Oh good - you're all still here . It's been so long since I posted I wondered if when I came back you might have wandered off to read other more committed bloggers. My only excuse for not being here is that "I sat in the computer chair for 5 days until it moulded to my butt shape " isn't exactly a riveting blog post title.
It's Australia Day today so we celebrated the day by eating Aussie food in our pyjamas. Vegemite for breakfast- snags and sauce for lunch and roast lamb for dinner. I also spent the day talking in an Aussie accent. I'm really good at Aussie accents....
It's Australia Day today so we celebrated the day by eating Aussie food in our pyjamas. Vegemite for breakfast- snags and sauce for lunch and roast lamb for dinner. I also spent the day talking in an Aussie accent. I'm really good at Aussie accents....
I had hoped to bring you Mr. P's completed Loungin' Around quilt a few days ago, but the quilting deities decided it was not to be. I wasted 2 hours basting, then another two hours unbasting and attempting to stick the backing to the floor with 83 different kinds of tape and it just wasn't happening. If I could have used the staple gun I would have - it just seemed pretty extreme, not to mention detrimental to the tiles. Eventually I spat the dummy, cried and told the quilting gods what I really thought. It wasn't pretty. It involved a lot of profanity. Bad profanity and 400 basting pins sailing through the air. So I decided to ignore Loungin' Around for a while. It's gone to the naughty cupboard. Mr. P confessed that if I had dragged it out again today he was planning to go to a mates house to watch the cricket and he doesn't even like cricket.
I spent a few days pondering whether quilting and I are really suited to a long term relationship. What do we really have in common? Can we make this work?
By today I was going crazy with sewing inactivity so I decided to whip up some Dresden's since I have sadly neglected the poor Dresden quilt for a few weeks. Dresden's are mindless and repetitive and hard to stuff up. I got 6 done. More than halfway home. I still like this quilt.
By today I was going crazy with sewing inactivity so I decided to whip up some Dresden's since I have sadly neglected the poor Dresden quilt for a few weeks. Dresden's are mindless and repetitive and hard to stuff up. I got 6 done. More than halfway home. I still like this quilt.
Confidence restored I decided to tackle the windmill quilt this afternoon.You all know my history with this quilt. It exists to taunt me. It has been poking it's tongue at me for over a year. Today I dragged it out of the cupboard and hand sewed all the mistakes. It took me quite a while. There were lots.
Then I finished piecing the backing too...I was too lazy to smooth it out properly for the photo op...
On to the dreaded basting next. I'll wait for Mr. P to be at work since he's still recovering from my last attempt....
Unfortunately I have vowed to finish 2 quilts before I start another new one. That'll leave me with two Phd's. I'll feel justified in starting something new. A girl needs a few projects on the go at once to stave off boredom.
I'm back to work next week (where did that 3 weeks go?) so I am going to spend the next few days in a frenzy of activity doing everything that has been left undone. I'm currently on the hunt for some turn buttons that are proving to be the most elusive doodads on the planet.
I'm making February Frugal Grocery Month....stick around for that! Since I cannot fit another single thing in any of my three freezers I doubt we're going to starve. Anyone else want to play along? Last year I got really creative by using what I already had and saved 500 bucks for the month. (That amount of money can buy a lot of sewing related items!)
P.S. One more coat on the dining room table and it's done!
31 comments:
Hello Shay! I so enjoyed reading your delightful post and seeing your quilts. Good luck with the basting I now have a permanent picture in my mind of your basting pins flying through the air! Hope you have a magnet for those for a fast pick up!!! 4am here up with sinus drainage, having cup of hot tea and reading blogs in the PhD participants. Thanks for commenting on my post as it lead me to yours!!!
Colleen
Oh I like that kind of nothing. Well, except for the basting bit. Basting is my worst enemy! (See I really am a quilter, but basting tries to stop me. Basting is the megabeast!)
I Agree Basting is the Pits of Quilting...it's never Perfect..Or Good for My Back...
