I figured it out!

Have you ever been completely flummoxed by something and nothing you do will work right?

At the last retreat I went to with my Mobile friends I was trying to work on my star top. I got all of it ready to go together, but for the life of me couldn't make the math work. I couldn't see the answer. I was so confused by it I even confused a couple of gals who were trying to help me, (Karen and Lynn).

Last night as I was working on a Linus UFO I glanced up at the design wall where I had put the said top and instantly I knew what had to be done. it was a plain as day.
Today i tried all day to get in here and put my answer to work but the phone kept ringing and it was fires I had to put out. No way around it!

Tonight, I did it! I still need to trim it up to put the borders on but the math issue is DONE! WOO HOO!

Design Wall Monday

I think the name of this one might be Ballybucklebo in my Heart. While sewing on this top I have been listening to a book on tape and have fallen in love with the town and it's citizens. If you love a good book without murder, mystery, sex or too much harsh language then try An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor. If you love to hear the Irish language spoken try the books on CD.
Diane

Think like it's an elephant

I finished the top last night!! I am so pleased! I just sat staring at it for a long time. I tell you the truth I have loved this design since I first saw it on Keryn's blog. Now to decide how I want to quilt it. I am pretty sure I won't hand quilt it, but I would love it if I did. Who knows, I have surprised myself before.
Now what do to. Do I rush right in and work on something else or do I stew? I'm thinking I will go through my UFOs and find one I am still in love with and work on it. Wouldn't it be great if I did that? I know I would be very pleased if I completed something. I know my husband would be amazed if I completed something.

I was reading a blog today, that lead me to another blog, that lead me to Amazon, and to "Look Inside" of a Scrap Therapy book. Talk about surfing! Anyway, the book said something along these lines...She was going along happily buying fabric, making quilts and sorting her scraps when all of a sudden one day she was almost paralyzed by her stash. Not just her yardage, but her scraps. She had stored her scraps in a whole separate place from her stash and was shocked by how much she had when she focused on it.
I kind of think that is where I was for a bit. Paralyzed by the abundance. No longer sure of just what I had. Patterns and fabric both were just too much for me to put my head around. I used to think, no biggie! If I died with a large stash my SIL would take it all and use it. That may not be the answer either. She is not sure she can find her quilting joy either.
The answer...just like eating an elephant...one bite at a time! I will try to focus on one thing at a time. Not plan my future projects, just look at the one before me.

Now to go through my UFOs...I'll post what I find.

Later,
Diane

New year, new frame of mind...

It has been silent here too long.
I have not been in the right frame of mind to do any sewing or blogging. I sincerely hope that is over with and along with a new year I will have a new drive to sew, quilt and create.

I went into my sewing room for the first time in many moons and didn't know what to do so I just sat and looked around and thought. That was enough for that day, I left.
The next day I decided it was too crowded and messy so I put away the machine I use for quilting and folded the fabric that has landed in the floor. During the straightening I spotted a plastic box with a UFO that I started at least two years ago. I opened the lid and remembered how much I loved the design. I wonder if I could get some of these little blocks made? Four patches and HST that finish 2". How cute!
I stayed up until 3 am. I was lost in the cotton.
The next morning Ray let me sleep in. I woke late and headed straight to the sewing machine. I sewed ALL day and until 3am again. Was I back in the saddle? I don't know but I was having fun. I dared not question too much or think too much I might jinx it, even though I don't believe in jinxes, but why chance it! LOL
Day three...I woke at 11am...went straight to the sewing room and played! At 4am I thought I might need to go to bed before I burnt another finger or dropped the rotary cutter one more time.

So far it looks like this:

I saw the original design on Keryn's blog back in 2008. I fell in love instantly. She made hers to be a table cloth and I thought I wanted to do the same thing. Needless to say over the past few days I made mine much larger. The components are small, so tons of piecing, tons of civil war scraps, just the way I like it.
So what do you think?

Diane

Big News

I was told my Dad is supposed to go home tomorrow! After several months in one nursing home, therapy facility, mental ward (yep, not a fun story) and back to the nursing home he is supposed to go home tomorrow. I am not holding my breath since every time I am told one thing something different happens, but I am hopeful.
I leave here Tuesday morning. I will stop in Mobile to rest then on to Houston.

