Small Changes - Big Difference

When I finished the Birds Quilt, I had a lot of little scraps. What can I do with these itty bitty triangles?

I made HSTs which I made into a mug rug. Small scraps led to a cute mug rug.

Very happy with it but let's admit it - it was just another squirrel distracting me from the projects at hand.

What happens when you set yourself free to chase butterflies and squirrels?
You will end up with a lot of UFOs.

I know this because 2017 was going to be my year of living dangerously - no plans, no goals. Total Freedom. Well, that total freedom of chasing small squirrels and little distractions has resulted in seven flimsies. And this is just March!
YIKES!!!

Let's rein in the freedom and bring some order into this chaotic craziness.
My goal is to finish two quilts. Here is one - basted and ready to go. I even made the binding to match! Linking with March OMG at Elm Street Quilts.

And if I can complete two quilts and file the taxes in March, that will be a cause for celebration - which brings me to St. Patrick's Day.

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St. Patrick's Day is the upcoming party day for a lot of people.
In my first year in the US, when I was a student at FSU, I learned about St. Patrick's Day.
A relatively unknown student came up to me and very gently pinched my arm. I was slightly taken aback - I hardly knew the guy.

I was told - wear green on March 17 (unless you want to be pinched). Every year. Noted.
There are parades. Not interested.
There are parties. Not for me.
Some people drink green beer. I am completely turned off now.

Every year since then I have made it a point to wear green on March 17.
And do nothing else differently.

But if there is a special sale - I am listening.
Are you?

Connecting Threads (affiliate link) has an ongoing sale for all things green. Yes, green thread and green fabric are on sale.
I know it is silly. When does blue go on sale?
Nevertheless, I perused the sale and narrowed down two items - wide backing at an unbelievable price of $8.36/yard.

I have used this wide backing on the Tropic Frolic Quilt and I am pretty pleased with it.

And that wide backing at that price is surely something to toast!

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There is nothing like a dose of reality to end the hangover. While I obsess over sale items, fabric choices, and binding widths, someone is getting killed just for their faith or the color of their skin.

The hate, anger, and prejudice led to the shooting.  The widespread outpouring of support and love that followed the horrific incident has reaffirmed my faith in humanity. Once again - small changes make a big difference. The GoFundme campaign raised over four times the target amount in just a few days. A lot of contributors were of Indian origin. Many were not. Several made anonymous donations.

This is not the first hate crime and it certainly won't be the last. Feelings of helplessness abound.
But there is something I can do.  I can donate towards worthy causes. I can make a quilt block and show my support for kindness, tolerance and inclusivity.

A House full of Love

In Canada, Montreal Modern Quilt Guild is making quilts to send to the families of the victims of the Quebec City Mosque shooting. I chose to participate.

House with Blessings

Please check out posts by Lisa at Sunlight in Winter Quilts, Janine at Quilts from the Little House, and Sandra at Musings of a Menopausal Melon- mmm quilts who also participated in the effort.

My blocks for the MMQG

Just like small scraps gathered together can make a quilt, so also small acts of kindness can make a more loving and kinder world. This is my belief.

As always, I'd love to hear from you.