Monday, January 31, 2011

Fighting through the inertia

Do you ever WANT to quilt, but you just can't muster up the energy and enthusiasm? That has been me lately. But this weekend, I decided to fight through it and CREATE. It helps that I was home during daylight hours - I feel much more creative when it is light outside.

I started by cleaning up my sewing room a bit. I had two big quilting frames set up, but wasn't using either one except for storage, so I dismantled one, freeing up more space. I rearranged my sewing table and my ironing board so there is more natural light on my workspace. And then I started with something quick and easy - a new pillow for my dog using some super thick batting and some home dec weight fabric that was gifted to me. So far, he hasn't eaten it. Instead, he has parked himself on there, and my husband says he has to physically drag him off the pillow in the morning when he wants him to go outside. I love a gift that is loved, even if it is by a dog!

(that blue and orange thing is another gift that he loved - a duck that has been decapitated and had the stuffing eaten out of him, but the dog absolutely LOVES it!)

Then I finished up the last of the scrappy log cabin blocks. As it now stands, the quilt will be about 64" square, not quite as big as I'd like it, but I don't have enough of the center fabric to make enough blocks to make it larger on all sides. Perhaps a thin-ish border and then a piano key border of scraps? Or, there's enough for one more row of blocks, so perhaps a border and then a "pillow row" of blocks? (I don't know the actual term when you have a row of blocks that is meant to lay over the pillows...is there an actual term for that?) Any other ideas out there for making this big enough to cover a twin bed?


While working on those blocks, I made some more free pieced letters as my leader and ender project. I'm not really loving the S, so we'll see if that stays or goes. I have some ideas about how to pull it all together...


And when it is dark outside, I'd rather be curled up in bed or on the couch than in my sewing room. So on Saturday night, I turned on the TV (gasp! yes, I turned on the TV. I remembered how it worked! It has truly been a while since I've watched the boob tube.) and finished up the last few stitches in my mother's Christmas quilt (yup, gave it to her for Christmas and then took it back because I wasn't done) while watching PRETTY WOMAN.




(Another aside, does anyone else just inexplicably LOVE that movie? I could watch it a hundred times and not tire of it, but I'm not quite sure why. Well, I know Richard Gere is definitely part of the reason. I remember the first two movies I ever saw on VCR back when our family first discovered VCRs in the 80s - The Neverending Story and The Cotton Club. Richard Gere was a horn player in The Cotton Club and my adolescent self fell in love with him. That adolescent self still lives on in me.)

So, anyway, the quilt is done, and I hope to give it back to my mom this weekend when I hope to go visit her. (Are you reading this, Mom? If so, can I come visit on Saturday? I'll call you.)

And then, finally, last night I decided to watch the Netflix movie that has been sitting on my counter since just before Christmas (NOT joking!). DUMMY. Not me, that's the name of the movie. I don't remember picking it out, and when it arrived, I just wasn't moved to watch it. But I popped it in last night and started the Birdie Stitches BOM that I've been wanting to do.

Hmmm...just went looking for that link and found a flicker photo stream and it seems everyone else's snowmen are white. Certainly he didn't HAVE to be white, did he? I'm just gonna say mine was so cold he turned blue. And now looking at the directions, apparently I was supposed to do a back stitch. I don't even know what a back stitch is. I did stem stitch, because that is all I know so far. I hope there aren't embroidery police out there! Anyway, I enjoyed the movie much more since I was stitching. Otherwise, I don't think it is one I would have sat through until the end.
So, I feel like I'm back in the saddle again, which is good because I need to get the Cub Scout quilt's final border on and sandwich it so we can practice our knots on Monday as we tie the quilt. And truly, I'd like to give Donald his Boys Will Be Boys quilt before winter is over - that needs sandwiching and quilting. And in case you were wondering, he's been good at school two days in a row and today at homework time, HE initiated, pulled everything out of his backpack and called me over to get started and did everything with enthusiasm and a good attitude. I'll be putting Donald's photo on a milk carton because OBVIOUSLY this wasn't my kid who came home with me today, but a good-natured, homework-loving look-alike imposter. But seriously, I was so proud of him and told him how I actually enjoyed doing homework with him today. It may not last forever, but I'll bask in it as long as it does!

