Time Between the Stimulus and Response

Time - the great healer of many things, including frustration about fabrics, patterns and quilting dilemmas. Thank goodness I have the insight to put time between the stimulus and response. In the quiet of my home this morning, having coffee at the kitchen table, surrounded by my doggies, I solved yesterday's pressing problem (see previous post). And bless Judy Sisneros for her 9-Patch Pizzazz pattern, which turned out to be the PERFECT solution to my problem. The large scale fabric of the Tuscan landscape is ideal for her pattern. Of course, it's off to buy fabric today for the 9-patch blocks, but I've cut all the rectangles and still have fabric left over. Crisis over. Off to walk doggies, then to the rink. All that worry for naught. Let this be a lesson. 

Hitting the Quilting Wall

It's nearly 10:30 pm and I'm blogging about quilting and skating. Scary! But today, I hit something of a quilting wall.  To wit . . .

I happily completed my wine bottle theme companion (pictured here) to "The Grapes of Rhone" (see my 'gallery' on the right) and was feeling a little smug about my novice quilting ability. I started working on another Tuscan-theme piece for my husband. I am using a pattern (I'm not even close to designing a quilt myself) I've used before, but with completely different fabrics than the pattern features. 

The whole process went south on me. The focus fabric - an impressionist Tuscan landscape - is great, but I thought I had the additional fabrics in my stash. I start cutting fabric and run into problems. Not only do I not have enough complementary fabrics, I don't have enough variety either. I start rummaging again through my stash, hoping that I will find something - anything - that will let me get started on this quilt. No luck. My frustration level increases each time I pull out another fabric. Finally, dear husband says, "O.K., it's time for Karen's little quilting cabin to close for the day." I put everything away, have dinner and read until time for bed. Of course, I can't sleep, trying to figure out what to do to solve this dilemma. I decide to get up and take another look at my stash, but opt for blogging instead to work out my frustration. Probably a good decision, but after I post this, I will likely take a look at some of my quilting books in search of a different pattern to use and get myself whipped up in a total lather. Yikes! And this is supposed to be fun, isn't it?

On top of that, I purchased gorgeous fabric today for the skirt of a skating dress that I am hoping to make for ISI Worlds in July. Mind you, I don't remember the last piece of clothing I sewed, but I'm certain it was back in home economics in high school. I know from friends who have made skating dresses that they aren't easy to construct. Whatever makes me think I can do this, I will never know, but the cost of competition dresses is so high that I can really only afford one (that my better half was kind enough to buy for me) and I will be competing in two events. Certainly can't wear the same dress for both events! I'm certain that of the thousands of skaters at Worlds, that the judges would remember that I wore the same dress twice, right? Yeah, I know, pretty silly. I don't even know where to begin, except to wait for the pattern to arrive and go from there. More on this later, as the story unfolds. Should be a comedy, I suspect. 

Tomorrow I skate. I'm working on my technical program, focusing on my test on April 7. Need to pass this to compete at Worlds. Coach and skating buddies assure me I will pass. Nice to know that they are so confident. I love the program and music (from one of "The Secret Garden" CDs) so I enjoy working on it. Hopefully, tomorrow I will have some good run-throughs and can feel strong going into the test next week. I'll skate three times this week which will give me time to put some polish on the program before next week. It's one thing to "Pass" but quite another to "Pass with Pride" - my way of describing going out there and giving it everything you've got, which is what I intend to do. I still have to fight with the pain in my back which is a constant, but when I'm on the ice, I can forget about it and just feel the freedom of flight. O.K., back to get some sleep. 

This Is About Ice Skating, Not Quilting

Had a big skating breakthrough! Coach announced that I was ready to take my FS2 test. For a person who has skated for 11 years, this is nothing, but it's important because it reflects the work I have put into coming back from a serious skating injury in late 2006.  Since returning to the ice, "fear" has dominated my solo skating. During my lesson this week, I skated my "Passion of the Christ" program with no fear and genuine pleasure. What an incredible 1 minute 39 seconds. Coach said I have become a different skater since working on this program and the program for my FS2 test. For me, it's about chasing fear off the ice.  Don't get me wrong (and this is specifically for my better half), I have a healthy respect for ole' Mr. Fear, but I'm not getting on the ice like a timid little field mouse any longer.  It feels so good to fly across the ice doing a huge change-edge spiral and listening to this breathtaking music that so inspires me and reminds me of the greater purpose of our lives. 

