Those are 6 1/2 inch star blocks for a quilt I am making out of some Allspice Tapestry fabric by Fig Tree for Moda. I started this project months ago and it has been sitting in a box all this time. It's a shame too, because I really like this fabric and the pattern. It makes me happy and deserves to be finished. Why did I set it aside? Because I got distracted by the latest new fabric groups and buying a gazillion jelly rolls and layer cakes. Because I can't seem to concentrate on finishing something I have started, and set it aside to start three new projects. The number of quilts in progress in my possession is frightening. Lately they have been multiplying exponentially.
I have decided to focus more on the patterns and fabrics that really move me. No more purchases made on a whim, no more trying to use fabric and patterns up just because they are sitting around. I want to spend my money and my time on things that make me full of joy. My buying is going to be a lot more circumspect and thoughtful from now on. Impulse buying is a thing of the past. I can hear my sister Kate laughing right now. "Sure Nicki, I'll believe that when I see it". But seriously, I am going to try.
This weekend, I organized my sewing room, partly because it was a total mess, and partly because I wanted to get a sense of what all is IN there taking up shelf space. The main inspiration for this major tidying is because I am going to embark on a piecing project for a well known Quilting Diva, but I can't tell you too much about that just yet. I had to clear the clutter, stow the books, box up the unfinished projects and fabric being auditioned for even more projects, and get ready to Concentrate. This is a big deal to me and I want no distractions interfering with my stunt sewing.
After a number of hours poking around in the closet, drawers and bins, my discovery was that I own an awful lot of very nice fabric, bundles, BOMs, and kits that I won't be able to use if I do nothing but sew for the next 50 years. Some of it I have lost the love for, but other things I just know in my heart that I won't get to.
So here's the thing. Every Tuesday for the next little while is going to be Shopping Day at Sister's Choice Quilts. I will be offering kits, bundles, jelly rolls, fat quarter collections and more. I will give good prices and hope that some of you friends out there may find something you love or that you can't find in the stores any more.
I'm looking forward to providing some things that may stir your heart, and simplifying my quilting life at the same time.
42 responses to “Focus On What You Love”
Hi Nicole, I know how you feel. Sometimes I look at all I have and get an ill feeling, probably because I have piles here and there and it is overwhelming. Sometimes I think I’ll weed out things and get rid of it but then when I look at it, I find that I can’t part with it. It’s an illness but it’s a good illness. I’ve been trying to cut back on my buying because it seems the money just isn’t there anymore for whatever reason. We still have the same jobs but I guess things just cost more. I’m contemplating joining a BOM that Brown Quilts showed on her blog called Belle Meade. Yikes! Good luck on your sewing for whoever it is for. That would be fun! Nancy in WI
Hi Nicole, I know how you feel. Sometimes I look at all I have and get an ill feeling, probably because I have piles here and there and it is overwhelming. Sometimes I think I’ll weed out things and get rid of it but then when I look at it, I find that I can’t part with it. It’s an illness but it’s a good illness. I’ve been trying to cut back on my buying because it seems the money just isn’t there anymore for whatever reason. We still have the same jobs but I guess things just cost more. I’m contemplating joining a BOM that Brown Quilts showed on her blog called Belle Meade. Yikes! Good luck on your sewing for whoever it is for. That would be fun! Nancy in WI
Nicole, I will be anxiously awaiting your first ‘sale’ day. Especially looking for things I loved but can no longer find. I also hope you have good luck with it. By the way, your star blocks are delightful. I can’t wait to see the finished project, but it sounds like your pretty busy with a little mystery thrown in there. Can’t wait to hear ‘the rest of the story’!!!
Nicole, I will be anxiously awaiting your first ‘sale’ day. Especially looking for things I loved but can no longer find. I also hope you have good luck with it. By the way, your star blocks are delightful. I can’t wait to see the finished project, but it sounds like your pretty busy with a little mystery thrown in there. Can’t wait to hear ‘the rest of the story’!!!
You are really getting it together here. That’s great. I hope to be around to get in on one of your sale days!
You are really getting it together here. That’s great. I hope to be around to get in on one of your sale days!
Oh boy! Can’t wait to see what you’re offering. And to see what joyful quilts you make.
Oh boy! Can’t wait to see what you’re offering. And to see what joyful quilts you make.
Nicole,
Can’t wait until Tuesday to see if you have any bundles that I might love…
And, am anxious to hear more about your mystery project.
Good luck to you…and good luck to me to maybe win a bid…you always have beautiful fabrics.
Carol, NE
Nicole,
Can’t wait until Tuesday to see if you have any bundles that I might love…
And, am anxious to hear more about your mystery project.
Good luck to you…and good luck to me to maybe win a bid…you always have beautiful fabrics.
Carol, NE
Nicole . . . you keep inspiring me . . . over and over and over again !!
great job . . . both with your blocks and your cleaning out etc . . .
I need to do the same . . . but of course . . . I will still be interested in what you have for sale . . . LOL . . .
Cheryl . . .
Nicole . . . you keep inspiring me . . . over and over and over again !!
great job . . . both with your blocks and your cleaning out etc . . .
I need to do the same . . . but of course . . . I will still be interested in what you have for sale . . . LOL . . .
Cheryl . . .
