Grrrr.....

Monday night I finished the borders on my Lattice Quilt, made the binding, pieced the backing, and pressed the batting (W&N). Came home Tuesday night all excited to get it basted. That's where things went south....

1. 3 of the 6 clamps I bought to clamp the backing to my table snapped before I could even get them on! Just got them last week and this is the first time I went to use them.

2. I ran out of curved safety pins while basting. Went thru two whole boxes and it still wasn't enough. I'll have to re-pin before quilting the borders.

3. Got it all basted and went to cut the excess batting off and low and behold.... My backing wasn't long enough!! I'm gonna try and just add a piece to the end (about 3" or so). It's on the back so hopefully it won't be too noticeable.

4. Now I have no clue how to quilt it!! I've not done enough FMQ to attempt it on such a large quilt. Thinking I may just do echo stitching in the lattice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All basted

After sewing about a 3" strip onto the backing where I was short, I got my brand spankin new Machiner's gloves on and started quilting on Rosie.  After spending WAY too long contemplating how I was going to quilt it, I just decided to wing it.  I already had the walking foot on my machine, so I just changed out the feet to the open-toe one and got to stitchin.

Got the first pass done on Tuesday night and am hoping I can get the rest of this quilting between now and the end of the weekend!  I can't wait to see how it turns out, and it's going to feel awesome to have another Christmas present checked off the list!

Linking back to Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation and I Quilt Thursdays at Pretty Bobbins.

Also linking back to Sew Fresh Quilts' Let's Bee Social

Totally Cut Off!!

 
Well, I've done it.  Hit the "maximum capacity" line. Being as that I have only been officially quilting for a few months, I know my stash doesn't even compare to the more "seasoned" quilters out there.  A mere two tubs...that's it.  However, when you think about it rationally, two tubs over two months?!?!? That's some mega shopping!

I'm a project buyer... meaning I don't buy (or haven't bought) any fabrics just because I liked them.  Everything I have is earmarked for a specific project.  As you can see from the "To Do" list on the sidebar here on my blog, my list is a mile long already.  About 90% of the materials for those projects has been purchased already and are just sitting in the tubs waiting to be used.

I have had some time to think about this, and think I may have found the source of my "problem."  I enjoy the planning stages of projects.  Whether it be sewing/quilting, scrapbooking, or knitting... I think I must really enjoy doing the shopping and planning for projects.  I see something that, all of a sudden, I must make.  I then go deep into preparation mode.  From finding the pattern or inspiration source, to picking out the materials needed, to finding those materials at a store or online shop and purchasing them... it's like a total rush for me.  I anxiously await the package to arrive or the trip to the store to pick them up... feels like Christmas morning!

Now, for most people that wouldn't be a problem.  For me, it is!  I spend all that time and money preparing for a project, totally excited about it.  By the time everything is purchased or comes in, I've found five more projects to do the same process with.  It's a sickness I tell you!

The past two weeks have been like no other I've had in recent months!  I've added so many projects to the list, placed so many orders for materials and supplies, I'm overwhelmed!  I realized it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate.  I have listed the projects on my "To Do" list in the order in which I hope to complete them.  Most have deadlines (i.e. Christmas), but the rest do not.  I'm going to focus on those that need to be done sooner rather than later, and plug away at the list as best as I can.

That being said, I have TOTALLY CUT MYSELF OFF from shopping!  I can create wishlists, shopping lists, additional "To Do's" for the bucket list, but I am completely cut off from shopping and putting myself in the freezer!  I did this a while ago with my scrapbooking and it did seem to work.  With the exception of consumables and necessary items to finish a specific project... NO. MORE. SHOPPING!  Once I get a few projects on the list completely finished, I will re-assess the situation, but for now... that's it!

You'll see what I mean come in my upcoming Sunday Stash post this weekend.  Major haulage alert!!

• 3 large orders from Missouri Star Quilt Company - 2 that have come in already and one that is on it's way
• 3 small orders from Connecting Threads - 2 that have come in already and one that is on it's way
• 1 small order from The Fat Quarter Shop.

It's killing me!  I've got JoAnn's coupons out to wazoo and I get emails practically daily with specials from all my favorite shops.  I just have to put the blinders on and focus on actually doing projects instead of just planning them.

I have to get into my craft room (hopefully at some point this weekend) and get it cleaned up and organized.  I think I may have found a solution to my fabric storage, but it will involve a quick trip to Wally World to pick up a couple of things.  Hopefully, if I get a chance to work on it some this weekend, I'll have some pics to share with you next week.

Linking up with Really Random Thursday at Live A Colorful Life.

Hope you're having a wonderful Thursday!!