So, it's on to ISI Worlds in San Jose in July! Am sharing the ice tomorrow with my best skating buddy. We'll skate our programs for each other. She passed her FS2 test years ago, so I am hoping she'll give me feedback on how to put the polish on this program before my test on 4/7.  

Freddy Moran and Me

If you've been around the quilting world, you know who Freddy Moran is. For one thing, she is a 79-year old woman - who made her first quilt at 60 - with more passion and energy than most 30 year-olds have. Secondly, she is truly an artist, who happens to use quilting as her medium. Last, but not least, she is funny, whimsical, charming and a very fashionable dresser. As my friend said, "No polyester on her!" 

I attended a Freddy Moran workshop this weekend at Cabin Fever Quilt Shoppe in Auburn, CA. The place was packed with women who described Freddy as the "rock star" of quilting. I had done some research prior to the event so at least I had some familiarity with her and her work, but didn't know what an effect she has on people. You have to be in the room with her to experience how quilters react to her. It's really quite something.

I was completely over my head in terms of skill required to make the quilt that was the subject of the workshop. Thank goodness my quilting buddy was taking the workshop also. She was a lifesaver and spent at least 50% of her time helping me or fixing my sewing machine. 

At the beginning of the workshop, Freddy asked, "Is there anyone who hasn't done paper piecing?" My hand shot up . . . and mine alone. Yes, I'm convinced everyone else was a master quilter. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the day because there was so much laughter and merry-making going on, that one could not help but get caught up in it. My friend and I sat at a table with two very nice women who engaged us in conversation and were great to share tales with. I also hooked up with a prior colleague who is quilt historian (Catherine Kypta), so that was an added bonus.  

As I am always looking for the lesson learned, here it is.  You must understand the complexity level of a workshop or class before signing up for it. Seems obvious, I know, but I won't forget this. My friend said she will help me finish the quilt, which is very sweet of her, but I fear this one is going to sit in my closet for a while. 

Yesterday, I completed 70% of my wine-bottle quilt.  I'm pleased to report that all the wine bottles are upright! The colors are wonderful and it will be a fabulous companion to "The Grapes of Rhone." I just love these big, bold blocks.  

So, Freddy, thanks for the memories, fun and reality check. And to the ladies of Cabin Fever, for another great event. What a way to spend a Saturday! 

"No, The Wine Bottles Cannot Be Sideways!"

Into every quilter's life, a little rain must fall, I guess. Yesterday, I cut out fabric for the companion quilt for "The Grapes of Rhone" (see below). When I started sewing, I realized that I had cut the wine bottle motif fabric so all the bottles were on their side.  EEK!  What's the lesson here, folks?  Pay attention to directional fabric.  Ah duh!  Do I feel stupid?  Oh yeah. When I showed this to my patient, supportive-of-my-quilting husband, he observed that, "No, the wine bottles cannot be sideways." He's right.  All the wine will spill on the carpet (yes, bad joke, I know).  

I spent an hour this morning with my color wheel and fabric trying to figure out how to save the wine bottle fabric (I think I've come up with a potential solution) and make a beautiful quilt. Husband said, "Just buy some new fabric" but I'm determined to correct this mistake. But then there is another slight glitch . . .

In addition to the bottles-on-their-side problem, I decided I really didn't like the fabric I had chosen for the quilt.  Too many small scale prints, just too much going on. This is certainly a time when one's stash comes in handy.  I pulled out fabric I have and now I will only have to purchase a little additional fabric.  

The whole thing is pretty funny actually because I knew when I was cutting the wine bottle fabric that I should have cut it lengthwise of the fabric.  Why I didn't do that I will never know!  Onward.  

"The Grapes of Rhone" Has A Home

I felt like a real artist today as my husband and I hung my "Grapes of Rhone" quilt in our home. Without sounding like I am crowing, I am happy with this piece and it works very well in the space.  We have large walls and high ceilings in our living room, so the scale of the quilt is ideal.  

Today, I will begin its companion piece, which will hang right next to it.  It too will feature a vineyard theme, with one focus fabric in particular that will tie the two together.  And, I am going to use the same pattern.  Many thanks to Patti, owner of Cabin Fever Quilt Shoppe in Auburn, CA for creating this wonderful and easy design.  And, keep in mind that this was only the third quilt I made.  It was easy, came together quickly because of the large blocks and makes a real statement in the room.  My husband is very pleased with it, too!  An added bonus.  

