Tuesday, April 01, 2014

back at it

Happy April! It's good to be back! The break was exactly what I needed. It's funny how hard it is to call a time out and take a breather, but it's needed once in awhile! (My husband recommended that I put it on my schedule and make it an annual thing.) Thank you to those of you who left such kind comments of understanding and encouragement. That meant so much to me!
 
So, what did I do?

The first half of the month I spent digging myself out of a pile of over-commitments. (Not doing THAT again!) My sister sent my husband and I on a marriage weekend and we had a fantastic time. It was so great to reconnect with my husband...he's such a good man and I'm thankful to have him! I took a trip to Fargo to speak and teach (I had an amazing time), but came home with a killer cold. I spent 4 days on the couch (felt like the door of death) and then the last week of the month was spring break. (What a misnomer that is!) I got in touch with my inner child and played Legos with my kids. (Girl Legos are the BEST!) I'm not sure that I actually accomplished my goal of catching my breath, but I did what I could! I also watched 2 complete seasons of What Not To Wear on Netflix. :)

Oh! I suppose I should talk about the quilts pictured above. I made these two doll quilts for my adorable little neighbor girls. Each quilt measures about 16" x 20". I had the girls pick out fabrics that they liked while they were over for a play date and several weeks later I sewed them up. It was a fun project to work on and they were very fun to deliver! These are scrap projects #56 and #57. I'm so anxious to accomplish my goal of 101 scrap projects!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

104 comments:

Laura said...

So glad you're back! I've missed being inspired by your posts. Great doll quilts.

tess said...

I'm so glad you had some time to worry about one less thing. And yes - spring break is never the break it sounds like it will be. Welcome back! I hope it doesn't get overwhelming too quickly!

Pat Merkle said...

So glad you had a good time off, at least for the most part. I'm glad your back. Very cute doll quilts.

Terri said...

So glad you are back. But can we be sure you will blog again? You know it is April Fools day today...

Maja said...

I´ve missed you and glad that you are back!
Take care now!

Melissa Corry said...

Sounds like a wonderful break. And the doll quilts are adorable. Welcome back :)

Snowcatcher said...

There was a hole in the internet while you were gone, but I'm so happy it was a good break for you and that all but the cold was pleasant. Welcome back! We missed you!

coastal gray said...

The lovely doll quilts, would make great regular size quilts....

Unknown said...

I have WNTW Tvo'd and can watch any of 10 saved aeisodes any time. Love Stacy and Clinton.

Fran said...

Those quilts look so pretty and fresh! I keep saying to myself I ought to have an internet free day each week, but it hasn't happened yet...

Lana said...

WELCOME HOME!!!!...uh, I mean back! hehehe
So glad you were able to step back from the blog and do other things for a bit...but MAN! I am sooo glad you are back! I miss this little blog when you are gone! :)

Leanne Parsons said...

Welcome back! Glad to hear the break did you good. We all have a hard time admitting we need a break, I think, but we can only do so much without one.

Daytona Damsel said...

Good to have you back. Looking forward to you inspiration and insight. Love your little doll quilts.

tink's mom said...

Welcome back, you were missed. So glad it mostly worked out the way you intended.Being able to take a deeeeeep breath is an important thing.

SarahZ said...

Yay! You were missed! the doll quilts are two sweet :)

badlandsquilts said...

Welcome back :)

Sarah Craig said...

Welcome back! You were missed!!!

quilt for fun said...

I forgot that you were coming back today - what a nice surprise! This isn't an April Fool joke, is it? We really missed you, and I'm happy to be reading your blog again.

Mari said...

Welcome back! Take it easy with commitments and try to enjoy what you do.

Jacque. said...

Welcome back. So happy that you got what you needed from your time off. Those doll quilts are adorable!

Dolly said...

Welcome, welcome, WELCOME BACK !!!!!!

Suzanne said...

So nice to see you back. Xoxo

Smultronbo said...

Welcome back. U've been greatly missed. ;) <3

JG said...

It's always good to take a break. Welcome back!
~Judy

Marie said...

Welcome back ...

Bower Bird Patch said...

Welcome back AmandaJean....I've so missed reading your blogs, but am so glad you've had a much deserved break. Lovely doll quilts.....wouldn't they be nice in full size too....

liz said...

So glad to have you back!

Diane said...

welcome back! Your month break sounded busy and productive (well except for the cold). Nice to see your blog in the feed again!

Unknown said...

So glad you're back!
You were missed!!!

charlotte said...

Welcome back. Glad you were able to take a break, but you were missed.

Vicki Lou said...

