Thursday, March 28, 2013

Spring Tablerunner - Day 2

HIP HIP HOORAY!!

After last nights minor hiccup and a good night's sleep I was able to overcome the obstacle and achieve a victory today, namely, block 1 test came out nearly perfect. Since it isn't in the official fabric, the final version will look different, but the piecing challenges have been beaten back. Now on to writing directions for it before I forget how it's done.

Here 'tis:


I must say I was sort of trying to go for a "ribbon" look but this fabric choice didn't achieve that. The block is called Twisted Ribbon and was designed in 1976.

On to block 2.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Day one - Spring Tablerunner

Holed up in the sewng room, designing away...hubby comes home.

House dark..."Honey, I'm hooommme"....Silence... Suddenly he shows up at the door of my room wondering if I've fallen into a hole.

Well, not quite but I didn't stop yesterday until I had the germ of an idea for my Spring tablerunner. Spent this morning deciding on color. Here it is:
  OR           
 
 
Having no patience whatsoever, I raced out to Quilt in a Day to buy fabric. I knew exactly what I wanted. El has a new line out called "Ellie Ann" from Benartex, so I got me some...

 
 Hours later.......
 
 
 
Well Phooey. Seems like I have this tendency to pick the hardest blocks to figure out. Looks like I'm going to need more time to make the first block but I've learned a lot today. I will say, something is not right here...I would swear the computer is WRONG!! (Couldn't possibly be lil' ole me, could it?)
 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Just start

The other day I was chatting with my friend about my dream of designing patterns under my own label. I've put a few together in the computer but no samples or directions are written, much less anything actually printed! So I said to her "I just don't know what to start with or how to go about it." She very wisely said "Just start".

I was told that several years ago by another friend while on a retreat. I had mentioned the same dream to her and she said "Just start". I'm not kidding.

I have lots of reasons why I have yet to "just start." Most of them are quite legitimate such as

- we have been remodeling our home in preparation for sale and to move out of state and weekends are very busy.
- I have committed to designing some patterns for a publisher and those need to be accomplished at some point.
- I continue to get longarm quilting work and since I need the income, I do not feel I can refuse it to "just start".
- I recently agreed to work from home for a rather well known quilting outfit and am obligated to do the work for which I am being paid!

Another aquaintance told me that if I really want to do this, I need to set aside one day a week and work for myself. She's right.

I find that when I continually put off attempting to follow my dream, even if it's only one day a week I begin to feel frustrated and discouraged. So, this blog is for me. Even if nobody else reads it, it will serve to remind me in black and white that I will commit to working just one day a week for myself. I pick Wednesday. I know that I will not be able to spend the WHOLE day working for me, but I am determined to make it most of the day!

As for what to start with - I know I want a new Spring tablerunner for one of my tables and I want to use some of the beautiful pre-cut fabrics that I have been hoarding. So by tomorrow evening, I intend to post a picture of progress made on that project. Still have no idea what it will be yet...let the creativity begin.