Friday, April 20, 2012

Favourite Things Friday


Welcome to another Friday and this week's linky party for your Favourite Things. I'm gracefully tip toeing towards the weekend today with big plans for a massive weekend of sewing. And my favourite thing this week is changing my mind.

Remember when I publicly stated I wasn't going to start anything new until I'd finished at least two WIP's? And how April was going to be my big finish month? And to be fair - I have finished the rainbow log cabin quilt. So I guess I'm sort of kind of part way there. I'm not a total liar and failure as a human being.

But in the last week or so all sorts of fantastic fabric related ideas have been rushing into my head and simply refusing to leave. For the longest time I've been completely devoid of inspiration and all of a sudden I'm on overload. I was totally freaking out that something important (aka quilt related) would leak out of my head and get lost because there's only so much room in there and it's generally full of stuff like "Buy milk - the stuff in the fridge has turned into yoghurt" and "don't forget to wear decent underwear on Tuesday in case you get hit by a bus ".

I resisted. I really did. I tried buying fabric to see if that would help the nagging thoughts in my head that were screaming "Start something new. You know you want to ". Trying to avoid being inspired has thus far cost me about 300 dollars this week. Then I figured if I just went and touched some other fabric that might do the trick. 

So I went and rolled round in this luscious pile of Amy Butler that arrived this week from The Quilted Castle




Still no dice. The fabric pheromones just whipped me up even more. And I eventually I had to accept defeat because it was obvious the voices in my head weren't going anywhere and I figured it wouldn't hurt to start a little something new. 



One thing lead to another .....and fabric started being pulled from the deep dark recesses of my stash with wild abandon (which actually sounds like the tag line from a Mills and Boon novel if you say it fast ) 


And at some point I completely lost the plot and started cutting (and sewing ) this 


I don't think I'm finished yet . This is sitting on my sewing table and I have an itchy rotary cutter finger....



I'm going with theme of "Carpe Diem" this week.  When inspiration strikes you just have to run with it even if that means you're going to have 10 things on the go at once.   Yes- I am officially useless and completely trying to justify my lack of self control. 

Enjoy your Friday !



29 comments:

Kate said...

You only get hit by buses on Tuesday?

Can't wait to see what the itchy rotary finger will result in!

Three Birds Inspired said...

This sounds perfectly normal to me because I am exactly the same way. Did you see the quilt on Cluck Cluck Sew? I am pulling fabric tonight. And I have 3 projects on my cutting table, just picked up fabric to finish a small quilt AND I am leaving for retreat tomorrow...with completely different projects. I think we are much more typical than not!

FIONA said...

Hi Shay - have just joined your blog and love all your bits and pieces and am very happy to find another like minded lady addicted to fabric and being creative! I just know we will be friends!! Fiona x

Char said...

It's about time you came on over to the dark side with the rest of us. Why should you be the only one with under 10 WIPs? Jump on in, the more the merrier!

seabreezequilts said...

You will get no argument from me starting something new and let's face it changing my mind are total favourites with me. And i totally understand the need to strike while thosecreativejuices are flowing. Mind you I cant get to my sewing table at the omens because ther are 3 or4 projects that could wait just stuffed on there that I must get back to once the kids are at school.

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

You have NO idea what a relief it has been for me to join this online community of fabric crazies, and realize that I am not alone. *huge sigh* :o) LOL Happy sewing, and rolling in fabric, and fabric shopping, and rotary cutting this weekend. It all sounds heavenly to me.. if it makes you feel better my NY resolution was to finish my UFO's before starting anything else. I haven't worked on them at all this year. haha

thea said...

I wish I had your problem. I have the hardest time getting started on anything and so wish I could spend $300 on fabric .. I am jealous all the way around. I'm also picturing you rolling around in the fabric. Great post! (is it Friday already???)

Kate said...

Changing your mind is a wonderful favorite, as is rolling around in fabric. I like all that you pulled. I'm eyeing new projects too, but I am going to finish the Giesha quilt first and the back for the purple and yellow quilt first (I think anyway).

Lorraine said...

Don't know why you even resist the urge to start something new ....you know it's futile! ...and don't forget we have a clamshell date coming up....Farmers Wife blocks??....mine are at a standstill...and I started something new last night....just because i can....! Happy Friday....I LOVE Fridays!

bj said...

