Here are my finished quilts and I'll explain the guilty part later.
The first quilt is from Judy Sisneros 9 Patch Pizzazz on point class I took 2 Saturdays ago. I had the top done except for the border at the class and just added the borders and cut out some of the focus fabric to applique for that extra "pizzazz". As I was quilting, I noticed that I had 2 blocks switched. I won't tell you and you probably won't be able to see it since it's kind of a busy quilt. The close up shows you the free motion quilting I did in the border too. I used Valdani's variegated thread and I love the color variations but I have to say it's not the easiest thread to use - it took a while to get the tension/needle/bobbin thread combination right.
This second quilt are the circles I had to cut out for this quilt scroll down to see it. This little baby will be donated to my guild's charity quilt program. Was super fast and easy to make and used all leftover fabrics from the first quilt.
Now the guilty part, maybe guilty is the wrong word, but lately I get more and more comments from guild members and friends about how many quilts I finish. I don't know why it's such a big deal that I actually finish quilts. I don't have a lot of quilts that are started - I finish the ones I start. I have a lot of what I call UFO's - quilt kits - fabric and patterns - but not sewn in any way. I like to finish the quilt I'm working on before I can start another. People are always amazed that I can get so much done. Maybe because I work full time and commute, I need to use my time more efficiently. I rarely just sit and watch tv. I have it on all the time I'm sewing so I don't miss any shows, but I work while I watch - whether I'm quilting, cross stitch or blog writing/reading. Now there are things in my life that I should spend more time on. My housekeeping skills have a lot to be desired. I do the minimum each week unless I am expecting company. My floors get swept and mopped most weekends, the sheets get changed and laundry gets done weekly, and my bathroom gets cleaned but that's about it. I don't have to cook big meals - it's just me and my hubby at home and he eats at weird times so I usually whip something easy up for myself. But ladies, please don't give a finisher a hard time or tease her for finishing her quilts. I know a lot of it's jealousy on your part but I now know how another friend felt --she actually stopped showing her quilts at show and tell because people used to give her a hard time too. I hope I never did and if I did Anna, please know I'm sorry. I love show and tell and I love showing people what I've worked on but if I continue to get teased, I may stop too. Is there anyone else out there like me? Do you get a hard time from others for finishing your quilts?
Thank you for looking and for letting me share my finishes with you.
Barb
This second quilt are the circles I had to cut out for this quilt scroll down to see it. This little baby will be donated to my guild's charity quilt program. Was super fast and easy to make and used all leftover fabrics from the first quilt.
Now the guilty part, maybe guilty is the wrong word, but lately I get more and more comments from guild members and friends about how many quilts I finish. I don't know why it's such a big deal that I actually finish quilts. I don't have a lot of quilts that are started - I finish the ones I start. I have a lot of what I call UFO's - quilt kits - fabric and patterns - but not sewn in any way. I like to finish the quilt I'm working on before I can start another. People are always amazed that I can get so much done. Maybe because I work full time and commute, I need to use my time more efficiently. I rarely just sit and watch tv. I have it on all the time I'm sewing so I don't miss any shows, but I work while I watch - whether I'm quilting, cross stitch or blog writing/reading. Now there are things in my life that I should spend more time on. My housekeeping skills have a lot to be desired. I do the minimum each week unless I am expecting company. My floors get swept and mopped most weekends, the sheets get changed and laundry gets done weekly, and my bathroom gets cleaned but that's about it. I don't have to cook big meals - it's just me and my hubby at home and he eats at weird times so I usually whip something easy up for myself. But ladies, please don't give a finisher a hard time or tease her for finishing her quilts. I know a lot of it's jealousy on your part but I now know how another friend felt --she actually stopped showing her quilts at show and tell because people used to give her a hard time too. I hope I never did and if I did Anna, please know I'm sorry. I love show and tell and I love showing people what I've worked on but if I continue to get teased, I may stop too. Is there anyone else out there like me? Do you get a hard time from others for finishing your quilts?
Thank you for looking and for letting me share my finishes with you.
Barb
Hiya, Barb.
