (I'm not crazy! I used the 2" ones) and for the size quilt I wanted it that is what it takes. They are "up on the wall" and now I will spend forever moving them around before attaching the sashing. To all our co-quilters, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Unknown said...

I've been loving all the 9-patches that have showed up in blogland as a result of your quilt-along! They are really fun - it's going on my list . . . eventually I'll make it :)

So glad to know that you got away with the family, and have been refreshed :)

DAWN said...

I've done 24 blocks as of today. You can see them here
http://beautifulquilts.blogspot.com/2009/08/more-9-patch-blocks.html and I will also put them up on flikr

Clair said...

How do you get it so your fabrics end up all going together? I would like to make something like this because I could use up some fat quarters. And have a pretty quilt at the end.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Hey Amanda! Happy Anniversary!!!! 12 years! that's awesome! Hope you had a nice week. hugs to the munchkins too.

lera said...

I've missed you!!!

Happy anniversary to you and K. I wish you many, many more.

quiltingbonnie said...

Happy Anniversay ! Missed U, but glad U took a break. Breaks are good for the soul. Bonita Northeast FL

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! I'm SO GLAD you took a break...And congratulations! Next month we'll celebrate our 13th aniversary.

Anonymous said...

I'm at only 7 blocks...

Kristyn said...

Just came across your blog! Such great work you're doing :) So inspirational!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

So glad you had a break and some time away. I've just finished and posted about my 9 patch top...thanks SO MUCH for hosting the quiltalongs, even though I didn't quite stick to the plan, I loved making this quilt. Hope you have a wonderful week. xo

carole ann said...

Glad you got some time away, would love to do that myself. I have to say I have fallen a little behind on my blocks but plan to catch up this week. I swore I was not going to sign up for many swaps and of course I did. But this week should get me caught up with them all. Love your blocks.
Congrates on the 12 years.

Anonymous said...

so pretty! feel free to come over to my blog and link your fave quilt!

Karen said...

Although I was a week late for the 2nd 9patch QAL, I'm caught up plus a few more...30! It is such fun using Christmas fabrics for this one. It will be a throw for our sofa during the holidays. Flickr was giving me trouble so I'm not using it now...have posted them on my blog.

Glad you're back....we missed you!

Karen

Carla said...

Happy 12 years! I've celebrated my 13th in May. Time sure flies. I'm actually really enjoying this quilt along. I'm piecing Christmas fabric scraps and will add it to my collection of Christmas quilts. Thanks for sharing and it's good to have you back.

Anonymous said...

I'm joining in on the 9-patch sew-along, but I'm using 2 inch squares because I have a big Ziplok bag of them already cut. I separated out enough for at least 25 blocks so far. It will be great to use them up and make something useful too!

Donna D., Hemet, CA

Rebekah said...

happy anniversary! I still need to get going on my first nine patch quilt :)

sulu-design said...

Happy Anniversary to you! I didn't realize we celebrated them at the same time of year.
I so appreciated the previous closet post, and I think that your revelation of the "other side of things" inspired my recent post about self-consciousness.
I'm on board with you about the camping thing, too. We're going to take a vacation in September and there will probably be a few nights of camping squeezed in there. In my head, it's a great idea. In real life? Something else. I can only imagine it with kids. You're a good woman!