Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Mugs Before Blocks

There are so many things that we wish we had done yesterday, so few that we feel like doing today.
~Mignon McLaughlin

I think that is part of my lack of motivation.  There are so many projects that I would like to do and only so much time to do them in.  I'm constantly seeing a cute quilt, a clever idea, or a block that I've never seen before.  I want to do it all!!  But, the morning comes, and I don't know where to begin.  Stating my daily goal has definitely helped overcome part of my indecision.  But I still want to do it all.  I love the BOM projects because they let me change what I'm working on regularly and that way I don't get bored.  Maybe I should go back to the days when I was just learning to quilt - start a project and finish it before starting something new.  But that's no fun and can get boring too.  How many of you are the one project at a time kind of person?

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

My favorite pair of scissors
There have been many developments in the design of scissors. For example, there are now scissors for left-handed use, in which the blades are reversed so that a left-hander can see the line of the cut as it is being made, and the handles are molded so as to be comfortable to the left hand. There are specialist tools for surgeons, "pinking shears" for dressmakers and tailors (to produce a zigzag cut in cloth that will not fray easily), safety scissors for children, and even bolt-cutter shears for heavy-duty use, in which the pivot point is placed as close to the blades as possible, to provide greater leverage.
In an age of technology when so many of our tools are power-driven and computer-controlled, it is interesting to note that the humble scissors still have a role to play, in a form that has changed little over thousands of years.

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MUG RUG - ONE OF TWO

Yesterday I finished the first of two mug rugs for the Mug Rug Swap being hosted by the Quilting Gallery (today is the last day to join this swap!).  We are to make two for the swap but I won't make the second one until I find out who my partner will be.

This wasn't the original design I had in my head but this is what I ended up with.  I used fabric from Connecting Threads Cheep Talk that featured a bird theme.  I matched the floss to this fabric for the little owl.  I forgot to take a picture of the back but it is done in the lime green fabric.  I straight line stitched the right hand side in a variegated blue/green thread and then echo stitched the owl in white.  The total measurement is 6" X 9".  I don't even know who my partner is yet but I hope she/he will like it.  Finishing the mug rug was my goal for yesterday.  Done!

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A NEW PROJECT
Yes, another one!

Yesterday I cut some fabric for some place mats.  And, yes, they are all tagged with sticky notes to make my work a little easier when I go to assembling the pieces.  I was looking at a magazine. Quilter's World, over the weekend and found one of the first place mat patterns that I really liked.  The pattern is called White Flare.

Their example showed red and white place mats (for Valentine's day, I'm sure).  But since I'm not really a red and white kind of gal, I decided to go with blue and yellow.  This fabric line, Morning Mist by Hoffman California International, will go well with my dishes that are cobalt and light blue.  And a big plus was that it came straight out of my stash!  No telling how long I've had these 1/2 yard pieces around.  Hopefully I will have at least one of them made to share with you tomorrow. 

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BLOCKS RECEIVED

Saturday's mail brought me two new blocks.  The first one is for my Let's Bee Together group.

This wonderful block was made by Jorie who lives in Texas.  This is a pattern that I had not seen before.  I think it does a wonderful job of highlighting each print of fabric.  Thanks Jorie!!


The second block is from my swap partner, Nellie from Canada, in the IFQ Mosaic Color Play swap.
I sent Nellie the center square and then she created the rest of the block from fabric in her stash.  I think Nellie did a wonderful job of picking up the colors in the center square.  Thanks, Nellie!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I am going to work on the place mats that I cut out yesterday.  I know I won't get them totally done but I hope to have at least two of the tops completed.
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GIVEAWAYS

Heather over at Ala Mode is having a giveaway to celebrate her interview on Pat Sloan's show.  She has created a a couple Flea Market Fancy Patchwork Packages.  You must enter her giveaway before Wednesday at 9:00pm PST.

And then you can jump over the Pat Sloan's Blog and enter for some more Flea Market Fancy Patchwork.  She will draw her winner at noon on Friday!

Jaybird Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway with Green Fairy Quilts.  They are giving away a fat quarter bundle of Dilly Dally by Me & My Sister!!  You have till 10pm EST on Wednesday the 19th to enter.
Karen over at Sew Many Ways is celebrating her 2nd year of blogging anniversary.  She is having a red giveaway with 5 different red items.  Karen will picking a winner on Sunday, January 23rd.

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FINAL THOUGHT
Have you ever wondered why we are here?  I do.  I sometimes think that maybe we are just someones dream and the time that we sleep is when they are awake.  Other times I think that maybe we are just somebody's SIM game - you know, like the game on the computer.  OK, so much for that thought.  And then I wonder if there are other planets like ours in the universe or other universes.  I'm pretty sure there are but we just haven't found them yet.  I know, weird stuff.  But sometimes my mind is just weird.  Do you ever have thoughts like these?

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.
 ~James Thurber 

Today is totally Tuesday - make sure you use it wisely!!

21 comments:

Cheryl said...

Your mug rug is so precious and original--good job! Looking forward to those placemats, but it was your final thought that I liked the best. Wow, someone else with the same weird thoughts I have~~especially the Sim thing! Kinda a Greek mythology kinda thought.

Lynda said...

I'm with you on the motivated somewhat to do everything I see on blogs. So many wonderful projects that I love. I really want to organize my sewing room better this year, getting clear boxes to hold each project!

