Hello again, Bella quilters, it’s the middle of the week again. My heart goes out to all those readers who are suffering through the worst weather conditions (in some cases) in living memory. Thank goodness for the wonderful technology of computers. No matter where we are on the globe we are not necessarily isolated from our friends, loved ones or fellow quilters.

It’s been a screamer for me this week. So much to do, so little time. I’m madly trying to complete two “Bucket Hangers” for my daughter and her teaching partner for their classroom behaviour management program. The idea is that each child is issued with a bucket (put in place on the Bucket Pocket Hanging). Whenever the teacher sees a student doing an act of kindness, or showing consideration or caring for another student, they are rewarded with“bucket filler” that is then placed in their bucket. Conversely, if a student is observed doing something that is not considerate or caring, a bucket filler is removed from their bucket. At the end of a fortnight, the students empty their buckets and keep tab of their totals on a graph which is regularly updated.

It’s a simple method, and is very effective in encouraging students to co-operate with their peers. It’s not a competition; no one gets to hear their results, so it’s a personal thing. A great idea I said! Well, I’m very pleased with my result and am currently sewing up 30 pockets on each hanging. It took a lot of math (not my favourite subject) and sheer good luck to get the idea to work with fabric and plastic and I’m very pleased. My husband said it’s been a very good behaviour management tool for me too, as it’s kept my head down and bottom up for most of the week! Ha Ha, don’t you love him!!!

That gives me a very handy segue into this next paragraph – Speaking of time or the lack of it, I’ve posted an article on Making Time to Quilt. I think it’s important to sometimes reflect on your past experiences to help to improve your quilt journey, and one of the time honoured issues for quilters is finding the time to quilt. Here’s the link to that article: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art2272.asp

I also posed the question on the forum for anyone who would like to add to the subject. Here’s the link to that: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/576337/Making_time_to_Quilt_Have_you_#Post576337
As always, it’s up to you if you wish to comment on the forums. It’s perfectly safe and often very helpful to new quilters. Make your comment there.

So onto my gifts for you for this week. I thought I might treat you to some gorgeous free quilt patterns. Here’s three that have taken my heart and been added to my “to do” list. (Hopefully in this lifetime!!). Enjoy!

http://www.janpatekquilts.com/_fileCabinet/hearth.pdf Love this one, and it’s very easy to put together.

http://www.qorsite.com/freepatterns/daffodilpillow/daffodilpillow.html Daffodils, love them!

http://www.quiltsoup.com/PetalPath_free_pattern.pdf Gorgeous quilt pattern and instructions from Henry Glass.

Well, that’s all I’ve got for you this week. I do so sincerely hope that the weather improves for so many of my readers who are really undergoing a pretty traumatic time. Do take care in the slippery and dangerous conditions. Keep those fires burning, bury yourself in your quilts and stay warm until we speak again.
Cheerio for now

Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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