Some of my most creative thinking is done while on long rides with my husband.  If I know we are going to be in the car for more than two hours I usually bring a notepad, and maybe some handwork.  The handwork is for when I run out of stuff to write on the notepad.

While I’m working on one project my brain is thinking of ways to expand on the work I’m doing or how to make it different.  This is especially true if I’m working with something I enjoy or something simple.

Much of my work of late has been using neckties.  The reason for this has to do with retreat, but that is for a later post.  These neckties are fabulous!  Lots of color and pattern, and the textures are wonderful to work with and the ties provide just that.

During one ride with my beloved, I was pondering the fact that much of my tie creations were a little dark.  I had been holding onto a lovely piece of creamy yellow drapery moire for a very special project and it was time to develop that piece.  It doesn’t need to be complex as I wanted the fabrics and ties to speak with their own voice.  I found a perfect match for the back, a butter yellow satin that is soft to the touch.

This is what I came up with on that ride.

When I got home from that little trip I started on my task.  It took a couple of months to complete, not due to the complexity (it isn’t), but because I’m never doing just one thing at a time.

Well, I finished the piece and although I wasn’t thrilled with it, I was thrilled that I finished it.  I took it to the quilter.  I must admit this was a heavy quilt.  My expectations were not really very high as when we laid it out on the table to get a real look at it, I saw a few flaws that I had made.  Still I was aware of the quality of work these gals did and knew it was in good hands. I nearly cried when I picked it up.  In the quilters hands she made it shine.  This was my first experience using M & M Quilting and they did a great job.

The humble quilt that I brought in to be worked on was made regal.  The butter yellow back shimmers like gold with the quilting.  And the front is truly lovely also.

I’m truly satisfied with this quilt, and will make it again, but make some changes in the dimensions of the “stripes”.  I’ll also make sure that I lay it all out to pin the big pieces together so they match up nicer.    All in all this was a win win, and a great learning experience.