Amanda Jean,

I missed you and your bright messages and amazing quilting. I was starting to imagine that all sorts of awful things were happening in your life. I am SO GLAD to have you back in blogger land safe and sane and sound!

Jenny said...

I'm yet another who missed your bright and breezy blogging, but can certainly understand while you need a break every now and again.

Welcome back again (from down here in New Zealand).

Jenny

Di~ said...

:) sooo excited to see your name on here again! :)

Jocelyn said...

Happy to see you back. It sounds like you may have had a busy month, but at least you did enjoy your hubby and family.

Diane said...

Yea!!!

Anne said...

Glad you had a great month, and YEAH! Glad to have you back!!

Late Night Quilter said...

I am so happy you took a "break". It's so important. But I am especially thrilled to see you back. You are my FAVORITE and your posts and projects brighten my day!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back. I have missed you. Glad you got a little bit of a break.

ipatchandquilt said...

Whooo whoo! Happy to have you back!
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo com
ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

Petra said...

Welcome back. Your hubbie is right..make it a yearly event. We could all do with some time to ourselves, family...

Createology said...

Thank you for sharing it IS OKAY to take a break. Maybe a scheduled day here and there to just play. Your quilts are wonderful. Creative Bliss...

NorahS said...

Yay! You're back! Sounds like you had a good break. Those quilts are darling!!!

apiecefullife said...

Good to have you back. Sounds like you need another break though.

Turid said...

Two fantastic doll quilts! And so good to have you back again.

Sewing In CT said...

Missed you. Taking the month off was a brave thing to do. Glad you had the courage to do what was best for you!

Beth said...

Happy you are back. Those little quilts are so cute!

Carmen said...

Yay! I missed you! :)

Jessica Christensen said...

Welcome back! (I only got through 3/4 of ONE season of What Not to Wear, though.)

Jessica Christensen said...

Sorry, did I forget to mention that I love the doll quilts? I love them. SO cute.

JoanG said...

Welcome back! So glad you had a good break, but you were really missed. I look forward each week to the inspiration you bring us all.

Mary W Quilts said...

Sew glad yor back! The quilts are very cute.

Kim said...

I sure missed you :0) Glad you got your batteries recharged and I think your husband is right,,,,schedule the time off!
I for one do not want you to burn out, I just love all you inspiring projects.

Welcome back and Happy Sewing

Unknown said...

Welcome back! I really missed your finish up Friday quilts and all the inspiration you provide.

Karen Ellis said...

So glad you're back. I missed reading about your projects and being inspired.

Malinda said...

Welcome back! I missed you! Maybe you should plan a week off every month or so. It would do you good and we wouldn't have to go so-o-o-o-o long without you!

Lisa J. said...

Glad to have you back! Glad you took the time for yourself as well. I took last week from work to get some quilting done and caught that killer cold....spent two days in bed and two days on the couch. Oh well!

Lisa J. said...

Glad to have you back! Glad you took the time for yourself as well. I took last week from work to get some quilting done and caught that killer cold....spent two days in bed and two days on the couch. Oh well!

Anita said...

So glad that you are back, we missed you!!

Kristy said...

I agree totally! I missed your fun quilts and always inspiring ideas! So glad you had some down time (sort of :-)) Looking forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve. Happy April! K-

Unknown said...

WooHOOO! Great that you're back! Good on you for taking the time out - but you've been missed! Love the doll quilts too (from Australia) :)

teaginny said...

Glad to see you back! I always enjoy your blog.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! I love the cute little doll quilts. You're such a nice neighbor. :)

Trisch said...

Welcome back! The doll quilts are so cute.

sulu-design said...

Glad you're back! Blogging breaks are good any maybe should be annual, if not more frequent than that. Planned rest never quite seems to come to fruition, though. At least you got some LEGO action in there.

Teri said...

Now that I have a granddaughter, I'm sure I will be making some doll quilts.
Teri
http://roadtripquilts.blogspot.com

Vicki said...

Welcome back, you were missed!

elbquilts said...

Welcome back. We missed you, but the break was well deserved. You being a constant well of inspiration!

Karen Lewis Textiles said...

yay you're back! I should maybe try this sometime...when I am brave enough!

Jade said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jade said...

We missed you!! You inspired me to take a bit of a blogging break as well during March and spring break. It was great. :) But I'm so happy you are back. And people ask if we still read blogs....

Plum Cox said...

Welcome back! Hope that you caught enough of your breath to enjoy your quilting and blogging again. Love the doll quilts that you've made!

margaret said...

sounds like you had a very poorly time, glad you are now better, what sweet doll quilts

Kay said...