Your Dresdens are Gorgeous they are my alltime Fav block...
your Table is coming along I Love it in White...
Hope your next few days off go smoothly for you...
cheers
I personally can't thank of a better name for a blog post.
What does "Phd" stand for? I have WIP (work in progress) and UFO (un-finished objects) but I can't work yours out.
The batiks are really pretty. I kinda forgot how pretty and went and bought some Kona solids instead. And I didn't "make" you do it.
Projects Half Done @ Sara.
And fine - if it'll make you feel any better I'll accept responsibility for my own fabric fetish. It's just so much more fun to blame you....
I think I spent half of today on the computer as well checking out quilting blogs!!! Now you tell me about all the frustrations of quilting and you expect me to give one a go???? I think I will be starting with baby sizes first....got any ideas for a first easy quilt??
My Aussie accent is getting better too ;-)
Happy Australia Day.
Sounds like you spent your well. Love the dresden blocks. they are coming along nicely. I haven't tried basting a quilt yet. I cheat and send them off to be quilted. After all that work I don't want them ruined!!!Dont give up on Mr PJ's quilt. I really like it though you have a while before he will have a use for it.
Cheers
Helen
I am glad I am not the only one that has quilting days like that. That is why I have so many PhD's, so when I have to send one to the naughty cupboard as you put it, I still have something else to work on, or send to the cupboard to keep the other one company.
Your fabric choices (the new ones) made me say, "Oooh, those are lovely" outloud. Thankfully no one but the cat and three of the dogs (maybe four) heard me or they'd all have come rushing over to see what I was talking about and then looked at me like I was a fruitcake.
The table is looking marvelous. I can't wait to see the whole dining room done.
You never cease to make me laugh!!! I love the dresdens....have to check out the post you did about them a while back - I think I'd like to try some. Also, speaking of UFOs....whatever happened to your snowball quilt???? :)
I do my basting over a table rather than on the floor. Makes sense to me. Use the weight in the layers to keep it smooth.
Your windmills are looking gorgeous - and you know they will be finished soon.
Beautiful dresdens and fabrics - Little P will enjoy a nice bright quilt.
I'm devoping a serious case of table envy! it's looking fabulous. Basting ... well, enough said ... happy rest of vacation...
It brought a smile to my face to hear the profanity over basting. I dislike that part of quilting. Especially when one of the dogs decides to come and lay on the end of it. Then I have dog fur too.
But on a more serious note,I love the dinning room table. Wish I could convince my hubby on a white table. Although I live with all boys, so nothing would stay white around here.
Hello Shay, my first visit and of course I had to read back and catch a flavor of yourpersonality and let me just tell you YES, I HATE BRA SHOPPING!!!I will do anything to avoid it but at 51 yrs. old, hell, it doesn't matter, my boobs are down to my waist anyway so what difference does a new bra make?
You are very talented. I have another friend who quilts and I'm so jealous of her abilities. Although I am a sewer so I might be able to do it if I tried; I say 'IF' but not sure I need another 'love' in my life with reading, writing, scrapbooking, blah, blah, blah...
If you don't mind, I think I'll stop back!
Maybe the quilting gods need appeasement since you've reduced your fabric intake recently. Sorry the basting went south. The Dresden plate blocks are beautiful.
Gorgeous fabrics for Little P's quilt. I love the bright colors.
I try to do the frugal grocery thing every month, but it never seems to work out... but I'll try it again! :P
So sorry your floors are unstickable. That is odd. Does it only happen on the bottom of the world? I wonder if they have the same problem in Patagonia?
Meanwhile, the table looks great!
Three freezers, huh? That's a lot of flesh to sear!
I forgot to give you Dresden love and a Happy Australia Day greeting!
Hmmm...where to start! I will join you for frugal shopping - but I am not sure if I can do the math on converting Aussie money to American money!!! (not really)
All of your quilts are lovely. I have a pinwheel going that I need to pull out again.
