Monday, November 23, 2009

Tonight's Post

Is brought to you by the colors red and white and the numbers 8 and 27. Red and white seem to be the theme for the past weekend. Months ago I cut out lots of red and white squares with the intention of making a quilt for my bed. I cut them out and left them to sit and sit and sit. I thought I could turn them into a quilt top by astral projection but apparently it doesn't work that way.

White iPod = 35 hours of Stephen King's Under the Dome. King rarely lets me down and I enjoyed Under the Dome, I have the sore ears to prove it.

Spaghetti with meat sauce, courtesy of Real Simple's Easy Delicious Meals special issue. White plate part of my original every day dishes set when I got married, Sears Federalist, if I'm not mistaken.

Why #8? Well this is the 8th day my kitchen table has been laundry free. My family is shocked and falling into the routine of looking for their clean clothes in their rooms. No more half asleep staggering into the kitchen searching for jeans or t-shirts or work clothes, no more drips of water creating a trail from the bathroom to the kitchen in search of underwear. We are almost a normal family.

The spousal unit wants to know when the Mothership will be beaming the real Missy home. (Yes if you're my friend on Facebook you've heard that one before but it's no less true.)


Why #27? Well that's how many quilt blocks I pieced over the weekend. Yes, it's true, and I would say that I was channeling Kwilty Kim but my piecing is quite naieve compared to the quilt tops she makes so I'll just say I pieced in the spirit of Kim.
These blocks were pieced courtesy of Stephen King. I wanted to listen to my book and when the sewing machine was humming no one talked to me, I could plug up my ears and disappear to the Dome in Maine and before I knew it I had pieced all the little squares I cut out so many months ago. Not all my corners matched, but in my defense more seams lined up than didn't, and I'm quite proud of that accomplishment. I ripped back a few blocks and resewed and others that weren't too far off the mark, I left as they were.
This quilt top is handmade, it's homemade, and well it's going to look it. It's taken me a very long time let go of my desire to piece perfect quilt tops. That's what was taking the joy out of the process for me. If it wasn't perfect it wasn't worth doing. Don't get me wrong, I don't want tacky ass quilt tops but at the same time I want to enjoy what I'm doing and how many people are going to look at my quilt top on my bed and say "OMFG did you see that five of those blocks had seams that didn't quite meet up?" Yeah, I don't think anyone will notice but me. Although if I'm honest there are two blocks that are probably not so good but still it's not that noticeable unless you are looking for flaws and if you are looking at my quilt on my bed and wanting to see flaws, well you will be rewarded.
So this is where I've been the last few days, virtually under the dome in Maine, physically in front of my sewing machine or stove depending on the time of day, and mentally in a very good place in regards to the never ending laundry.
I think I'm seriously going to shoot for 365 days of no laundry on my kitchen table in 2010. I think that is one goal that is seriously doable and this is from someone who hasn't seen the top of her kitchen table since last Thanksgiving.


12 comments:

The Scarlett House said...

Melissa, you crack me up! Now how's that spice drawer coming along?

Margaret said...

Nice quilt blocks! Nice post too. :D

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congrats on the laundry free table! In our house, it never makes it out of the laundry room!

Katrina said...

LOL! You are too funny. Can't wait to see your quilt, red and white is so pretty.

Love the new blog look too!

Missy Ann said...

Your squares are lovely. Red & white - how could it be wrong?

And I'll pass along the best piece of quilting advice I've gotten. When someone compliments your quilt; say thank you.

Thank you, that's it. Do not stand there and say, "see that block right there? i coulda done that one better" etc.

And I think naked dripping people looking for clothing is part of what makes a normal family.

Anna van Schurman said...

I'm glad that kitchen table has stayed clear. Even with all the sewing. When my mother brought out the quilting, the dining room table disappeared for months.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Love your red and white quilt blocks Missy! Have a Happy Thanksgiving on your cleared off kitchen table. I'm going to have to take a snap of my dinning room table some day... by stitching and rotary cutting station!

Caroline said...

Laundry can be a real bear of a problem. I love washing and drying it, but hate folding and putting it away. So - congratulations, and keep up the good work. It certainly deserves an OMFG, you're so awesome !!!! LOL

Kim said...

Your blocks look GREAT!!! Love it Melissa!!

Siobhán said...

The quilt blocks look great!! YGG! I need to check out the Stephen King book. Would you Have you believe that I have never read one of his books?!? Yeah, I know, I live under a rock. Mairead has The Duma Key & I need to read that, at least. Yeay on the laundry!!

MamaLadyBug said...

Necked people running around the house is normal. I promise! I'm so way impressed about your laundry situation! What happened? What did you find so motivating that for 8 days plus you've been folding and hiding in drawers???
~Dying to Know

Michelle said...

Your quilt blocks look amazing! I can't wait to see more!!! Happy New Year!