Sweet Progress

It's not much to speak of but I did manage to spend a few minutes working on a quilt recently. Between Momo's sudden need to be on top of every possible work surface - apparently cuddling him for hours a day isn't giving him enough attention - and my own disinclination to take time to do anything right now, it's been a struggle to keep up with my to do list!

I did manage to piece together a scrappy backing patch for the disappearing nine patch Sweet Serenade quilt (that needs to be done by the end of June). The yardage that I had hoped to use as backing wasn't quite enough to do the job alone - but I had a few left over blocks and some spare yardage that turned out just right for expanding the back.

I had four disappearing nine patch blocks left, which I strung together with some of the blue dash on cream yardage and a slightly wonky nine patch star which I had managed to piece together from the charms that didn't turn into the disappearing blocks.

I think wonky stars are my very favorite block to make. I love the process and I love the outcome -- which is good, since stars seem to be sneaking into most of my projects recently!

Since I had the sewing table cleared off, I did go ahead and get the quilt basted. I started by doing a quick baste of the back to the batting before flipping it over and doing a more serious baste of the top to the batting and backing.

The whole basting process took only about 30 minutes -- including convincing the cat to go somewhere else multiple times!

Unfortunately, attempting to ride the backing and basting success into machine quilting has not worked out. I have put in -- and ripped out -- three lines of quilting. I've adjusted my tension settings twice, without success. I know ripping out is an important part of having a good end product - and there's no way the lines I put in were going to work - but I can only stitch and rip so many times before I have to go do something to relieve the frustration!

I am feeling the pressure of wanting to get this one finished soon - and working on the couple smaller projects that I hope to have finished in time to go with it - but I am debating trying to whip up a smaller test piece (using the same fabric and same batting) so I can run practice stitches through that and not have to constantly rip. That's a trick I haven't had to use in a while, but at this point I'd do anything not to rip out another line from this quilt.

I am coming up on two years since the machine was last professionally serviced, so it may just be time to have that done again. Fortunately, I think I'm working far enough ahead of schedule that a few weeks of lost time won't be a make-or-break deal, but I would feel better if I could figure this issue out on my own and finish this quilt (quilting and binding) before taking the machine to the doctor. Sitting here isn't helping it get done though, so I guess I'd better swing my chair over to the other desk and see what I can do!

So Much Help

My sewing machine desk is an older, used piece that I picked up at a thrift store (two years before I began sewing) for $10. For the most part, it works really well - great drawers, good height for sitting at, fold out table top, but it doesn't have the strength of spring - or the right holes - for me to attach my sewing machine to the surface. This means that instead of storing the machine inside the desk and revealing it only when I open the top, I store my machine under a cover on the top of the desk. So every time I want to use the machine/desk, I have to clear the desk off, open up one of the leaves of the desk top, and place the machine on the lower surface. 

Except recently, every time I start to clear off the desk top, this happens: 

Or this:

Usually, I can tell Momo to move and he gets off the desk, but recently he's been a real grump and doesn't move out of my way. Worse, he's taken to scratching at me if I do more than ask him to move. Between this constant battle and my own limited motivation at the moment, I am not getting much done.

Some days it is easy to beat myself up for not getting up and turning on the machine no matter the obstacles that seem to be stopping me - other days I think I shouldn't force the process. I am not on a tight timeline for anything I'm making. I don't want to rush the process just to get another 'done' checked off the list; I want to enjoy the process. It's sometimes hard, but I am giving myself permission to have less energetic and less creative days. I'd rather take a day or a week or even a month off than push myself to churn something out just to get it done -- especially if that means I'm not happy with the process or the result.

So, this is a reminder to me - and anyone reading this - that it's okay to take time off. It's okay to have days that aren't productive or creative. Flowers don't bloom all the time. Trees take all winter off to concentrate on their internal strength. You can take a few days to regroup. The day will come when your creativity is back and ready to start on a project.

Quilt #22: Multi Starburst Quilt

My 22nd quilt, "Multi Starburst Quilt" and my second finish of 2014.

I think this quilt holds a lot of titles for me: scrappiest, most stash use/least fabric bought, most colorful. I purchased the two batik prints used in the top as well as the binding fabric, everything else was stash. It's probably also my smallest quilt finish that wasn't intended to be a mini quilt or a wall hanging -- only about 34x33. There was absolutely no real plan for making this, other than wanting to continue playing with starburst blocks, so I'm not particularly put out over the size (though a little larger might have been slightly better).

