Layout In Progress

Going from a just to look at everything layout to a think about sewing layout for my quilt group's wonky stars was a bit of a challenge. Thinking about how to piece all these together in a way I could actually sew meant avoiding challenging seams (no T or Y types please) and thinking a little 'blockier' than I had earlier when I was just looking at what we had.

It took a few attempts, but I eventually settled on something like this as a starting point.

Much of that white space can be filled in with excess blue background fabric -- or I can make a few more stars if needed. I do wish I had a couple more extra wonky ones, but at this point I'm afraid if I make any more, I'll have to make many more. This photo has all the stars already made it in, and I'm afraid any more sizable ones and I'll need to make enough to go either the length or the width of the grouping.

My plan at the moment is to assemble these into larger and larger groupings, something like this:

Then ultimately I should be able to piece the larger groupings together until I have strips and eventually a whole top. Or at least, that's the way it works in my head -- but there's sure a lot of building to happen between now and a finished top! The whole thing looks a little daunting, but it can be broken down into manageable chunks.

And yes, the holes in my current comforter remind me that I ought to be working on the quilts for our bed, but that is not a project easily broken into manageable chunks. So, my needs stay on the back burner for now while this project -- which fits my busy schedule at the moment -- seems promising. I seriously need to plan a day (or two) for some of my larger, less easily broken down projects to get some major momentum. Anyone want to plan a quilting local quilting retreat for late February or March?

Quilting In Progress

It's probably pretty clear that I tend to jump into projects without really thinking things through. I know there are some people who create things by thinking every step out and then going methodically through their plan -- and yes, I do have my moments when I can be that way. But as a general rule, my sewing machine is the place where I let go of all my type A everything has to be in order ways and just be.

So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that although I set out to make a six pointed star outline in my quilting, I wound up with a five pointed star...

I'm not sure you can see that -- but the quilting I've started working with is part of a 5 pointed star. I stitched my initial outline then worked out from there. I still need to decide what to do 'inside' my initial line. I don't really want to continue the star shape -- to be honest, I'm a little worried my basting will prove not good enough and I'll end up with some wrinkles in the inside angles. Continuing the shape will add consistency to the quilting of the top, but I kind of want to shake it up now. 

I'll be playing around with it for a while before I decide on anything. I really love this top and I want to make sure I'm choosing the right thing. I also want to be certain that I'm quilting across the areas that look iffy -- I don't want another quilt to come apart in the wash! 

Quilt Group Stars (so far)

Last night I took the time to lay out all the stars my local quilt group has assembled and turned in so far -- not to work on a layout, because I don't think I can start that until every star is in -- but just to get an idea how things are looking so far.

The layout is fairly random, but I think it gives an idea of how things are coming together. Putting everything up on the wall, it felt like a lot of red/white/blue blocks, but looking again at the photos, it doesn't seem too heavily any color scheme in particular -- though I think there are a few colors that are a little under represented. I wouldn't mind seeing a little more pinky/purple tones and a tiny bit more green. I also think that there are a few really wonky ones -- and we could use a few more that are just as wonky.

I don't have an idea of finished size in mind. Right now this one could be close to 45-50" square with just a little bit of extra blue background to fill in the holes. I know I've got a couple more stars coming back to me soon, and I may make a few more just for kicks. Still, I'm really pleased with how it looks all together.

I know when working on something like this, especially as a group project, it is really easy to focus on one single block that seems out of place. Especially if it is yours -- or is that just me?? But look, all together, they look amazing. Sure, you can pick out each star, and yes, there are a few with a little more personality -- whether from the fabric choices (like including glittery fabric) or from the sewing choices -- but that's part of the magic in a quilt like this.

I love to imagine someone spending time laying on or under this quilt, trying to determine which star is their favorite... I know I can't pick just one!

Almost a New Room

I've been thinking about rearranging my office / sewing space for a long time. I don't think of myself as the kind of person who needs to rearrange the house every few months, but things need to find their right place before they can settle in and stay that way for ages. My office space has just never found that order.

I'm still not sure it has, but it is different...

With the help of my patient husband, we flipped the big desk units from the longer wall to the shorter wall. The gain was floor space -- with the sewing desk on one edge instead of in the center of the room, things feel larger even if they really aren't. The loss? Well, I'd say the biggest issue is that I now spend most of my time facing away from the window (which is next to the ocean painting). Before I could at least see the window if I was sewing (though it required about a half-rotation if I was at the computer), now it's a half-rotation from the sewing station and a quarter from the desk, but it feels farther than that. It also seems a little creepy to have the big dark window just over my right shoulder at night -- but I'll probably adjust to that.

