Procrastination

"Only put off until tomorrow

what you are willing to die having left undone."

Pablo Picaso

I finally finished my first UFO of the year and I am happy to say at least one more creation will not be left undone.  Of the two items I had set aside for this month this rag quilt gave me more work than what I had originally thought it would. 

The front background squares, applique and backing are all  made out of flannel and there is a layer of cotton batting in the middle.  I did an outline stitch around the flowers and a cross hatch on the solid squares before piecing them together.  Once the rows were completed I realized that they would not make a quilt wide enough for a lap quilt so I had to come up with another idea to add width.  I decided to add a border on both sides alternating the solid colors which turned out to be the perfect touch.  The quilt has a decorative stitch around all the edges and then clipped to give it that ruffled edge that distinguishes a rag quilt from other quilts.  I am very happy with the outcome and glad that it is finally done.

Now I am off to work on the wall hanging that needs my attention and also to select 2 more projects for next month UFO project list.

Sew the World Turns

It is 6:40 on a Sunday morning, coffee is brewing and the only thing I can think of is that I need to go to JoAnns and buy some flannel that I think goes on sale today.  As much as I love fabric I dred walking into a fabric shop right now, so much temptation that I really don't need.

No sales so far this year (2010) and I really can't justify buying more fabric, except for the fact that if I don't I can't finish one of my UFO quilts that I want to list.  It is such a "Catch 22".  I need it, I want it, but I feel so guilty doing it.  Another problem is also the uncertainty of a sale.  If I make it will they buy?

I get discouraged, as I am sure many of my fellow Etsians do too, I make things and they sit in my shop forever.  I have had 2 sales this last year that I was ready to remove because they sat there for almost a year with tons of views, few hearts and certainly no sales.  So the question is.....Will this continue to happen?  Will I just have to wait till the end of next year to sell items that I have listed this month?  Let's hope not.  Answer... Be Patient.

Life will go on and "Sew the World Turns".  I will create items and concentrate on colors, designs, techniques that I love and pray that someone else loves them too.  Shabby Chic Flannel lap Rag Quilt and matching throw pillow cover will be a new listing for this next week.  We will patiently wait and see what happens.

Making a List - Checking it Twice

I feel like Santa, except my list does not include gifts or names of good little boys and girls.

 My list is the next step in helping contain the UFOs in my sewing studio.  This is not a task I look forward to, making a list only confirms how much of a porcrastinator I am and maybe I do suffer from ADD (attention deficit disorder). 

I have numerous bags that contain completed blocks or quilt tops that have been accquired through participation in swaps, exchanges and round robins with other quilters all over the world.  Along with these there are many projects that I am guilty of starting all on my very own and I think it only makes sense that those closest to completion will take the top of the list.  Chosing these UFOs will get many projects out of the way quickly and hopefully give me some items to list in my shop as well as some lovely items to decorate my home.

The List: January 2010

1.   Flower Basket Wall Hanging
This is a completed wall hanging that requires only quilting and binding and is the result of a round robin challenge.  The center block, basket with flowers minus the jumbo rick rack handle, was the block I submitted for the challenge.  The two outer borders and the rick rack basket handle were added by the three other participants in my group. This item will grace the walls of my sewing studio when finished.

2.  Rose Garden Rag Quilt
The second item on the list for January is a set of 20 blocks made in flannel.  Each block will be layered and quilted individually and then pieced together with alternating blocks of a contrasting color in a rag quilt fashion.  This will be listed in my shop for sale as soon as it is done.

With Purple as the color theme for the month, I plan to kick off my sewing on Monday, January 4th and I only hope that  I don't sidetracked by other projects that need to get done or new projects that strike my fancy mid-stream.  Let's hope that this year will bring renewed focus and commitment to contain the beast that lives within.

Let me know how you are doing as the month progresses and I will do likewise.  I know that there are others like me out there and I could really use the company and the support of knowing somone else is working along with me.  Maybe we could share photos of your progress also, or if you blog too please share your link so we can check on your progress.

Welcome to My Wednesday - "Quilting in PJ's"

I have decided that a daily post is more in order, especially since I am "Quilting in PJ's" everyday and not just on Wednesdays. I hope to make my weekly post more detailed and include a tutorial or ideas for any readers to comment on and shine the light on other etsy shops and their owners.

Welcome to My Wednesday - Feb. 18, 2009

THE PROJECT OF THE WEEK:

This week I am working on re-purposing an old pair of men's courdory slacks into a tote bag. I am not the best at sketching designs but I know what I want and have a vague idea on how to achieve it. I love designing as I work and tweeking here and there as I have to, so that it all works out in the end. It should be ready to list by the end of the week.

Check out my progress and let me know what you think by adding a comment to my blog.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/quiltingfrenzy/sets/72157614005975571/detail/




I did finish another baby rag quilt yesterday
and it is ready for listing today. A beautiful pink and blue floral print alternated with a pink and white stripe pattern. A great quilt for a baby girl!

Its back to work on that tote bag to get it finished in time to list by this weekend. I have a half dozen pairs of slacks and jeans to work on and get ready for the local craft fair circuit that starts up in a couple of months.
Feel free to leave a comment any time and I will be back tomorrow, "Quilting in PJ's"

Quilting In PJ's

Welcome to my Wednesday!

I have decided that the early morning quilting I do is probably my best work. There is something about getting into my sewing room at 6:30 in the morning that helps me be more creative, colors look brighter, ideas are fresh and I am looking at everything with a new perspective.

I walk into my sewing room and there is the mandatory clearing off of my ironing board and cutting table, then I log onto my computer, turn the tv on and then switch on the sewing machine. This ritual is how I start my day at work and if done in a different order things just don't seem to feel right.LOL Although it seems that there is a method to the madness, I really struggle keeping the design monkeys in check. I always say, "I have more ideas than I have time" and whenever I look at a new, or old, piece of fabric I have to restrain myself from starting a new project.

This weeks project has been a baby rag quilt for my babybagagge.etsy.com shop.



This type of quilt is a simple design that is made by sewing together two layers of flannel and then clipping seams to create a fringe. The clipping can be exhausting if you don't have a really sharp pair of scissors or special rag quilt scissors.

For a heavier quilt you can sew three layers of flannel as I have done in my ladybug quilt http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19273503



Or you can add a piece of batting between your layers of fabric, as I did in this quilt that I made for my mother-in-law that lives in Indiana .



Well, back to work so that I can finish up my baby quilt and get it listed tonight.

Drop by any time or check back next week and see what is up and what we are "Quilting In PJ's".