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I had a little too much fun this weekend. My youngest sister had a graduation party for my nephew Scott on Sunday. He had just recently graduated from high school, and his family was justifiably proud of his accomplishment. It was a terrific party. The place was full of charming young people, both sides of the graduate’s family, fabulous food, and lots of wine. Let me repeat that. Lots. Of. Wine.
Imagine my surprise when I woke up the next morning, looked in the mirror and saw that overnight, I had developed Elephant Eye. This is a shocking condition that involves much puffiness, and extreme amplification of any wrinkles that may already be brewing on one’s skin. It ain’t pretty. Additional symptoms involve dehydrated skin, slight headache, and a very dry mouth. I have been hiding behind my sunglasses all day, and vowing to consume only mineral water for a good long time. “Til the weekend anyway.
Moving on, I discovered that the Web Sampler deadline isn’t until September 1, so I have a reprieve on that project. I may just go ahead and finish it anyway, in order to get it off my To Do list. That project has been stepping on my heels for months now, and I am so ready to be over it.
Allrighty then. This sorry mess is a pile of my Meadowbrook Farm blocks. I had them all sewn into rows and found that they fit together badly. Very badly. So, ripper in hand, I took the blocks all apart. Nancy Near Philadelphia has been working on this same pattern, so I have been checking her blog to see how she is getting along with the project. Imagaine my surprise when I saw her completed quilt top, and saw that there was a lovely lattice separating all the blocks. Duh, how come I hadn’t noticed that in the pattern? Why don’t I pay closer attention to instructions? Well my confusion was justified for once, because it turns out that when Nancy was putting her top together, she found that she didn’t care for the poor way the blocks were fitting together, and got the bright idea to add a lattice. Brilliant woman that she is, she now has a very nice quilt top.
Do you ever put in so much work on a project, then discover that it is a total mess, and want to put it away forever? That is how I am feeling about Meadowbrook Farm. All those wovens I used are all wiggly and wobbly, and I am just not feeling the love for this fabric anymore. It is worth it to plug on and fix it? Try a new setting like Nancy did, and just get it done? Sigh. I dunno.
I will end this sorry post with something that IS going right, and that would be my Coventry Stars. I am using the Peace on Earth fabric by Moda, which has to be one of the prettiest groups in a long time. That little raspberry print is adorable.
52 responses to “Nothin’s Goin’ Right”
The Meadowbrooks blocks are really pretty. Spray ’em with starch and press and you’ll feel much better about ’em. Don’t let them languish — come up with a simple setting that will show them off. You can do this. Ya gotta — you were the one that got ME into Meadowbrook!
The Meadowbrooks blocks are really pretty. Spray ’em with starch and press and you’ll feel much better about ’em. Don’t let them languish — come up with a simple setting that will show them off. You can do this. Ya gotta — you were the one that got ME into Meadowbrook!
OH, my gosh, in reading the above comment, I think the pressure is on!! LOL You can do it Nicole! Nancy in WI
OH, my gosh, in reading the above comment, I think the pressure is on!! LOL You can do it Nicole! Nancy in WI
The Meadowbrook blocks are to pretty to languish. FINISH IT and cross another one off your to-do list. Do whatever you have to do, they are gorgeous, and if you don’t like it, I’m sure someone you know would be thrilled to receive it as a gift!
The Meadowbrook blocks are to pretty to languish. FINISH IT and cross another one off your to-do list. Do whatever you have to do, they are gorgeous, and if you don’t like it, I’m sure someone you know would be thrilled to receive it as a gift!
I know just what you mean about some projects that just lose their appeal after not going together well. Sometimes it helps to just walk away from it for a while and sometimes you just gotta get back on the horse and finish it and move onto the next one. The fabrics are beautiful and I’m sure you’ll be happy when its done.
I know just what you mean about some projects that just lose their appeal after not going together well. Sometimes it helps to just walk away from it for a while and sometimes you just gotta get back on the horse and finish it and move onto the next one. The fabrics are beautiful and I’m sure you’ll be happy when its done.
Hang in there. You sound like you need a break from this project. Then you’ll get back to the lattice, I am sure. Maybe. And if not, oh well. It is not the end of the world. But, you are right….the raspberries are dang cute.
Perhaps if you look at the blocks next week minus the elephant eyes, it won’t look so challenging.
Well, I am off to cut out an apron….
Hang in there. You sound like you need a break from this project. Then you’ll get back to the lattice, I am sure. Maybe. And if not, oh well. It is not the end of the world. But, you are right….the raspberries are dang cute.
Perhaps if you look at the blocks next week minus the elephant eyes, it won’t look so challenging.
Well, I am off to cut out an apron….
I recently spent two days taking apart a quilt that didn’t fit properly. I don’t know why I kept going – the lattice was too narrow and it was destined to be a brown bag project forever but I did love the fabric. Now I just need to figure out how to make it go together in a way that will make me want to get it finished. Your meadowbrook blocks are lovely. I like the idea of startch to get it set together.
