Tuesday, May 10, 2011

15 Minutes A Day -Weekly Report




This week's effort has been completely abysmal.  I'm blaming the finger but we all know the truth. Quilting Gremlins. Yes - that's right. They stole into my house and nicked my crafty mojo. I didn't do a crafty thing until Saturday. That's four whole days of uncraftiness. I'm kicking myself.

I spent this week second guessing myself 8 times on the Dresden centres and sashing fabric. I decided it absolutely needed some obscure Aunt Grace fabric that was in print 5 years ago but ultimately couldn't find anywhere. Trust me - I spent 8 hours online looking. I went from being convinced that blue was the way to go , back to my original dark pink, through auditioning greens and yellows , back to pink, back to blue and finally settled on a medium pink. If you hate it for crying out loud don't tell me because  I just ordered three more yards of it for sashing. I ended up making 5 Dresden centres and tracing and cutting another 11.  I'm just relieved I made some bloody progress.


Fabric shopping happened again this week. Can I help giving in to temptation when I see stuff on sale ? I went to buy some plain black and came home with 8 metres of that and another 12 + metres of these two for backing. It was on sale for 40 % off and then if I took the rest of the bolt they gave me a further  30% off . It would have been criminal not to buy it.



I also bought solids and plan on  making them into something spectacular at some point. I've never worked with plain solids before. I usually consider them the plainwrap bread of the quilting world. (kind of beneath my notice )  I have been completely inspired by new ideas this week. It's like creativity has taken over my brain.


And in news you already knew -The Chocolate Star Quiltlet (happy now Becks ?)  got finished.


And I started cutting something fabric for something else. It seems that no sooner have I taken something off my WIP list than I'm putting something else on it.


These are already starting to look like a quilt top...sort of... I'm sure you get the idea.


Come back next week for another thrilling installment where Shay finds her sewing mojo and gets a load of things done! Hopefully.

Meantime , pop on over to Kate's to check out other sewing legends.


20 comments:

Jenn said...

I know what you mean about Quilting Gremlins....and then when you get your mojo back, you just can't stop!!! Love the fabric - I've been a good girl and haven't bought any in a few weeks! YAY!

Kirsten's Cooking said...

so glad you avoided criminal activity and bought the 70 % (!!!) off fabric - good find!

I've been shirking all of my work to read a historical fiction book (1000 pages and I read it in 3 days....kinda sad, huh?)

Sara said...

I like the pink. It suits.

After spending so long accumulating a massive stash of gorgeous prints, my brain recently went "solids. I like solids now" - immediately transforming about 2/3rds of my collection into stuff I don't feel like using anymore. It's a vicious cycle, because as soon as I have lots of solids my mind will change back. Have you got yourself a colour card yet? I'm seriously considering a kona one but I could buy a lot of real fabric with that $30.

Kirsten said...

Must have been the week of "not-sewing".
You´ll do better next week!

thea said...

I know the medium pink will look beautiful --

Don't know what to say about the fabric shopping. It is hard to resist a sale .. and the solids, wow... can't wait to see what loveliness you create.

My quilting gremlins came in the form of two small boys, along with their parents and various aunts and uncles (mostly uncles).

Sarcastic Quilter said...

So happy! :)

I like the pinks, so I wouldn't tell you otherwise.

circle retreat quilter said...

shay hitting the fabric shop and internet is still classified as 15 mins of craftiness in my book. love the pink. and oops blown the 100 yards.... love it.

seabreezequilts said...

I think playing with fabric counts and buying fabric as well. I don't do solids just can't come at them except for stitcheries though I did use plain white for last quilt top (it was my stitchery background stash because I didn't want to buy any more fabric for the quilt)

Michelle Ridgway said...

Why is it we never can find the right thing in our stash... or if we do there isn't enough or it's no longer availavle on this planet.I reckon the quilting gremlins hide it or steal it soon as they know you're looking for it.Not much sewing here either hurt my arm digging in the garden...lucky it's the left one so some stitching is still possible.

Jennifer said...

Mmmm.....I quite like that black and white print that was humungously cheap......very good buying! I went to my local Spotties but didn't find anything I loved enough to buy.

Lorraine said...

Shay.....I have quite a "collection" of older Aunt Grace/30's repros.....you are welcome to come and "shop" in my stash any time.....let me know if you still need some!

Elizabeth said...

For someone whose finger was almost severed, you really got a lot done. I really like the pink for the Dresdens. Pink is awesome. And I love the two new fabrics you bought. The brown floral is especially nice. Can't wait to see what you do with the solids. And finally, I love the red, white & black project you've got going on.

xo -El

Kate said...

The pink will look fabulous!

Wow, great bargains on the backing fabric. Not sure I'm ready for solids, but the set of blue fat quarters is gorgeous.

I have no suggestions for de-Gremlining (???) your house. Maybe the sounds of the sewing machine will drive them crazy and they will leave?

sewa mobil said...

Nice article, thanks for the information.

Lisa said...

Oooh, I love those blue solids! Can't wait to see what you do with that. Same trouble with WIP list, except I've been starting new projects like crazy & not finishing much. As far as the dresdens, I was thinking one of the pinks would be better anyway, good to see your progress! =)

Kris said...

That's the way it's supposed to work. You finish something and then you start one (or two) other things. I am liking solids a lot too. Went to Spotlight today to get some homespun and they only had 3 or 4 bolts of brown. Nothing else. I figured then that lots of people must be doing solids!!! Hope you find your mojo. Having found mine, I am enjoying it!

Marg said...

I still think you did a fair amount considering you were supposed to be doing absolutely nothing so that your finger could recuperate!!!!!!!!!!
I exercised self control (unusual for me, I know) and didn't go to Spotlight to snap up any bargains, as I have waaaaaaay too much fabric already. However if I had gone and had seen those lovely fabrics I would have snapped them up too.
I'm a little partial to solids myself at the moment.
I like very much your final choice for the dresdens.

Alisa said...

Apparently, I can't even find 15 minutes to blog, comment, or read my favorite blogs anymore. I'm in the busy "end of school year" season. Still trying to check in often. Hope your finger is recovered and glad to see all otherwise is well.

Mistea said...

Love your Red, Black and White creation - I'm sure you'll be showing us lots more of it real soon.
Those dresdens will be gorgeous finished, glad you finally made the decision and started on those circles.
Keep up the good work.

Michelle said...

LOL! I can relate to your Dresden sashing indecision. :-)

What yummy fabrics you have, Shay! So much potential.