Love your pretty fabrics....I intend to make another quilt before I pass on to the greater life....hopefully, this winter. (That's make another quilt...not pass on to the greater life....I'm sure not ready to go yet. ) :))

Rachaeldaisy said...

We all know what it's like to have those little voices. It's the fabric that call out to me. It's not wise to ignore them. And who made up this rule of not having lots of WIPs. Bring it on. Can't wait to see what your making!

AnnieO said...

The human brain is just more stimulated by NEW than UNFINISHED. So you are doing what comes naturally. I give you leave to use that sound scientific argument anytime (not that you had any trouble coming up with rationalization on your own--you're a professional, after all :)

Michelle Ridgway said...

Oh! I love 'wild abandon & fabric' in the same sentence. Those fabrics are gorgeous. We must have been bitten by the same bug this week as I have a little bundle of contraband too. I am looking forward to seeing what gorgousness comes from it all.

Canadian Abroad said...

Amy Butler and Hometown FQs. I'm the one in the corner sulking because I want to shop with abandon too!

Kris said...

Lol! You are so not a failure woman! You are a quilter, and I'm sure the definition includes a description of starting lots and lots of projects. Pretty sure you are doing it wrong if you don't. Thanks for all those lovely fabric photos in this post! I absolutely love Hometown. It is my favourite! Have a great sewy weekend and may you start many projects! (I know I am planning to!)

Marg said...

Rolling around in your fabric again? Lucky you.
That pile of Amy Butler looks fabulous. Who cares how many WIP's you have, I've given up keeping mine to a minimum.
I've totally lost my mojo again. I just bought some more fabric online too hoping that it will magically make my mojo return.
I like the way you only wear decent undies on Tuesday, interesting!

Unknown said...

Amy Butler is too cute! How can you not start something new with all that wonderfulness around??

Baa-Me Kniits said...

That Amy Butler fabric is delicious! I think its called startitis, I have it too and wonder if I have a problem because I hardly ever finish anything? This month has been good I have actually finished up a few WIP's...its a good feeling. Must keep it up :-)

Unknown said...

I have an Ohio Star in progress. The stars are done with the idea that in my lifetime I shall finish the quilt.
I know it's hard as I've got stuff in my head too. There's lots of blank spaces in there for filling up with quilt ideas. you must have spaces too! Go girl go!

Andrea said...

There are two quilting blogs in blogworld that make me laugh out loud, and I love reading them...yours is one. Thank you for the Friday morning laughs! I am the same way with quilting. It goes in waves. Right now I'm riding a big one, and have about 4 projects itching to get started, but I'm a one at a time kid, so need to finish the first one. ;-)

Paulette said...

Carpe diem, indeed! You're on a roll, so nothing to do but get out of the way and let the magic unfold. Love your HST pretty!

Brenda said...

Love it! I too started something new yesterday and already snuck into the sewing room to stitch a bit this morning - bliss!

Angie in SoCal said...

I know just what you mean, Shay! I started two new things this week and didn't even go near my ufo. Long live twitchy cutting fingers!

Sara said...

Yeah, I got distracted from finishathon April too, but hey, we had an okay run.

Have you had another go at zips?

Mistea said...

those are pretty fabrics that are calling you - anything that dares jump on the cutting table is asking for trouble. Looking forward to where the itchy finger leads.
Enjoy a stitchy weekend.

Larri said...

Watch that itchy finger! Can't wait to see what you scratch with it. That didn't sound right, did it? ;) Such pretty fabrics!

Heather said...

Oh dear, I suspect you have quilter's ADD. I know I suffer from it too.!

Sue said...

Love this range of fabrics in the last photo. What is it please? Sue

Elizabeth said...

Itchy rotary cutter finger -- so funny!

I have at least 10 things in progress. It is great because when I get bored with one thing, I can pick up another and still be moving forward. Sometimes, I get stern with myself and say that i have to pick one thing and stick with it until it is done. I don't think that works well for me, as I've finished practically nothing this year. Ah well.

I'm intrigued by that last bundle of fabrics. What is it going to become?

xo -E