Thimbleanna » The Old and the New

The Old and the New

February 23, 2010 on 11:37 pm | In Quilting | 33 Comments

Thanks for all the baby gift love! Sometimes I wish I could work on small, quick projects all the time. I’m sure that would get boring, but they’re so great for instant gratification. Unlike all of my UFOs — they have delayed gratification. It’s probably much greater gratification when it finally happens, but for me, my long-term projects, sure do take a loooong time.

At the risk of causing SweetiePie to have heart failure, I’ve resurrected my most pressing loooong term project, the wedding quilt. I started it before TheFirstChild and SweetiePie got married, but shortly after the wedding, I got sidetracked … and somehow never got back to it. The plan is to put the newlywed monogram on the quilt and I think that’s where it took a wrong turn. We got locked up trying to figure out what font to use for the monogram.

(That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.) Yesterday, I finally dragged my big sheet of paper to work and hooked my laptop up to a projector at lunchtime, so that I could get a big enough monogram for the quilt. I took the picture above with my cell phone, ’cause, you know, we aren’t allowed to have cameras at work. Uh-uh. That’s not a camera. It’s a phone. Say it with me now…it’s not a camera, it’s a phone. That’s not a picture you’re looking at, it’s a phone call.

Last night, I came home from work and started pressing and cutting. I’m hoping I’m over the hump now and that I’ll get back to work on this quilt. I HAVE to chip away at my UFO pile — it’s driving me nuts!

And, um, I can’t drag out a UFO and not start something new, can I? Did you notice that Cassie is going to have a crochet-along for those adorable pillowcases that Beate at Rose Hip makes? I’ve got some fabric and as soon as I get some thread/yarn, I’ll be ready to get started.

You should join us! Cassie promises to walk us through these pillowcases, step-by-step, and if you don’t know how they’re made, I promise you’re going to discover a cool little surprise in the technique. Go check out Cassie’s post, grab her button, and play along with us!

XOXO,
Anna

33 Comments

The phone call looks great. I LOVE those pillow cases. They just look so vintage. I need to try something like that. Crochet seems like a good thing right now. I want to learn how to make a granny square blanket.

Comment by raina — February 24, 2010 #
You’re funny! I think the font you decided on looks great! Here’s to getting UFO’s done! I’m with you, I need to get some done to unclutter my mind and feel a sense of accomplishment!

Comment by amber johnson — February 24, 2010 #
Thanks, Anna, I’m going to try the pillowcases. I’ve admired Rose Hip’s beautiful pillowcases for some time now. ‘Bout time I made one.

Comment by Elaine/MuddlingThrough — February 24, 2010 #
You are so funny! I love the monogram, and thanks for the link on the pillowcases. I figured out how to do them but i have two more to do and I may just pick up a tip or two so I’ll be joining in.

Comment by Janet — February 24, 2010 #
Hi Anna, I’m sure your quilt will be beautiful, and you will be finished before you know it. I love the pillowcases and the fabrics are soooo pretty!!!

Comment by Shawn ; ) — February 24, 2010 #
Phone call. LOL! Yup. We have that rule at work too. I can’t wait to see the wedding quilt all done. The monogram is going to look awesome on it!

Comment by Jen — February 24, 2010 #
CK has that rule at work because you know he is all Secret Squirrel and everything. To ensure no camera phones work provide them with mobiles, the most old-fashioned clunkiest things ever. The upside is whe he is away on business he can leave it on the table during dinner and NO-ONE would want to steal it!

Comment by trash — February 24, 2010 #
What a sweet gift. I’m sure they’ll treasure it always.

Comment by Cindy — February 24, 2010 #
Love the fabric in the wedding quilt! I’m so looking forward to the crochet along. I kind of figured out how to do it, but obviously I’m not quite as clever as Cassie. However, the pillowcases that I have made are being used and loved.

Comment by MichelleB — February 24, 2010 #
You are so funny. The monogram in the phone call looks great! I love that flowered pillow case fabric, it’s so girly and pretty. I know what you mean about UFO’s bugging you– I just frogged a few knitting projects because I knew I wouldd never get back to them.

Comment by Stacy — February 24, 2010 #
Ooh, can’t wait to seen the finished wedding quilt! The monogram idea is genius.

Comment by anina — February 24, 2010 #
The monogram is great! Thanks for the “On The Edge” pillowcase crochet along – I definitely want to be in on that.

S.W.A.K.

Comment by Marsha — February 24, 2010 #
Can’t wait to see the wedding quilt all done and thanks for the link to the pillowcases! I think I might actually do this. I need something for those days that I’m just wiped and sitting around, but not sleeping. ;o) ooxx

Comment by Jodi — February 24, 2010 #
I love your phone call! So creative… ;)

Yay for finishing UFO’s. I’m working on finishing a few of my own.