Being made mostly of scrap pieces, this one contains little bits of favorite fabrics. The batik background used in this starburst block was my very last scrap left from the Happily Ever After Quilt (which is still my largest project, but also one of my very favorites). The grey with multi-dots is another of my very favorites - it was initially for a dress, but ultimately wound up being used in several of my bag making adventures because I wanted to keep it for myself -- and didn't have enough to make me clothes out of it!

The majority of the prints used in this block are leftovers from fat quarters I bought and have horded for myself as well. The purse I made for myself used both the citron and grey/aqua/citron prints, I've used the purple in zipper bags for myself before, and the navy floral is one of my all time favorites and something I part with very reluctantly.

The back - as I always say - is incredibly scrappy. I used mostly leftovers from my last few quilts - including this one - but I added the center print and the black floral intentionally from my stash. The tiny cupcake - which I never remember I want a picture of - was the beginning point of this back and I just kind of built out from there. I love the white animal/floral print in the center - even though I'm usually the last person to want whites for a quilt - and once I added the dark binding, I was really glad I went black floral in the corner (I have a similar print in cream that I almost used instead). 

Everything went through the wash and dry just fine - no signs of stitching being too loose or any other danger signs. I'm glad for that, because it looks like I am going to have to do another wash cycle with this one! I used a color catcher with it just to be safe, and it showed a lot more pink than I'm happy with. 

The raspberry color used as the background of the largest burst has a tendency to bleed dye more than I like. I thought I had it under control after a prewash of the fabrics, but this has me thinking I should wash it at least once more (perhaps with a white sock instead as a test) before sending it on to anyone else. 

While I do absolutely have my fingers crossed on a home for this one - I'm waiting to hear back whether pink/purple is going to work for this set - I also two back up plans. I think this quilt is just a blast of color and fun, and I just want to see it go to one of the many, many new babies that will be arriving in my circle this summer or fall. I hope I can find someone who will appreciate the colors and kind of randomness as much as I do! 

Momo

Recently I was showing a few of my 'in progress' or recently finished quilts off to my visiting in-laws. While I was out of the office with a pile of quilts, I heard a little jingle and knew exactly what I'd see when I came back into the office.

He was so pleased with himself I couldn't bear to chase him out of there. What a stinker! He didn't move for several hours -- and now that the stack of quilts are back in place, he is really put out that he can't get back in there.

Another Iron in the Fire

Remember the fabric I've been sitting on for a few months?

Well, I got news recently that it's time to start working with that fabric.

Fortunately, a little time in my local quilt shop recently gave me just the inspiration I needed to start working right away. The quilt I fell in love with for my inspiration was probably made with a jelly roll and some yardage, so it's nothing I can attempt today, but the on point setting and the neutral outside will still work with the charms and yardage I have on hand for this quilt.

A few disappearing nine-patch blocks, and within one afternoon of work I've got the major part of the quilt top worked out.

Right now I think it's about 44 inches square, which isn't a bad size. I had intended to add a thin border of the background fabric all the way around, but seeing it now, I'm not certain that's something it needs. I had hoped the border would allow the outer corners not to touch the binding, but some of the outer corners are going to be lost either to the border or the binding. Realistically, I think I'd rather see them covered by a coordinating binding than lost to more neutral background.

I'm absolutely loving it, but I am -- as always -- glad for the chance to evaluate before continuing.

Multi Starburst Bound

After a needless prewash (oh the difference good fabric makes!) for the binding fabric, I was ready to get some icing on this project. I wanted a binding that would be comparatively dark against the aquas used in the top, so I chose a brilliant piece of fabric with tones varying between a bold blue and a deep purple. I wish I'd grabbed the name of the fabric when I was getting it; I'd love to add a little more of it to my stash.

Although I'm still not the fastest at making or applying binding, this application went more smoothly and more quickly than my last one -- and with no problems from the sewing machine to bog things down either!

I think the dark purple/blue binding was the perfect choice. The darker fabrics - especially the entire bottom left star burst - really pop now. A lighter binding could have taken this into a sickly sweet (or overly pink) area, but I think the darker color keeps it a little bolder and fresher.

