Some Down-Time

For the first time in a really long time (like so long I can't remember how long), I actually did some non-work, non-deadline, just "for me" hobby'ing this weekend.  It was nice - really, really nice.  Relaxing too - I almost forgot what that was like. 

While I did also get a bunch of things done on the to-do list, I carved out some time to work on some quilting projects this weekend.  You might remember eons ago I was working on a block of the month for a quilt top.  I had gotten far enough along that I had had cut the pieces for the next set of blocks, but they had been languishing, buried under other things on my quilting worktable since early January.  

I got my workspace all cleaned up, packed up some flotsam and jetsam, and was able to finish up the two block from the Month 7 (of 12) shipment.  I really like the fabrics in these blocks.  The next set (month 8) is very similar, so I'm looking forward to working on those too. 

I did unpack and get all the pieces cut for Block 8, in the hopes (we'll see) I might have some time for that next weekend as well. Once I've got the Block 8 monthly package done, it'll be time to start assembling the top, so the remainder is sashing and borders.

Now.... while I was originally doing pretty well keeping up with each month's shipment, I'll say that the last four months... eh... not so much.  I had told myself if A) I had kept up with the shipments and B) I was enjoying the sewing aspect of this (which I was), I could order another block of the month club to start when this one was finishing up.  This one was due to be finished in March, so with high hopes for continuing on in February as I had been, I got a subscription to a new block of the month to start in March, and overlap that month. 

No way I would have figured I'd wind up with so much deadline knitting to do, but there ya go.  At any rate, this weekend, I also started on the first shipment of club #2, which is called "Susan's Folly".  If you are into quilting at all, there's been a resurgence of scrappy-type quilts out there, including the really popular Dear Jane Quilt.  I had been surfing for something similar, but I found this one and it uses reproduction fabrics from the 1890s thru 1920s, which appealed to my historic textile years in a museum with an awesome quilt collection, so I picked that one.  There are a ton of blocks in this quilt, but they are all fairly small, so they work up pretty quickly.  However, there are also a handful of blocks to be made each month, so out of the 9 included in the first package, I only finished up 4 this weekend.  (It's okay tho - I loved these little blocks so much, I will gladly have this project stretch out for a bit.)

The first pair of blocks is really simple - just 4 long rectangles with a border:

The second set has a central square and corner squares - also pretty straightforward.  (I really love the fabrics in this pair):

These are 5-1/2 x 5-1/2", as compared to 16" squares in the other club's blocks.  These little guys are sort of like potato chips. 

Fun! Relaxing!  Made for a great weekend!

All for now.....

Comments

[margene]

You've been knitting and designing so fast and furiously it's nice you took time for a craft that fills your soul. The first blocks look like tiles in a villa somewhere exotic. The second look homey and comforting. Nicely done on both fronts!

[bedroom furniture]

great man :D