Jennifer :)

Comment by Jennifer — February 24, 2010 #
Oh you’re good, attacking those UFO’s!!! I really need to finish a quilt that’s been draped over the back of my sewing chair for what seems like forever (it’s probably been about 4 months!!!). I know once I get into it I could probably get it done in a couple of days…. just need a kick in the rear to get me started LOL.
I’m looking forward to seeing your completed wedding quilt ;o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Comment by Joy — February 24, 2010 #
you naughty naughty girl — I won’t , I can’t join in oh shooot ;-).

Comment by periwinkle — February 24, 2010 #
ring, ring, is anyone home?
I signed up…I did already make one pillowcase, don’t have a pic yet but I’ll send one soon.
I love the crochet…I’m embroidering a set of pillowcases for my knitting friend Barb (I already have made 2 other sets). I just love how they look on the bed – that’s why I started getting into the pillowcase thing – vintage looking linens with embroidery or crochet just make me happy – not too fussy though – mainly trim or flowers are my thing. I’m not very good at crocheting but I think I can manage this.
Great monagrammed quilt this is going to be…me likey! Stay warm you snow lover…Robin

Comment by Robin Brown — February 24, 2010 #
Thanks so much for the shout out, Anna. My button actually works! I feel so accomplished. I am not a computer tech, more like a computer wreck (waiting to happen)! That fabric is going to look smashing on a pillowcase.

Comment by Cassie — February 24, 2010 #
My long-term projects are usually quite loooong, too, so I agree with you that it’s nice to stick in a couple of instant-gratification items once in a while. Good luck with the monogramming. That sounds complicated.

I saw Cassie’s beautiful pillowcases, too, but I can’t crochet. It’s hopeless, so I’ll just enjoy the view.

Comment by Rachel — February 24, 2010 #
Do you work for the government?? I love monograms. Glad to hear you are working some UFOs down out of the pile. Love the pillowcases but I’m not a crocheter. One of these days… you never know!
Karen :)

Comment by Karen — February 24, 2010 #
wow.
LOVE how big those letters are! i had no idea you were making the monogram so big. it’s amazingly wonderful (like you). (you’re just wonderful, not big, haha)
can’t wait to start those pillowcases!!
and thanks for not bringing a camera to work, we’re all very happy that you called us!
keep on calling!

Comment by brigette — February 25, 2010 #
Clearly a phone call! And a very useful one too! Lucy xx

Comment by Lucy Locket-Pocket — February 25, 2010 #
I know what you mean about the ufo’s! I have way too many knitting projects sitting and wondering when I’ll ever finish them. I’m sure that quilt will be worth the wait, though.
And there you go, dangling another crafty pursuit in front of me. I’ve wanted to learn how to do that crochet on the edge thingy ever since you sent me that valentine!!

Comment by rohanknitter — February 25, 2010 #
Can’t wait to see your finished wedding quilt. I’m sure the “not so newly weds” are looking forward to snuggle under it ;).

Comment by Vreni — February 25, 2010 #
I like the monogrammed pictured (I mean telephoned). What a nice gift that will be.

I’m joining in on the pillowcases project too. I’m going to have to learn how to re-remember how to crochet the single stitch. Oy!

Jody

Comment by Jody — February 25, 2010 #
What a great idea! I like the font you settled on. So is this a pieced quilt with applique in the middle, or all applique? Can’t wait to see it all together! Starting on a new project for every UFO you work on is a good idea…it’s what I do :) It’s the reward for pulling out old stuff in my opinion!

Comment by Tammy — February 25, 2010 #
Oh I like the monogram…perfect. Good luck finishing up that quilt, I know you can do it.

Comment by Dandelion Quilts — February 25, 2010 #
Thank you for the link, pillow caes are soo fun to amke. Clarice-who loves instant gratification

Comment by clarice — February 25, 2010 #
That’s a really clever way to get the monogram exactly as you want it, an idea I’m going to put to use for such things. You’re so smart!

I love those pillowcases and have been longing to try the trimming technique but don’t know how to crochet. Maybe now is the perfect time to learn. Thanks for the heads up on this.

Comment by Junie Moon — February 26, 2010 #
That wedding quilt looks like such a huge project (and responsibility!) … I’d have got easily side-tracked too. How amazing that you can phone pictures like that!! x

Comment by Kitty — February 26, 2010 #
Oh not you don’t. I’ve got too many UFO’s of my own. Don’t try to tempt me with something new.

Can’t wait to see the finished quilt. It’s going to be great because everything that you make is wonderful!

Comment by kim — February 26, 2010 #
Ack! Can I squeeze one more thing into my already bustin’-at-the-seams project list? AAAAAAAHHHHH! These are just so darn perfectly fab that I think I’ll boot something off to make room. Okay, okay- I’m in!

Comment by Karin — February 27, 2010 #
That made me laugh “thats not a photo, its a phone call”. ha. I love the font. This is a great idea. I want to see more.

Wish you were going to lunch with us next week. NEdra, Lori, Kim, me and maybe a few others. It will be fun.

Comment by nanette — March 2, 2010 #