I recently spent two days taking apart a quilt that didn’t fit properly. I don’t know why I kept going – the lattice was too narrow and it was destined to be a brown bag project forever but I did love the fabric. Now I just need to figure out how to make it go together in a way that will make me want to get it finished. Your meadowbrook blocks are lovely. I like the idea of startch to get it set together.
Don’t you just hate days like that? Take care of yourself, keep working on your projects and they will help you feel something is happening. After they are put together you may be surprised to find you like the way things turned out. ~Adrienne~
Don’t you just hate days like that? Take care of yourself, keep working on your projects and they will help you feel something is happening. After they are put together you may be surprised to find you like the way things turned out. ~Adrienne~
Once again I am amazing at all your beautiful projects. The Meadowbrook Farm looks to be totally worth saving. Put it away for a less “foggy” day.
Once again I am amazing at all your beautiful projects. The Meadowbrook Farm looks to be totally worth saving. Put it away for a less “foggy” day.
I will admit to having over-indulged a time or two myself, but never have I thought of my puffy face as Elephant Eye. If I ever do that again, that thought will definitely enter my head! Thanks! LOL!
I know you will figure out what to do with your blocks – I looked at Nancy’s, and it is lovely. You will come up with something just as wonderful I know. Love those stars!
I will admit to having over-indulged a time or two myself, but never have I thought of my puffy face as Elephant Eye. If I ever do that again, that thought will definitely enter my head! Thanks! LOL!
I know you will figure out what to do with your blocks – I looked at Nancy’s, and it is lovely. You will come up with something just as wonderful I know. Love those stars!
When you get over your “flu” (heh) the blocks may look better. Just don’t look at them while you feel rotten. When I was pregnant with my first baby I was horribly morning-noon-and-night sick and everything I looked at then reminds me now of it and makes me want to throw up. Except maybe for my husband.
If you still don’t love them enough to invest all the time in finishing the quilt, put them on eBay. Blocks sell well, for some unknown reason.
When you get over your “flu” (heh) the blocks may look better. Just don’t look at them while you feel rotten. When I was pregnant with my first baby I was horribly morning-noon-and-night sick and everything I looked at then reminds me now of it and makes me want to throw up. Except maybe for my husband.
If you still don’t love them enough to invest all the time in finishing the quilt, put them on eBay. Blocks sell well, for some unknown reason.
Your Meadowbrook will be wonderful…I think the starch idea is a great one…I’ve been using Mary Ellen’s Best Press and it just seems to make the blocks easier to work with. The lattice will be perfect too.
I love your Coventry Stars…I have that ready to go with the 3 Sisters group from last Christmas but I sure like this one too…oh now what am I going to do????
Your Meadowbrook will be wonderful…I think the starch idea is a great one…I’ve been using Mary Ellen’s Best Press and it just seems to make the blocks easier to work with. The lattice will be perfect too.
I love your Coventry Stars…I have that ready to go with the 3 Sisters group from last Christmas but I sure like this one too…oh now what am I going to do????
The Meadowbrook blocks are so pretty — and if you need to come up with some sort of sashing to make it work it will be worth it. What a pretty quilt that will be.
I absolutely LOVE your Coventry Stars — particularly that raspberry print one! Gorgeous.
The Meadowbrook blocks are so pretty — and if you need to come up with some sort of sashing to make it work it will be worth it. What a pretty quilt that will be.
I absolutely LOVE your Coventry Stars — particularly that raspberry print one! Gorgeous.
Love the raspberry stars. I gave up on my Meadowbrook blocks after making three (that pattern is way too complicated to be fun). So I made a table runner, which I haven’t quilted yet. Your blocks are pretty.
Love the raspberry stars. I gave up on my Meadowbrook blocks after making three (that pattern is way too complicated to be fun). So I made a table runner, which I haven’t quilted yet. Your blocks are pretty.
Your Meadowbrook Farms blocks (and fabrics) are lovely. Stick with it girl. If you really don’t want to deal with them anymore, send them to me!!! :0)
Your Meadowbrook Farms blocks (and fabrics) are lovely. Stick with it girl. If you really don’t want to deal with them anymore, send them to me!!! :0)
If you are truly unhappy with the “feel” of the Meadowbrook project, then move on. You have so many beautiful projects,there’s no need to finish just because you feel that you HAVE to. The choice is yours… (and blocks do sell well on e-bay, or perhaps offer a random drawing for “as is” quilt parts?)
Why slog on when you no longer feel anything for the project, when the “joy” has left the building? Especially when someone else may be excited by the challenge…
Take care
If you are truly unhappy with the “feel” of the Meadowbrook project, then move on. You have so many beautiful projects,there’s no need to finish just because you feel that you HAVE to. The choice is yours… (and blocks do sell well on e-bay, or perhaps offer a random drawing for “as is” quilt parts?)
Why slog on when you no longer feel anything for the project, when the “joy” has left the building? Especially when someone else may be excited by the challenge…
Take care
Hey, what a wonderful blog!!! I love your quilts very, very much. And your dog? So lovely !!! I´ll come back soon.
Greetings Barbara
Hey, what a wonderful blog!!! I love your quilts very, very much. And your dog? So lovely !!! I´ll come back soon.
