the emotional life of sølje

I posted a year ago regarding having signed up to sponsor a woman in need through Women For Women International . This month I finished up emailing my latest letter to my sister in Kosovo, and did some wandering around on the site. I decided to make a purchase at the Women for Women International’s Virtual Bazaar–items created by the women being helped through this organization. I purchased a handbag that was made by my sisters in Kosovo, banana leaf note cards by my sisters in Rwanda, and a bracelet created by my sisters in Afghanistan.

When I opened the package today of these items, I held them and thought about how each of my sister’s histories led her to this organization. It made me feel that the struggles I go through on a day to day basis literally pales in comparison. Today, I wear the bracelet knowing it’s a physical item that can link me at every minute of the day to a sister who is on the road to becoming an independent woman. Quite possibly a woman who has a history of such horrific atrocities, that I can’t even begin to fathom how her will to survive was stronger than the desire to give up.

The power to overcome and never give up has become my new resolve. The improvements I want to make in my life can be achieved, and it is thanks to my sisters all over the world that has given me this realization.

Tags: Thinkings and Thoughts, Women For Women writings by Solje
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Today I decided to continue my trend of getting back into being creative again. I pulled out some schoolhouse blocks that were from a swap in 2001, and added strip scraps leftover from my WSU quilt I had been working on.

The blocks came from an exchange where each month one person sends out fabric to 12 (or 24) other people. Those people make a block using that fabric along with any other additions the fabric owner was wanting. What did I learn since this swap? I now know the error in my way of sending out a pattern that appears very difficult (reality: it isn’t, you just have to pay attention). I think 60% of the blocks that came back were “about” 12.5″, 25% were right on the money, and 15% were really cattiwompus. But this is ok! The strips helped greatly, and I did have leeway of not using two blocks (so I have two leftover at this point).

currently measures 68″x68″ish.

Tags: Quilting by Solje
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We are ready for quilting. I decided to use some of my flannel fqs of Robyn Pandolph’s Folk Art Christmas III collection. I was surprised to find that the three colorways I chose for the borders work very well with the overall theme of the quilt. Granted, the image shows an orange cast (which these fabrics slightly lean that way), but if I would have changed the batteries in my camera, I would have had a more true image.

I went on the search for some Washington State University fabrics. I came up with a couple, but they weren’t what I was looking for. I visited The Bookie, and found they have “sweatshirt blankets”. Perfect! I chose a tie-dyed pink, of course it was printed with the obligatory college reference (which could have been much larger, might I add), and it works out to be the right size for this project. So, sweatshirt fabric for a sweatshirt quilt. Perfect. Quilting should be interesting.

Boy, do I need to reorganize some areas in my studio! Being organized definitely helps my creative flair, so I suppose I ought to get rid of some stuff that is just laying around and gathering dust.

Tags: Quilting by Solje
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