Why does Mr. P even need a quilt? I thought you were his warm and fuzzy.
I have a snow day today - so I am off to sew!
Basting, the worst part of quilting, unless you have a friend to baste with, then it is quick and easy. I'm kidnapping Julie next time she ventures up north.
I think you need to save all your basting until a fabulously wonderful person turns up to stay for "awhile" and can help you.
I hope Mr P has recovered from the trauma of seeing you turn into devil woman.
The Dresden quilt is looking absolutely gorgeous, like it? you should love it!
It looks like Feb will be a high protein month at Maison PJ's, no I'm not going to join you but will watch as you do a superb job at reducing your food bill.
Absolutely love the table it looks stunning in white.
For a post about nothing you sure covered a lot of things ... basting. Sorry to hear about your woes .. I had help on my last one and it made it much better, especially since my friend fixed the problem areas. She's faster at it than I am too.
The dresden blocks are wonderful -- you say they are mindless but the look soooooooo complicated. I'll have to go back to your post on that and see if I can figure it out (when I get around to challenging myself to make that block).
I love the fabric for little P's quilt. What are you planning on doing?
Are there any rules for Frugal Grocery Month? I'd like to join ..
and Happy Australia Day .. though it's already the day after in Australia. I'm so behind.
baste your quilts on a table lovey, easier by far, use bulldog clips to hold it in place before you baste. Seriously love those new fabrics going to have to look into them once I come out of sewing frenzie. Feeling much calmer now I think I have enough for at least one week of the market.
Ohh! Your dining table is looking really fabulous! And I love those bright batiks for Little P's next quilt. You always amaze me with everything you get done. I love the colors in Mr. P's quilt and your Dresdens are so pretty! And I really do like your windmill quilt. I think it is lovely. Keep up the good work and enjoy your last few days of freedom.
xo -El
Look at all you have gotten done! Forget the basting fiasco, you got your dreaded windmill top fixed and a backing made for it, some lovely Dresdens pieced, and the table is almost done. Lots to be proud of! Me? I can't even get my arse over to the ironing board to fuse some applique. I'm having a week of non-productivity and am starting to hate myself for it. Bah.
Mmmmm, there are just some fabrics which have a special finish that won't allow anything to stick. When I ran into the problem, I pinned the masking tape to the quilt backing and then used the sticky part on the floor. That worked well. I don't recommend haing the quilt drape over the table cause the different layers will drag at different rates and you could end up with a real mess.
Lurking Linda
I adore the Dresden. I would so like to start one now. Can't wait to see Little P's colorful quilt.
OW Shay love your Dresden progress, looking fabulous as is your pinwheel quilt.
If you were closer I'd be round to steal that table.
Mr P said that you weren't that bad before you took up quilting!
Too funny about basting. I have a large work table which used to belong to my sweetie. I mostly spray baste as my quilts are about 45" X 65" long or there abouts and spray basting is so easy for me.
It must be the season, as I just wrote about my spring fling quilt which I could gladly fling off too!
I am always frugal, but since being retired, can take the time to think about shopping lists. Those that work quite often buy a lot of prepared stuff.
Australia day, fireworks inside and outside it seems at your house!
Hmm, okay. Table looks great, so do the dresdens! The quilt that no longer shall be named will feel good to be done or you can just give it away and let someone else finish it. I suppose it's a which is more important, finishing it as a humph, I did it or getting it out of the house. lol
Sorry bout Mr. P's quilt but at least he can see how hard you are working on it for him. That's got to count for something later, I'm sure. hehe
And love that fabric! I almost went and bought some right away but luckily, my power flickered and kept me away from the store and now my rational mind has taken hold and I can refrain.
Why do you have to finish anything? Why can't you be like the rest of us and have 10-15 projects going at one time?
Go ahead and buy that brown fabric so you can work on the Picnic Parade quilt.
There sure is a lot in there for a post about nothing! Glad to hear that you decided to hang in there with quilting! So, do you have to buy special pants to fit your new butt shape?
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