My hope had been to set things up with the sewing station on the far side and the file cabinets on the near side, but that is backwards for my sewing machine and I didn't want to be fighting fabric into the desk's cubby when I could turn things as they are now and have the extra fabric drape off the desk into open space.

There's enough room before the corner for a little bit of storage space. Right now I've got a lamp there, but I think I'll end up moving that and putting my plastic drawers of flannel and minky fabric in the opening instead. That should help open the 'entry' area -- and mean no more moving things around before I can drop my over the door ironing board!

I'm still not sure this is the way things belong, but I'm going to take some time to adjust to the new-ish space. I am really enjoying the new sewing set up, and the more open floor space, it's more the computer area that just doesn't feel right yet. Moving the lamp to the darker side of the room should help a little too.

Oh -- and, one surprise gain in the process is that I now have a space that might be workable as a small design wall. I'm not sure that's something I need -- I might use it for basting small projects instead -- or there's a chance I'll find some more art to fill the space instead -- but I'm excited about the possibilities. In a house like this one -- with ugly walls I have coated in pictures and art -- a bare bit of wall is a rarity and I want to make sure I use this one to it's full potential!

Frustration

It's been a long time since I've updated about the Xs and Os quilt. Mostly because I've been so disappointed and frustrated that it didn't work out as I'd hoped.

Well, I did my best to fix the issues, despite not liking what that required, and I finally worked up the courage to wash it again. My biggest hope was not to reveal more issues. My next, was that the washing would help remove some of the poly batting threads that had worked through to the back in the newly, heavily quilted areas.

Sadly, I was disappointed on both counts.

First, the back:

Those light spots are more heavily quilted -- but most of what's making them so light is the poly batting that was pulled through when I quilted. I swapped to a smaller needle once I saw the issue, but it wasn't enough to stop this from happening. I don't know what to do, except go after the areas with tweezers, and I'm not sure I have the time for that.

I inspected this quilt closely as soon as I pulled it out of the dryer -- and if I'd seen any signs of issues, I wouldn't have gone outside for photos. Unfortunately, after the quilt fell off the fence, I noticed some issues I overlooked before.

This is the largest of the issues -- but upon getting back into the house, I promptly found two others without much effort and another spot that's going to do this on the next wash.

I'm crushed.

I could attempt to fix these issues. I could even run a 'fixing' zigzag quilting stitch over every single seam -- though that would be easier to do if I removed the binding again. The question is, is it worth it?

This is a beautiful quilt top. I really love it. But the level of frustration and anxiety surrounding it is becoming a challenge in and of itself. I know I could work on it -- I mean, my fixes aren't even noticeable from this far off, even though I thought they were massively ugly and noticeable.

Here's a close up of the ugliest fix (around the center of the picture). Not that bad, really.

I just don't know if it's worth the effort again. The solid background fabric is coming apart in places, almost running like tights or hose, and even the printed fabrics, which should have been a higher quality, are unraveling along seams and in centers of blocks. I knew my seam allowance was a little scant in a few places, but I think the whole quilt is in danger of coming undone -- even in places where I know it was fine earlier.

So I'm struggling. I don't want to give this one up, but at what point do you accept that something is just not meant to be?

Update:

At least Momo likes it. Maybe I can fix the issues enough to hold up, skip washing it, and let him use it for a while. He has a tendency to wear things out anyway -- thanks to those monster claws -- so that might be the best solution...

Not quite the outcome I'd hoped for -- but it is just not worth the effort to rip it all apart and start over. A big reminder to be more cautious with my seam allowances and that I should consider heavier quilting on important projects.

A Little X+ Progress

Since my X+ Quilt is being made from my scrap pile, it's taken a bit of a back seat for a while so I could build up a few more scraps -- especially the neutral/white/cream triangle pieces. I had enough of my original neutral for one more block -- not quite enough to complete my top plans. These aren't the kinds of fabrics that I regularly use, so building up a few more scraps took a while -- and some creative cutting.