Greetings Barbara
Well I’m not going to be any help at all. I can’t decide what to comment either way.
I will say this – I do so like the Coventry Stars with that fabric. Woah. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy Meadowbrook though. I do.
I’m a quilter that just does whatever the heck she wants though so again, I’m not any help.
No Rules Rocks Love, *karendianne who thinks the Rigid Quilter is still hanging around. Sorry friend. Maybe I knock her off the walker when I’m out shopping…
“Me and My Cricket Knock Off the Rigid Quilter…news at 11”
Well I’m not going to be any help at all. I can’t decide what to comment either way.
I will say this – I do so like the Coventry Stars with that fabric. Woah. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy Meadowbrook though. I do.
I’m a quilter that just does whatever the heck she wants though so again, I’m not any help.
No Rules Rocks Love, *karendianne who thinks the Rigid Quilter is still hanging around. Sorry friend. Maybe I knock her off the walker when I’m out shopping…
“Me and My Cricket Knock Off the Rigid Quilter…news at 11”
I haven’t sewn with wovens. If you use a light weight fusible interfacing or one that is water soluable would that hold it in place long enough to sew it? Peace on Earth is indeed beautiful. You are the most prolific quilter I know.
I haven’t sewn with wovens. If you use a light weight fusible interfacing or one that is water soluable would that hold it in place long enough to sew it? Peace on Earth is indeed beautiful. You are the most prolific quilter I know.
Your coventry stars ARE very pretty. I’m sorry about the headache – drink more water WHILE you’re drinking the wine. And then a big glass before bed. That usually helps curtail the headache a bit. Well, for me anyway 😉
On a side note, I’m glad that you didn’t show me another irresitable. I keep buying the books that you show, because you’re quilts are so wonderful! So stop already! LOL
Your coventry stars ARE very pretty. I’m sorry about the headache – drink more water WHILE you’re drinking the wine. And then a big glass before bed. That usually helps curtail the headache a bit. Well, for me anyway 😉
On a side note, I’m glad that you didn’t show me another irresitable. I keep buying the books that you show, because you’re quilts are so wonderful! So stop already! LOL
I’ve been eyeing up ‘Peace on Earth’ by Moda this week and seeng your blocks has made up my mind, I’ve just got to buy a Layer cake or a charm pack!
I’ve been eyeing up ‘Peace on Earth’ by Moda this week and seeng your blocks has made up my mind, I’ve just got to buy a Layer cake or a charm pack!
Your stars are beautiful! I’ve experienced elephant eye and all of the symtoms that accompany it. Have you tried taking a couple of aspirin before going to sleep the night before?
Your stars are beautiful! I’ve experienced elephant eye and all of the symtoms that accompany it. Have you tried taking a couple of aspirin before going to sleep the night before?
I always love your projects and color choices and you amaze me with what you get done. So having said that I would suggest just tucking it away for a few days and then try tackling it again. Oh yes I’ve experienced the elephant eye – never thought of it that way – but it’s not pleasant however you look at it. Feeling better I hope
Hugs – karen
I always love your projects and color choices and you amaze me with what you get done. So having said that I would suggest just tucking it away for a few days and then try tackling it again. Oh yes I’ve experienced the elephant eye – never thought of it that way – but it’s not pleasant however you look at it. Feeling better I hope
Hugs – karen
I always love your projects and color choices and you amaze me with what you get done. So having said that I would suggest just tucking it away for a few days and then try tackling it again. Oh yes I’ve experienced the elephant eye – never thought of it that way – but it’s not pleasant however you look at it. Feeling better I hope
Hugs – karen
I always love your projects and color choices and you amaze me with what you get done. So having said that I would suggest just tucking it away for a few days and then try tackling it again. Oh yes I’ve experienced the elephant eye – never thought of it that way – but it’s not pleasant however you look at it. Feeling better I hope
Hugs – karen
Oh my that eye looks awful!! You really should lay off the vino!!
Your blocks look pretty. Just walk away and when you go back to them it will all work out. Are you walking…..are you??
Oh my that eye looks awful!! You really should lay off the vino!!
Your blocks look pretty. Just walk away and when you go back to them it will all work out. Are you walking…..are you??
Nicole, What’s the best way to contact you? I can’t seem to find an email link on your homepage.
Nicole, What’s the best way to contact you? I can’t seem to find an email link on your homepage.
Aha, she’s moaning again, lol. Nicole, you have to finish up Meadow Brick or whatever it is. There is a quilter’s rule (not oftern adhered to) that says you must finish everything that you start sometime or another, lol. You have a respite from Web Sampler, and you can use that time to work on the Meadow whatever, lol. I like the Peace on Earth, very pretty!
Aha, she’s moaning again, lol. Nicole, you have to finish up Meadow Brick or whatever it is. There is a quilter’s rule (not oftern adhered to) that says you must finish everything that you start sometime or another, lol. You have a respite from Web Sampler, and you can use that time to work on the Meadow whatever, lol. I like the Peace on Earth, very pretty!