Friday, October 12, 2018

Looking for motivation

Hi all!  Just checking in because it's Friday and I haven't posted all week, probably because I've done nothing exciting sewing-wise all week.  I'm in a little bit of a slump, where I just can't get motivated to work on things.  What can I say?  Sometimes you've got it, sometimes it's got you.  I'm sure this will not last too long and I'll be back at it soon.

All I have for now are a few updates on current projects, and just so we have a fun picture at the top of the blog, here is one of the autumn leaves that I actually managed to finish this week:


These leaves will be part of the alternate blocks for the fall flowers quilt that I'm slowly working on.  Here are the flower blocks at this point:


If you remember, I had a couple of orange squash blossom blocks that I ultimately decided didn't work in the quilt, so I took them apart and made the mum block (with some odd accents because I just reused the block parts instead of cutting new) and also another block that is something like an aster.  I'm much happier with these.


I have three more blocks cut out and they will just about use up all of the fat quarter bundle.  To make the quilt big enough to use as a lap quilt, I'm making some leaves to put together into alternate blocks to fill in between the flower blocks.  Got a bit of a way to go yet, but pretty soon it will be ready for  assembly.  And I do really like the leaves with the flowers.  The leaves that have fallen into my flower beds are not nearly as festive and colorful.

I also made a few more of the black blocks:


I have another dozen of these cut out, but I just haven't stitched them up yet.  I was thinking about a pieced sashing, but looking at this I think the cornerstones will be enough.  It will certainly make a nice secondary pattern across the quilt.

I did make a start on quilting the t-shirt quilt, which was no problem at all until I looked on the back:


Apparently the basting came out of this part of the quilt, and I got a big wrinkle in the backing.  Thankfully, it was really close to an edge so I could pick it out, smooth it all down and straight, and then re-baste it.  Not a huge problem, but just plain annoying.  (The rest of the back is fine!)

Finally, last weekend the hubs and I went to the AQS show in Virginia Beach to see my quilt hanging:


It was very exciting and a real thrill for me.  Plus, the very first quilt I saw when I went into the show was Julie's free-pieced barns:


So many great details to look at!  There were so many beautiful quilts that it was a little overwhelming.  It was too hard to pick a favorite, but I really loved this quilt:

Improv Village, by Marva Beaver

This was Improv Village by Marva Beaver of Urbana, Ohio.  It was such a happy-looking quilt in person and had such great colors.  The picture really does not do it justice.  Once I saw all the quilts, I may or may not have purchased some hand-dyed fabrics and a bunch of new brands of thread.  I did get to meet Vicki Welsh, which was also a real thrill.  She had a booth full of gorgeous fabrics and was very, very nice.

After the show, we stayed in Virginia Beach because it was not only a quilt show, but also our anniversary and mid-semester break.  We had great weather and didn't want to leave the beach at all, which was surprising because we're not really "beach people."  It was just a wonderful, perfect short vacation, even if I came away with a small sunburn.  I'll take it, because the sunshine was terrific.  Pretty sure I soaked up enough vitamin D for a month.

Neptune Statue at Virginia Beach

Here's hoping you all have the same kind of weekend this week!  I will be searching for my motivation and cleaning out a closet.  Not the same as relaxing on the beach, but life is all ups and downs, right?

Sharing at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finished or Not Friday.

12 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

Happy that you saw The Seasonal Sampler in person - and very happy that you saw YOUR quilt in the show.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I think your Fall Flowers quilt is really going to be pretty, Mari! I like your idea to add the leaves. Congratulations on having your quilt hanging in the AQS show - that's got be exciting!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

I love your autumn leaf, and this Improv Village is lovely!

Run 'n Stitch said...

The two quilts you are building are really nice. Congratulations-a quilt in a show, amazing. I bet the visit to the show was inspiring.

Preeti said...

Wish I could e there with you at the show. Congratulations on the Misfit Toys. It looks regal in the show. Wishing you and Larry a very happy anniversary. Glad you could get away for a mini vacation and lots of sunshine. The leaves are very intriguing and they will fit in beautifully with the floral blocks. I think it is fine to have a lull since you just celebrated Misfit Toys and your anniversary. I am sure you will be up and running in no time. Have a lovely weekend!

Jo said...

Happy Anniversary to you. The beach sounds like a wonderful treat. You have a lot of projects on the go so your mojo will return.
Great feeling seeing your quilt hanging in a show.

piecefulwendy said...

Sorry about the slump; hope it passes soon! You've got some pretty projects going though! Thanks for sharing the quilt show photos; I love the improv village!

sue s said...

I think you've got some great quilts in the works! I do like the leaf and flower idea too.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Like the black blocks, and your quilt looks nice! Great to have one in an AQS show! Congrats.

SandyPA said...

Mari, I love your Black Beauty blocks!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Happy Anniversary, Mari (and Mr. Academic!!) Glad that you were able to enjoy some time away. Best of luck with the cleaning and if you find any extra motivation, please send it to me!

Kate said...

Love both your flower blocks and the black blocks. Both are going to be very pretty finishes when you get that far. Some weeks motivation is hard to find. It's mid-term time, so I bet you've had more to do on that front as well.