In Your Words Blog Hop

 

I loved the idea of a blog hop focusing on a word or words that had a special meaning to us.  I already had too many projects to tend to, but felt that this was a blog hop not to be missed.  The project that I made was one that has been floating around in my mind for years and this gave me the added push to actually put my thoughts to fabric.

 

My word- Balance

My world- Unbalanced

 

My life is out of balance.  It's out of balance in a literal sense and in a figurative sense.  Physically and literally, my balance is out of whack due to a damaged inner ear.  I have been this way for many years, 15+, and have been on a rocky, wobbly road to adjust to vertigo and imbalance on a 24/7 basis.  I'm not always spinning off of my chair but there is a light headed wooziness at the very least.  It's not a great way to live life but I have managed to make the best of a bad situation.  Enough said about that.... I don't want this to be a pity post.

 

The figurative sense of my lack of balance is one that we all deal with.  How do we fit 40 hours of work, play, friends, chores, rest, and creativeness into a 24 hour day?  Even with my math skills, I know this just isn't possible so we have to make choices and prioritize.  Something has to give, something gets left behind, something doesn't get done.  What I've learned is that this is OK.  Stop adding guilt to the issues and making things even worse.  We can't do it all, although I will continue to try and balance my life while, at the same time, not being too hard on myself for what I don't accomplish. 

 

This is a little engraved stone that I have had for many years. Along with this stone, I have collected several items with the inspirational word "balance" on them.   

 

 

 

OK, here's my project.  It's 20" x 30".  All of the blocks are 4" paper foundation blocks.  I used a wonky alphabet and twisted side blocks from EQ.  This picture was taken in the backyard on top of the pretty snow.  I chose the black and white fabrics because it represents the stark contrast between being balanced and not being balanced.  The bright, peachy-orange corner blocks represent hope to me......God's promises of better things to come...... those bright spots in life that give us the courage to keep going.  It isn't quilted yet, but will be soon......no, really! 

 

 

 

Here's a close up of the fabric used in the twisted blocks.  I searched for fabric that looked "dizzy" and thought this one must look like the inside of my brain! (Warning.... don't stare at this too long!)

 

 

 

 

 

 Lastly, here's the scrap pile left after paper piecing.  That's the worst part of paper piecing, the fabric waste.  These are all pretty small scraps, too small to bother with really, but I always hate to toss them aside.  I should keep them as stuffing for projects like pin cushions instead of pitching them.   

 

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed your visit and will come back soon.  Here's the line up of the other bloggers for today.  Please visit each of them to see what words they have chosen and what inspiring projects they have created.

 

Monday, January 14 Schedule

 

Gracie Oliver Arts (Jeanie) You are Here!

Clothes and Crafts (Maria K.)

Cherrys Prairie Primitives (Cherry E.)

Simple Sew (Shirley T.)

Woolie Mammoth (Anna B.)

RocknQuilts (Mary Ann)

Celynn's Sunflower Patch (Celynn)

A Quilting Sheep (Amy)

Sane and Crazy Quilting (Cathy L.)

Quiltsmiles (Jane E.)

Feathered Nest Studio(Jennet)

Many thanks to Linda for hosting all of the bloggers in this hop and to Madame Samm who feeds us great ideas to jump start our creativity!  Thank you both... thank you!