Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Lack of Focus


No, not the picture.  My brain!
I love these fall colors!  I think it's a wonder that they are all on one bush.


Here is where I found them - in my Japanese Maple in the front yard.  Of course, the sun went away right before I got out there, so it doesn't glow as much as in the sunshine, but still, I think it's beautiful.  This bush just up and changed overnight about 2 days ago.  Amazing.


I've actually managed to get myself into the quilt studio the last few days.  I don't have any particular project that I'm focused on.  Mainly I'm just putzing with a lot of different ones.  These are my house exchange blocks that my friends in California are doing, and were nice enough to include me in the exchange.  This is about 2/3 of what I need - we're supposed to make 12 blocks, enough to make a table runner.  But it seems I always have to do something different, so I'm making 16 blocks to make a wallhanging. 


Here are the other 8 blocks, all ready for me to do the stitching on them.  We don't have to have these done until January, but I'm hoping to have them done before Thanksgiving, if not sooner.  *fingers crossed*

Yesterday when I was trying to get some fabrics cut, Shade was "helping" by dancing right in the middle of it all.  So, rather than cut something that shouldn't be cut, whether fabric or feline, I decided I'd better sit down and do some stitching.  Shade likes to lay on the desk next to me when I'm sewing on the machine.  So, when I sat down, he calmed down.  Not having anything in particular to do, I decided to pull out the crumbs and work on some of that.  I always leave some blocks started, so that there's a starting point when I want to sit and stitch for a few minutes.  It eliminates the "brain strain" that could happen if I have to think about it too much!  *grin*  I got a few more blocks finished.  So, I decided to see how many blocks I had.  I had 57!  The ones that I finished brought it to 60.  They're all trimmed to 6 inches and will finish to 5 1/2 inches.  So, I started playing on the design wall.


I had been thinking of adding sashing, but decided that was more work than I wanted to do for a charity quilt.  Then I thought of putting them on point.  I think I like this.  I can't seem to be able to make up my mind about which fabric to use for the alternate squares, so I think I'll just use plain white.  A nice clean look.  So, now I'm back to cutting more fabric!  But this one should be done quickly.


Guess what?  I still have 40 crumb blocks left!  Quilt seeds!  To be played with and decided on another day.  I need to sort my bin of crumb fabrics too.  I've got too many itsy-bitsy pieces in there, and not enough of the larger pieces.


Last Friday I went to a Quilts of Valor sew-in.  I got one quilt trimmed and ready for binding, but forgot my walking foot. so then I got a kit and started piecing.  This will become a Disappearing 9-Patch.  I've got all the strips sewn and now need to cut for the next step. 

And lastly, I've spent two evenings picking out fabrics for pillowcases for Christmas presents for the family.  I see more fabric cutting in my future!  I hope Shade will cooperate!

11 comments:

  1. Doesn't sound like lack of focus to me!! Your crumb blocks are great. Don't you just love doing them. I also like your idea of leaving something in progress when you leave the studio. Great color in the Japanese maple and great house blocks. I love the colors this time of year. Three years ago when I redid my kitchen I painted it orange and I have never been sorry. I always wonder what color I would have used if I had painted it in the spring.

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  2. the Japanese Maple is beautiful. My bank has one and it is just changing color now.

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  3. I get the lack of focus thing....I'm often overwhelmed by in progress projects that have run into snags....do you want to swap one and breathe new life into mine and I'll have a go at yours? I have a wonky star top that needs some fresh ideas. let me know.

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  4. Your house blocks are great. I love the bright colors. It seems you have been very busy sewing a bit of this and a bit of that. I like your idea of setting the crumb blocks on point. And I love your Boo quilt. I have mine on my design wall right now. I thought I would try to finish it this Halloween. I have put some orange and black pinwheels up there with it but I think my pinwheels are too big. I need to make some smaller ones.

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  5. I don't see any lack of focus here - my gosh you're busy! Love your maple. And those house blocks - they're wonderful! I simply must make some scraps so I can make a crumb quilt. I love yours on point. White is perfect to set the blocks off!

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  6. Wow! I have that EXACT same tree in my front yard, and up until a day ago it looked like that as well. Beautiful leaves, beautiful colors. The wind storm left it a wintery skeleton of a wee tree waiting for the snow. Your projects look like fun, you've got plenty going on. Like the idea of pillow cases!
    Cheers,
    Dionne

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  7. Lack of focus - join you on that one. Procrastination is my middle name at the moment.

    Lovely colours on the Maple.

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  8. Love the Japanese Maple! Also, love the house blocks...all happy colors. I wish I could be as productive as you have been, when I lose my focus!

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  9. Isn't it amazing what just sewing a little at your machine can do. If I can ever just sew a little it seems to boost my inspiration and get my creative juices flowing. Seems your crumb sewing did the trick for you. I really like your blocks set on point and I do love the white for the alternate blocks...yes, it does give it a clean look. I am anxious to see those cute little house blocks finished too....
    Looks like you are doing ok...you may not feel like it but looking at all your photos it sure LOOKS like you are focused!!

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  10. I've got a stack of those crumb blocks too that I have to figure out how to use. They're so busy they almost require an empty alternate square, don't they?

    At least you've been out in your yard cleaning up in preparation for winter. My flower beds are dismal.

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  11. I get the focus thing. I've got too many projects going on and none are in the homestretch, I just purchased a sewing cabinet which will for an organization and clean up in the sewing room Maybe having my machine at the right height and at table level I will be more inclined to piece? Your crumb blocks, what about white w/black dots for a setting fabric?

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