Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Getting the grumpies out

I just spent a frustrating afternoon and evening almost swearing at my sewing machine.  If the kids hadn't been right there I might not have been able to say "almost".  As it is both of them gave me a wide berth and headed for bedtime routines without being asked...  So, I'm going to post about things happy and completely different to get myself back into a better mood.  Maybe if that works I can ask you all for advice without launching into a long rant!

First Happy Thought:  thank you to Thelma at Cupcakes'n Daisies.  I won this lovely layer cake and honeybun in one of her blog anniversary giveaways.  The layer cake is Northwood Botanicals by Holly Taylor and the honeybun is Crazy 8 by Sandy Gervais.  I usually don't buy a lot of fabrics in any one collection, so making something up with these will be a fun change of pace.  I'm not sure what, though I'm thinking "Christmas".


Second Happy Thought:  thanks to Ann at A Good Yarn for a win on her blog earlier this year. I'm sorry I not only neglected to blog about them, I also neglected to take a picture before undoing the lovely packaging around this fabric, and before consuming all the lovely chocolate, and before my son absconded with the pincushion (he's quite handy with a needle).  Those blues are the start of rebuilding my blue stash.  The others will find a good home too when the time and inspiration is right.


Third Happy Thought:  Mom sent me some lovely goodies as a thank you for looking after her sweet pooch last winter.  She really didn't need to do that.  Apart from the fish food incident he was really great to have around.  That said, I'm not turning up my nose at these half-yard cuts.  They're all from the "Greetings from Canada" Thimbleberries collection. The fabric on the right is all postcards of famous Canadian landmarks.  Ideas for a quilt are simmering.  So far I'm thinking of pine trees, maple leaves, flying geese, delectable mountains...I can add a few more fabrics to work in lighthouses and beavers.  Does anyone know of a good beaver block?


Happy Thought Four:  21 of the 48 blocks on my daughter's quilt are quilted. That's almost half, and I'm holding on to that encouraging thought! My goal is to have it done by the end of October.  Of course that goal requires spending an hour or two hand quilting every evening instead of sitting at the computer...maybe I can learn to squeeze both in :)


I'll post more pictures of the quilting next time.  It's about the only thing quilt related I've accomplished in the last several weeks - except for the little project that had me so frustrated earlier.  Now that I'm all calmed down and getting drowsy I'll just forget about it for tonight.  I'll be picking your brains another time though!

6 comments:

  1. had that day yesterday! Glad you had some things to brighten your day, even if it was just the sharing of gifts. The quilt looks wonderful!!

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  2. What a great way to rid yourself of frustration! And Girl, you made a really great fabric haul, didn't you? Your quilt is looking great! May all your problems disappear overnight! ---"Love"

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  3. Goodness gracious Joanne, everyone seems to be experiencing frustrations of some kind or another. I'm sure the stars must be out of alignment. Congratulations on your fabric win - I'm sure you will have lots of fun using them. Perhaps the fabrics you won in my giveaway might inspire you in a Fourth of July project. Your mum is a treasure sending you those half yardages and terrific progress on your quiltinng. You are achieving a good deal more than I am right now. Cheers, Ann :-)

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  4. You've got some fun new fabrics there and your daughter's quilt is coming along nicely. I hope you're over your frustration, but I think we've all been there and can understand.

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  5. What a lovely quilt and fabrics. I'm sure you will find something "Happy" to do with your fabrics. Connie204

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  6. Those are great fabrics, I could just sit and fondle them and feel better. Love all the colors and patterns to play with! Your daughters quilt is beautiful, little by little it will be finished. Hope everything seems better this morning.

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