Friday, November 11, 2022

Let it go, let it go. . .

 Hi everyone! Hope you have had a really good week. The weather here is about to turn, so the hubs and I spent part of the day outside raking the massive amount of leaves from the front lawn. This is the downside of having trees. It was good work that took my mind off a lot of things, until I had to go inside for another Zoom meeting.

You may remember just a few days ago when I pulled some blue blocks from deep in the closet, and then didn't know what to do with them. I had four blocks and the cut pieces for 16 more. Should I make more blocks, and how many? Or should I just make it into a little table topper and let it go? Well, after getting some really good advice, I decided to let it go:
 

Yes, that's letting it go! I used a bunch of the cut pieces and made a nice table topper that is about 36 inches square. Since I had the cut pieces from the blocks I didn't make, I was able to put this together in just a couple hours. There was even enough yardage in the project box to squeeze out a border, with enough left for a binding, too. Win!

 
It happens sometimes that I feel quite enthusiastic about a project, then something makes me put it away, and then I lose all momentum and never pull it out again. Does that ever happen to you? There are so many cool things to make, though, and I just didn't want to spend more time on this one. I'm sure that it would have made a really cute lap quilt, but I have a lot of lap quilts and I have other things to make. So-- let it go! 

Before I had closed this up in a project box, I had cut the pieces for 16 blocks. That's a lot of pieces, and too much fabric to toss, so I am getting a small bonus quilt out of all those pieces, trimmed down to the same size:


A small buffalo plaid! This is only a part of it, and I trimmed all the blues and whites from the project box down to 4-1/2 inches. I added the lighter blue, which I think looks pretty good with the darker blue and will make a nice calming blue buffalo plaid. I'm not sure how big it will be. I'll just keep going until I use up all the pieces I can. 

So, yay for using up the blocks AND the extra pieces, too! But before I go, I have to share this picture that I took at the Baltimore Zoo, because our granddaughter made us go there with her recently:

 
Actual sign! And a good life motto, too. Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend, everyone!



Sharing at Finished or not Friday, Brag About Your Beauties, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and the Patchwork and Quilts linkup at Quilting Patchwork Applique.

16 comments:

Nancy in Indiana said...

Very pretty! I also could relate to your description of being enthusiastic about a project and then losing all momentum. I like the idea of not worrying about it so much and just letting it go.

Kate said...

Love the color of your found project. You did a great job of letting it go on to a great ending.

Vicki in MN said...

I am glad you finished the those blocks into this table topper, it's really pretty! Yes I do start things and don't finish them because I lost interest and there they sit in the back of the closet or on the very top shelf where you have to get a chair to get at. Out of sight, out of mind,

piecefulwendy said...

That little table topper will make a nice winter theme on your table, maybe along with a scented candle, etc. I bet it feels good to have those blocks used and out of the closet space. Do I lose interest and stash things away - yes! I'm currently trying to figure out what I did with some Sashiko blocks . . .

Quiltdivajulie said...

Your topper is perfect! And I like the blue buffalo print bonus project. And that squirrel sign - HILARIOUS and beyond appropriate for me and my studio. Thanks for sharing it. Great post!

Susie H said...

Beautiful table topper and a High-5 for finishing up a languishing project. It always makes for a good feeling.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

the table topper is perfect - I love the blues. It can be fun and good exercise raking leaves but sometimes it feels more like just plain work LOL. I think too many feed the squirrels food they shouldn't have and won't them live off of nature as they should

Sara said...

You've done a wonderful job of using that blue fabric, even if the plan changed. That blue buffalo plaid is going to be really pretty! Love that sign about feeding the squirrels. We have a "family" of 6 squirrels that has taken up residence in our back yard. They've gotten very brave about acrobatics on the deck railing - trying to reach into the bird feeders.

Rebecca Grace said...

It turned out so pretty, and I would never have known this wasn't what you started out intending to make if you hadn't shared that with us! That squirrel sign is TOO FUNNY!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

I love it!! you let it go and it became a beautiful creation!!!
and that buffalo plaid is SO fun!!!

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty said...

We all have little bundles of partially made blocks squirreled away. Good for you for tackling yours!

ButterZ said...

Yep. Just get it done works best. Happy for you to have a finish.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Such a pretty topper, lovely colors and pattern! It looks good on the bench outside. Fun sign ;)
Thank you for sharing, and linking up!

Bonnie said...

Ch yea I grow tired of things or another project screams at me to finish it. I think you made the right decision. If you decide you don’t want to keep it it would ,ake a cute baby quilt. Hope this week gives you some quilting time.

Kathleen said...

Perfect solution! I love the front and the buffalo plaid extra quilt is just perfect. Nice to get the found project well on the road to a finish!

The Joyful Quilter said...

No shame in abandoning a larger project in favor of a table topper and a bonus quilt, Mari!! Two for the price of one is quite a good deal. :o))