Nov 20, 2009

Sew-n-Tell Friday

The Good, the Bad, and the . . . .


Actually, there is no ugly, unless you count the cold I seem to be finally catching (and maybe the state of my house at the end of the week).

Anywho, let's start with the GOOD--this sweet block from the Scrappy Christmas Block Swap came clear from England! I have a pair of teddy bear blocks in classic Christmas colors, and since none of my swapped pairs go with each other, I've quilted these two into mini quilts, just right for a candle or candy dish. Rafael's Mum did a beautiful piecing job, which my quilting made a little wonky, but I think my friend in Japan will just love this little table topper.


Next, I have two doll quilts for her daughters, fluffy bunnies, fluffy batting, and plenty of ric rac. I finished these last spring, but now they're ready to go into a box and sail across the ocean.

With 2 boys, I love having little girlfriends for whom to sew! And, I'm thrilled to have this package ready--I often miss deadlines when it comes to Christmas, and this wonderful lady was my 16 year old's first baby sitter when she was a Japanese student here in Iowa. She didn't know he could crawl for 2 weeks because she usually held him the entire time I was teaching! She is a sweetheart and a great mom.

Now for the BAD --none of these things can be crossed off my list of UFOs to complete for the JOY Challenge or even off my list of Christmas gift must-haves--because they weren't ever on  a list!

Where is my sense of priority? 
Where is my self-discipline? 
(Just possibly I have never possessed these 2 gifts.) I admit, finishing is the hardest part for me, and right now I REALLY want to start a completely new project--which would be totally insane. Oh well, I am who I am.

Instead, if I manage to spend a couple hours this morning cleaning the bathroom and grocery shopping, I will give myself some sewing time this afternoon, finishing up my November Swap quilty. It's been  a lot of fun to work on so far, but no show until my partner receives it! I hope to get it in the mail by Monday.

Check out more Sew-n-Tell Fridays here!

Gratitudes
  • The sun continues to shine in Iowa in November
  • I have the entire day off! First Friday in weeks
  • I am blessed to be able to spend time making things I love for people I love. Wouldn't life be boring otherwise?

13 comments:

Lesly said...

Can't you go back and edit your list to add some of those projects? Then you will feel even more virtuous! Thanks for sharing - have a great weekend!

Dee said...

and the bunnies! love the bunnies!

thank you for sharing such sweetness...we have three boys here...I know, I know. what were we thinking? LOL

enjoy the sunshine!
blessings!

Kimberly Tripp said...

oh no, I'm getting a cold too! I am taking Zucol and it seemed to stop it in its tracks, though. Sometimes, if I finish something that wasn't on my list, I put it on my list so I can cross it off... and have a record of what I've done all day - sometimes I feel like I've gotten nothing done, but I really have. I love how you always include your gratitudes! We can always find something to be thankful for!!

Sara said...

Hope you feel better soon...And, I like your gratitudes at the end of your post....

I might have to steal that...

Karen said...

I love the doll quilts. I would have loved one when I was a little girl. I am hoping t o make a couple next year. Thanks for sharing.

Pokey said...

These little quilts are sweet. Hey, who doesn't like to start a new project?

ktquilts said...

The bunnies are too cute!!!! Enjoyed seeing your finish even if it wasn't on your To Do list. I have a good friend that reminds me ever so often that To Do rhymes with DOO DOO!!!

Enjoy your sewing!!
Blessings,
KT

Carla said...

The bunnies are just too cute! I so would make myself a pair of jammies with that fabric.

amylouwhosews said...

You can never have too much ric rac in my opinion!

Oh and as far as finishing and self-discipline! I'm right there with you!

Heather said...

The Christmas block is beautiful, and the bunnies are precious! When I finish something NOT on the list, I just add it to the list and then cross it off. LoL Makes me feel much better. ;o)

Rene' said...

Hope you feel better soon. Not a good time of year to get a cold...too much to do. Thanks for sharing your projects...I so get the finishing things not on my list...I agree with Heather..add it ..then delete it.

Leslie said...

i always want to start a new project....leaving me to never get anything done. these finishes are great

Rafael's Mum said...

Hi!! Only just catching up after having been away... it's so funny... first I saw the post I thought.. AHA, someone else at least is quilting with traditional colours... Then thought.. That bear looks familiar..., those fabrics look familiar... I realized it was my block! I looked at the title ... "The Good, the Bad and the...." insert photo of my block. Mmmmm... you know I was quite insecure sending those traditional blocks in.. It was fabric I had bought here. That's just about all you get here.. But I thought everyone elses was sooo much nicer... I am glad you actually did include me in "the good".. thank you very much! That cheered me up a little again!It actually looks way better with your quilting. Great job! (having been working on my mum's quilt I haven't done anything with mine yet... waaaay behind!)