After finishing the top of the wonky star sampler I had a little bit of white with dots left over -- enough for two blocks, if all goes as planned. Finishing up the Christmas Quilt provided me with some 4 inch strips of neutral-ish fabric -- as long as I was careful to cut out the most obvious of the words.

I couldn't quite avoid all of the letters, but I did my best to orient my 3inch squares so that the words would fall near an edge or as much in one of the triangles as possible. Anything near the edge is going to be partly lost to the seam allowance, so I think it won't be too loud or noticeable. If one of the half-triangles had a great deal of lettering, particularly in the red 'Merry Christmas' print, I set is aside for use in something else. I think I have just enough to make this work, even setting aside some of them.

My initial goal was to make three more blocks, ending the top with a total of 12 X+ blocks. After completing three extra blocks -- all using the leftover Christmas fabric -- I ultimately decided that I need to make 4 more. In addition to bringing my total up to 16 blocks, and a square quilt, this will increase the number of 'different' neutral blocks -- rather than 3 vs 9 it'll be 6 vs 10. I think this greater number total, and greater number of different neutrals, will make the variety of neutrals look more like a plan and less like I ran out of fabric!

So, I have a few more blocks to make before I get to start playing around with a top layout. Since I'm doing these a little on the free-hand / slightly wonky side, these are going together quite easily. I imagine working with 3 inch squares instead of half-triangles would decrease the slight imperfections and wonky bits I know I'm creating, but I have enough projects where perfection matters -- this one is about fun!

Not that perfection isn't fun in its own way, but I like to take a break from being so precise and just work on something that flows without too much effort. I can't wait to see how all the blocks play together -- but it could be a real challenge to block this out with so many different fabrics, and some repeats in different areas. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

2014 Goals -- How'd I do?

The 2014 Goal/Dream List:

1. Sell our old car 
2. Another photo challenge or something to help me improve my photography
3. Trip to see Baby C and her family (July)
4. Go visit in-laws 
5. Finish A Song of Ice and Fire series  -- I'm abandoning this one. Sorry George R.R. Martin, but this is not working for me. I tried hard though. 
6. Read 5+ non-fiction books: "Jesus Feminist," "Redefining Girly,"  "Modern Patchwork,"  "Quilting Modern,"  "Call the Midwife," 
7. Wear nail polish on my fingers one day a month (or more) January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, December
8. Donate or dispose of 100 things from within the house Easily accomplished thanks to purging dvds, cds, 2 chairs, a foot stool, several pairs of shoes I no longer wear, and all the excess from every room in the house including the kitchen and bathrooms. Estimated actual donations at nearer 400 individual items as of end of April. Additional 75 items donated by December
9. Renaissance Festival trip 
10. Attend Greg's high school reunion
11. Put an extra $50/month toward savings (most/all months)
12. Take a family photo 
13. Make 2-3 Birthday packages (nothing too elaborate)
14. Make 1+ small Welcome Baby Package 
15. Have the piano tuned
16. Get a clothes line
17. Replace the coffee table (it's falling apart and not worth the effort to fix)  April, replaced coffee table with a blanket chest. 
18. Figure out what to do with our 2010-present photos (redo current book into 2-3 smaller ones?) 
19. New rugs for the kitchen - Currently we're going rug-free in most of the house. 
20. Fix or replace the duvet cover - In Progress! 
21. Finish reading "The Outlaws of Sherwood" (Robin McKinley) aloud, and "Scarlet" (Marissa Meyer), and "Steadfast" (Mercedes Lackey) 
22. Do something more social with sewing/quilting: join a swap, or a bee, or a quilt along. It's time to meet some people and make friends.  June 
23. Take a class in something. Preferably not online. --Does a class in Half Square Triangles as part of the quilt club count? I'm thinking not quite, but I did learn some new stuff! 
24. Update the dvd storage - It's not perfect yet, but we got rid of enough that they all fit on the shelves again. We're still discussing exchanging the boxes for something smaller, but it's probably going to be in a few years instead of any time soon. 
25. Zero late fees at the library Blew it in August. So close! 
26. Progress on the shoe situation: black pumps,  - black pumps found! 
27. Try a new restaurant or cuisine at least twice this year - tried liquid nitrogen made ice cream in February, new-to-me Tex/Mex restaurant in April, new Thai place in October, new cupcake place in October, 
28. Use stash fabric. More of it, anyway. 
29. Small birthday party Sounds like this one is already beyond the realm of possibilities... 
30. Significant progress on the larger house front I'm also crossing this one off the list. Not forever, but for this year and probably next we're going to concentrate on continuing to save towards this, and on fixing the little house to be more livable. In a year or two we'll reevaluate whether we need a bigger place or whether it's possible yet.  
31. Attend a live performance (play, musical, orchestra, concert, etc.)   March
32. At least more Welcome Baby Packages (one small, one larger, 2 more small)
33. Attend one baby shower
34. Attend one birthday party 
35. 
    

