Slowing down, way down...

When I first learned to quilt at my local quilt shop back July of 2008, a new lady entered the class that fall just as we had one quilt complete and were moving on to the second quilt.  The difference between us, me and her, was she was an experienced sewer, I was not.   Having a bit of competiveness in me, I tried to match her pace and her enthusiasm for getting tasks completed as quick as possible.  I dislike finishing last.  I learned a bad habit.  Today I must unlearn the need for speed.  I need to slow down.  I need to take my time.  I need to enjoy the process.  

What I find when I speed through a project is it ends up sloppy(in my eyes) and unacceptable.  Shifted fabric, uneven straight sewn lines which leads to bad pressing and unintentional wonky blocks.  Getting the 1/4", not getting the 1/4".  One word... INCONSISTENCY.  Going fast may work for some, but it really is not my style.  I want my the process to be easier not harder.  Going faster than my comfort zone and SKILL LEVEL makes it harder.  Rip, Rip, Rip...No, No, NO.  Slow, Slower, even slower.  Yes, Yes, YES!

I am starting over.  I am doing it MY WAY.  I am relearning all the techniques that works for me to make my blocks acceptable.  I am slowing down and making sure I don't have to Rip, Rip, Rip.


  

Happy Birthday Ashton

When I asked my nephew a few months ago what kind of quilt he wanted, he told me "one with Babs on it".  Babs was his first dog, a cute pug, that had past away a few weeks before.  So, what could an Aunt say but "okay!".  Along with including some pictures of Babs and Ashton(spanning from when Ashton was born till he was six), is some Mississippi State Pride.  He, along with is parents, are huge State fans!

I had hoped to have it made by Christmas, but my hands had a different plan. But, thankfully, last week I have had a good week and was able to sew, sew, sew!  And on Thursday night, it was done!  Just in time for his birthday party on Saturday, the 12th (today is his actual birthday).  His reaction was amazing which reminds you why you spend hours upon hours creating quilts for loved ones!

This will be something for him and his parents to treasure for a long time to come.  Happy Seventh Birthday Ashton! 

-Darlene

Wordless Wednesday

Design Wall - The Girl I left Behind BOM

While my husband was deployed to Iraq from September 09 through Sept 10, I worked on The Girl I Left Behind Block of the Month.  I have had the blocks finished since October, but have not been able to work on finishing the quilt.  I am changing the setting from the pattern because the setting wasn't for me.  I will finish up the rest of it this week and then send it off to a long-armer to be quilted.

This is the year to work on finishing projects and not just beginning them.  This is the first of many UFO's you will see on my design wall in the coming months.  Stay tuned...

Happy Sewing,

Darlene     

Isaiah 40:31

On the eve of our Nation's birthday, I was blessed to read a blog posting by Sara, aka "Gitzen Girl", called Stutter Steps.  She ended her story with the bible verse Isaiah 40:31 which was very fitting to her story and her faith.  I can't stop thinking about the verse and want to continue the verses' journey of distribution this week.

"But those that HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;  They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint."

Thrifty Stars finally quilted...

First things first...Just arrived via Fat Quarter Shop...NEW FABRIC!!!!!!!!!!!!  I heart this new fabric by Dena Designs for Free Spirit.  The two on the right are my favorites and I may just have to order some more...

Now, on to the UFO Update:

Back in October my left thumb started to go numb. For a while, it would just happen a few times throughout the day, nothing constant. By November, it became a constant numbness along with pain in my hand. So, off to the doctor I went. Fast forward a few months later, both hands/wrists are now in competition with the other to see who wants to go numb or ache. Carpel Tunnel was ruled out, nerve compression was ruled out, so I have self-diagnosed and resigned myself with tendinitis.

Everything I love to do revolves around using my hands. Sewing/Quilting, Web Design, strength training, and driving. Driving is more about the freedom to go anywhere when I want and to see who I want, namely family who lives 8 hours away in Mississippi and even friends who only live a couple of hours away. I haven't been home in 6 months because it just hurts to drive. Everything takes longer now too. Frequent breaks are important to keep the hands from hurting too much and for too long. My braces help to keep the pain at bay and I found that I can even sew in them.  Just wish I could drive in them.

You wonder what the purpose of the story is...it's my excuse this week for missing my deadline for the Thrifty Stars Quilt. I finally got the quilting done on Sunday, June 20th, one week later. I was a good girl all week while quilting. I took frequent breaks and even took a couple of days off from using my hands at all. I still have to bind it, but I have another excuse for that. I don't have fabric for the binding which will force me to go shopping. (insert GASP!)  I know, more fabric shopping.  

Below is the almost finished quilt.  I can't wait to see it after I wash and dry it (I rarely pre-wash my fabric b/c I love the look after the bit of shrinkage).

Revised UFO List and Deadlines:

1. Thrifty Stars - quilt and bind
• Deadline: June 13th 
• Completed Quilting: June 20th
2. Mom's 2009 Christmas Quilt - put border on, re-piece back since I forgot to put borders on before measuring(silly me), then send off to the quilter to work their magic. 
• Deadline: June 20th
• New Deadline: July 4th
3. Log Cabin - put border on, piece back, and baste
• Deadline: June 20th
• Completed border and backing: June 20th
4. Log Cabin - quilt
• Deadline: June 27th
• New Deadline: June 30th
5. Scrappy Bargello - put border on, piece back, and baste
• Deadline: July 11th
6. Scrappy Bargello - quilt
• Deadline: July 18th

Happy Sewing!
-Darlene

Life Interrupts

Last week I posted a rather aggressive, but totally achievable UFO To Do List.  I didn't factor in getting sick which left me unable to sew since May 31st.  Three nights spent in the ER is not my idea of time well spent but I am thankful to be here, on the mend, ready to tackle life and start sewing again.

One thing I learned this week is that we should never take anything for granted, especially the time God has granted us to spend here on Earth.  Life can be taken away without a moment's notice.  We should treasure each minute, each hour, and each day with our family and friends because you never know if it will be the last time you will hear their voice, hold them, or see their beautiful smile.  Cherish each moment and never take anything for granted!  God is good!

Revised UFO List and Deadlines:

1. Thrifty Stars - quilt and bind
• Deadline: June 13th
2. Mom's 2009 Christmas Quilt - put border on, re-piece back since I forgot to put borders on before measuring(silly me), then send off to the quilter to work their magic. 
• Deadline: June 20th
3. Log Cabin - put border on, piece back, and baste
• Deadline: June 20th
4. Log Cabin - quilt and bind
• Deadline: June 27th
5. Scrappy Bargello - put border on, piece back, and baste
• Deadline: July 4th
6. Scrappy Bargello - quilt and bind
• Deadline: July 11th