Lesson Learned from This Project:  When making a quilt for hanging that exceeds 60 inches, definitely make multiples sleeves for it.  We had to cut a hole in the center of the sleeve to accommodate the middle bracket.  When the companion piece is completed, I will take down this one and re-do the sleeve and have a professional come in to hang both the quilts properly.  I fear that handy-man husband and his "all thumbs" spouse (me) likely didn't do the greatest job on the hanging part.  I fear I will hear it come crashing down during the middle of the night sometime!  

"If You Haven't Lost Any Trials, You Haven't Tried Enough Cases."

Back from the land of migraines, hopefully for more than a day or so!

Today, I finished a quilt for the soon-to-arrive baby of my friend's daughter.  I learned from some grandmothers that one trend in baby quilts for many of today's Moms is "Nothing too cute."  In an effort to abide by this and use a color palette that would work in the nursery, I decided to try my hand at an Amish-inspired crib quilt.  The design is very simple - long vertical and horizontal strips, that rely on the fabric and quilting pattern to enhance the piece.  

The title of this post is a quote from my lawyer-husband who, when I told him how disappointed I was in this quilt top, noted the above (see title).  Yes, this certainly applies to this effort.  The only thing that is going to salvage this quilt is a wonderful pattern for the quilting.  I've decided to use the "Cow Jumping Over the Moon" motif because some of the fabrics in the piece feature characters from nursery rhythms.  But to me, it just looks like an American flag, due to the red, white and blue color palette.  

But, in an effort to find some learning in every quilting project, here's what I gained from this experience:

1. Maybe I don't dislike quilts with lots of pieces as much as I had originally thought.

2. Even though this design was simple (and it was REALLY simple) to make, I had a good deal of trouble with it.  I think I ripped out more seams than I have with any other quilt I've made so far.

3. If you don't really like the quilt you're making, it's not really fun to work on.  From the very beginning of this project, I just couldn't get into it, perhaps because of the design, the colors, a combination of both these things.  

4. Sewing long seams gets pretty boring.  

5. As "Dear Jane" says, "Finished is better than perfect." Well, thank goodness for that because this piece isn't perfect.

In the end, this crib quilt may be very cute (my husband pointed out that the baby isn't going to like or dislike it anyway).  If it's not, I'll just make another one to replace this one.  The baby isn't due until May, so I still have time to redeem myself.  

So, I clearly need to be "trying more cases" (or making more quilts, to be specific).  In ice skating, there's an expression that if you aren't falling, you aren't learning new things.  So, whether it's the legal professional, ice skating or quilting, one has to accept that some form of producing something less than what you expected is just part of the process.  Onward!

Slight Break in Posts

I'm locked in a cycle of migraines that is most disturbing, painful, and disruptive to my quilting and skating.  Hence, I'll be out of the 'posting' biz for a few days, until I get past this bad patch of headaches.  Off to the doctor today for help!  As the young people would say, "This sucks!," especially the interruption of my quilting activities and having to cancel my skating lesson today. :(  Hope to be back soon with report on my new quilt project.  Stay tuned . . .

Of Migraines and The Music Theme Quilt

Just when I thought my recent back-to-back migraines were an anomaly, did life throw me a curve ball. Yes, another round of wicked headaches - and I do mean wicked, with a capital WICKED! My husband, ever the great caregiver, was wonderful.  As I was in a near state of hysteria and panic from fear of what was to come, he was calming, compassionate and loving.  Won't bother with the details of how I spent the weekend, but I can assure you, Dear Reader, it wasn't as I had planned.  I am only just now emerging from the migraine fog and starting to get a clearer, less painful head, to the extent that blogging seems like it might be good therapy for me. Let's move on to happier topics, p-l-e-e-z-e. 

After what seems like an eternity, the music-theme sampler quilt top is complete and ready to go to the long-arm quilter.  I made the sleeve also, so the quilter can sew this in at the same time as the binding, thereby ensuring the stability of the quilt while it hangs on the wall.  This piece will be quilted with a note pattern, which should be cute. I must admit I'm glad this one is complete.  At the top, you will see a close-up of a couple of the blocks.  The finished quilt top is shown at right. 

Now I am feeling a bit "quilt-less."  I need to purchase fabric for a crib quilt I am making for a baby due in May.  Ah, an excuse to visit the fabric store, as if I needed an excuse.  I will get started on this little piece next.  

I am looking forward more classes at Cabin Fever Quilt Shoppe.  My quilting buddy and I are taking a class in March (a Freddy Moran class) and I'm taking Kathy S's Shadow Box class in May. Between those two, I have a Landscape Studio class (also taught by Kathy S.) in April. I love taking these classes as I learn so much.

While I seem to have slept all weekend, I find myself pretty beat, so I'll sign off now. More later when feeling better.