Welcome back and so glad that you had a well deserved rest. xx

Linda said...

Glad to hear you had some good time off. In spite of the weather. We SO need to get together sometime. I have some pretty fun projects going on!

Lorna McMahon said...

Nice to hear you had some quality time with the family, Amanada Jean! Sorry to hear you were hit with the cold bug. Those two doll quilts will surely be appreciated. Sew pretty!

Thimbleanna said...

Welcome Back CrazyMom! It sounds like your break was just as Crazy as real life!!!

Bettybus said...

Glad You took the break, though we all missed You. But there were earlier blogs to read again and be inspired of. Want to say a big THANK YIU for beeing such an inspiration for me with your blog and not to forget You and Your friends book.

Kris said...

Glad you are back but it sounds like you were busy as ever. Maybe it was more of a mental break for you. (tv and series shows do that for me).
Doll quilts are lovely.

S Staum said...

Welcome back!! You were missed. Glad you're not coming to Duluth this weekend. More snow on the way!! Excited to see you on the 25th and 26th!!

Dee said...

Sooo glad to have you back!! Missed your blog--you're always so inspiring. Doll quilts are adorable

Dee said...

Sooo glad to have you back!! Missed your blog--you're always so inspiring. Doll quilts are adorable

Helen@Till We Quilt Again said...

So happy you are past the "SQS" disease (Super Quilter Syndrome). Also "Me-cation's" always seem to relieve the symptoms. Crazy thing my post yesterday was all about this topic. SQS must be on a out-break!

Suze said...

I know the neighbor girls are thrilled. When I was young, I loved not only playing with my dolls but also washing the doll clothes (including the linens) and hanging them out to dry. It was so much fun. I think that touching the fabrics was the beginning of my love of fabrics and sewing. Thanks for your wonderful blog. Thanks for taking care of yourself. I laughed at your playing Legos. I was a math major and do NOT like legos. On a trip to visit two of my grandsons, I bought Legos for one of them. I told him that I do not play with Legos. I just do not like them. They frustrate me. So, my daughter, who is a high school math teacher, played with him. She finds it relaxing. We each have our preferences.

V and Co. said...

you are awesome. :)

Unknown said...

Amanda - So glad you're back! :D

Anna said...

yay!!!! so glad you're back. we've missed you, obviously!!!

SussiT said...

So glad you are back on the blog. Missed your inspiration and always happy posts.

Live a Colorful Life said...

I really missed you here. Those quilts are super cute. You are getting close--past the halfway point!

kathy-o said...

Welcome back! And thank you for the reminder to take some time out!

Dondi M said...

I missed you, but I totally understand how you cannot keep up with everything. I hope you are over the mean, nasty cold.

Pieced Brain Quilt Designs said...

Welcome back! I sent you positive vibrations the whole month, hoping you were finding ways to relax. Sometimes, even though we may be busy, just the fact that we are busy with other things works!

Liz said...

I'm glad you're back and well rested :)

sonia said...

Welcome back! Hope you are full of energy. You are halfway to yiur goal. Your projects are beautiful, as always!

SewPsyched! said...

Welcome back!! So very glad to hear that your much deserved rest worked. Be sure to take it easy! Xx

Lynn said...

I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your break, and got to spend time with family and do some things just for yourself...but I'm also glad you're back! I missed your inspiration.
Your doll quilts are adorable and so pretty.

Bess said...

I've been checking your blog, hooray you are back in business again! I love all of your inspiring projects, and the way you connect up so many other inspiring people through your blog. Thank you!

Hannah said...

Welcome back, Amanda!! I'm so glad you took a break and as we are in the middle of spring 'break' here, I feel ya on that one! Phew! Love your doll quilts :-)

Annalia said...

Very cute doll quilts! I'm glad you were able to get a break...even if you spent some of it convalescing.

Dianne said...

Welcome Back!!

Lisa Lisa said...

So happy to see you again! I don't always comment, but I do always read your posts :)

Cindy said...

I missed you. I wasn't able to go to Fargo--car problems. I would have loved to see you though. Glad your month off helped, but next year don't schedule it during spring break, then you can have a whole month off!

Gina said...

Welcome back. So glad you took the time you needed for yourself and your family. Good for you!

Leigh Ann Mahaffie said...

Your post was great for two reasons - you are back! and until you just told me, I had no idea What Not to Wear was on Netflix! Another to add to my growing pile of binge watching. Glad your break was what you needed, and even more glad you are back.

Unknown said...

I don't leave comments cause you have so many wonderful people encouraging you but... welcome back! I've missed you.