You're Really Not Going to Do That, Right?!

M tries to help me....really he does.

In my fuss over the Eclipse Quilt last week with the big announcement, I know he noticed the similarities of how things were shaping up.  I've been waiting for him to say something and he did this morning when I asked his opinion on setting fabric, measurements, and scale.

He really didn't have to be that vocal in his oppinion.  I could tell that he was disapproving of where this quilt was headed.

Yeah, I know....

So, I guess it's back to the drawing board which is going to be tough since I don't have the brains for it.

I asked my dad to help by drafting some paper piecing patterns.  He sent a couple to me last night of Victoria and the New Moon tulip.  I think we're going to have to go back to the drawing board.  He doesn't quilt so there are some issues with the patterns and their sewability.  I know that I should just do things myself, but I've previously discussed my issues with drawing.

What a difference a couple of days makes.  I was brimming with confidence until this week.  I've hit a wall.  I have a list of blocks and even some of the patterns picked out, but I can't seem to get with it.

I framed the blocks we've finished in their white frames.  I had planned to finish all of them, but S wanted to read to me last night.  She ended up reading me to sleep.  I have three blocks left and I hope to finish them tonight.

I thought payday was Monday, but it's not!!  I am so mad at myself for not realizing this.  I know I could get some inspiration going if I could buy some new fabric.  LOL

Eclipse Quilt: WIP

Photo is bad, but I'm at work and don't have the tools to edit.  I wish we had more blocks done, but when you make a block three times.....

I think the top row is set.  Wuthering Heights may move up to the second row, postion 1 since it's first mentioned in Chapter 1.

Masochist

Yes, those of you that know me by now know that I couldn't possibly leave the College Choices block as it was was even with all my posturing.

I did try to fix it this morning before starting over.

I know that people think I'm crazy to make a block over and over until I get it right.  I have thoughts about this.  I refuse to leave something the way it is if I know I can do a better job, especially when I'm the idiot that didn't make it right to begin with because I wasn't pay attention or something.  I am not saying that I'm about nuts right now after making this block three times, but that isn't the point.  There may come a time when quilting drives me totally crazy never to return, but right now I'm just crazy at certain times and recover with new projects.

I think I still need to find an acceptance letter, but I'm pooped right now.

I think the Punch a Werewolf in the Face block is next if I'm up for the applique.  If not, I think I'm ready to make Bella's Bracelet.  And, yeah, the heck with not using a pattern designed by someone over there.  I'm hoping my heart and wolf charm come tomorrow.  I'm also expecting my bee buttons to finish the Birds and the Bees block.

I also need to frame seven of the blocks in white that I was holding off on until I saw if I could get more of the fabric which I did.

Eclipse Quilt: Graduation

I finished the Graduation block tonight.

If you will remember this is where I left it:

M told me I needed to jazz it up.  He's very good at getting me do to things that I'm already thinking about doing already.

I got a button kit a JoAnn's today so I could make a fabric covered button..  I found a tutorial for tassel making on YouTube.

I'm liking it enough!  Eight blocks and counting (Nine with Imprinting.  A howling wolf for the Preface block and Birds and the Bees block)

Summer Vacation

Today is the kids first day of summer vacation.  So far, so good on Day #1.

Our weekend plans include a soccer tournament for both girls.  This is not what I had in mind for a holiday weekend, but I was trying to make the best of it.  I was positive about the whole thing until S's soccer coach emailed this week to say that he won't be coaching for the tournament.  What?!!!!!  He forced us to sign up for this damn thing and then makes other plans for the weekend.  There are some pretty annoyed parents besides me.  I haven't replied back to his email, but you know I'd like to.  I need to get my emotions in check first.  Fortunately for him, we have to be up there anyway for C.  If we were just going because of S, I may have pulled her out.

On that note, I'm itching for a fight......

I think I'm going to do a "I Just Punched a Werewolf in the Face" block as one of the next quilt blocks.

Fire and Ice

Wow!

Getting this block was really important.  I've seen other people's ideas for Fire and Ice and they didn't impress me.  I wanted to find a block that really brought fire and ice to mind.  I hesitated to use a fire fabric because I wasn't sure I would like the use of a novelty-type fabric in the block.  I found all the oranges in my stash!

I found the snowflake/ice crystal block pattern when I was looking for my graduation block pattern.  The idea hit me over the head!  I only had to find the right fabrics....

I'm pretty tickled about this block.  I'm drinking too much of my own kool-aid these days.  For someone whose life begins and ends over whether or not people like me and my work, I don't care this time.  I like this block!  I was that way with a couple of my Twilight Quilt blocks and it feels great to get a little bit of my mojo back....

Thank you for everyone that helped me make up my mind.

You'll notice I went with a totally different fabric.  I wanted "ice" for the outside.  I guess I kind of let that be known earlier.  I had planned on making a quick trip to the lqs on the way home from work today before I was reminded that C's Exit Interview/Presentation was today.  Then, I remembered I had another icey fabric in my stash--one of my discards for the Keeping the Faith Quilt I started a couple of months ago.

I was freaking out earlier because the block had some discoloration in the center.  I picked up something from my iron or over ironing and I took a Q-Tip to it last night.  I think the yellow batik may have bled a little or something.  I took some Oxyclean to the block tonight, rinsed it, and then dried it.  I think it's okay now.  phew

I'll be writing up an office Eclipse Quilt entry at The Twilight Quilters Coven blog soon with quotes and everything.

Fire and Ice

need help.....

I made this block at 6" because I was too impatient to wait to enlarge it since I really wanted to start it last night.  I had picked out my fabric and I couldn't wait to start it!

