Sunday, July 31, 2011

Maintaining sanity

So yeah. All week long I've been frozen up with neck pain, and the only thing that has given me any kind of relief is the relief of distraction. Which is why I've been busily sewing up my doll quilt, extras, pj's for my oldest, and more Summer Sampler blocks. It definitely doesn't help me to chill out, but it takes my mind off the pain. 

My first order of business after the doll quilt and pj's was to fix the two sampler blocks that I didn't like. The Greek cross was bugging me, but I got the brainwave to add colored triangles to the corners and voila! I suddenly like it much better.

Greek Cross Redux

Secondly I put a border around the block that came out 3 inches too small. I made up a semi-fussy border to keep with the theme here, and again, I'm content with the result. 

Up to specs

Yesterday I made the Lucky Pieces block, and today I did the Minnesota block. Which, again, came out too small and needed a border. 

Lucky Pieces

Minnesota Block

This quilt-along has taught me a few things, namely that a) I actually CAN follow a real bonafide quilt pattern, b) quilting solely from your stash can leave you high and dry at some point, and c) I don't really like paper piecing except for pulling the paper off when I'm done. That part is so bizarrely satisfying. Like picking a scab except not as painful or bloody. How'd you like that analogy?

Here are all my blocks so far:

Eight down. Four to go.

I'm looking forward to snuggling up under this one for sure!

5 comments:

Heather said...

It's so nice to know I'm not the only that had their Minnesota block come out too small! I love your color choice for it's border.

Andrea said...

I like the colors of the blocks!

Elizabeth Dackson said...

Well, boo to neck pain, but yay to your blocks! I'm right there with you on the paper piecing, and just enjoying the ripping. Your quilt is going to look so fabulous when it's done - can't wait to see the last three blocks!

Rachel at Stitched in Color said...

I didn't even do the Minnesota block! I'm such a cheater. Your new Greek Cross looks just right now.

Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane said...

So sorry your neck's been hurting. Sure do love the way your quilt is coming together!