Returning to "personal" blogging has presented a great challenge to me. I admit it. I'm a Facebook JUNKIE and tend to record the in's and out's of my life via FB as it is just that much more accessible to post a quick update, photo, funny or good thought. I have FB apps on my phone and my ipad; but the blogging apps for these devices just don't hold a candle to the accessibility and ease of the FB apps. I've also recently taken on a new volunteer position as coordinator of social networking for the Association of Oncology Social Work. This too has meant more time on FB.
On top of my intimate relationship with FB, I'm writing a blog for work called "Christina's Resource Round-Up" (http://www.oncolink.org/), which also takes times, energy, thought, wit and the amazing editing skills of my BFF Ellen. I'm having a hard time doing this as regularly as I like. When I first pitched the blog to Oncolink, my plan was to write weekly...now it seems to be more like monthly.
But I do have more to share and archive about what is going on in life...so I'm going to keep trying with this blog.
Today's task: The quilting to do list.
Wow, this summer I dove back into sewing...quilting/patchwork more precisily. I will never make garments for myself or the dogs or children. I just would rather knit cute baby sweaters! But quilting and patchwork has given me a lot of latitude to experiment with color and shape and this I am really enjoying. Wendy and I went to Quilt Odyssey a few weeks ago in Hershey and I made some cool purhcases of fabrics and tools for my stash. But now, here I am, like I am with my knitting, too many projects...to little time. I've got to prioritize and make a list:
1). Housewarming Gift Quilt for Carolyn. I purchased some great, classic civil war era fat quarters, 9 of them to be exact, in blues, greens and reds at Quilt Odyssey. I was thinking of making "Off the Rail" from Jaybird Quilts; an attempt to bring together more classic fabric with a modern pattern, but the more I thought about it, the less I liked that I idea. So now I'm searching for something to do with these 9 fat quarters...back to the books for this one I guess. Car is moving in two weeks and I'd like to have this project to her by October...which is perhaps extremely wishful thinking given that I also want to make...
2). The Strawberry Fields Forever Quilt (http://www.quiltingintherain.com/) in my FAVORITE new fabric, "Santa's Little Helper." Yes, it is Sock Monkey Santa Style and I couldn't be more excited. I purchased a layer cake of Santa's Little Helper and today purchased some coordinating yardage for back and binding. I've never quilted for the holidays before...but anyone who knows me knows I love to decorate my house and that I have a "funky santa" collection. I collect Santa's that are shaped in funky ways...tall, skinny, massive, inside other shapes, with other objects...you name it. And because I have yet find BUMBLE fabric (I also collect Abominable Snowman aka the Bumble from Rudolph) these sock monkey santas are going to have to suffice. I think the quilt will be a great edition to my holiday decor...which by the way goes up the day after Thanksgiving...so I better get moving!
What I love about this pattern is its simplicity yet its ability to show off some of the great graphics of the fabric. I'm so excited to get started with this project.
3). Sudoku Quilt for Allison. This will be a Christmas gift and yes, its following a Sudoku pattern to make a quilt out of nine different fat quarters (cut into 9 blocks). I'm torn about sashing and borders or just doing the blocks and letting it all meld together. I like melding. This is supposed to be a wall hanging for Ali's office, so I don't want it to be massive. I got some great, warm toned fabrics that I am hopeful Ali will like.
4). Rocky Road Quilt is these awesome madras plaids. This one is ACTUALLY for me. I've done all the cutting. The pieces sit in a ziploc bag on the rack next to my sewing machine. I can't wait to put this in my room...but sadly its just not a priority right now.
5). Lets not forget that I still need to finish the log cabin (Wren) wall hanging, which I'm donating to the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Presbyterian (yes, work). I thought it would really brighten up an exam room or the hallways and feel homey. All I need to do with this is piece the back, layer, quilt and bind. For some reason, I'm not doing it.
6). I know why, I STILL haven't finished getting the binding on my F***inkg Piano Keys Quilt. Everyone at Spool keeps says how much they love binding, but I think it sucks ass. Perhaps that is because I'm not good at it...don't know how to blind stitch and just want to FINISH THIS THING, but so far I haven't been able to get it done. I've now recruited my mom into sitting on the couch with me while I'm on vacation and finishing it. I also bought some binding clips at Quilt Odyssey so maybe that will help. Maybe being successful binding one quilt will build my confidence for numbers 1-5 above.
So I don't think I'll bring my sewing machine on vacation with me---but maybe I'll bring my rotary cutter and some fabric and get the cutting for these quilts done...mom has a self healing matt...then when I get home, and the weather is starting to get crisp, it will be all about the sewing...
Don't even get me started with what I have planned for yarn...that is the next blog post.
