Confessions of a Sometimes Blogger

I'm thinking of adding that post title to my byline. "Confessions of a Sometimes Blogger" seems like the perfect blog name for someone like me. I rarely blog these days. Not sure why. I spend hours on end reading other sewing blogs. Maybe, since I spend so much time looking for inspiration and so little time actually sewing, I have nothing to blog about. Well that's not true. Maybe. I haven't been sewing lately (CTR Surgery, you know) so I have no pretty pictures to post of my fabric goodness. However, I have taken pictures. And I have been living my life. This morning I read a post by Rachel at http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/04/there-are-things-i-dont-say.html. I read all 308 comments prior to mine. I realize that I am not alone in this weird blogosphere. I have confessions to make. I feel inadequate in my sewing abilities. I'm afraid to sell what I make because they don't live up to the big-name bloggers'/sewists' works. I shop at JoAnn's and Wal-Mart instead of my Local Quilt Shop because I am poor. And also, because I like the fabric at JoAnn's and WM just fine. I have bad days in my life. A lot. Sometimes I wish things were different. Then I reflect on that wish and realize that I like what I have. Of course I want more, but don't we all? I secretly wish that I had a ton of blog followers, and published works, and a book contract, and sponsors to send me free fabric. But is that what blogging is all about? I'm starting to realize that I have a blog for my own sake. It's a journal of MY things that I have made. If people care to read it, great! If not, oh well. Is it really that important in the grand scheme of things? Probably not. If you're reading this, THANK YOU! It means a lot. And if you're not reading this, then I guess I'll never know and it's no skin off my back, is it now?
Oh, and since blog posts always have pictures, here's a picture for you:


My family: It's what I work on every day :)

Pillow Party!

So as I've been "laid up" and not able to sew for the past week (and who knows for how much longer), I have been reading many many many sewing blogs, entering contests, commenting on other blogs, etc. Oh, and fondling all the fabric I can't wait to cut into. When I cam across the Bloggers Pillow Party at Stitched in Color I figured, why not go for it and enter. So here I am, entering a sewing contest with my String Quilt Pillow (oxford style: I learned that this technique actually has a name!). So here it is again. My scrappy, funky, crazy, not-perfect-but-I-don't-care, String Quilt Pillow. It holds a sacred place on my bed with my lovely quilt. I can't get enough of it. I just love it. And I think my husband does too, but I won't let him use it ;)

WIP Wednesday and Chrysalis Quilt Part Deux

A few days ago I posted about this quilt, which I started on Saturday with Moda's Chrysalis by Sanae charm squares and some Kona Bone. Yesterday I worked on it a little more. I have 2 of 7 rows complete. I used my handy dandy JoAnns coupons today to get more thread, Kona Bone, and Warm & Natural batting. I don't plan on finishing it entirely for a few weeks due to my carpal tunnel surgery next Monday, but I still have 4 days to get the top done. I also need to figure out what I want to do for the back. I know I want it pieced, but just not sure how to do it yet.

I also finished up a few baby items for my cousin's shower (I seriously hope she doesn't read my blog). It's a boy so I hope she likes these Debbie Mumm fabrics. Sorry for the horrible pictures. I have a very tiny house and horrible lighting so it's impossible to get a good indoors shot. And outside, with all the mud, well, we just won't talk about that. Happy Wednesday!!

Chrysalis Quilt Part 1

Saturday, I had the good fortune of being alone from about 3pm until 11:30pm. Bobby was working and the kids were off at sleepovers (one with a friend, the other with Gramma & Pa). So I sewed! I finished some baby shower gifts for a cousin (to be posted next week, just in case) and I finally started a new quilt. I bought these charm squares a few weeks ago and got some Kona Bone to accent them. I knew I wanted a lot of white space to accentuate the Chrysalis fabrics, so I went with a wonky log cabin style. At first, I thought I was being silly by using so many pieces of the white fabric instead of just 1 wide strip on each side. That certainly would have been quicker. However, I kinda like the look of the seams showing through. I think it adds dimension. I plan on using all 42 charm quares, each in its own 12" square, to make a twin sized quilt. I really like the idea of having quilts available throughout my home for us to randomly use whenever we want, either on the couch for snuggling or on our beds for extra warmth. Now the dog will be able to have all the fleecey throws for herself!

WIP Wednesday (2/9/11)

Wow! Wednesday again! Here is my work in progress for the day... Mermaidens (and Mermen) from the Wee wonderfuls book.

I just love these little guys! Unfortunately, the numbness in my hands makes it difficult to finish all the hand-stitching right now, so it's very slow-going, but I'm getting there. These are going to be a 1st birthday gift for my cousin's daughter whom I adore soooo much! The fabrics are vintage quilt fabric that I got from my grandmother. She probably found them at Goodwill or something, but they worked perfectly for the look I was going for.

Also, I have been working (again, slowly but surely) on my string quilt pillow covers. See my previous post for a pic of the pillow progress. More progress next week!

Pillow Progress

A little progress has been made. I finished the quilt piecing for the top of one of the couch pillows. It took longer than I expected (about 1/2 hour per block), but I'm not really in a huge hurry. I do want to baste the tops to some batting and quilt some straight lines before I assemble the actual pillow cases.

I also have 4 mermaids to finish. Those would be quick & easy were it not for my assumed carpal tunnel. OUCH!

It's weird. As much as I want to sew, I keep being lazy about actually doing it. My sewing space isn't ideal and I hate having to pull things out and then put them away after an hour of sewing. Plus, my husband tries to get a little sleep during the day thanks to his overnight job, so I have to be quiet. Someday things will be better and I'll have some space all to myself, where I can just shut the door and not worrying about "cleaning up". Someday...

Wednesday Work

On this oh so snowy Wednesday (the 6th one in a row here in Maine) I finally got my "sew-jo" back. I started making my first string quilt blocks. I plan on making 8 total, for my 2 couch pillows. The living room really needs a little brightening up and I think these pillows will do the trick. Now, back to work!