I love your mug rug. I just made an order from Connecting Threads because you like them so much. I have been eyeing that Cheep Talk fabric for quite some time. Their prices are so good. I can't wait to get my package.

Looking forward to seeing your placemats too.

The block swaps you do are always fun to see. Maybe when I retire I'll feel like I have more time to join some of them too.

One of the reasons we are here is to have joy and quilting certainly brings me great joy. Not just the joy I have in working on quilts but also the joy I see when I give them away.

I love that you set a goal each day. Such a good idea to help focus sometimes.

Wendy said...

Hi Linda. I love blogging but I have to admit, it can make me quite anxious at times. I see all of the great projects and, like you, I want to do them ALL. It's tough to keep things under control and I want quilting to be relaxing and stress free. I joined a mug rug challenge earlier this month but have yet to do anything except contemplate the design. Finally told myself, if it gets done, it gets done. If not, oh well. Anyway, your owl mug rug is adorable! Take care and have a fun productive day today.

Tracy said...

By nature, I'm like you, trying to do everything at one time. But I'm making myself be a one project at a time kind of gal. I DO have a Block of the Month going on with my LQS. However, it's a beginners class and I've never done anything with my sewing machine before(I'm a hand sewer.) I've had the machine for years, but it daunts me so. So I had to do something to kick me in the pants. But doing something that takes only a couple of days a month (for the new person) doesn't detract too much from my main project.

Linda said...

Cute mug rug. The recipient will be very happy. Have a great day make the best of it...

Maria said...

Oh Linda I love your Mug Rug and I am in the swap too. Would you believe I requested OWLS. LOL
Can't wait to know who my partner will be. I have been in all the Quilting Gallery Swaps bar the first one.
You have received some lovley blocks.
Great colours Yellow and Blue combo.

Tiffany said...

Love the mug rug! I love that fabric and you really made it gorgeous! <3

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I found I got too bored with BOMs - waiting for the next block; I'm more of a get a project in my mind and then get it done. But I do like to have more than one thing going on so I can jump from one to the next.
I like your daily goal list. I don't blog mine, but keep a sticky note on my computer screen.
Like you, I have one mug rug done and waiting for my partner assignment to decide on the next one as they might ask for something specific.
Goals are good - but make sure you schedule FUN

Needled Mom said...

Your mug rug is so cute and beautifully made. I can't wait to see your blue mat that you are making today.

I always enjoy seeing your swap blocks.

Julia said...

Your thought about why we are here parallels mine exactly. I have had that thought on my mind since my mom died back in Oct. Even if what we do today helps someone, what difference will it make 100 years from now? Just wondering??????
Too many questions to be answered. I'm trying to quit asking them.

joe tulips said...

I am all over with projects and finishes. Some have taken years to finally finish. Other small ones are done right away. Running out of a supply can slow me down. (thread, heatnbond,batting or just the right color of fabric)
Why are we here? I don't think about it that much. But I do like the quote about how we are spiritual beings on a human journey. It would be a neat word quilt. But I have too much other stuff going on to seriously think about that one.
Cute mug rug!!!!!

Char said...

Hi Linda, I have those scissors also. I think my first pair of scissors was my favorite, they were by Wiss I don't think they're around anymore.( showing my age)
I always have more than one project going at all times.

I love the mug rug! It's perfect!

Miss Hillbilly said...

I am a one project at a time person. I have all these BOM's on my sidebar that I want to do. I have figured a system. I want to so bad...but it makes me so nervous. ALL those projects at once????

I don't have UFO's. I can't stand the thought even! So, what happens next year when all The BOM's finish up at the same time. The thought of that REALLY scares me. So, I started with the Raggedy since that ends in March. Then I will see where I go after that.

Or I may just dive in and start all of them. It is so hard to get out of the box that I'm in!!

Megan Harmeyer said...

I try to be a one-project-at-a-time person because if I get too many things going, none of them get finished. LOL Your mug rugs are cute! I hope there's other intelligent life out there because, really, our "intelligent" life lacks intelligence.

quiltzyx said...

Twin minds! I have often wondered if we were all part of someone's book - those characters seen walking down the street, maybe, doing the 'behind the scenes' stuff.
I think you're doing great with your daily lists. I've really only made grocery lists, but I'm beginning to think I need to make 'to do' lists as well. It seems to work so well for so many people, it should work for me too, right?
Love your owlie mug rug - your trading partner will be so happy to get it!
Here's to a terrific Tuesday to us all!!

Quiltjane said...

You have been a busy girl. I love that Mug Rug (or as I call them Caffeine Carpets). I hope I am your swap partner!

Toni said...

I want to be your partner in the mug swap--the owl is TOOO cute :) I have one mat planned out, but waiting to see who I send to, to design something specific to the new owner's likes - can't wait!

OOO more wonderful blocks in the mail box today!!

I don't wonder why I'm here, but I'm curious more where we go. I'm weird in my thoughts too...I think it's the sci-fi part of my brain!

crafty pug said...

LOVE the owl mug rug - very cute!
xx

Cheryll said...

I should have asked for owls in the swap then I may have gotten your cute one! OOhh still might eh!

Riel Nason said...

Hi Linda, I just wanted to let you know that your house block from the Neighbourhood Blogland giveaway at Love Laugh Quilt was in the group I won. Thanks for doing such a wonderful creative job. I have it shown on my blog today. Riel
www.quispamsisquilter.blogspot.com

custom mugs said...

LOVE the owl mug rug - very cute!
nice post.

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