fighting it.

Over a year ago I began my adventures in quilting.
I fell in love.  I picked out fabrics for future quilts.
I even made two.
But then it happened.
Like it always does.
A.D.D. strikes back.
The fabrics were neatly folded and put away.  Only one of my girls had her own quilt.  I struggled with that.

Then Heather had to go and find this quilt pattern.  Not only find it, but immediately make one for her nearly born son.

I was smitten.  It was so different, yet so simple.  I knew immediately that I needed to make one.  How could I not?
Thankfully, I was about to see Heather.  She was going to be my personal quilting instructor. Yes, please.

She helped me (by help, I mean she used her crazy math brain) plan out the measurements and showed me some great tricks to assemble the blocks.  She even forced me to carefully trim each square so they lined up properly.  I am not always so good at proper.  While I was on my Norcal adventure I actually finished two blocks.  Two out of thirty...

When I got home I cut each square.  Lots and lots and lots of squares.  Cute, but boring squares.

Then I paired them up in as random of a pattern as I could.  This part was sort of fun.  Seeing how each fabric worked with another one.

Next was the sewing and the cutting.  Lots of sewing.  Lots of cutting.  Sigh.  This pile might not look like much, but it contains 120 unpressed, untrimmed little beasts.

Little beasts that need to be carefully, individually, precisely pressed.
Bore to the ing.
With my $12.00 iron.
Then the trimming.
Oh, the trimming.
A.D.D. is making it's presence known.
But I keep clicking back to Heather's quilt.  Thinking of what this will soon be.  Once I can force myself to get past this stage.
Keep me accountable.
Keep me ironing.
Or come over and do it for me.
It is sooooooooooooo boring!!!
But it will be soooooooooo cute.  Soon.  Soon.  I hope.


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36 Comments

  1. Just MarthaAugust 16, 2010 at 10:41 PM

    You are very engaging as a writer. Like a breath of fresh air!! That piece about flying was priceless. Even I was hanging on to my seat!! Such a pleasure to follow you...

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  2. Heather | Cookie MondaysAugust 16, 2010 at 10:47 PM

    I can't believe you did all that in a week! And, the idea of me instructing you on anything sewing related makes me laugh. Now, how about ruffle binding?

    PS- Wishing I was watching BP with you guys, contacting on Mel's floor, rather than alone on my couch :(

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  3. Carol BAugust 16, 2010 at 11:06 PM

    too much for my very un-proper creative hands.....I'm already proud of you for getting so far, but I KNOW you will finish it, beautifully.

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  4. AnonymousAugust 16, 2010 at 11:17 PM

    Bore to the ing.
    Hi.Larious.

    You are Love Ed. You can do this. You can :) I can't but you can!!!

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  5. meg duerksenAugust 16, 2010 at 11:51 PM

    i am sure you'll finish it in no time.....then how about you finish one of my 10,000 projects i never do. :)

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  6. UnknownAugust 17, 2010 at 4:09 AM

    I really wish I had the nerve to attempt a quilt, but I wouldn't even know where to begin. My grandmother was an avid quilt-maker and I will always regret that I never learned the skill from her before she passed away. I'm sure your quilt will be beautiful. Good luck!

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  7. Cora Anne DesignsAugust 17, 2010 at 4:24 AM

    I hear you...I have TWO quilt tops made and not finished. But I WILL finish them this fall...or winter......or spring...or sometime I hope!

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  8. susan@tickledpaisleyAugust 17, 2010 at 4:39 AM

    Oh how I can relate to this post! It does take some will power to work through the boredom - I haven't quite gotten that part down yet as evidenced by my stack of unfinished projects! Cannot wait to see the finished quilt...

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  9. Misty SmithAugust 17, 2010 at 6:27 AM

    I'm starting my first quilt this week so this was good to read for me because I'm like you with the ADD

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  10. Needled MomAugust 17, 2010 at 6:47 AM

    We will all be checking in on the progress. It will be a fabulous quilt!

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  11. SaraAugust 17, 2010 at 7:12 AM

    First off, I love your blog! Secondly, I have always wanted to make a quilt...I guess I need a Heather :) One day I'll give it a try, but I have 3 daughters!
    Sara

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  12. Heather @ Life Made LovelyAugust 17, 2010 at 7:30 AM

    rah rah!! you can do it!
    how's that for cheering you on? it is going to look awesome and when it's finished you'll get to snuggle under it with one of your girlies.
    i think that's much better motivation then my sad little cheer.

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  13. Melanie PosellAugust 17, 2010 at 7:34 AM

    I totally get what stage you are in right now! I love making quilts, but the process can be so repetitive. The part I hate the most is cutting! But you are past that part. It will be a beautiful quilt, and you will be so glad you have it finished when it is all crinkly and pretty! Keep going!

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  14. ragamuffinbeautiesAugust 17, 2010 at 8:01 AM

    I LOOOOVE that color/pattern combo of yummy fabrics...can't wait to see how it turns out!

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  15. Goodnight moonAugust 17, 2010 at 8:04 AM

    Your quilts are completely beautiful!!!!! Love the colors and patterns! I've had quilting as a goal of mine for sometime now. Someday....I'll actually be able to do it.

    Great work!!!

