Friday, June 7, 2013

I always end up staying away so long that...

...I avoid posting because I don't know where to start and what to share.  I hope I'm not the only person on the planet that does this.  Procrastination sure is a b*&$#.

Admittedly I haven't been working on a whole lot...kinda being lazy really.  With no job and all day to quilt, I should be getting TONS more done.  My husband has tried to convince me that it's okay to not quilt all the time.  But somehow I can't wrap my brain around that...hahahaha...men. 

I really do feel guilty if I sit down to quilt and don't accomplish anything.  Again...I hope I'm not alone here.  Do I feel guilty if I put off housework for a day or two or more?  Hmm...not so much.  Probably because I don't enjoy housework like I enjoy quilting. 

Maybe I'm missing my longarm machine.  I've been bit by the bug and really been itching to use it but it hasn't been set up yet.  Yeah...I know!  It should have been the first thing dealt with.  Right?  We don't know need kitchen stuffus and unpacked clothes to wear.  That's what WalMart and fast food are for...lol.

Anyway...enough "brain leak" rambling.  Back to what I've been up to. 

What I haven't been up to is my pineapple blocks.  I'm just bored with them and then moved onto pickles.  Here they sit in a box.  The pieces are cut, separated into little bags, and ready to go.  Yet I can't get myself to work on it.  Maybe it's because the realization of how long it's going to take me to tear out the paper has hit me...don't know.  I need a kick in the pants!



On to pickles...since my last post I hit a bump in the road and immediately stopped.  Yes...I'm hanging my head is shame.  Here are four completed blocks.

 
I completed enough arcs for 16 blocks and then began to put all the bits and pieces together.  The reason I have stopped you wonder.  I didn't like the way I was pressing the blocks.  So I need to rip out stitches and press them differently...seriously not looking forward to that...nope, not at all.
 
 
So I moved on to a couple UFOs.  They were once WIPs.  But at a certain point a WIP's shelf life expires and they become a UFO.  Anyone know how long the shelf life of a WIP is?  Because I'm afraid all my WIPs have expired and become UFOs...ugh.
 
 
UFO #1 - started in 2006
 
 
The top is done!  I had only three of the stars in the corner to go and I don't know why I stopped.  But its done now and can be added to growing pile of quilt tops that desperately need to be quilted.  Let's not talk about that today because that's a whole other can of worms...again...ugh.
 
 
UFO #2 - not as old as #1 (I could go back through my blog for a date but...)
 
 
My first Double Wedding Ring!  Yeah it's only four blocks but it DONE.  I had gotten the arcs done and didn't know where to go from there.  So I just stopped.  I came across it the other day while unpacking and decided to it was time to finish. 
 
After watching a couple videos on YouTube I was ready to go.  And you know what?  It went together pretty smoothly.  A little time consuming?  Yes...but really not that bad.  I enjoyed it enough to want to do a larger one soon.
 
 
Lastly, as of yesterday I am back to working on my traditional Cathedral Window table runner.  Right now I'm tacking the corners by hand.  I had considered doing it by machine but decided that it would've been more trouble than it was worth.  Doing the tacking is an incredibly boring task...but a necessary one. 
 
 
Here's a shot of entire runner.  As you can see I am about half way done with the tacking and then I get to play with color placement. 

 
I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to hand or machine finish each window.  Doing it by machine would be much easier but doing it by hand would be more "authentic" for lack of a better word.  Another thing to consider is that it'd get finished sooner if I did it by machine.  By hand would be anyone's guess.
 
 
To end this post, I put forth a question...one which I am sure I've asked before.  When it comes to giveaways, which ones are your favorites?  Books?  Fabric? Patterns?  Notions? Kits?  Handmade items maybe?
 
The reason I ask is that I recently noticed that I hit 501 followers.  That may not seem like a big deal to some but it is to me.  The fact that there are people interested in following what I'm doing...and not doing...let's be honest...means a lot to me.  I know that I am REALLY bad at responding to comments in a timely manner but know that I read each and every one of them and respond to them in my head.  Anyone know a good therapist?  LOL
 
As my way of saying thank you I want to do a giveaway.  I was thinking maybe a small precut Double Wedding Ring kit or something along that line.  Maybe even a Rob Peter to Pay Paul kit.
 
Any thoughts and ideas you share is greatly appreciated!
 
 
P.S.  Sorry for the wordy post.  I guess I had to more to say that I thought.
 


12 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

But you are busy! Finishing is good, but sometimes we just need to play a little at a time. As far as give aways - fabric and books are nice and everyone like them - but a nice change would be notions.

julieQ said...

I love all your projects in progress...looks like my house!! Glad you are settle in, but you need your longarm up and running!! Have a good weekend.

audrey said...

I always enjoy reading about what you're up to in the quilting room or even what you're not up to! Very enjoyable.:)

Darlene said...

You and I are in the same place. At least you're sewing - I'm not even doing that. My husband told me the same thing you're husband told you. LOL

Phyllis said...

Wow, wow, there is a lot going on. I know how this feels, I have ufo's, wip's all over the place, it is embarrassing.... good luck with all of them! When it comes to give-aways, my fav's are fabrics!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Haha, my DH says that too, but I don't listen. :-) You are making bits of progress and you'll see the results in time, don't despair. I've never attempted a DWR or a RP/PP, so that sounds like an intriguing giveaway. Of course, fabric is always fun too. Have a happy weekend!

Marei said...

I think that you're in the same place many of us find ourselves. Too many things we "should" do and no "oomph". Don't sweat it. You'll get your inspiration back and then be off and running....on wip's, ufo's and even new projects! I like fabric giveaways. You can never have too much fabric!! :)

Anonymous said...

Sometimes the quilting slump bug hits..it happens to most of us anyway. Life is short...do what you feel like doing and not what you think you should and perhaps you will start a new project as a motivator. Hey..works for me! As for giveaway...it won't matter because they enter for just about anything. I don't mind winning others in finished projects and do enjoy new fabric to the stash. It's like winning a lottery! Lol

Frog Quilter said...

Ill bet I have more UFO and unquilted tops than you. Would love to participate in the drawing. Congrats on your finish!

Robin said...

I'm a new blog reader and am enjoying your projects. I think that anything you wanted to give away would be appreciated ! Robin rnoel57@gmail. com

Pattilou said...

The part about the pineapple pieces cut and labeled in baggies was a winner for me. Thanks!

I always like fabric giveaways!

Dolores said...

Definitely fabric for a giveaway. I am not keen to ever do a double wedding ring (or a grandmother's flower garden hexagon quilt.) The real reason I am commenting is that I have never known of a cathedral window quilt to be quilted. The folded fabric is enough thickness but I suppose that if you are putting a backing on it, it should be somehow affixed to the front. In that case, machine quilt it.