Saturday, October 27, 2012

why deadlines aren't always that great.

A few weeks ago, I was chosen by Rachel Hauser at Stitched in Color to participate in the Pink Chalk Scrap Challenge. The goal? To make a little somethin' somethin' using every fabric in this cute little stack of fat sixteenths.

Blue moon bundle

Pretty, huh?

The only catch: it had to be finished by October 28th. Which, is...let's see...tomorrow.

Um. Yeah. I used to be good with deadlines. But that was before kid #3. And also, the end of winter/beginning of spring are good times for deadlines. Note that those two times are not fall. Or December. Between wedding presents, stuff for Harvest Festival (aka, not-Halloween), Christmas presents, birthday presents, etc., the months of Sept-Dec are usually not good for me to do anything extra.

But oh well, too bad. I got these fabrics in the mail and it was time to start, and I was excited and the creativity was firing up and I was just plain old ignoring the unfinished quilt that was hovering over my shoulder, breathing heavily down my neck and slobbering slightly down the back of my shirt.

So. A million failed attempts at making feathers out of fabric, one broken needle, one dead cockroach floating in the water of my iron and stinking up my sewing room, and one burned hand from the super hot brand new iron I got to replace that iron later, and I had this:

Zee Pillow, up close.

Okay...I like it, but I don't love it. I feel like I could have done better if I didn't feel so pressured to hurry up and finish before the deadline, which also happens to be a Sunday where I have to be at church early to sing after which I drive to the airport to pick up my husband after which there will be no time for sewing/picture taking/blogging.

feather pillow. kinda.

But still. I do like it. I learned that I do love the feather pattern and I might want to try it again in quilt form. Sometimes pillows are a really great way to learn what blocks you love or hate to do, before you commit to a whole quilt. For example, I learned from this pillow that I despise making flying geese circles. Saved me a lot of trouble with the quilt I'd been planning before that.

Anyway, thanks to Rachel for choosing me to participate. I did have fun, don't get me wrong! I just feel sort of embarrassed that this was all I could come up with. :P

9 comments:

StuffandThings said...

Jenn--I like it too. The feather design is really cool!

Kirsten said...

Your feathers are really beautiful - you chose just the right pattern to use for the smaller pieces of fabric.

Beezus said...

I've sort of wanted to make these feathers, too . . . I actually meant to include some in my last mini quilt swap but, ahem, the deadline snuck up on me. If you know what I mean. ;)

Hitch and Thread said...

I really like it. Dont be so hard on yourself! Can you see a feather quilt in your future?

rachel.lyn said...

uhhhh....if you don't like it, my birthday is coming up AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

really, that is adorable!

Jess said...

I have been wanting to try the feather block. I love the pillow, but understand with deadlines how cutting corners happens, but at least it's finished! I'm sure no one will notice those things and just will see the gorgeous pillow that it is!

Jenni said...

I'm completely in love with this pillow! It's absolutely gorgeous! :D

Carmen said...

I love it! Sounds like you had a few obstacles to overcome on this project. It turned out beautifully, if you don't like it that's okay because there are several of us who would give it a good home, lol. :)

Robin Correa said...

Maybe the pressure is making your eyes fuzzy because it's uber cute! And what a perfect photo opp next to a blanket of fur...so American Indian/Rustic vibe. Love it!