Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Feeling Quilty

Well, this is where I'm at right now. I'm just starting to feel quilty again. :) I'm happy too because I really do love to quilt. I'll be quite honest, I have been avoiding my sewing machine for the past few weeks. I had a negative experience with a quilter, and it really just soured my excitement for where I was going with my quilting. It was one of those experiences that makes you want to just curl up under a rock and die! Ugh. It was that bad. But you know, I'm learning to be more thick skinned, and be aware that sometimes when people go out of their way to make you feel awful, it's really because they are trying to cope with their own insecurities. God has a way of putting us in our place, and forcing us to remain humble. In any case, I'll be darned if I'm going to quit, just because of one person's stinky attitude!




So with that said, would you like to see some quilty pictures? Here's a pineapple block for a quilt I'm working on...it's a pattern from an old American Patchwork & Quilting magazine, consisting of 90 blocks, surrounded an applique'd border. So far I've got one done! LOL*** Just 89 more to go!
Here's a picture from the back...I always like to see how people do things differently. I traced my paper piecing pattern for two reasons - number one, because I ran out of printer ink. LOL* Number two, it's kind of relaxing! I have had a few funny looks and even a scoff or two at my enjoyment of tracing patterns...but you know, it's the kind of enjoyment you get from hand piecing or hand quilting. It takes a little longer, but I'm not always looking for the most efficient, fastest way to make a quilt. For me, often times the process is as fun as enjoying the finished product.


I also bought a few books over the past few weeks. I'm really excited over the Baltimore Album book, the blocks are SO pretty. I have tried a number of different methods of applique, and freezer paper applique seems to be the easiest way for me to achieve the look I like. So I thought some of the intricate blocks in this quilt might help me improve and motivate me to do more applique projects.

So off I go to do a bit of cleaning, and then into the sewing nook to get inspired. :)

7 comments:

Trisha said...

What a shame that someone was cruel to you! I am sorry you had to deal with that and that it has affected your desire to quilt. I have a hard time sometimes letting things roll off my back. I wish my skin were thicker. :)

I am excited to see that you bought Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. I love Jennifer Chiaverini's books. I have read all her novels multiple times. I even took her invitation to make a quilt that could be chosen to be in her Sylvia's Bridal Sampler book. And they chose mine! I'm page 81! Can you believe it! I still can't.

I hope you continue to get your mojo back!

Kayla said...

I am so sorry that you ran into someone who stepped on your creative spirit! I'm glad you are coming back to your sewing machine. Quilting is very individual, no has the right to judge anyone.

My mother-in-law read Eat, Pray, Love recently and left me with a quote from it that I proudly display on my refridgerator: "All the sorrow and trouble in this world is caused by unhappy people."

Keep on quilting, girlfriend!

Karen said...

Oh my goodness! I can't imagine someone making you feel like you should not be making quilts. You just get right in there and do what makes you happy.

I have made a couple pineapple block quilts. Paper pieced. I traced one pattern and then copied the rest.

Lilly said...

I am so sorry you had to have a bad experience with a person who was so unkind. Glad to hear that you are shrugging off her comments and are back in the quilting mood. Good for you. Love the pineapple block. You will have all 89 blocks made in no time...LOL..I am making a sylvia's bridal sampler quilt. Have about fifty done I think. It is on hold for a while....

Anne Ida said...

So sorry to hear someone threw nasty things at you! Shame on them!!!! Happy to hear it's not broken you, and you are getting back to your quilting! You do beautiful work, know that!!! And those books should be some wonderful inspiration, too :o)

Your Pineapple block is wonderful! I love the idea of a Pineapple quilt, but don't have the patience for doing the blocks ;o) I look forward to following progress on yours!

Hugs and stitches from me

Stephanie D said...

So sorry to hear you had an unpleasant encounter, but glad you're able to shrug it off and get back to what you love. Boo to pleasure-stealers!

Sandy said...

I'm glad you are quilting again and i love that scrappy block...whatever way you want to quilt is the right way...go girl!!