I'm hearing Frankie Avalon singing "Beauty School Dropout" from Grease in my head as I write this post.
Last fall I signed up for the Red and White Snowball Challenge and also the Year of Schnibbles. I realized pretty early on that I wasn't going to find the time to work on my snowball quilt. I love the pattern and have all the strips cut to make it someday (and a recipient - I'm making mine blue and white and my daughter is already in love with it). My first dropout.
I kept up with the first 3 Schnibbles quilts, and I really enjoyed making them. I skipped December's because I didn't have the Tuffets pattern, nor did I have the time to make any. When I saw that Madeline was the January Schnibbles, I was excited because I had everything to make it and I really love the pattern.
I've spent most of January working on Toulouse, which I absolutely love. Every step of the way, I have absolutely LOVED working on this quilt. And that feeling - that joyful feeling - is what quilting is all about for me. I work two jobs, have a husband and 3 kids and very limited time in which to sew. So I made the decision that I'm going to quilt for ME, not to be entered in a contest or to try and keep up with the other quilters in Blogland (do you ladies ever sleep???).
I will enjoy seeing everyone else work together and finish their amazing quilts, and will probably have more than a few pangs of envy that I didn't make each month's project, but for me to be happy and fulfilled, I need to work on projects of my choosing, so that's what I intend to do.
It looks as though we are at the same point with our Toulouse quilts. I love the addition of the light blues in yours---it gives it a soft focus look that is really nice. I have my flying geese units all ready to stitch, and I always do have fun making those.
ReplyDeleteDon't fret about not finishing some of the Challenges you joined. It happens. I have only finished the first Schnibbles! Time is limited and we have to do what speaks to us.
I totally agree. About all of it. By the time my baby is in his crib for the night, I am beat. I so rarely do anything more that touch fabric...
ReplyDeleteVery well said, you are a smart girl to realize doing what makes YOU happy is the best approach when selecting your projects. I'm LOVING your Toulouse!!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you 150% I like to make quilts on my time, my schedule and as a result I made a commitment to myself this year to not sign up for anything!
ReplyDeletework at my own pace without any stress or deadlines!
your quilt is looking wonderful
love the coloration especially the hint of blues in the hst
good choice
enjoy your sewing time this week :)
Kathie
I agree with your sentiment whole heartedly! I did the snowball quilt and I LOVE my finished quilt but that deadline bothered me a great deal. Especially with the holidays where I did no sewing except Christmas presents. I don't know why I worried about it so much since it was an artificial date decided by someone else and who cares if I miss the deadline. I don't like deadlines and won't mind doing a quilt with cross country friends again but not with a deadline. And it will be a quilt I love and have been wanting to do.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Quilting is fun and should never feel like pressure! I've given away half made projects because they just weren't fun any more. I made Toulouse a few years ago and have yet to quilt it. It's one of my favorite quilts and I just can't figure out what kind of quilting to do on it. If you come up with something - let me know! Meanwhile enjoy what you're working on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great attitude! You can get carried away with all the creativity out in this quilt blog world. A wonderful place to be inspired, but now my fabric purchases are outgrowing my sewing room and I have no room to spread out. I love looking and hopefully I can keep a list of things I want to "get back to" but for now, I'm with you. Sew for yourself. Enjoy every stitch. It makes me happy to sit down and just sew...no expectations. Thanks for reminding me of that feeling.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is looking great, I can't wait to see how it turns out. I love the fabrics you are using.
ReplyDeleteGosh this quilt pattern brings back memories! The 2nd quilt I ever made had Goose in the Pond blocks and my Mom and I made it together. :-) Fun times! I don't think you should feel pressured to work on projects either, do what makes your heart sing! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I can relate to this post! I was doing some hand applique' last night for the first time in a couple of months and found myself thinking how much I'd missed doing it--so I need to make time to do this...we must sew the things that bring us joy...or it defeats the purpose!
ReplyDeleteI have to leave a little comment, Lisa! Quilting is about doing what makes us happy - you need to follow your heart. I quit swaps and such because the pressure drove me crazy (way too much stress). I'm finally participating in the Year of Schnibbles because it's a great way to do some wonderful small quilts. I work at my pace and try to enjoy the process. I've found that if I'm stressed with my quilting then I don't want to do it - makes my quilting mojo disappear.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your journey following your path.
Beautiful, Lisa! And you are making the right decision. It is what I would do if didn't own the shop! Julie
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Lisa. I'm happy reading it. This is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt. It's so pretty. I'm way behind on my snowball challenge quilt too. With all the back problems and other issues in my life, I don't get nearly enough sewing room time these day.
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect to me! Good for you to do something just for you. Sounds like you definatly deserve it.
ReplyDeleteI can't agree with you more! I was suppose to go to a meeting last night to see if I wanted to join a block exchange with some girls in my guild, I wanted to join the fun but I kept thinking about all the blocks I was suppose to make to exchange for blocks I might not like, for a quilt I was not committed to make. I decided not to join. I love quilting for me. I love choosing pieces that I WANT to make and hate the guilt that comes from dropping out of groups or projects, so I'm with you.
ReplyDeleteYour Toulouse is looking wonderful!!
You sound like me...2 jobs, a DH and kids, and a dog and community work...I do it for the joy and relaxation it brings me so I can do everything else.
ReplyDeleteDo what you love!
I so hear this. I have a LIST of people who would love a quilt. But I have a production problem. I lose my joy if I make the quilts too simple. I like small pieces and intricate patterns. It takes a lot longer, but I started quilting so I could do that type of thing.
ReplyDeleteI feel so selfish that gift quilts~ with big easy blocks, which can be finished quickly~ are drudgery to me. It so seems like I should "just make them," but then I start avoiding the sewing room.