Balance

My basket blocks have been the perfect little project for these busy weeks.  I can steal away to my sewing room and piece together one or two in a jiffy.  When I started them, I didn't envision them being assembled like this.  And still don't.  I was more thinking of them as units to be part of a more varied quilt, like the Japanese ones I loved so much at the Tokyo festival.  There's no time or space to be pulling out yardage and playing with sets, so for now, just a block at a time.  And if there was time for set & border planning, I'd be working on this project.  Soon, soon.

I've had a number of recent emails and comments asking how the move is going.  You probably envision me sitting on the front steps with my bags packed, waiting for the van to roll up.  Actually, our house hasn't even been listed yet.  At first this was due mostly to my foot-dragging, so petrified that it might sell right away and we wouldn't have decided where we wanted to *land* in the Chicago area.  After weeks of prepping here and considering options there, we're ready to get the show on the road, but are now waiting for the relocation company (corporate move) to put things in motion.  Which is all fine with me.  I was hoping this would come together around now as the landscape has greened up and the house really never looks better than it does at this time of year.

So now I'm down to the little jobs...moving the furniture around, planting my flowers.  These are the colors I selected for my outdoor plantings.  I snatched up all the magenta striped petunias I could find.  They look great in pots by my periwinkle chair, but I'll wait until they fill out a bit to take a shot.  It feels wonderful to strike a balance again.

Comments

[Chris]

Gorgeous flowers... I always wonder about buying/selling a house in the winter - you miss out on so much of its character and yard.

[Scribbles & Bits]

I seriously love the basket done in red and white stripe (first column, bottom one). The flowers look really great! I've never had any luck with plants so I'm always pretty awed by lovely little gardens of them!

[Katie Greenwood]

I love your choice of fabrics.

Best of luck with the move. We have sold and bought and are packing. Move date is June 10. I can't wait!

[Carole]

How fortunate that you're listing the house when it's at it's prettiest! Good luck.

[blackbird]

I've always been envious of people with relocation companies...
and people who live in Chicago!

[kathie]

I love these little blocks, are you just pulling 2 or 3 fabrics out of your stash at a time and making a block?
Or have you pulled a pile of fabric to make them ready for when you can sew?
I love the randomness of the blocks to tell you truth!!!!
can't wait to see this quilt grow.
Kathie

[debbie]

FYI, next week on hgtv's "house hunters" they'll be in Chicago all week. Might be fun for you to watch that.

[Hedgehog]

Your color and fabric choices are always so fresh and energetic!

[JudyC]

I think it's good that you are having to make these without **planning** out everything in advance! I'm loving the colors!

[Tonya R]

wonderful baskets. I'm glad you're finding time to sew and relax amidst the hubbub.

[Christiane]

love your baskets,just can't decide which block I like best, adorable fabric choice, wonder what you choose for side triangles...curious........think I have to sew some baskets too or cake stands.

[Cindra]

I miss the pinwheels! I loved those blocks. Running from blog to blog I am so impressed with how lovely everyone's gardens and front porches and homes in general look. It's the first love in Spring of color. We all crave it after the winter and our gardens flourish.

[Diane]

Jan, I've been so inspired by creative women like you that I decided to try my hand at blogging. Please visit me at www.persnicketyquilts.blogspot.com. Glad to hear you are moving to my neck of the woods. You'll enjoy it!

[africankelli]

One day at a time, right? I can see your love of color in your quilts and your flowers. So pretty and so appropriate for spring!

[susan]

i love these blocks jan! so pretty... you are always a great source of inspiration for me!

[quilt crazy]

Thanks for the reminder of the basket quilts at the Tokyo show. I've posted a few photos to share. http://oregonquilt.blogspot.com/