14 comments:

Becky said...

hahaha about the milk carton!!! I'm glad he is going through a "smooth patch". I love, love, LOVE the quilt for your mother!!!! I'm sure she will love it. I'm glad you are sewing again. Don't worry about the blue snowmen....I think it is cute!

Cheryl Willis said...

we are snowed in and I though I would sew all day- NOT, too many other TO DO's keep getting my attention. Maybe tomorrow, roads are going to be too bad to get out for a couple of days (that's my story) cw

marlene@ByTheSeam said...

If you want to know all the stitches for embroidery go to www.needlenthread.com. She has great tutorials and videos on all the stitches, even the simple ones. You can always leave a comment and she will get back to you too.

Seams to Sew and Quilt said...

Erin, that snowman stitchery is going to be so cute.

Shay said...

I lack motivation just about very single night- I really have to force myself to sew when I work during the day. (To date I have been putting it off for the last two nights)

And look at you when you decide to get motivated. You're getting crafty left right and centre and putting the rest of us to shame!

Nowhere is it written that a snowman HAS to be white...

Shay said...

Just a thought ..maybe Donald has been taken over by aliens...

Kidding! Totally glad he is responding better to school!

joe tulips said...

wow! lots here to check out! I don't see any reason not to use some other similar color for the centers of the log cabin. Blocks can be added only to the top and bottom to make it longer, & then the border if you want it bigger still.
S's have been my least favorite letter to make. They always look so funny to me. I know I need to start with very small background fabrics (3/4 to 1 inch cut) or they get so big. I am trying to make small letters. All your projects are looking good, including blue snowman. I would go blue too.
What homework do they have in kindergarten???

Barb H said...

I had the same thought as Joe Tulips--get more neutral fabrics and make a few more log cabin blocks. I know, the purpose of making scrap quilts is to get rid of fabric, but sometimes you have to buy a bit more to finish the quilt. I'm doing a different snowman BOM and I'm using blue floss as well--I love it!

Char said...

Hi Erin, I feel like that most of the time. I'm loving the log cabin, maybe you could use a similar fabric and place those blocks around the outside.

As for the embroidery, I found this site a little while ago and she has lots of tutorials. Check it out.http://www.needlenthread.com/

I'm glad Donald is doing better in school.

Judi said...

OH I'm so missing my pup seeing your pictues. I wonder if she misses me? Love the progress on everything. Glad Donald is doing better in school.

Nancy said...

You definitely seem to be back in the saddle! Glad to hear that Donald had a turn-around. Don't worry about why, just go with it and enjoy and praise it. Positive reinforcement you know! I'd continue with the log cabin too but not sure I know what you mean about the pillow thing?

Looking forward to seeing your studio next week! I'm just taking a quick break before I go back to clipping. I'm determined to get my rag quilt finished in time for at least one washing and drying before the guild meeting tomorrow at 1:00 -- and Dave wants my help with the gutters in the morning 8>(

Janet said...

Erin you consistently get more done in your "non-production" phase than I ever get done. You must be a whirlwind when you really get going! Your boy sounds like fun :)

Janet said...

Erin you consistently get more done in your "non-production" phase than I ever get done. You must be a whirlwind when you really get going! Your boy sounds like fun :)

Kim said...

Does Donald have a calendar with his name on it for getting positive reinforcement with stickers or stars? Then so many stars equals reward...like ice cream or he gets to pick the meal....small things that he gets to control?
It worked for my son...... and now he does it for his daughter :0).
A no sticker day just has a little note that tomorrow will be a better day :0).

Remember the good days because it gets you through the bad ones :0)...well that and some prayers.

Happy sewing