I haven't written a post in months.  I'll be honest.  Blogging is fun but it is a lot of work.  I made a big decision and decided to direct my efforts into having a business Facebook page.  I can reach thousands of people rather than a small group.  I guess I would say my intention is encouraging spreading kindness.  I can do that better with the Facebook page.  So...if you haven't already, go to Facebook and like my page, Marla's Pieces.  While I have loved this blog, I want to do more by spreading our work.  I hope to see you on Marla's Pieces and remember, kindness matters.

No Mojo

It has been too long since I have posted a blog.  It's been a tough couple of months. I can't blame it on being too busy.  I can't blame it on the weather.  All I can say is I've been in a funk.  It all started in November with my brother being sick and diagnosed with a brain tumor.  He passed away in early December.  Thanksgiving was somewhere in there.  I'm not sure exactly where. 

December brought the impending Christmas holiday.  Greg and I had an early Christmas with Josh, Jess, and Wesley. 

He's at a great age.  He likes everything, including the wrapping paper.

We flew to DC to spend the actual holiday with the East Coast Welches.  Joel, Cara, Simon and Darcy had their first Christmas as a family in their own home.  They were sweet to share it with us and give us a week long much needed diversion.

Since then, motivation hasn't struck.  My focus went out the window.  Mojo?  Not here either.  I need to get going though.  There are many things waiting to be done.  So today is the start.  I'm finding the groove again.  Somewhere.

Maybe these cars will get me moving.

This quilt has some movement.

This scrappy quilt should get your eyes moving!

Darcy says she still has her groove!

See you!

Things Happen

I think things usually happen for a reason.  Not always, but in general.  A couple of weeks ago, my husband came into my sewing room and said "You won't believe what I just found in the flower bed."  I followed him out of the room and he proudly displayed his discovery.

 

 

 



 

 

Oh boy.  This brings up a lot of questions.  Did one of my quilty friends put it there as a joke?  Did it blow in on the Kansas wind from someone's leftover Halloween decorations?  And why does it say Pieces?  And why MY flower bed of all places?  Not the neighbors, not the house around the block.  Mine.

 

Did it happen for a reason?

 

 

 

Maybe I am supposed to keep it in my sewing room.  Somewhere near my longarm machine. 

 

 

 

 

Maybe it is supposed to be near a stack of precuts.

 

 

 

 

Does it belong on my cutting table?

 

 

 

 

For now, it sits on a cute little shelf in the room.  I really should just throw it away.  Your sewing room can get so messy with little effort.  Yep.  That is what I should do.  Just put it in the trash.  But....what if it really did end up at my house for a reason?

 

 

 

Hooray for Us

Have you heard the news?

 

 

 

 

People everywhere are cheering.

 

 

 

 

Even kids are cheering!

 

 

We've now delivered 900 quilts.  Well, 905 to be accurate, but who's counting???

 

Hooray for us!!!

 

 

 



Pieces Headquarters

 

 

Here at Pieces headquarters a lot has been going on.  Giggle :) Doesn't that make us sound important? So much better than my messy basement!

 

 

 

 

We don't just make whatever strikes our fancy!  We have to look ahead to the next holiday coming up, so we've been busy getting some Halloween quilts ready.

 

Okay, most of the time we just make whatever we want.

 

 

 

Scraps can make wonderful quilts.

 

 

I love batiks...but not as much as my sister loves batiks.

This quilt is total sweetness.

Here's a couple of fun pictures of Wesley.

Time to get back to Pieces headquarters!! 



Quilts and a Tired Mimi

We have been making some of the most wonderful quilts!  Take a look at a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aren't those fabulous?  Our piecers and our quilters do an amazing job.

 

I received a thank you recently from a mom whose daughter had recently been in the hospital. This was her second daughter to receive a quilt.  Not that you ever want your child sick and in the hospital, but the girls were having fun comparing their quilts.

 

And now, a little bit of grandbaby time.  Our East Coast kids were here to visit and this picture was snapped.

 

 

I'm still trying to decide who was the most tired, Mimi or Darcy Grace!

 

See you next time!

 

 



Heat Wave

 

It is mid-July and it is hot.  Really hot.  I'm talking heat indexes around 119.  No, I am not kidding.  When it is that hot, there's only one thing to do.  Head to my sewing room in the basement.  That's not exactly a sacrifice in my book.  Here's a look at a few things we've been working on.

 

 

 

 

This is a wonderful flannel quilt that someone from our guild made.  The fabrics and the larger size makes it perfect for an older boy.

 

 

 

 Paula made this fun John Deere quilt.  The backing even has tractor tires on it.  A little farm boy is going to be thrilled with this quilt.

 

 



 

 

 

Red, black and white always makes a good choice.

 

 

 

 

 

I like the colors of this quilt.  The fabrics are fun and the simple design allowed the quilter to do some awesome quilting.

 

 

 

 

 

This quilt says Meow!  Cats, cats, cats!  I think there are a few mice running through it too.

 

That's a quick look but I hope you'll come back for more!