Things to Make in 2014

1. Make the Ditto quilt (I own the pattern and the tool, just haven't used it yet)
2. A 'solids' quilt - In progress!
3. 2013 cross stitch portrait  
4. 2014 cross stitch portrait -- In Progress
5. Vintage Sheet quilt (probably value stars, pixel heart, or something similar) - In progress
6. Complete the quilts for our bed - In progress 
7. Little quilts: monsters, foxes, star bursts, 
8. Minky blanket: aqua/purple/brown - More on this coming soon

How'd I do? I think it's safe to say I made some of the smaller goals, but my 'things to make' list is completely beyond help and the harder goals were overlooked. I didn't let myself get stressed out by goals this year, but I also didn't keep them anywhere in my mind -- so it was really easy to forget all the things I thought I wanted to work on. I'm a little disappointed at my lack of progress, but it really doesn't matter. I'm not competing against myself, just trying to make sure I do a few things with my days! 

January Goals

January Goals 

Personal: 

Read 5+ Books
Average 13000+ steps per day
Weekend trip to see family
Plan March family/work trip

New Projects / Pinterest Challenge: 

1+ new recipe

My Projects:

Finish 1 quilt top: Random Reflections 2 of 2 
Quilt 1 quilt: Wonky Star Sampler
Begin piecing top for Quilt Group Wonky Stars
Begin layout for X+ scrappy quilt?

Grown Up Junk:

Schedule next cat/vet appointment  
Replacement windshield for the car (if the weather gets better)

House Stuff: 

Continue sweeping every other day, cleaning bathrooms once a week
Reorganize Kitchen: find a better home for the trashcan?
Long Term Goal: Dining area

December Wrap Up

December Goals

Personal: 

Read 5+ Books
Average 11000+ steps per day

New Projects / Pinterest Challenge: 

1+ new recipe

My Projects:

Finish 1 quilt top: Random Reflections 2 of 2 
Quilt 1 quilt: Wonky Star Sampler --progress has been made, but it isn't finished yet
Finish at least 1 block for scrappy x plus block -- more on this soon! 

Grown Up Junk:

Schedule next cat/vet appointment -- gotta do another blood test to make sure he's really well again, then we'll be able to schedule the next major activity. Yikes. 
Replacement windshield for the car
Christmas concert rehearsal  After the cat stress we went through in the fist week of December, there just isn't the energy or money for driving to Boulder three times. Maybe next year, but right now, I've got to regroup, stay home with the sick kitty, and work on paying off this new vet bill. 

House Stuff: 

Continue sweeping every other day, cleaning bathrooms once a week
Purge: Office, Living Room
Bathroom project??

Plus - Holiday Stuff
Probably need a couple more wrapping options
New stocking hanger? (If there's time)
Finish decorating

Low stress December? Well, good thing that was already the plan, because by the time life was done kicking us around, we were beyond too tired to be stressed. Okay, maybe that's not quite true, but really, I can only worry when I have the energy, and it takes more energy to make the cat take his medicine (which he's made quite clear tastes terrible) than I have left. So, I do what I have to, and I scrape along through the rest of the hours.

Actually, once we got to about the 21st, things really settled down and were actually low stress, but getting to that point wasn't. All in all, it wasn't a bad month, but I think I'd have to say the score stands about December 3, Amanda 1. It's something though!

Wait -- December is over??

Oh my, I got a little caught up in the holidays and haven't been checking in here at all. Which is okay, I suppose, since I haven't really been making anything either.

The holidays were incredibly busy -- with huge family gatherings at every opportunity -- but they were also a wonderful time of connecting and fun.

In many ways, I think I'm still recovering even though it seems like it's been over for quite a while. In other ways, it seems like everything wrapped up only a day or two ago.

I'm going to spend a couple days playing December catch up, but I hope to be living in January -- and working at the sewing machine -- again soon!

Happy 2015 everyone!