Quilts in Progress

I've been working on two new quilts these days. I received quite a bit of fabric for Christmas so it has been fun to figure out what I am going to do with it.

First, I'm making one using the Flights of Fancy line. I received a nice fat quarter pack of this one. I'm thinking that I'd like to add a couple more solids to this one. We'll see. I really like how it is coming along so far though!


Second, this is a quilt that I have had in mind for a long time now. The black and white quilt. I have been slowly accumulating black and white fabric for well over a year now. I originally planned to have red accents, but when I discovered the Taxi by Timeless Treasures line that had great yellow accents I was sold. I am really looking forward to seeing how this one turns out! Especially since I'd like to use it for the bed in the spare bedroom.

2009: Year of the Quilt

While I was reading everyone's fun posts about all the sewing projects they accomplished in 2008 I began thinking about what the heck I did during the entire year.  I certainly wasn't making quilts.  It's not like I didn't do anything.  I finished the quilt for my friend's baby, Owen, and I made a tree skirt and stockings.  I finished a quilt top and I at least made a valiant effort to finish my quilt-a-long blocks (some day I'll finish, I promise!).   I also made an apron that I never wear.  Thruthfully, I don't like it.  That is why I never posted about it. 

Then it dawned on me.  I spent the first half of the year planning my wedding.  Then I spent the summer going to 5 other weddings.  Then I spent the rest of the year decorating my home.  First was the bathroom, then the master bedroom.  Finally, during my "Christmas Break" I spent a large chunk of time painting our living room and kitchen. 

I also made some curtains.  See?  They're not quite done yet. 

 
But this year, I tell ya, I'm going to do some quilting.  I have two in the works now.  That will be for another day though. 

I think my job is really cool

For those of you who don't know already, I am a structural engineer.  My job is essentially to design the guts of a building to make sure it stands up.  There are some days when I have moments where I think, "Man, my job is really cool!"

Today was one of those days.  I had the opportunity to go out to one of my job sites.  This is actually my first major project that has gone under construction.  This was my first project I worked on when I started my current job a year ago.  It has had its fair share of trials, but since it was a major learning experience being my first and all.  But today was one of those days that made me feel like the thousands of dollars spent on my degree were worthwhile.

This project is a large addition to a beer distributing warehouse.

This was a couple months ago when I was at the job site.  Those are all of the foundations I designed!

And that is all of my steel!

And here is how it looks today.  It's really a building! Not the most exciting or beautiful building.  But still.  I did all of that! :)  In a few more months that will be full of beer.  That's going to house a lot of beer...

So yeah, I think my job is pretty cool.  I'm pretty sure that is how it is supposed to be.

Ready for the Christmas Tree

 The Christmas projects are shaping up nicely.  About a week and a half ago now I finished the tree skirt and the stockings.  I am really happy with how they turned out!

The tree skirt

 Stockings and the skirt folded

 Close up

Pieces cut for the Christmas quilt

Excuse the poor lighting in the photos.  I've been having a hard time getting decent photos, if you haven't noticed yet.  :)  The combination of the fact that I don't get home from work until after dark these days and our condo doesn't have very good lighting has really been making it difficult.  Any suggestions?

"Richness"

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of speaking at Calvin College about an internship I did with Engineering Ministries International (eMi) the summer after I graduated college. eMi is a missions organization set up to mobilize architecture and engineering professionals to use their skills for design projects in developing countries. When I discovered this organization I was thrilled because it really combines my heart for the poor and my education. I've always felt very blessed to live the life I live and to have the opportunity to receive an excellent education. Out of gratitude, I really feel pulled to share those blessings to others.

My internship was in Colorado Springs for most of the summer with a 2 week trip to Kenya to assist in the design of a girls' secondary school. When I usually think of my time with eMi I remember all of the fun times I had in Colorado with all of the other interns. However, while reflecting on my whole internship in preparation for my presentation, I was really reminded of how life changing my trip to Kenya was.

The school was to be part of a ministry that was established to take care of orphans and widows. They even had a group of widows from the community who were their local "prayer warriors". They'd pray day and night for all kinds of things. We got a late start on our travels from Niarobi to the village where our ministry was located and didn't arrive until well after dark. However, several hundred feet outside the compound we were greeted with what had to be every member of the church and all of their family. There were so many that our van stopped and we eventually got out and walked with them into the village as they sang praising God for our safe arrival. That evening we were each paired with one of the orphans who sacrificed their bed for us to sleep in, waited for us to get up each morning so they could sweep the bedroom and make the our beds- they even washed our dirty laundry. Daily.

Lillian, the orphan who took care of me

While I can't say I was always thrilled to see my underwear hanging on the fence post, it was completely mind boggling and at times made me feel uncomfortable. Not just because of the underwear situation. I had come to serve them and bless them and they were serving me even more. The Sunday after we arrived we attended the church service on the compound. The service was several hours long and a large portion of it was spent just praising God. One of the most moving parts is when the pastor read a list of items that were donated to accomodate us. It seems to go on and on with items like goats, eggs, pop, produce, money, and sugar. Lots of sugar. And then after he finished, as if they hadn't given enough already, he took a final offering where a couple dozen more people came and donated money or food for us. I think the most moving part was when a woman who I can only assume was one of the praying widows came up to the front of the line and from a piece of fabric gave one egg.

One of the widows during the offering

It was truly beautiful. It reminded me in the Gospels where a window gave two copper pennys and Jesus had noted that she had given more than anyone else because she had given all that she had. These stories are still amazing and moving to me because they helped me realize that having a lot of money or material possessions doesn't make you "rich". Seeing this community serve us made me reconsider that what made you rich was the depth of your heart and your williness to serve and love those around you. A spiritual richness that I had never seen before shined throughout our week there.

In addition to being able to speak about a great time in my life, I also had a lot of down time in the car during the 2+ hour drive each way. This was a great time to work on this long forgotten quilt. Way back when I first started quilting I decided to take up hand quilting. Since then I have discovered the joys of instant gratification from machine quilting. Unfortuantely for this quilt it means the quilting is quite neglected. Fortunately, I have another big road trip coming up. For Thanksgiving when Shawn and I make the 6.5 hour drive to the UP to spend it with his parents.

Coming soon...

Update on the Christmas projects coming soon.  As for now, I'm going to watch the election votes come in.