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  16. eliseAugust 17, 2010 at 8:09 AM

    i just did a speed quilting weekend.
    i had forgot about a shower until the day before it... while i was ironing my blocks i thought about the insanity of CUTTING apart a large piece of fabric in order to sew it BACK together into another LARGE piece of fabric....
    then when i had the top all sewn together and it was so cute i remembered why.
    good luck!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/elise_sprenger/4897373755/

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  17. Jen~ Lipstick and LaundryAugust 17, 2010 at 8:29 AM

    Love it.. I clicked on the pattern she showed for the tutorial too, looked complicated for me the square block quilter... sighhhhhhhh....

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  18. JessicaAugust 17, 2010 at 8:40 AM

    I have a pile of half square triangle blocks that have been waiting to be trimmed for . . . um, mayeb 11 months . . . way, way too long. So you've obviously overcome your ADD much more successfully than I ;)

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  19. KristinAugust 17, 2010 at 8:49 AM

    Good Luck! I love making quilts. I want to have piles of them in my house. But I usually end up making them as gifts. Which is fun too. :)

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  20. AnonymousAugust 17, 2010 at 8:53 AM

    you need a math brain to quilt??? yeah um i think i'll just keep my buttercream... ;) KIDDING! i'm just jealous. it is beautiful already and going to look fabulous... can't wait to see the finished product!

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  21. UnknownAugust 17, 2010 at 9:45 AM

    I'm making my first quilt right now and I got super nervous when they said even if your measurements are off a milimeter, that can add up to 1/4 of an inch when everything is put together. I was like awesome, thanks for the pick me up. But your quilt looks like it's going to be SO AMAZING.

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  22. TashaAugust 17, 2010 at 11:18 AM

    I wish I could come over and iron them for you. Iron and talk. Maybe you should invite a friend over to chat with while you iron and she trims (or visa versa). It might go a little quicker and is guarenteed to make it a little more fun. You have the best taste in fabric. Seriously.

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  23. LKPAugust 17, 2010 at 12:09 PM

    that's the only thing that keeps me from quilting...my ADD! the thought of the monotony keeps me in yawns. so i just push the notion to the back of my brain, and bury my sewing machine that much deeper under junk in our shed! glad i'm not alone. when i'm faced with a gajillion little things that must be proper, before i can even move on to "step two", oy vey! i feel like i want to burst out of my skin!
    so kudos to you for sticking with it. (:

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  24. FredaAugust 17, 2010 at 12:41 PM

    Your quilt is going to rock! That is such a cute pattern and with those yummy fabrics, you have a lucky little girl to get that quilt.

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  25. Robin E.August 17, 2010 at 2:48 PM

    HA!!! That's why I have loved quilts from afar and never set down to make one. I can't even make myself sew pajamas anymore; they're too boring. I think I would need serious $$$ or something else as motivating to actually force myself to do an entire quilt. You go, girl.

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  26. Heart of WisdomAugust 17, 2010 at 3:21 PM

    Hello. This is my first time here. I was looking for cupcakes in a jar. What a great site. I was so blessed by Joy's story. I loved this "She woke up in the arms of Jesus" beautiful. {{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}

    So I come here looking for a cupcake recipe and cring over your baby and THEN I see the quilt and squares. ACCCKKKKKK I can't stand it anymore. I got the I-need-to-quilt shakes. I stopped quilting when I became an author. I thought I was filling the quilting void by digital scrapbooking but I still miss it sooo much. I have a lot of grandchildren, in need of quilts.

    Thanks for the inspiration.

    God Bless,
    Robin
    heartofwisdom.com/blog

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  27. emily hopeAugust 17, 2010 at 5:39 PM

    can't wait to see your finished quilt! your fabrics are beyond scrumptious. & even though i've never quilted anything, somehow you've got me thinking i could ...

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  28. TrishAugust 17, 2010 at 6:34 PM

    yummy fabric choices.

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  29. TammyWAugust 17, 2010 at 8:30 PM

    Too funny. I hear you. I've been quilting for more years than I can count and cutting pieces can still cause me to get bored. I have a partially cut quilt in my craft room right now. I only have about 100 more strips to cut. I have another quit also with a ton of pieces waiting. I've set the goal of having them done for Christmas gifts. We'll see.

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  30. JenniferAugust 18, 2010 at 9:18 AM

    I would love to start quilting, but I have serious ADD as well. I can't wait to see your finished project though. It looks like it's going to be amazing!!!

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  31. HeatherAugust 18, 2010 at 10:58 AM

    I have an awesome, super easy quilt pattern for you if you want a different look for the next one. I cranked out a quilt top in about two hours with the pattern. Awesome!! By the way, LOVE your fabric choices!

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  32. The Bedke FamAugust 18, 2010 at 11:25 AM

    Just popped in from 30 days. This quilt is seriously gorgeous!

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  33. Shaiya BadgleyAugust 18, 2010 at 11:27 AM

    I love your quilts colors!

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  34. MelissaAugust 18, 2010 at 11:45 AM

    I would love to start quilting...just don't have the time yet. Too many other projects going on. But that quilt is going to be super cute! I am entering your giveaway at 30 days! Thanks!
    moehend@yahoo.com

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  35. LindsayAugust 18, 2010 at 3:08 PM

    You sound just like me!

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  36. AuroraAugust 18, 2010 at 8:31 PM

    oh, it's going to be adorable... press on! I FINALLY finished my daughters quilt (that I started a year ago) just in time for my son to be born...now I need to make one for him!

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