Sunday, February 11, 2018

Crazy Quilt Stitching


On Ringo Lake continues to make progress. It is a great procrastination tool.  Want to work on something else? Do something with Ringo Lake first.  It makes me more productive, since I am getting twice as much stuff done as I would have otherwise.


I didn't want to bring down another project that had lots of supplies, but quilting doesn't mix well with piecing, since the machine needs different settings for both.  I decided to keep doing hand work since I enjoyed doing that so much with the fabric book. This is my first ever crazy quilt block.


This quilt was started in 2009 or maybe before and it got stalled because I was trying to follow the rules, without even knowing what they were. Must piece the rest of the blocks before embellishing any. Must not add beads or other bulky things until after blocks have been joined together.  I had six of the nine blocks pieced and just a little bit of embellishment. This picture above shows how I found the block before I started working on it. The library book is for inspiration.



Since then, I have been collecting beads and trim to add to the quilt. Seriously, anytime there was any bead or ribbon sale, I bought something to add to this quilt. If it was orange or shiny, it went in this box. And if it isn't orange or shiny, it is still needed for contrast. The box was brimming over with embellishment supplies.  I have enough to make many quilts. These blocks are only 8 inches!


I decided it was time to work on this quilt so I could use some of these supplies, and be able to do handwork without guilt. I feel virtuous being able to work on such an old WIP!


This is my favorite section. I'm not done with the block yet. The bottom left side and the top right need a little something. In future blocks, I will be more careful with adding beads so close to the edge. This block might require some hand piecing to avoid crushing the beads.

Please give me ideas about what else to stitch.  This is only block one of nine and I already feel like I am stretching.

15 Minutes to Stitch


Here is my progress on the 15 Minutes to Stitch .

I did not stitch on Monday, because I didn't want people to be jealous of my perfection. But because I stitched so much the rest of the week, I had to go back and retroactively take credit for it anyway.


I have been really happy with keeping up with stitching (almost) every day. Reporting it makes me more accountable.  I have been working hard at making sure I stitch every day because I know that when the busy season comes, I won't be able to stitch at all, so I need to keep the current stats high to balance.  My guess is that last year, I probably would have been at 50% and hopefully this year, I will end above 60%. I am going to aim for above 70% though. Aim high!

Linked to:
15 Minutes to Stitch 
Slow Sunday Stitching 
Let's Bee Social 
Off The Wall Friday

12 comments:

Suzanne said...

Beautiful hand project. My local Guild chapter is having a demo on Crazy Quilting this next week. Looks like a project I may add to my list.

Allie-oops Designs said...

Oh that is fantastic!!! I love it all - but those little huts and the tree, the water and fish, this is amazing. Well done!

Marle said...

great stitches!

Cathy said...

Looks wonderful. As far as I'm concerned there are no rules for crazy quilting. I've made two crazy quilts - Crazy Basket Case and Crazy Cravings and have several Crazy UFOs so feel I can say that! Keep going. And you've made me feel like digging out my Valentine CQ and box of beads and embellishments now. (Where is it?).

And congrats on sticking to your goal. And keep up the great work!

Andree G. Faubert said...

Hi Shasta, I really love your blocks.

Kyle said...

Your crazy blocks are alive and exciting with all the details.

Kate said...

I really like your crazy quilt block, lots of fun stitching going on there. Congrats on having a perfect week on finding time to stitch. I ended right at 90% last year, if I can do as well this year, that would be nice. We'll see, work is taking a toll on my stitching time that it didn't last year. Have another great week of stitching. Thanks for linking up.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I love your little block with so many areas of interest.

Anonymous said...

Yourmodern crazy quilting is so much better than the traditional blocks

Marti said...

I love your crazy quilting and love what you said about wanting to follow the rules even though you didn't know what they were. I think that sums up so much of life. And isn't it more fun when you threw out those rules?

You had a good week of sewing. I know what you mean about getting it in now while you can. I'm trying to make the most of it before our busy time comes up too.

Tanya said...

Love the bright cheery orange! I have never tried a crazy quilt because I'd never know when I was finished! I have a 'sew every day' listed on my daily to-do list but I don't get it checked off every day... the intention is there!

Kaja said...

This seems like a perfect project for you - there's such room to stitch your character into the blocks. The orange is such a happy colour and there are already so many little details to love (tiny fish!). Congratulations on hitting the 15 minute target every day.