The dark binding also goes well with the very scrappy back. I had questioned whether the black and floral print in the bottom left was the right choice to add into the back - but with the dark binding, I think it just comes together and finally looks like it belongs.

I quilted the top in a barely off white thread - my favorite - but I did the final stitching of the binding process in a color changing aqua/pink/purple thread.

The color seems bold on the spool - but it's hardly noticeable against the color changing of the binding fabric. This isn't a disappointment, but it's a little bit of a surprise.

It's a little more noticeable in this photo (inside with as many lights on as possible). It's slightly easier to see with the eye than the camera, but still nothing that pops out quite as much as I'd expected.

Unfortunately, my inability to catch the binding on the back is also more noticeable. I've been working on improving that - and did fairly well on my last one - but this one wasn't quite as good as I'd hoped. I overheard a conversation about a foot that might make this easier - and I need to find out if this is really possible. Failing to catch the back drives me up the wall, and I'm more than willing to look into buying a new foot if it'll help in this area.

This might be my loudest, scrappiest, and most random quilt yet - possibly ever - but I'm thrilled with the outcome so far. Hopefully I'll be back with a successful 'finish' post in the next day or two - though I think to be safe, I'll be using color catchers in my wash again, just in case the pink background used on two of the starbursts still has some color to leak.

A Little Update

The view out my window today was a bit of a surprise!

These four elk were just hanging out in the neighbor's field - but I suspect they are here to eye the trees and garden again. These ones look younger than the ones who have visited us in the past - and it is earlier in the season than usual too. We started seeing elk around here only a few years ago, so it still seems like a novelty -- but they do tend to eat our onions, break down one of our baby pear trees, and tromp through the rest of the garden generally making a mess.

Between these new 'neighbors' and the threatening weather, I'm a little more hesitant to take off for my daily walk. I've been trying to get 4-5 miles a day total, with at least two miles coming from specific exercise walking instead of just daily walking. It's not bad, but it does require walking right past these guys - something that doesn't sound like a good idea.

Sounds like thunder. That made my choice for me. I'll either pace the house a while, or perhaps pull out my next quilting project... Hmm...

May Goals

May Goals

Personal: 
Read 5+ Books
Read 1+ Non-Fiction (can count as one of the 5+ total)
Keep time on Pinterest to less than 2 hours/day

New Projects / Pinterest Challenge:
1+ new recipe
Mini quilt for office door?

My Projects:
Put in some serious hours on Sweet Serenade Quilt
Mail the Unbirthday package

Grown Up Junk:
Make doctor's appointments
Second car: gone

House Stuff: 
Sweep every other day (or more)
Wipe down the bathrooms once a week (or more)
Begin purging in the kitchen
Reorganize the fridge/freezer
Begin second purge/reorganize in guest bathroom
Second purge/reorganize in master bath (under sink area only)

April Wrap Up

April Goals 

Personal: 
Read 5+ Books

• "Howl's Moving Castle" Diana Wynne Jones
• "House of Many Ways" Diana Wynne Jones
• "Runaways: Pride & Joy" Brian K Vaughan
• "Mars 1" Fuyumi Soryo
• "The Shambling Guide to New York City" Mur Lafferty
• "Mars 2" Fuyumi Soryo

Read 1+ Non-Fiction (can count as one of the 5+ total)
Keep time on Pinterest to less than 2 hours/day
Keep time on Facebook to less than 30 minutes/day (unless using chat with someone) -- On average, I probably managed to do this - but only because I had some days when the computer was completely off line. 
Try to get back on some kind of schedule (once the house is more rooms and less maze)

New Projects / Pinterest Challenge:
1+ new recipe Taco Bubble Up Bake and Apple Pie Bubble Up Bake 

My Projects:
Finish the 2013 cross stitch portrait
Finish at least one quilt (including washing)
Quilt at least 1 quilt (baby size)  

Grown Up Junk:
Replace flooring in 2 rooms
Replace 2nd toilet
Rearrange house (again)
Continue shopping for a new computer (this one's getting slower and slower, and buggier and buggier) -- Nothing picked up yet, but I have a very good idea what I want and what it'll cost. I figure I need to wait for this one to die before I can really justify getting another one, but I expect that will be soon. I'm relieved to have a better idea how much so start setting aside now so it'll be less of a shock when it happens. 
Finish up that paperwork stuff