Seeking a Bit of Blue Sky

Life has been stormy ... both literally and figuratively in my remote corner of the planet.  When life becomes complicated and stress or worries tend to monopolize my life, I turn to dillydallying.  Working with my hands ... creating ... being busy ... all assist to help me clear my head.  The complications and worries still exist, but I am better able to think and pray with clarity rather than confusion.  If you follow me on instagram, you know that I have been especially busy ... working on multiple projects ... and those are just the ones I post!  Mr. DD has noticed over the years that the number of projects directly relates to my stress level! ;-)

Today, I'll just share the progress I've made on our guild's 30th Anniversary Party!  It was such fun ... and the event's influence is still being felt here in DillyDallydom!  I took this pic at the beginning of the wool applique' class.  Roseann's sample is in the upper left corner.  Sew inspiring!

Girlfriend DD had never done an entire project with hand stitching!  And she was taught by the best!  Roseann is a wonderful instructor ... with both beginning and experienced stitchers.

After making our pincushions, we moved on to a more advanced project, this sweet table mat is a close-up photo of Roseann's sample.

GF made great progress on her mat ... it was nearly finished by the end of the day!

I have been working on my finishes here at home.

It only took a few minutes to finish the pincushion.  They were all sew dang cute ... I want to make more!

And one end of my mat is completely finished ... and I have made good progress on the remaining end.

"Her Majesty" got a new outfit during class with Sherri Falls!  QBee Marianne brought in decals and gifted me with them!  What a hoot!  I had such fun dressing my machine!  "Her Majesty" is such a workhorse ... she deserves to look pretty!  We began that day by working on our Crafty Basket!  Not to boast ... but I am in love with my kitty / yarn themed fabric!

QBee Marianne and GF working on their crafty basket ... love this pic, it really captures how much fun we were all having!

Sherri had many tricks and techniques that really helped everyone make their baskets successfully!  And GF and I have a new appreciation for binder clips!

I finished mine here at home ... and absolutely love the results!  This is a pattern I will make many times over!  I plan to use mine for knitting projects, but I can envision many uses for the pattern!

I am so in love with this fabric ... wish I had more yardage ... ugh!  The polka-a-dots with kitty ears and faces just makes me giggle!

GF decided to make her first mini under Sherri's tutelage ... yep, she is a very smart woman!

Those little one inch (half inch finished) squares can be challenging, but Sherri checked her accuracy and GF made great progress!

I was able to get started in class, but being chairperson of the event prevented me from making much progress.  But I was able to soak up all the hints and tips Sherri used to help us improve our piecing.  We all benefited from her insights and experiences ... I loved learning from her!

First block came together nicely ...

... and the second block went together even more quickly!  This block pattern is really fun!

Yep ... Little Miss Snoopervisor is always near ... lending a paw.  ;-)

Six blocks done ... half way there!

Currently I have eight blocks done, and only four remain.  I am busy getting ready to teach at the Valdez Quilt Festival, so have set my Winter Lights quilt aside ... for now!  I hope to use this quilt during the winter months following the Holidays ... stay tuned!

Dillydallying provides for me a glimpse of blue sky during stormy and complicated times.  I truly am serious when I say ... do dillydally!

Do what you love.  Take good care!  Do dillydally! 

Mrs. DillyDally

Our Hearts Are Heavy

Here, in our remote corner of the planet ... we are grieving.  An outstanding 2016 graduate left this earthly life last week.  Every corner of our community has reached out to support his parents, brother, and friends.  The pain ... the sorrow ... the love ... the emotions are intense and overwhelming.

Class of 2016 - Photo taken May 2015

Today was a "Celebration of Life" event to honor his short, but influential life.  My comments were the following:

As a teacher, one of the first things I did when I had new students is work to identify their strengths through observation.  I was co-advisor for the Class of 2016 from 7^th grade through their 10^th grade year.

It was quickly apparent that Enrique had many talents … but one was particularly unusual for a student his age.  The greatest desire of every human heart is acceptance.  Even as a 7^th grader, Enrique would seek out those who might not feel included and bring them into the activity that was taking place.  Those gestures of friendship and compassion mean so much to the recipient, helping others feel like they belong can be life changing.

As a sophomore, he was in my Healthy Living and Career classes.  Enrique’s personal development and relationship skills were extraordinary.  He surrounded himself with a diverse group of friends, offering them encouragement and unconditional acceptance.  I enjoyed and respected him for his independent thinking skills, sense of humor, loyalty, and willingness to question the status quo.  He was such a pleasure to have in the classroom and he contributed to everyone’s learning.

We are here today to celebrate Enrique’s life … I have a personal message for his classmates and friends.

You have all been in my thoughts and prayers … we will miss Enrique and all that he brought into our lives.  I know in my heart that you wish to honor his memory.

The best way for you to honor Enrique is to live and enjoy a future in this world that is no longer possible for him…

·      Make decisions that create possibilities for your life.

·      Choose a career path that is your passion.

·      Fall in love, many times if necessary.

·      Share your life with a special someone.

·      Have a family.

·      Love unconditionally.

Life is never perfect … it is certainly unfair … and nothing is promised.  So … honor Enrique by living with purpose … create a future that maximizes your potential.  Enrique would encourage and want that for you.

Love one another.

Mrs. DillyDally

My Birthday Bash!

Sew much has happened since my last post ... every time I sat down to write, I couldn't decide where to begin!  I am so grateful for an especially busy dillydally life ... no complaints from me!  Finally, I decided to just dive in and begin with my birthday!

QBee Diane made me a beautiful German Chocolate cake and extra vanilla cupcakes for those with chocolate allergies!  Love that she shared her baking talent with us!  The truth is that the day wasn't really about my birthday.

The day was really about these two Minnesotans visiting my remote corner of the planet!  "Quilt Rock Stars" Sherri Falls and Roseann Kermes were here to help our local quilting guild celebrate our 30th anniversary.  We have learned to schedule such visits with an extra day to assist with their adjustment to the Alaska time zone or in the likely event of travel complications!

 We spent the day exploring all 36 miles of road available here!  The weather was less than perfect, but Minnesota is "where the women are strong" ...

... "and the men are good looking"!  Roseann's husband and youngest son came as well!  Despite the weather, all four Minnesotans embraced the experience and were up for the adventure!

That evening, the guild's organizing committee came to my home and we hosted an Alaskan themed potluck dinner with moose meatballs, halibut enchiladas, and Copper River Red Salmon cooked on the grill!  Add to that three salads and birthday cake for dessert!

Best! Birthday! Ever!  Sharing my remote corner of the planet ... listening to that beloved Minnesota accent all day ... hanging with Quilt Rock Stars ... working with amazing QBees ... and sharing a meal with family and friends!  It was a perfect dillydally birthday!  I am blessed!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally