Unexpected...

What to do?  My Christmas quilts are done.  My baby quilts for the hospital are done.  I don't have any deadlines that I need to meet. My 500+ HSTs for a swap are done and bagged.  I have three quilts cut out…

• My wonderful Cherrywoods in a tote 
• A One Block Wonder waiting.
• Bonnie Hunter's mystery has all the parts done -- although I have no desire to work on it.

I wandered into the guest room where my Lollypop Tree blocks sit and unexpectedly decided that kind of color and process was just what I needed! I can't rush.  I can cover up with a quilt if I'm chilly.  I can stop whenever I need to.  Each element is a "completion".  I can work for five minutes or five hours if I want to.  And -- the Australian Open was starting last weekend and this makes for a "quiet" way to watch tennis (or at least replays).

It was the right decision.  It's been a good week and I have once again been reminded why I ordered this pattern within a week of happening upon it.  Many of you have read about this journey in other posts and I'll spare you the details again.  For those who are not familiar with Kim McLean and her marvelous patterns, here's a link to some eye candy that can take your breath away.

This quilt requires 16 blocks and each block takes me days to prep.  I am not fast.  The process I am using is not fast. I don't want to rush.  I want to enjoy the process of choosing all the different fabrics, cutting them, prepping them, and gluing them.  The color is just what the doctor ordered on a  gloomy winter's day.

I have four stitched and one more prepped.  Period.  That's it.   Right now it seems reasonable to think that I will spend a few days later this week prepping another block or two. Who knows what will seem reasonable later this week but for now, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it.  

I hope you are working on something that has wonderful colors and the process is as much fun as the completion!  

Jan

March Madness

Does that term mean anything to you?  If you're from Kentucky (as I am), it means college basketball, family pools, lots of games, and plenty of excitement.  Second only to the Derby.

But this year it means so much more.  Too much work, too little sewing/quilting/fabric fondling, home projects, business travel, and dark cloudy skies with only a dream of spring right now.

I don't think I like this madness.  I have not touched my machine in two weeks and we're about to head into three.  That's just wrong and you'd think as an adult, I could make that happen.  But no -- I don't think so -- at least not this weekend.

The quilt on the left is one of my favorite quilts and if you've done a One Block Wonder you know there is a lot of cutting, a lot of sewing, and a lot of design decisions.  And then --- voila -- there is a quilt that cna make your heart sing when you're done. 

So, what's the connection with the whining above about no time and this quilt?  I can't get it out of my head.  How's that for March Madness when I haven't finished one UFO this year, have partially cut one quilt out, have borders ready to go on a small lap quilt, and have quilted but not bound a quilt I pieced last year?  I bought the fabric for my next OBW (blacks, golds, yellows, white in a bold pattern) and I am having an urge for a new blade and to start cutting.  But -- I have to keep it at urge level right now.  This takes a lot of time to line up and cut accurately and it takes a lot of time to sew but for some reason, I am wanting all that done so I can grab and sew when time allows.  I don't think it's rational but I don't think a lot of what quilters create starts out as rational, do you?

So -- my OBW dances in my head, basketball will be consuming for the next 3 weeks, spring will start to show signs soon (please, oh, please) and my machine needs dusting while I dust furniture!  I hope you are living your quilting dreams and your madness is all about creativity!

Keep piecing (and cutting), Jan