ReplyDeleteI finish a lot of quilts too. A *LOT* of quilts. Like you, I tend to work on one quilt at a time; my poor one brain cell gets frazzled if I have too many projects going at one time. :-) Which isn't to say that I strictly work on one thing at a time .. I just try to work that way. Sometimes Creativity dictates otherwise. :-)
I don't get teased so much but I do get a lot of surprised exclamations. I will admit that I'm a lackadaisical housekeeper. My husband & I have a high tolerance for clutter ... it tends to get properly put away when company is coming. :-) We don't have our kids living at home; I don't cook, as my husband likes to do that. I don't have a full time job ... I have a part time job out of my house.
Soooo .. I have the *luxury* of spending a lot of time sewing/quilting. And I do. I love it .. why shouldn't I do what I enjoy? Lord knows that we spent a whole lot of time when the kids were growing up doing activities that we weren't particularly interested in. Now, it's our time. :-)
Don't let the comments get to you. I think you have accurately pegged them as jealousy .. or perhaps even wistfulness. Simply smile and reply to the effect that "yup! I'm one lucky person to be able to spend lots of time being creative." Leave it at that. :-)
And keep on quilting!
Your quilts are wonderful. You should never feel guilty for being so productive. I don't necessarily think it's a jealousy thing but more of an "in awe" sort of thing when people tease you about being able to finish so many quilts. So many of us, me included, can't seem to stick with just one project and, as a result, it takes us way longer to reach the finish line.
ReplyDeleteGreat job and keep up the good work!!
I know what you mean. Years ago I stopped handquilting on our guild quilt, because no one wanted to sit next to me. They said my stitches made them look bad. Hey, I was just quilting. The worst was the one woman who would announce, "You make me sick!"
ReplyDeleteI grew armor, and substituted a translation for her actual words. She was wishing she could do what I was doing. I've gone back to quilting with the group, and always enjoy myself.
I think it's the same with your productivity. People admire yours and envy it. They have other priorities that keep them from finishing as much as you do...don't let them stop you from doing what you love.
And don't stop sharing, because people who are finishers give hope to those of us with endless piles of UFO's. Maybe, someday, I can be like you!
I've heard them tease you - don't let it bother you. I'm super envious of all you do and I imagine I'll be a lot like you once these kids are in school.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky to have the time to devote to your art and I know that those you gift and donate to are grateful. Don't worry - bring it all to guild, we all want to see and wonder if you sleep. :)
Please know people tease you for complimentary reasons. You don't need to apologize for your strengths. Some people say they don't want to stand behind me in the show and tell line. They mean well.
ReplyDeletePlease please please keep bringing your wonderful creations to show and tell.
Hey Barbara, without quilters like yoou there would be no quilters like me. You are my mentor. I would love to be able to accompolish all that you do. We quilters are in awe of your quilting. I just want to sit behind you for a week to absorb what you do so some will rub off on me. Quilty Hugs,
ReplyDeleteBarbara thanks for sharing your concerns because, as you know, I know how you feel! I want you to know that you have inspired me to work more efficently. That is what you do. You are effiecent. You are not an over achiever or someone who doesn't have a life beyond quilting, you are just very focused and efficent with your time. You are an example whose light should not be snuffed out by those who are eithter jealous, insecure, or just in awe and have no other way to show that than by their comments. Let's make a pack that we will both continue to bring our quilts and projects to show and tell, stand together, and learn to put our energies into our quilting and not into negative comments that get us down.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, because of your encouragement I am quilting on my whole cloth quilt from Asilomar and have my nine patch pizzaz pinned! They will be done for a show and tell soon. So hang in there, girlfriend!
Hi Barbara
ReplyDeleteI have nominated your blog for an Award, One Lovely Blog because you do have a lovely blog. I hope you enjoy the award.
Take the button from my site and add it to yours. Check out the rules at the link below. I think 7 blogs is enough.
http://meandmyancestors.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-lovely-blog-award.html
Have fun.
Barb, you are truly an inspiration to us all. I have admired your work and all that you are driven to do over the years. I would love to finish as many projects as you do. I started out as a finisher, but now I am striving to finish all that I have started and not begin any new projects. All I have to do is keep my blinders on so the temptations do not distract me. I am looking forward to this year, now that the Elk thing is coming to an end in one week, I will have more home time.
ReplyDelete