Finding a Sewing Place

My son turned one yesterday, and I found myself thinking, "Wow. It's been a year. I would have thought that I would have it more together by now." It's true. I still feel like I'm trying to find a balance that works for me. So far, there have been bright spots, but mostly I feel as though I'm just keeping my head above water. I'm still trying to decide where sewing and quilting falls amongst all my regular chores. I have pledged to keep the kitchen clean and picked up and I have mostly succeeded in doing that. My husband helps me with laundry and I do grocery shopping and meal planning/preparing. But after I put my son to bed, I have a list of things in my mind that I should do while he's sleeping. Sometimes I do them, but I've also been known to put those things off to wander down to my sewing room and do a little work before I head to bed. I'm actually happy because when I was pregnant I pretty much assumed that once I had my baby, I wouldn't be sewing much if at all. I've actually been able to accomplish many things and haven't slowed down too much, which means I'm either a) a multi-tasking bad-ass, or b) I was quite inefficient with my time before. Okay, maybe a little of both.
Quilting has always been a creative outlet for me that is relaxing and centering and I'd be less happy if I had to give that up. But sometimes I feel that I'm making a decision between leaving something kind of important behind or doing something creative that is tugging on my sleeve. Guilt, anyone?
We'll see. Hopefully this winter will slow down a bit and I'll find more time and energy to accomplish all the things I need to. For right now, I'm playing it by ear.

Pictures!

O My Christmas Stars!

Well, I finished quilting and binding the Christmas Stars quilt. I made a slightly "off" choice on the binding. (green) I could have used red, and would have preferred it, but I didn't have enough leftover yardage and I hated to introduce a new fabric to the mix. The backing fabric which I did have leftovers of would have just been too busy. So I used a remnant of plain green. It's okay. Still thinking red would have been nice but I had the green... it was there, so I just went for it.
Sorry there aren't pictures yet so you really can't see what I'm talking about. But I will get to it.
Also the baby quilts I need to make are stacking up as 4 friends have 2 babies due in December and 2 in February. At least I think three of them are finding out the sex so that makes it easier for me. I don't care much for gender neutral stuff generally.
I'm afraid this blog might be a little neglected since football season is starting soon, but I'll try to post once in awhile if I manage to get anything done...ever.

Already August

I can't believe how quickly this summer has gone. Don't get me wrong; I'd rather summer lasted 2 weeks and then fall would last 5 months. We are nearing football season which will be crazy-busy with Hawkeye games on the weekends, lots of guests, cooking and baking and recovering on Sundays. Before I know it, we'll be nearing the holidays and I will have to make a mad dash to get Christmas shopping done. But these few months are my favorite of the year by far.

I tried out echo quilting on my machine for the first time the other night. I was pleased with how quickly the baby-size quilt was finished. I found it difficult to be as accurate and consistent as I would like to have been (some wobbles and a few jagged corners), but it worked out great and I sewed binding on last night. Probably not something I'd do on too many quilts, but on some it would work out great. Pictures to come. (this is the "monogram" quilt I ranted about previously)

Other than that, I haven't taken a lot of sewing time in the last week, but that's OK. I have about 4 things to be quilted on the docket with the first order of business being my Christmas quilt. Really really want to have that done in time for actual Christmas. After a disappointing fall last year in which I had 2 projects in the last stages but never got to use them during the season, I'm hoping that I can finish Christmas Stars in time. And on the bright side, I have 2 new quilt projects to decorate with this fall. Then on to Valentine's Day!

We finally got our cable set up after a little hiatus. I went a year without having DVR on my TV upstairs. I know this sounds a lot like whining. But, well...I am whining. It will just be nice to be able to record my TV shows and watch them in a place that's convenient to me without having to kick my husband off his favorite TV. Plus the basement is really cold in the winter and I like to turn the fireplace on and watch "my" TV upstairs. Hopefully I won't get in trouble for referring to it as "my" TV. :)

It's funny how little things can make you a little bit happier. Although, doing without can be a good thing, too. I feel ridiculous for even mentioning it in a way, since plenty of people get along just fine without things like DVR or multiple TVs. Like whining about not having A/C...I mean, I grew up without it but somehow I feel like I'll die a hot, steamy death if I have to live without it for a little bit.

Anyhow...hoping this week wraps up quickly and maybe I'll even get some sewing done this weekend! Oh, and my son in almost walking for real now so that's super exciting. Hopefully we'll get some good video of it this weekend.

Process

Here are a few pictures of a quilt top that I put together Monday. I was feeling proud of myself for crossing a lot of things off my quilting "to-do" list and rewarded myself with starting a new project. I have read a lot about the Process Pledge in various blogs and I like the idea of it. I'm not sure how much process there is with this one because the construction is really straight forward. I had seen this woman on the bus on my way to work that had a purse with a graphic print on it. I got home and drew a picture of it in high-tech Sharpie. ( last image here)
I did have to work out the measurements for the blocks because I have made them in the past using 2 inch strips and only 3 layers, but I felt that would make the blocks (these with 4 layers) way too big. I cut strips at 1 1/2 inches to start and then measured and recorded as I sewed. As long as I stash the paper in a safe place, I will be able to recreate this pattern easily going forward.

Overall, I'm not completely thrilled with the contrast. I love the top in general, but as far as matching my "inspiration," I don't think it's successful. I should have used more charcoal, maybe in place of, say, the stripe to unify the whole thing. In fairness, the purse of my inspiration was only 2 colors, so if i would have done that, it would have been more like the drawing but that wouldn't have been very interesting as a quilt.

In other quilty news, I have been working on the green/cream quilt. I decided on a couple to give it to since they are getting married in September. I took the back to a place where they do custom embroidery to put their names on it. I'm really pleased with the way that turned out and it was only $7.50! Hopefully I'll get it pin-basted together soon so I can start quilting! More on that later!