Life's Lessons Continue

Learning lessons the hard way does not mean I did it wrong - right? I think I would rather say "well I won't do it that way ever, ever again". And learning valuable lessons is a good thing - right? If that's true, I must be really, really good right now. There's just one itsy, bitsy problem - I learned what I did wrong, but I didn't learn a better way to do it.

I sewed all my strips together just like Barbara at bslartquilts.blogspot.com said and then I cut them all apart in various widths to reassemble and sew back together. (Ok so far!) When I sewed the seams to reassemble all my newly cut strips, all my original seams were coming apart. (Not ok at this point!) After reinforcing (resewing) all those little horizontal seams (mutter, mutter, mutter) I was able to sew the new seams reassembling in an entirely new look. (Not ok at this point either!) That is when I realized that I should have used the 'sew as you go' method and sew my long, varied-width strips onto a muslin backing to support and reinforcement. It is very difficult to sew long strips together without that extra support.

Now, I realize the rest of you have already figured this out and are sitting there shaking your heads at me. The only thing I have to say is - "I won't do it that way again." Meanwhile, you can all feel free to comment and tell me everything I did that was wrong. (Oh by the way, I do like the way it turned out - just not the process of getting there.) Today will be sandwiching, quilting and binding. (Ambitious aren't I.) I'm hoping to be able to post it to Hummingbird Treasures tomorrow.

Hugs to all of you who are sharing my life's adventures (and the lessons learned - but do they always have to be learned the hard way?) You are a very special part of my life.

Marie

Feeling Really Old

I am feeling really old right now - the Dude just went on his first date. I don't know if I'm excited and happy or if I want to cry (probably both). His papa drove them to the show and promised to sit in another part of the theater (or see a different show). Sure does bring back the memories though.

Meanwhile, am trying to schedule the first meeting of our neighborhood wine club. This is like herding cats. When I get the folks in the neighborhood on the same path and date, I can't get a tasting vendor lined up. Who thought scheduling a wine tasting could be so hard - you get some bottles, some cheese and crackers and your set - right? No - now you need a theme, a region, snacks that go with the specific theme and a method of scoring the wine. This is getting complicated.

The pot roast in the crock pot is simmering away. If I keep opening the lid, it'll never get done. I added the potatoes, onions, celery and carrots about an hour ago and now I just have to resist the tempation and keep the lid firmly on it. Great smells coming from the kitchen.

I took a class this last Friday on 'free motion quilting' from Linderella's. I am in process of making a 'scribble quilt'. I will probably have a whole library of scribble quilts before I try it out on one of my quilts. The idea is to practice free form on a sandwiched muslin quilt to learn the rhythm of the motion. Right now it is still a battle of who is in control - me or the quilt! (I think the quilt is winning. Certainly is a lesson in humility.)

My puzzle (mind-numbing activity which doesn't require thinking of any kind) is almost complete. I started this one during our first snow storm. So far we haven't had enough snow so that I can finish it. I seem to be missing at least one dark colored piece. Since I only have blue sky and blue water left, I accused Big T of hiding my missing piece. He claims innocence but I'm not sure I believe him. I have had the dining room table occupied for almost a month. I may have to dust the puzzle if I don't get it finished soon.

The Little Miss recieved her baby doll blanket but she uses it for her and tells her mommie 'no-no-no-no' when her mommie wraps up her baby doll. K says she has already had to wash it several times. She loves the lace and the Winnie-the-Pooh.

Marie

Burst of creativity

A burst of creative energy blew through our house last night like a blast. In less than three hours I had designed, started and finished a quilt top (60” by 58”), designed and cut the strips for a second. I was amazed at how fast the first top went together. I would like to get it quilted and finished soon. Big T has already claimed it as his to hang over the fireplace. (We have this hole over the fireplace where the builder intended to put a television AND we decided that we don’t want a TV there. So for the almost three years we have lived here, there has been many, many discussion of how to cover THE HOLE.)

With the flash - Without flash -

I LOVE MY QUILT WALL!!!! Even I didn’t realize the full value of this important ‘tool’ until I put my quilt strips on the wall last night and could see the difference even the tiniest of changes could make. I was finally able to show Big T the purpose and the value of the wall. We are already planning the second on the opposite wall which will serve more as a showcase.

The doll quilt is on its way to the Little Miss. She should have it by the weekend at the latest. Now I have to make one for my Hummingbird Treasure Etsy inventory since I listed it. Some time I will share my ‘life’s most embarrassing moment’ story regarding my Etsy inventory. It was definitely one of those ‘live and learn’ lessons.

Next Friday, I am scheduled for a ‘free motion quilting’ class at Linderellas. I have read (and memorized) the tutorials on several blogs and have tried this on my own several times, but I need some more hands-on instruction. I know what it says to do, but somehow my hands don’t want to do it. Maybe the class will help.

I think I may have solved my problem with my ‘tuck and roll’ project. I am going to make a prototype first this afternoon before diving into the fabric I bought for it. Interesting, I can see it in my mind, I just can’t quite get there. Maybe today will be the break-through.
Later today, we are going to the Home Show. If I’m really good, we will stop back by Joann’s on the way home. The problem with going to the home show with Big T is that he is a friendly, sociable kind of guy and visits with EVERYONE even if it’s not something we are looking for. Well, I guess truthfully – the real problem is, I’m not!! I want to go and look and go home (or to Joann’s). Maybe I’ll find another ‘free’ yardstick. I need a second one. At least I’ll get a lunch out of it.

Welcome back Jeanne – we missed you! I cherish all of my loyal followers and want to say ‘thank you’. Your comments mean a lot to me – HUGS to all of you.

Marie