ob·sess

ob·sess   /əbˈsɛs/
[uhb-ses] 


verb (used with object)

1. to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of (a person); beset, trouble, or haunt persistently or abnormally: Suspicion obsessed him.

verb (used without object)

2. to think about something unceasingly or persistently; dwell obsessively upon something.

Origin:

1495–1505; < Latin obsessus, past participle of obsidēre to occupy, frequent, besiege, equivalent to ob- ob- + -sid ( ēre ) combining form of sedēre to sit
(http://www.dictionary.reference.com/)

Have you ever had a prospective project take over your thoughts so completely that you just had to get it out of you so you can feel "normal" again?  I don't experience this often, surprisingly.  With bolts and bolts of fabric arriving on my doorstep daily, you'd think it'd happen more often.  I know what HAS to be done and then I have list of what I WANT to get done.  Normally, the HAS to be done list gets priority.  But last night, I had finished a project and had a few moments before dinner needed to take priority so I proceeded to remove this project out of my brain and into reality. 

 We ordered some Rose Card Patterns (Villa Rosa Designs) for our booth in OKC and one of them was called Angel Face and used a "theme" fabric.  More specifically, 1 yard of theme fabric and 1 yard each of a light and dark.  It was baby size which we don't do a whole lot of around here so I wanted to try it out.  And what better then this large scale theme fabric from Just Wing It by MoMo (Moda). 

This fabric has been sitting in my studio for weeks.  Just looking at me and saying, "Joy, when are you going to put me in that Angel Face pattern?"  (Yes, my fabric talks to me often.  And, yes, I do answer it back.)  The thing that really stinks about this is that I have very little of this fabric left.  I went to Moda last night to see if I could order more but of course, in true Moda fashion, it's gone!  Important lesson:  If you LOVE it, buy a lot of it!!  

I started cutting and sewing immediately with the goal of having this done by the end of the evening.  With a minor detour for dinner, it was finished by 9:00 PM.  A total of 3 hours to cut, sew and press.  Impressive.  The size is small, 38" x 50", but what an awesome size for a baby quilt/playmat.  And this butterfly scene fabric was just PERFECT!  If you're as smitten as I am with this, I've put the limited number of kits in my store.  When they're sold out, they're gone.  I wish I could get more of this fabric.  Also, if you don't care for this fabric, if you purchase 1 yard of three different fabrics (sale fabric excluded) and write ANGEL in your order comments, I'll throw one of these patterns in your package for free.  (While supplies last!)

Just Wing It Butterfly Baby Quilt

Ahhhhh.....it's out, and it's as pretty as I knew it would be!  Now on to the next obsession....Amy Butler corduroy and Kay Whitt's Savannah Swing! 

Happy 2012!

It seems every year since I've started this blog, my first post of the new year is of the same theme...where does the time go?  All of a sudden my baby is a tween, we are within a year of retirement from the US Navy and I am ever closer to the big 4-0.  The 40 thing doesn't bother me in the least.  I don't long for my youth...ever.  I'm having so much more fun now than I ever did when I was younger!  It all has to do with confidence and knowing what you want out of life, neither of which I had any clue of back then.  I do however wish that I could figure out how to slow down the time so I might have a chance to savor my life.  I suppose this is a problem most of us have.  I run so fast through life until something happens that knocks me still, normally in a hospital bed which happened recently.  Nothing too serious, just some kidney issues, but that is one of my excuses for not spending time with you all recently!  That and the holidays, and the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show...so, I apologize for my absence!  I've missed talking with you all!


First, let me update you all on happenings here at the shop!  As I mentioned, we just returned from the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show.  This is one of my favorite shows!  Oklahoma peeps are some of the nicest in the world!  I had a blast visiting with friends and meeting all sorts of new ones!   

Our booth, half the size we normally do but I worked this one alone so it's about all I can handle!

Dallas Quilt Celebration 2012 is next on the calendar.  We will be in a double space, booths 34 and 35 at Market Hall March 9-11.  We are SUPER excited to have the always FABULOUS Kay Whitt, designer at Sew Serendipity, in our booth on Friday signing her new book of handbag patterns introduced at Market last Fall.  Kay is a Power House and we are thrilled to have her!  Plus, she's one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet!  Please come by and say hello!

Back in stock:

Sunshine Quilt Kit

We had been sold out of this one for a while but we restocked....for now.  With another Amy Butler line expected in April, that means we are letting Soul Blossoms go.  Sad, I know, but we must move on.  Now, this kit includes one half yard of every print in Soul Blossoms, 33 total.  If you don't want to make this particular quilt, it's still a pretty cool collection of fabrics.  I don't think anyone else is offering this one as a kit.  I may be wrong but I haven't seen it.  If you make the Sunshine Quilt from this kit, you have quite a bit of leftovers to use for your binding, use in partially piecing your back or just keep it in your stash for a future project! 

FABRIC CLUBS ARE BACK!

We had so much fun last year providing some of you with an automatic shipment of fabric every month that we want to do it again!  Spaces will be even more limited than they were last year.  Only 25 spaces available for each Fat Quarter Club and Jelly Roll Club.  Past club members have priority placement so as soon as I find out who is returning, I'll update you all on what's available.  What can you expect by joining the clubs?  First, a gorgeous shipment of Fat Quarters or a Jelly Roll (or both!) monthly for six months starting in March.  We'll do it a bit differently this year and instead of sending you a pattern book with your first shipment, you'll get a free pattern every month in your collection.  Your fabric will be a surprise every month but rest assured that it will be of the same caliber you are used to seeing at A Joyful Soul Fabrics.  I hope to introduce you to some new designers, color palettes and prints.  It's a great way to broaden your stash and creative spirit!  We had such wonderful feedback from last years clubs, we had to do it again!  Your fabric collections will be a secret this time.  You won't know until you open your package!  Fun, right!?  But, I will give you some hints...Heather Bailey, Amy Butler, Riley Blake....need I say more?  You want to sign up now, right!?

Well, I suppose that's enough for today!  I still have so much more to tell you but I'm pacing myself!  Look for some new quilt kits (Riley Blake) arriving soon!  Just need to get the samples made up!  We have some Lila Tueller in and hope to make a tween/teen easy beginner quilt kit.  Get those young ones sewing NOW!

Have a great day!

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