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Monday, March 10, 2014

Maybe I have Spring Fever?

Yesterday I was trying to make some basket blocks from some fabric that I had cut some time ago.  I was trimming a HST to 3.5 inches......only I trimmed it to 3 inches by mistake.  So I hunted out the fabric and made another HST, trimmed it to 3.5 inches, and began to put the block together.  Here is a picture of the trimmed too small block, the replacement block, and the completed basket - which as you see, does not include the replacement block:

Why, you ask?  Well, when I started to sew the basket together, it didn't look quite right!  The colors were off a little.  After studying it a while, and pondering with my little brain, I finally figured out that I must have the dark print fabric in two different colorways.   See below:



So, I hunted again in the stash, made a third HST, with the correct fabric, trimmed it to the correct size, and finished the basket block.......I think I may have Spring Fever.

On another subject, I am working on Dear Jane blocks in a group that meets once a month here in Williamsburg.  The teacher is great, and has re-motivated me to finish my long-ago started Dear Jane quilt, and has motivated me to make new blocks along with the class.  The teacher is Doreen Johnson, and she has a blog called "Aunt Reen's Place".  Aunt Reen because that's what her nieces and nephews call her. She talked about me this past week, and I am still reeling from her remarks.  (Here is her post)   She said some things that are true about me, but also said I'm an extremely talented quilter.
  
As you can see from my post today, I don't think of myself in that way.  I view myself as maybe "determined" and "focused" as a quilter, but would never describe myself as extremely talented.  Do you find it hard to accept compliments?  I am a woman who, when someone compliments my dress, will say "This old thing?"  or something equally banal.  So when I read her blog, I thought - "Who me?"  "Is she talking about me?"

I do know that I love to quilt, and love to look at blogs and see other quilter's work.  Mondays are fun because I can see everyone else's work on Design Wall Mondays over at Judy Liquidara's blog. (Here)




12 comments:

JoAnne said...

Maybe it is Spring Fever, but that same situation happens to me occasionally and I don't think it happens just in spring! How nice to get a lovely compliment, too. I just found Aunt Reen's blog as she and I are both working on Sarah's Revival. I knew she was in Virginia, but I didn't know she was just up in Williamsburg! I saw your quilts hanging at Midatlantic--but I didn't run into you.

Libby in TN said...

Kindred Spirits! You described me to a T -- start-stop-search-start again -- except when I search I frequently go off on an unrelated tangent! Good luck on Dear Jane. I never got past two blocks.

Ramona said...

I am just outside of Richmond, so we are "neighbors". Your basket block looks great. It is funny what we go through sometimes to get these quilts finished. Part of the story of the quilt.

Rhonda said...

Good for you sticking with the basket block until it was right. I probably would have gotten distracted and abandoned it while looking for the correct fabric. And you should graciously accept the compliment--your quilts are lovely!

Kate said...

I always go through that disoriented phase when ever I pick up on a project that I've not worked on in a while.

Lori said...

Third times a charm! lol I believe you are talented too. When I lost a lot of weight I learned to thank others for compliments, and that is what I still do. (I don't always have to believe them!)

Sylvia said...

You are a wonderfully talented quilter. Take the pat on the back!

Gayle said...

I have a few fabrics that are very similar like yours - easy to grab the wrong one by mistake. I just finished making a quilt using this cake stand basket block - my blocks finished at 4" - such a fun project!

Paula, the quilter said...

Going back to a project that I have no idea where or what always makes me a bit disoriented until I figure it out. Way to go!

Cathy Daniel said...

It doesn't look that different in the photo so I think it's a mistake anyone could have made - but so frustrating for you! I just love the Dear Jane quilt, so please finish it and show us all ;) xCathy

kwiltnkats said...

Judy, I sure like your basket block. Dear Janes are quite the accomplishment...from the get go! I admire you for taking it on. Now the Flying Geese for Talking Turkey will have you going and going and going. I'm still working on the trimming. I used the technique in the book with the square and four 2.5" squares. This way certainly requires trimming. Sewing is longer with the Easy Angle Ruler, but I don't think it will lessen the cutting. Just plan on spending some time with the Flying Geese! The result will be worth it is what I keep telling myself. Sandi

Ruth said...

I just figured out you live in VA and when we were in Poquoson for Christmas at our Son/DIL's home, they gave me what I had requested, which was the DJ book. So, now I have started on that journey. I also love doll quilts and DH & I were high school sweethearts who have been married 51 years. And BTW, he played basketball and I was a cheerleader. My seam ripper seems to get as much use as the sewing machine some days.