Grounding or Grounded
Grounding or grounded? That is the question. It has been a roller coaster of a year for the SEDOSO (Senior Executive Director of Studio Operations) and I, as well as our extended family. For much of the year I have felt anything but grounded. However, with my Bernina 990 restored to operational and a bit more studio time, I am beginning to settle in.
Butterfly Sanctuary
How ironic, just as I am settling in, the work I am focused on is creating butterfly blocks.
Metamorphosis is the first, and fussiest, of the two patterns released in July for Butterfly Sanctuary. This is WonderFil’s Block of the month for 2026. There are 109 pieces that make up this block. In contrast, the second block, Nestled, only has 39 pieces.
I’m really curious to get the instructions for how to piece the actual quilt. Every block is an irregular shape. Most have 4 sides, but Flutter is triangular. There is a Facebook group for participants, where you can post your progress, see the other participants’s work and of course, ask questions. Many people have posted all five of their blocks. So, I grouped my five for you in the image below.
The butterflies may be taking flight, but I find the repetitive rhythm of piecing very grounding. Ditto, for checking off items on my to do list, such as completing blocks.
Blue Ribbon Members’ Exhibition
The South Shore Art Center is hosting its annual Blue Ribbon Exhibition next month. My entry this year is How Does Your Garden Grow? Surprise, surprise, my garden includes thread painted butterflies.
Keeping It Reel
How Does Your Garden Grow? is currently hanging in my studio. I filmed a reel as if the viewer walked into the studio and then wanted to take a nose to quilt scan of the details. That is where you can see how much fun I have with background quilting. At first it looks like a simple meander. However, I include leaves, flowers and butterflies along the journey. Check it out on either Instagram or Facebook.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
Here is one more of the cat blocks pieced last week for my 2026 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt.
I really had fun playing with the large scale background fabric.
Question of the Week
How about you? What do you find grounding?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
Grounding? Hmmm…the work of my hands grounds me — especially knitting, which was the first craft I learned (over 65 years ago) and which I do everyday, some. The last year or so, I’ve been doing more and more of it for longer periods of time…
Yes, if you asked me what grounded you, I would have guessed knitting. Like piecing, it is a very repetitive process that lends itself to relaxation.
Playing with layouts, incorporating scraps and giving myself mini challenges are ways that fulfill me. So perhaps, that would be my answer to your grounding question. Those butterflies are going to come together is an amazing way–of that I have no doubt!
Playing with layouts, exploring challenges and using up scraps in creative ways, all take up mind space and allow you to settle in.
Shortly after writing my post, I found image of the quilt layout. It will definitely be a fun quilt.
Those butterflies are just amazing, Gwyned! I imagine they require some deep concentration to achieve the correct result. I love the reel showing closeups of How Does Your Garden Grow, too – your quilting is beautiful! When life is a roller coaster, I find having a plan helps (as when we learned about my husband’s treatment plan when he had a cancer relapse a few years ago) or doing something like sewing that puts your brain in a different mode (instead of constant worry)! Hope everything is okay with you and your family these days. Hugs!
Let’s just say it has taken several butterflies for me to develop a sewing strategy for the remainder. However, 5 blocks done with 7 more to complete I have found my rhythm. So, I am relaxing more and doing less reverse sewing than with the first couple of blocks. Glad you enjoyed the reel sharing my quilting.
I agree, that when life becomes unpredictable, sewing or other repetitive, but creative outlet, is great way to re-energize and face what needs doing. Thank you for the well wishes and send them back to you.
You’re a no reply, but when I clicked on your name on my actual post it brought me here to this wonderful post! I designed a block for the Benartex ezine in an edition last year that I named Catio, as the fabric was cats and I did an attic window variation. So I do like your RSC block! A catio is a real thing, pretty cool. I love your butterfly blocks—wow, so intricate and precise. Thanks for visiting my blog!
Thank you for going to the extra mile to find me, Sandra. I hadn’t heard the term catio, however, as someone who has nearly always shared her home with a cat, I am familiar with all the fun spaces people create for cats. Our last two homes have included contained outdoor spaces for our cat. Not exactly a catio, but a way for the cat to be outside without becoming prey to a larger critter.
Your Bernartex/Catio block sounds fun.
Your butterflies are very pretty, and I love to see the FB group were all the versions are posted. I’m not going to make them now, I saved all the files for later. Thank you by the way for explaining in your previous post why ripping is called frog sewing, I was wondering 😉 Sorry I haven’t been very active on your blog these past few weeks, the end of the year was quite exhausting. These are what I find grounding, vacations! Thank you so much for sharing and linking up.
So many fabulous patterns, blocks and ideas. So little time. It will be fun to see your version of Butterfly Sanctuary, when you decide to tackle it. I often wonder when I should and shouldn’t define terms in my posts. My readers are predominately US based quilters. However, there are some non US quilters, like you, as well as family and friends. If I think my brother, a Professor of Numerical Analysis, won’t understand what I am talking about, then I explain it. Figure anyone in the know skim over it. BTW that brother has a pied de terre in Lyon. His primary home is in Oxford. Interesting that you find vacations as grounding. So, you will be grounded very soon.
I usually feel grounded when crafting. Sometimes I need the feel of fabric or yarn in my hands. Your butterflies are so pretty. I can’t imagine piecing a butterfly with so many small pieces. Wow! I love your garden quilt and the fabrics of your cat block are wonderful.
Seems many are in accord with you, Cathie. Some people need to touch the earth, so gardening is grounding. Many of us need to touch fabric or yarn, etc. I neglected to mention in my post, but How Does Your Garden Grow? was my 2023 RSC quilt. I do have fun using unexpected fabrics.
Thank you for taking time to photograph all five butterflies together, they are so pretty. It will be interesting seeing how the quilt is put together with odd shape blocks.
I was having difficulty imaging how the odd shaped butterfly blocks would come together. So, when I saw other participants in the BOM sharing images of their 5 blocks, I set my blocks up the same way. After doing so, I found a photo of BOM quilt. So, now I know how present the grouping after I stitch each additional block.
Hi Gwyned, those paper pieced butterfly blocks are gorgeous and I’m glad that you find it grounding. It would drive me nuts!!! My grounding stitching is piecing scrappy improv fabric. There is no precision, just picking fabric and sewing. I’m also finding the hexies very grounding but not outside when it’s windy 🙂 Thanks for linking up to I Quilted This!
Well, there are times, especially at the beginning when those butterflies did drive me nuts. However, once I get into the rhythm I find it very calming. Our differing interests is just one more thing I love about quilting. Everyone is free to do what captivates them and there is so much to choose from.
I have visions of you working on your hexies when a gust of wind scatters them. Now that is a different challenge.
These butterflies are truly works of art! What a feat to sew each lovely one! What a talented SEDOSO you are!
Aren’t those butterflies fun? I’m very impressed with the blocks WonderFil creates for their annual BOM projects. They are VERY tricky to sew. Nevertheless, I can’t wait for Saturday, August 1st, when the next one is released.