Hmmm, a mystery! Can’t wait to see and hear more about that! Looking forward to see what you put on sale. That is a pretty good idea! A good way to do a little spring cleaning! :~)
Hmmm, a mystery! Can’t wait to see and hear more about that! Looking forward to see what you put on sale. That is a pretty good idea! A good way to do a little spring cleaning! :~)
Now you’re talking!
I’m going to be working on something for the Quilt Diva, too.
Now you’re talking!
I’m going to be working on something for the Quilt Diva, too.
Sounds good to me!
Sounds good to me!
I love your Allspice blocks. It will be invigorating only working on what you love. From the comments so far about selling off some of your stash, I’ll bet you have it all gone before you even list it! lol
I love your Allspice blocks. It will be invigorating only working on what you love. From the comments so far about selling off some of your stash, I’ll bet you have it all gone before you even list it! lol
I’m thinking I should tell you to just ignore me if I try to buy something. I’m pretty sure I have as much Moda stuff as you do!!!
I’ll have to say that I don’t know anyone that pounds out projects like you do. Maybe next fall I’ll get going!
I’m thinking I should tell you to just ignore me if I try to buy something. I’m pretty sure I have as much Moda stuff as you do!!!
I’ll have to say that I don’t know anyone that pounds out projects like you do. Maybe next fall I’ll get going!
I really loved this post…I know just how you feel! And I love your post title…we all need to be reminded to focus on what we love!
I really loved this post…I know just how you feel! And I love your post title…we all need to be reminded to focus on what we love!
First of all …. LOVE that pretty quilt you’re working on !!!
Second of all …. OH how I can relate to the too much fabric syndrome …. I’ve even gotten doubles of something because I forgot I already bought it because it’s underneath something or shoved in back of more fabric OR that it’s just so beautiful that I’m afraid I might run out of it (when I don’t even know what I’m gonna use it for to begin with but I just have to make sure I have enough of it for whatever) …. I’m thinking this is probably some sort of illness or syndrome like when you KNOW you should stop eating those fun desserts that are so gorgeously displayed at a fancy restaurant, but you just gotta have them!! My eyes are not only bigger than my stomach, they’re bigger than my sewing time!!! YIKES !! 🙂
First of all …. LOVE that pretty quilt you’re working on !!!
Second of all …. OH how I can relate to the too much fabric syndrome …. I’ve even gotten doubles of something because I forgot I already bought it because it’s underneath something or shoved in back of more fabric OR that it’s just so beautiful that I’m afraid I might run out of it (when I don’t even know what I’m gonna use it for to begin with but I just have to make sure I have enough of it for whatever) …. I’m thinking this is probably some sort of illness or syndrome like when you KNOW you should stop eating those fun desserts that are so gorgeously displayed at a fancy restaurant, but you just gotta have them!! My eyes are not only bigger than my stomach, they’re bigger than my sewing time!!! YIKES !! 🙂
I just love your blog! You have the prettiest quilts and patterns! Your star blocks above are beautiful and i love the material! PS…when will we see Fall Frolic finished? I just love the fabric you are using for it!
I just love your blog! You have the prettiest quilts and patterns! Your star blocks above are beautiful and i love the material! PS…when will we see Fall Frolic finished? I just love the fabric you are using for it!
I did so well for 2 years but I’m officially off the wagon. I wonder if a girl can get banned from visiting online shops.
I love your stars and you are right about concentrating on what we love, and that’s why I collect Moda Fabric 🙂
I did so well for 2 years but I’m officially off the wagon. I wonder if a girl can get banned from visiting online shops.
I love your stars and you are right about concentrating on what we love, and that’s why I collect Moda Fabric 🙂
Sounds like an awesome idea! The big problem is that all the lovely designers keep coming out with new fabric and new patterns much faster than any of us can sew; who could blame you for stashing away so many!
Sounds like an awesome idea! The big problem is that all the lovely designers keep coming out with new fabric and new patterns much faster than any of us can sew; who could blame you for stashing away so many!
I hear ya on the impulse buying. I have a room full of nice stuff too. I’ll take a look tomorrow to see what you have for sale. I also have a sister named Kate, she’s much more sensible with her quilt spending than I am.
I hear ya on the impulse buying. I have a room full of nice stuff too. I’ll take a look tomorrow to see what you have for sale. I also have a sister named Kate, she’s much more sensible with her quilt spending than I am.
Good luck with your resolutions Nicki – many of us identify with you. Love your new stars – the fabric is gorgeous.
Good luck with your resolutions Nicki – many of us identify with you. Love your new stars – the fabric is gorgeous.
I love your stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love your stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shopping with Nicole…how fun is that? You have such lovely taste in fabric. I think the artist in you loves all fabric to some degree…can find something in evertyhing to appreciate…and therefore, the artist must acquire to feed the need for creating! The fabric stars are so lovely and serene…isn’t it fun what moods you can create with all of this? I always get excited just reading what you write about it all.
Shopping with Nicole…how fun is that? You have such lovely taste in fabric. I think the artist in you loves all fabric to some degree…can find something in evertyhing to appreciate…and therefore, the artist must acquire to feed the need for creating! The fabric stars are so lovely and serene…isn’t it fun what moods you can create with all of this? I always get excited just reading what you write about it all.
Love these stars!!!!
Love these stars!!!!