WIP Wed: 3DTP (Tula Pink), and Fire Escape

Watching Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast this week has stirred up all sorts of "stuff".  It's horrifying to watch, and the memories of watching my own family go through Hurricane Katrina have been haunting me the last few days and nights.  It's left me feeling sad and very anxious.  My thoughts and prayers go out to anyone reading this who is affected.  I know that even though the storm has passed that it's going to take many months and even years to recover.  It'll be incredibly difficult, but in my case, it really made me realize what's important in life.  

I really do think Hurricane Katrina was part of my decision to quit my job to become a stay at home mom.  It made me realize just how short and precious life is and to not take my family or the health of me and my family for granted.  It also helped me put "THINGS" into perspective... even important things like family photos, which we lost in the storm.  I spent so much time and energy prior to Katrina (that's how everyone measures time in New Orleans... pre and post Katrina) working for money to buy things.  When I saw a whole life times of things destroyed, multiplied by many hundreds of thousands of families, it changed me.  My family has been able to replace these "things", but the THINGS that can not be replaced are what's most important... life, physical and mental health, family bonds, friendship bonds, memories, and even the past and future... the time we spend with each other.

On a lighter note, my progress on my "Works in Progress" has slowed considerably, but I did get almost the entire top of my "3DTP" quilt finished late last week.  I just need to add the borders.  I'm making it for the Tula Pink Quilt Along that Sew Sweetness is hosing.  I had the opportunity to meet Tula Pink in person at a book signing in nearby Walla Walla, WA. If you ever get a chance to meet her in person, you'll understand whey she has a big fan following.  Her personality is just as great as her fabric designs!

I must admit that I rarely buy designer fabric right as it's released.  But I couldn't resist some fat quarters of her The Birds and The Bees line.  It was so hard to cut up, that I picked a design that allowed the fabric to shine.  I've been wanting to do a "shadow" quilt for a long time, and this is the perfect opportunity!

I also got my "Fire Escape" quilt almost quilted.  It's been a work out to quilt, as I'm doing a design that works the quilt from side to side, which means I have put it entirely through my machine many many times.  I love the "fire" effect, but don't think I'll be doing a whole (twin sized) quilt like this again.  I hate it when quilting feels more like a chore than fun...

Wish me luck getting these done!

I hope all of you have a great Halloween!  My boys are going to be handing out candy this year for the very first time!  What a major milestone!!  They're growing up WAY too fast.

Be sure and check out what others are working on over at WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!