It was only after I had about half of these 6" Ohio Star blocks made that i realized just how many I was going to need to finish the job! 56!!! (Would that stop you from tackling it?)
I am still plugging away on them. I've done maybe 35...so I am more than half way. I'm just doing them as I have time to do them. They are simple, quick, and adorable, and I'm loving putting the different fabric combos together.
Why does quilting have to be a race? Why do we always have to rush rush rush through a project so we can start another one? It's something I've asked myself over the past few years....I think since doing my first Dear Jane, and all the talk was about "enjoying the journey" Which is a huge lesson in life for me. It was always "When I get to....or after this one I'll...." instead of living in the here and now and just loving it for the sake of enjoying the whole process.
I plan on working on these through the weekend as time allows..I did spend some time yesterday re-straightening my quilting space and especially the cutting table, because I tend to be a little whirling dervish while I sew. It never gets really really bad, but I'm not a "put everything away as I use it" kind of gal either....so I spin for a while, and then take a break and straighten my chaos, and then spin for a bit more.
Chiropractor appt this morning, and then I'll be back for some more. And it's such a cold ugly day out....I think this would be a good morning to start a crock pot full of good old stick to your ribs chili for supper....don't you?
I'm chuckling with your post. I've seen you work...you'd win if it were a race! We race to finish a project because there is only so much lifetime and we have a list of want-to-dos. It doesn't stop while we are awake, we also dream right? Chili sounds yummy...wonder what I'll make..best get thinking about that.
ReplyDeleteAmen to your "enjoying the journey" comment! I finally learned that last year myself. I was either waiting for the perfect circumstances to do something (either in quilting or just in life) or doing the opposite and rushing through things to get to the next thing. Why do we women do this to ourselves? Men don't seem to have these problems.
ReplyDeleteChili sounds great... I'll bring grilled cheese sammies...LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm like you -- break and straighten....whirl....brak and straighten.
I totally agree with you. Each quilt is like a friendship to me...the fabrics and patterns become my friends and like to share moments and memories as we sew and get to know one another. I don't like to hurry with my friends...
ReplyDeleteCan't really articulate what I wanted to say, but anyhoo...thanks for being you and sharing so much of your life and love with the universe. ((hug))
I am probably unusual in that knowing there were 56 to make would actually be an incentive. I'd probably view it as an opportunity to make 56 totally different blocks with no repeats. I love scrappy!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I am one of those people who are a bit intimidated by quilts with LOTS of pieces---I don't enjoy the journey nearly as much if I know it will be a LONG one. The exception was the Carolina Christmas mystery. I love your quilts, but because you are a "scrapper", they always have lots of little pieces. I have always been a fearful of starting one for that reason because I really like to "finish what I start". Members of my Guild did your Quiltmaker mystery and I really enjoyed it (and finished it, making it bigger---hence not so "small" pieces) that I plunged in to Carolina since it was a BIG quilt (my favorite). I am proud to say I finished it---renaming it Carolina Winter (since it wasn't finished until after Christmas). I only have to put the binding on---and although I can see some mistakes, I absolutely love it and am so proud of myself! (I posted a picture on my blog--patricia-myquiltingadventure.blogspot.com) This long post is just to say how much I appreciate your unselfish willingness to share your gift! I plan to make more of your quilts---lots of "little" pieces and all!!!!
ReplyDeletePatricia
I am very glad that the amount of squares, pieces and all that kind of thing, does not stop you. I also really admire how you, and any other designer out there, works thier magic on desiging thier patterns!! I made slight change on a blk I am working on, and, uh, did you know that if you change one piece - just to make squaring off the blk at the end, well that affects the other part of the blk too??? lol!! when I realized this, I had to laugh!! And my admiration for your talents and other designers I love, just grew!!
ReplyDeleteNo, quilting should not be a rushed game, and for me it's not. BUT - saying that, I want to be able to get more done than I do, and that comes with the 'doing it'!! I watch this blog and see you teaching, desiging and making more quilts that I ever have in a weekend for crying out loud!!!! I have only finished a few quilts, but, saying that, I do have tops ready to be quilted (which I don't do yet) and lots of boxes with future quilts in them, that I work on from time to time.
I admire your passion, your productivity and just your many gifts. I get energy from your blog. I get excited when I see what you are doing and Bonnie, I just enjoy reading about what is going on around you - what makes you get those feelings I get, the insperations and the excitemnt to try this next!!
No, if I knew a block was going to be 56 6" blks, no, that would not stop me. I might make them into leader/enders though, while I worked on something else. Then, those blks are done in no time!! (Learned that from you!!)
And part of the journey is the enjoying what you are doing. Do you feel pressure to create more?? Then, you are not doing this for you and you will start to loose the enjoyment of it. If you are doing it for you, and it's your own passion that wants you to get to the next project - then I do not see a problem with that.
And it's not like all you do it sit in your little room and sew all day either. I know you leave it sometimes. People have seen you!! And who else is going to be making that chili tonight??? hmmm??
Enjoy the day and enjoy the cold and enjoy the chili!! Make it the best day ever!!
Hi, Bonnie . . . If you get the chance, take a peek at my blog: www.prairiemoonquilts.com . I’m passing on an award to you. Don’t feel obligated to continue it on, I just want you to know how much I admire everything you do! You are AMAZING! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post today! *karendianne.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it it hard to remember that life (and quilting) is about the journey, and not the destination. Maybe that could be because we're taught to be such goal oriented people. I find that I'm in the very same boat as you, rushing constantly, and I often forget to enjoy the moment. Thank you for the reminder to 'be in the now'.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to Paducah this year Bonnie hon? I'm all booked to go, and would love to catch up with you if you'll be there.
*hugs*
Taz
:-)
PS: My word verification is 'cloth' how appropriate!
Bonnie, I'm "making a mess" too! I started some blocks in mid-January with no idea of what they'd turn into or how many I'd make: little scrap baskets that are on the end flyleaf of Roberta Horton's "Scrap Quilts: the art of making do." I am finding it quicker to handpiece these little jobbies with their three set-in seams than try to machine-piece. I'm doing them in front of tv and have made 39 to date, which probably means I watch too much tv! I will probably have an Olympic-sized pile -;c)-by the end of February, but I am planning to baste a top for handquilting today so I can work on that, too. It is freeing in a way to be making blocks for something as yet undesigned. That's the Bonnie influence!
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