Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Cute Kitties, Quilt Frustration

There I am just trying to get some sewing done. I'm rotary cutting some strips, when Lily jumps up onto the table and burrows under the fabric. Very cute, have to get a camera NOW. I wasn't fast enough and here comes Pokey to investigate. (Terrible picture with bad light but I wasn't in position yet.)

And wheee, Pokey jumps on top of Lily, who shoots out the front.

Meanwhile, I have discovered that I have a problem with nice and simple. There I am working on the challenge quilt and I'm throwing in angles and complications.... I had my blocks up on the design wall and I was getting frustrated trying to put them together. Well, if I'm frustrated - and I have experience sewing this way - what is that going to mean for someone new to improv sewing?

I could toss out some of the blocks and recut others so that they aren't angular, but I don't think that's the way to go about it. I'm going to start over again, this time being much more careful to do things smoothly and document as I go.

So it's going to be awhile longer before the challenge is ready. I am going to be saner about it this time. These are baby steps for me too, in a way.

As far as the website goes, I haven't done anything more than set it up. There's nothing on it yet. Google promises this is a friendly way to do pages, and no HTML is involved. I figure I can do Blogger, I can do this other too.

In Tour de France news, oh brother. Discovery Channel, what the heck happened? It wasn't just Lance that made you so strong - the whole team was always so excellent. This year, you're all over the place, falling down, and leaderless. Ugly mess and very disappointing.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hear you, Tonya. Improv sewing isn't always as carefree as it looks when it's finished! I've been challenged with some piecing this week, too.
The payoff, though, is usually worth it. No?

Joyce said...

Knowing how to do something and teaching others to do it are two entirely different things. Add to that, the fact that it is done online it is no wonder you are feeling challenged. In this case, the payoff is earned by your readers. Oh, and you will have another chapter for your book.

Unknown said...

I find improv quiltmaking MUCH more difficult. We always laugh about the "quilt police" but it's much simpler to work in the traditional framwork with all it's traditional conventions. Less thinking. This is why I have an improv-type piece that's been in progress for nearly four years!

quiltpixie said...

glad you put down the sutter quickly and no one lost a whisker... wouldn't want any cat in your improv quilt!

Judy said...

Cats never do anything cut when the camera is ready! Mine are so nosey that by the time I move for the camera they have come to see what I am doing and no shot!!

Take your time with the quilt. Everyone will wait!

Finn said...

Great action shots kiddo!! Love the antics..they are the worlds best at improv..aren't they?? Always a game is a-foot with feline friends.

We've been having that rainy day that I moped about yesterday. I have the computer on fulltime now that I'm DSL, and had to shut it down this a.m. with strong thunder and lightening outside. Tried to sew in between, but gave that up as a bad job also.
So I'm happy to say I spent the time pulling the stash off the shelves, doing some sorting, but not much. Just restacking and putting colors back where they go.
Exciting idea...a website..*VBS* I'm totally sure you can do it!! I look forward to seeing it. Hugs, Finn

Juliann in WA said...

My machine is in the shop until next week so I am glad I won't be missing out on the fun of starting the challenge. Thanks for taking the time to make it work for those of us who are new to this.

Susan said...

Doesn't improv sewing mean it's okay if it isn't exactly according to plan?

Great cat shots!

I thought of you when I saw the big bicycyle crashes the other night on the news.

Tazzie said...

I'm sending you big *hugs*. Don't stress, and take all the time you need. I have a feeling that what Kathie said is just right, it's not as easy as it seems, and that's probably my issue! You're wonderful to do so much for us all!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

ForestJane said...

Regarding the tour - I felt so sorry for that guy who broke his collarbone in that bike wreck... ouch!

Burrowing under fabric and pouncing on the burrow-ee is a favorite recreation around here too... :)

Lily Mulholland said...

But you must be happy with the TdF result!! Best ever results for Australians too.