Thursday 8 November 2012

A Confession

I have something to confess. About a long standing project. It has been almost a year that I have been working - or not as the case would be - on One for the Birds. I love how it looks. I love what I have managed to complete so far. I hate doing it.

No, really, I do! Because there is no rhyme nor reason to it, which is part of its charm I know, but this also makes piecing all these different sized mini blocks together a total nightmare. I can't just cut set strips of the background solid and get on with it. It is like doing a jigsaw puzzle without the picture to guide you along.

This would explain why I keep putting it away and ignoring it. Only One for the Birds is a Christmas present for someone. I have to finish it. So today I bit the bullet and decided to get on with it a bit more. Then I distracted myself with everything I could to put off the inevitable. Typical!


I laid it out on the floor, convenient table leg not withstanding, and placed some more blocks in approximate position. I got out my Kona Snow and had a momentary lift of my spirits when I thought I didn't have enough to get on with the project. But then I found this -


- yards of the stuff. I couldn't put it off any longer. I did some sewing, reluctantly. What kills me about this is I know I am going to love this quilt when it is done. I think the recipient will love it too. It is the getting it finished that seems to be the problem, or rather motivating myself to finish it would be more correct.

I did some sewing though. I am a little bit further along. Slowly, slowly.


We'll get a finish out of me yet.

Susan

42 comments:

  1. You're giving this away???? Are you mad woman???! I suggest you buy them a gift card and keep this for yourself. Unless it's a gift for me of course, then go right ahead.

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  2. Not to sound selfish, but you HAVE to finish this...so that *I* will know it is possible (maybe) to fish mine out of the box and finish it :-) Seriously, it is looking great!

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  3. Oh bless you, those projects you love the look of but hate the process are the hardest to do, and i don't begrudge you this for a minute! I hope you get it completed soon as it looks terrific, and then you can do the other projects you love. Maybe that's how you can motivate yourself, when it's done you can do x project that you really want to start! Ange : )

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  4. Whaaa?! Its not for you?! Who's getting it? do tell...

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  5. Your comment about your temporary lifting spirits when you thought you might have run out of fabric made me laugh. I don't know what it is but there are some projects that just make you drag your heels. It's going to be lovely though and you'll feel so good when it's finished!

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  6. I love this quilt! The idea is so simple and yet framing the fabrics the way you have is so striking! Really, I really love this and I think that as your fellow Canadian, you should just send it to me. Yes?

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  7. Ditto to what everyone said, except I'm not Canadian. Way to keep working on it. Just think how happy you'll be when it's done!

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  8. This quilt is so cute! But I can see what you mean about it being a lot of work... I hope it feels worth is when it's done though! :)

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  9. Keep going, it is going to look amazing. It's very good of you to be giving it away!

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  10. All this angst and you're going to give it away!?!

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  11. A dear friend of mine always says...How do you eat an elephant?

    One bite at a time.

    Keep at it little by little and it will get done and it will be fab when it is finished.

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  12. Ah a deadline.... Of course you will finish it. I would find it very hard to give away though as it is so lovely. Di x

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  13. I've been making one quilt for about 18 months. I know I will love it but it's log cabins (which I HATE) so I do anything to avoid it. Suffice it to say, I know how you feel!

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  14. I do love this quilt, its a shame if its a pain. Just keep swimming!

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  15. I can't believe you're giving this away!! You must be touched...

    I know it's a hard slog but it looks wonderful - maybe just do a little bit every day? Are you hand quilting it? If so, you'd better finish the piecing and fast *wink*

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  16. but it's so pretty! doesn't it call your name? this will be an awesome awesome gift - it's so worth while!

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  17. Oh my I love it! If that helps at all? I have a sister in law that I love, who really loves birds. I have been collecting bird fabric (I'm so generous like that!) but have no idea how I will eventually put it all into a quilt. This has given me some great inspiration! Thank you!

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  18. Yeah I had this problem with my patchwork curtains. They were so boring to make but I knuckled down and it was worth it for the end product and this will be too. Though if something is such a bitch to make you really should keep it for yourself so you can look at it every time a project gets you down :)

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  19. There's probably worse than wanting to sew a project that is a pain! But that is what will make it such a treasure to give! Keep going... little by little, you'll get there! Plan and cut one day, sew it the next!

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  20. It might be a royal pain in the arse to sew but is going to be stunning! Finish it up and send it on over ;-)

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  21. Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way but really Susan are you mad ? Giving it as a present - unless it is to me of course! - have a target for the day and nudge it along! Or cut out the strips you need in the evening and sew those the next day!

    That's my strategy...and sometimes it even works!

    Keep it though! Helen would love it!

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  22. Keep it - your intended recipient can have a cushion or something!

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  23. Strange how some projects are so fun in thestart and then by the end it's like pulling teeth to get them finished. Good luck! It will look great when done:)

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  24. Geez, after all that you're not keeping it? I'm about to feel your pain when I get to my Echo/Bella mashup, but I've cut my framed bits much bigger ;o)

    Love your star flowers, and keeping everything crossed for your mini!

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  25. All this and it's not for you? Are you mad, woman? Keep it and do something else for your friend/ relative.

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  26. I procrastinate all the time ...why should you be any different. We all do it!

    You'll get there in the end. Maybe you can eek it out and give it to the recipient next year ...surely you didn't say WHICH Christmas you intended to finish it ?

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  27. hurry up and finish so i can see it

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  28. I agree with Laura Jane, you're crazy if you don't keep it! Why not make something simple for a present? Keep the hard ones for yourself! It looks fantastic already, Susan!

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  29. Oh it's taking shape so beautifully! Please keep going! It's going to be OUT OF THIS WORLD! Jxo

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  30. A little bit at a time and it will get done. You have to finish it, it's looks awesome so far.
    Unfortunately you are like most of us - procrastinators with a capital P.

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  31. Lol love your honesty. Bet it will be your favourite when its finished... Projects that are the most tedious to make often end up being mine. Perhaps it's the overwhelming relief at having them finished lol

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  32. So if there is lots of snow, then cut wide strips and sash each block and then place them and cut away the extra. Much faster.

    And it will be lovely.

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  33. I agree with Leanne above. I tend to be a bit thrifty (ok, tight) with fabric, but sometimes, it just isn't worth it. That said, these are adorable blocks and I can't wait to see it finished. It will be a terrific quilt!

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  34. this is really adorable! what a fun idea.

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  35. I find getting blocks of different sizes all lined up to be so difficult, but then I love the end result. I'm glad you worked it out, This is going to be a great looking quilt

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  36. Love what you are doing with your Birdies - it is going to be such a special quilt!

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  37. I have a bad back - I could lend it to you if you want - might give you a few days off. But get on with it Susan - you'll love it when it's done as it's going to be amazing!

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  38. I'm with Sarah...I need to know who is getting this quilt! Bugger off about sewing it....who??!?!?!

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  39. Nearly there...nearly there...good karma will result if you knuckle down.
    But I would keep it. After finishing, ask your girls what they think...and put it away if they are in love with it. I gave away too many pieces of my heart in the early days and now wish they were a legacy for my own family.
    Unless of course it is for your bestie!

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  40. Hahaha all the "keep it" or "give it to me" comments are cracking me up.
    I mean, I like birds so you COULD give it to me!! LOL. Nearly spat my soup at your fabric finding disappointment.
    I just hope that whomever is the intended recipient, they appreciate all the work involved.
    If there is any chance that they won't, make them a cushion cover or buy them chocolates & keep it for yourself!!

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  41. Do you have the Hitchcock film running in the background?

    Stay strong. The quilt will be stunning.

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