Thursday, April 11, 2013

I Felt Burned Out...

I felt like I lost my focus.  So I took it easy for a day and no sewing.  I read and read and watched movies.   It wasn't much time away from sewing but it helped.

I guess I spent so much time with the block with Y seams that I felt frustrated and unproductive.  So I put the block up.  I haven't given up, but I need to work on other things.  I will definitely get back to it and you will see the most stunning block.  Until then.....

I finished my Floribunda Quilt Top.




I kept the red block because I feel the focus of the quilt is on the yellows and golds.  I rearranged the blocks and started the design in the upper left corner.  It is different...still not sure how I feel about this quilt...but the top is finished and it will be a picnic quilt when all is said and done.


DH and I went to JoAnn's today.  I was looking for some backing fabric for this quilt.  I fell in love this fabric.



For some reason I have been choosing large florals for backings.  This was a little more than I usually pay. Regular price $9.99 a yard.  I had a coupon but couldn't use it as this was on sale.  I ended up paying $6.99.  Now I need to wash it and get this quilt finished.


I also finished the quilt top for my Baby Trip Around the World.



I made it using Bonnie Hunter's directions.  However I cut my strips at 2" wide which made a 10" block.  Instead of making it scrappy I used the same 6 fabrics for each block.  I love how it turned out.  While at JoAnn's I looked for a backing fabric but couldn't find anything I like.  Will look again another day.

A few things I've been working on but do not have anything to show are:

1.  Pat Sloan Quilt from her new book "New Ideas for Applique" has a quilt that is excellent for a BOM.  She is starting it this month with Aprils block.  I should have it done in a day or two.

2.  I've been making quilt labels and sewing them onto the back of recently finished quilts.  I had so many small finishes the last couple of months that they are starting to stack up.

3.  I chose the quilt I want to make for the Small Quilt Talk quilt swap.  I've been in touch with the quilter I am swapping with and I have chosen an appliqued quilt with scrappy blocks.  All I have done is traced the applique pieces to freezer paper.  I have until the end of May to finish it.


As I sit and write this post I am watching the Tigers play the Blue Jays.  It is cold, it is raining and the Tigers are winning.  Let's hope it lasts.  

My son posted on facebook a picture of a weather map.  He lives in the Upper Peninsula.  The map shows they are expecting snow....like 1" - 2" an hour.  Last week he still had 3 feet of snow.  So I guess I won't complain too much about our 30 - 40 degree weather and rain.

Hope you have sunshine where you are.  Thanks for stopping by and spending some time.

Hugs, Cathy

P.S.  I want to thank everyone for their suggestions for the Y seam block.  I will use each and everyone of them when I decide to try it again.

10 comments:

  1. that backing fabric is perfect for you Floribunda. I like all the blocks.

    Lovin' the baby quilt too.

    We have sunshine and 78* today. We have a cold front headed to NC with some rain which my garden needs.

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  2. With the busy sewing days you have had it's nice to take a little one day break. You amaze me with your dedication to finish so many projects. I like your idea of taking time to put label on those that needed. I have not labeled4 many of my big quilts, on my wall hangings I write with permanent pen on the back.

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  3. Cathy I love both of these quilts, and the backing is just perfect for your Floribunda! Good job! I think I'm taking too long of a break, I can't remember the last time I stitched something.....yikes....maybe next time the sun shines, I'll feel like picking up a needle and thread again. Right now it's so gloomy I just want to sit and read!

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  4. I love your two quilt tops! I know what you mean about needing a break now and then. I have had the same experience with my machine quilting lately. I just needed to give it a break and move back into some more comfortable territory for a while. Tae care!

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  5. LOVE the backing that you chose for your floribunda quilt~!~i think it's perfect~!

    sometimes the best thing to do is lay something aside and take a break from it. i know that when I've done this it's like my brain works out stuff (somewhere in the background) and when i come back to the challenge it almost always goes better.

    :-)
    libbyQ

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  6. I'm glad you took a little time off to relax/refresh. You've been working very hard sewing lately and you needed the break!

    Congratulations on finishing your Floribunda quilt top! I love the backing fabric you found... very cool print.

    I know what you mean about JoAnn's... great coupons but so often what you want is on sale and you can't use it... *lol*

    Can't imagine it snowing 1-2" per hour... that must be amazing.

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  7. Floribunda is beautiful and I love the backing fabric. I think that's a good price for it. It's good to take a break from things sometimes. Sounds like the rest day did you good - already back to getting a lot done.

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  8. Floribunda turned out wonderful, don't you think? Great backing fabric.
    I sometimes have those days when I just need to "chill" and refill my bucket. : )

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  9. OH MY! That fabric is perfect for the back of your gorgeous Floribunda...PERFECT!
    Love it!

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  10. Very pretty backing fabric! And the baby trip around the world is fantastic.

    This weather is such a drag! Cold, windy, rainy, cloudy....I am ready for some sun and warmth. We are supposed to get snow tomorrow!!!!

    Argh!

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