While in Houston I hope to get to enjoy the quilt show. I have my camera ready and I am pretty excited. I am going to try and get my Linda to go with me. We always have fun no matter where we are so this will be no different. I have no list to buy from. I have nothing I am looking for. I would like to see the quilts. Connect with vendor acquaintances and eat at Ninfa's. What more could you want in one day?

Maybe after I return from Houston I will visit my sewing room. I know I will have pictures to share.

Later,
Diane

Snap out of it!

I don't know if I am alone, but I found myself in a strange state of mind when it came to my quilting. I found myself reading blogs, A LOT. Not working on any of my projects. Constantly reading Keepsake and Connecting Threads catalogs. Scanning the Sew It's For Sale and Quilters Flea Market on yahoo. Buying fabric or patterns and stacking them in my room and walking back out, shutting the door behind me. One day it dawned on me I was constantly looking for something to buy but not using anything and it didn't even bother me.
All of this happened about the same time everything started falling apart with my dad. So I decided until I worked on something to completion (it doesn't have to be big just finished) I will not look at any more online stores, Flea Market emails or catalogs. No more shopping in local stores and maybe even sell a few things I no longer need.

I have sold a few things. Thank you to those who bought them! I have stayed out of quilt shops and fabric stores. (I KNOW they feel the difference in their tills). I have even stopped reading blogs since reading what others were doing only made me think about buying that doo-dad or fabric.

I can report I am beginning to feel and see a difference. I am having no desire to look at what I can purchase. I looked at a couple of blogs today and found them enjoyable without feeling the need to buy. I am even thinking about a project I want to work on, and it's a UFO so mores the better!

I am headed to Houston to check on my parents and with a little cooperation from the husband I am going to be there during the International Quilt Festival. I know what you are thinking. You are thinking. "She is gonna break the bank!" I really don't think so. I won't lie and say I won't buy anything, but I think I realize I need nothing. I am sure I will buy something though.
This will be the first time since I closed my business that I have been to the show ans the first time in about 8 years that I have been as just a quilter and not a business owner. I think I will enjoy it.

Now, after I have said all of the above...I don't want anyone to think I am so strong, or determined or disciplined. Nope I have been depressed! When I get depressed I become a blob. A slug. A couch potato!
Tonight I went for a good walk with Ray and the dogs. I have cleaned rooms I haven't touched in a month.I even cooked a very good dinner. Mostly we have eaten easy fast meals or salad or cereal for supper.  Maybe it means I am snapping out of it. I hope so!

Still here

I'm still here, I haven't fallen off the earth, just wish I had.
Too much has happened. Too many things to whine about, you really don't want to hear.

I have only thought about the Texas flag quilt. Well to be honest I have tried to draw it up in EQ...forget it I will need to read the manual and who wants to do that? Not me today!

I have pulled piles of fabric but that is as far as it went.

I haven't even unpacked from the retreat in August!

Or put my machine back to working order!

The only fun thing I have done is I started playing around with a necklace for my daughter.

This is one of the eight scallops that go on the front of the necklace. It measures about 1 1/4" across. MAYBE I will get it made for her birthday. No promises.

When I get stressed I do two things I close myself off from other people and I get the WANTS.

I have all but stopped blogging, talking on the phone and not much email. If it wasn't for my SIL and her sweet daughter Hannah I wouldn't be doing the emails. My Linda calls to keep me talking but other people I tend to ignore.

The WANTS have been rampant. I want a new light for sewing. Why? I don't know! It isn't like I'm doing any! I found this one on clearance for $79! Regular price...$279!

this is a table lamp, I actually have the floor one in this model

I wanted a new bed spread and pillows...why? I don't know I don't even like making my bed!

I'll have to take a picture later of what I bought...did you get the Tuesady Morning flyer? The red comforter on the front!

**PERSONAL...stop reading if you don't care to know about...**

For those who have asked about my dad. It is getting worse, but better too. He has been moved twice since I spoke with you last. He can only have visitors two times a week for two hours a visit. My sister said he is a lot more pleasant, less paranoid and agitated. With their financial state I don't know how long he will be here, if he can (physically and emotionally) go home or if they do send him home if he will just go back to how he was. Being so far away causes a lot of the information to get garbled in the translation. Kind of like when we played gossip in elementary school. The first person heard the teacher has on a red dress with yellow flowers and the last person heard the red car got a flat tire.
I have a sister, a niece, and my mom that I am getting information from and none of the three say the same things. My plans are to go in about 3 weeks and stay for about 2 weeks. Maybe in that time I will be able to understand more.

Later,
Diane