Friday, October 18, 2013

72 blocks :: reorganizing ideas

I have a new plan for stitching that is really a reorganization of old and recent ideas. I think I thrive on a few limitations - like size and basic design elements. So from here on out I am working on 12" square blocks - whole cloth or pieced, then backed with flannel. One diagonal half of each block will be shaded with diagonal stitching by hand or machine.
























I need 72 blocks to make two bed quilts for my boys and it has become very clear to me recently that if I accomplish anything in my making it would be these two quilts that are most important to me - for them. If I think it will take a year it will likely take 2 or maybe even 3. For many reasons this just seems like a great way to progress - resulting in many different blocks that are all still related and fit together in a variety of ways.

Fabric and thread color and other stitching will be whatever is happening at the moment - a reflection of lots of things for the boys to hang onto. Similar to what has happened with the mostly white panel for me, and in the block by block experience influenced method of the color journal blocks (more updates on this soon!?).

I feel like I was on a little vacation from the stitching and now I am really excited to get back to it. My path seems very clear now, which I guess I needed.

8 comments:

  1. you are SO you. and that's such a very tender thing.
    Forward Ho!, for one, two or three years....this really makes me smile...
    love

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    1. Thank you, grace. I am feeling very realistic - in a very "everything is fine" as in very good kind of way.

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  2. such a perfect plan (what a gift for your boys)

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    1. It's a project I have been "saving" - but why? Now's the time.

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    2. ..and also, I love the way you talk about your boys, how you share your lives; our boys are older now, 15 & 16, and I do recall how the three of us would spend hours together doing all sorts.....they don't need me like they used to which is of course how it should be, time flies you know. enjoy it while it lasts....

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    3. Well I am feeling it lately, the time flying. My biggest is almost 10 and I am amazed at his insight on things - it's always been there but it just keeps growing with him. It's an amazing thing to witness and I am really enjoying that - in both of them.

      Thank you, Saskia.

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  3. I'm SO looking forward to seeing the quilts progress over time. These will be wonderful for your boys to have as they continue to grow. I'm always surprised that I can look at certain art pieces or projects and know exactly what was going on in my life when I made them. There will certainly be a lot of memories in those 12" blocks!

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    1. I am excited about this too - to have little bits of life woven into each block. Thanks, Julie.

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