I think it turned out great.  It's a good representation of Fire and Ice from Eclipse.  JMHO  But, I need the block to be 7" so I need to add fabric to all four sides and then I will square it up on-point.

I'm torn between these two options.  Before you think the blue is strange.... it kind of shakes the block up a bit and adds to the "Ice".  The flames stick out more, too.  (fabric on the "outside")  It may be too much of a shock adding the color to the block, though.

There is also this option:

Help!!

Artistry

In my best and most confident moods, I like to think of myself as a quilt artist....maybe on the lower end of the scales.  I like to challenge myself by coming up with creative ideas and sewing my best.

I'm happy with my work of late.  I've felt liberated.  The friends I have in blogville have been supportive and helped me immensely in the past months.  I know I've said Thank You often, but it never hurts to say it again.

Eclipse is just around the corner.  I'm in a mad rush to make blocks, but not to just throw things together.  I'm not one to do this anyway even when pressed for time like other people.  (People seem to do that even if they have a lot of time to get things done because that's just the way they are.  To each his own!!!)  I have so many ideas pulsing in my head that's it hard to keep track of them all.  I'm not an organized person either which really is a challenge.  (I spent an hour looking for a pattern and book this weekend when it was right under my nose.)

After what has seemed like months of no new info about Eclipse, stories are pouring out about the movie.

It's stuff like the video below that have inspired me and kept me motivated.  I've also loved the new pics and scenes because they have helped me in my design process.  Wow!

Fixer Upper

I couldn't leave well enough alone.  I wasn't totally happy with my Wuthering Heights block pages so I did a little bit of sewing engineering.  I reprinted the two pages, cut the other two out of the book so I didn't have unsew the whole thing, and sewed the new pages into the book.  It looks....better.

**edited....I noticed typos on 2 pages!!!  ugh  They are fixed now.....

The text is also more centered and I did a better job of rotary pinking the edges. I can't live without my Hera Marker. I wish I had thought to use it last night!

Off to The Twilight Quilters Coven blog to write about the block. After that it's back to New Moon....

Eclipse Charity Quilt: I am Switzerland

Juliet did it!

The Twilight Quilters Coven

Eclipse Charity Quilt: Wuthering Heights (WIP)

The block isn't square on purpose.  It's going to be the book cover.  I will make the book pattern from the paper piece pattern I drafted in EQ5, including text from Wuthering Heights printed on photo fabric, and then attach the book cover so that it can actually be opened.  I'm going to embroider Wuthering Heights, etc on the cover. 

Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights has been on my list of reads even before realizing it was featured in Eclipse.  I picked it up more than once, but haven't managed to get through the first chapter.  It may be time for audio.

In working on the new The Twilight Quilters... blog, we've discussed content and features quite a bit.  Perhaps Wuthering Heights should be a feature?  I could be motivated to read.

I actually am feeling too sick to sew tonight.  If I'd of had a block ready to go, I would have probably been okay.  My brain is too muddled to make changes to a pattern or pick out fabric.

Wuthering Heights will be a block in the Eclipse Charity Quilt.

I will use this cover as a basis for the design:

Hunter or the Prey?

I couldn't bring myself to use monofilament thread for the block.  I've yet to master using it and I don't really like the way it looks anyway.  I scanned the block and you can see all my errors, but just chalk them up to the thread painting effect, will ya....  I added more feathers in the center section for an added touch.  I didn't sew the feet or beak.  I may leave it that way, but the reason it's not now is because I forgot to get thread.  The block has been squared up to its 7.5" unfinished size and I haven't added the frame yet.

I'm toying with the idea of a Birds and the Bees block.  I have a cool pattern that I found.  I was going to do Imprinting, but I'm undecided on the design of the block.  As far as I know, by Eclipse three wolves have imprinted and I'd like to incorportate that into the block.  I also have all the stuff for my college pennants.

I still feel like crap, but I'm rarely too sick to sew.....

1 Job=10

I admit to be annoyed by the low amount of completed chores by the boys when I got home yesterday.   (I'm sure you couldn't tell.)

I spent the day out again.  We tried out a new-to-us breakfast place called the Breakfast Palace.  It's one of the divey places that you fear going into a little, but the food turns out tasting great.  The restaurant has been open since 1982 and we've lived in our neighborhood for 14+ years, but never ate there.  I probably wouldn't have gone, but my parents recommended it.  The food is good and is very reasonably priced.

After breakfast, I took S and her friend for the long delayed b'day out.  We went to the mall.  Gah!  I detest the mall.  We went to Park Meadows this time.  C tagged along so we could look for a grad ceremony dress.  She wants to be an adult size, but she's still really just a 12 or 14 Children's (14 because of height--she's almost as tall as me now--not that great since I'm only 5').  We found an outfit for the girls at 'Penneys which we ended up returning after finding a couple of ridiculously impractical dresses at Dilliard's on the clearance rack.  (They were still $$.)  I didn't realize that they wanted to wear them to school, duh mom, until they started talking about needing sweaters to cover up their shoulders and the thin straps because of the school dress code.  I refused to put out another $20/each for such item.  So, now, I have to make the T-shirts we bought at Target work.  (I will be searching online for tips on sewing with knit....tonight...so they can wear them tomorrow!)  double GAH!  C also found a very cute dress there.  We put it on hold for g-ma to buy since, by then, I was out of money.  (C had to have body spritzer and lotion from Bath and Body Works before all this.  We both smell good now, but I could have survived on Jergens.)

I am so tired and still....SICK!  All I want to do is go to bed!!  Shopping is so tiring!!!

Now, to the subject of my post.

M is picking up poop in the backyard.  I got to thinking about how uppity I was yesterday and felt bad.  I apologized to him when I saw what he was doing.  I told him that ONE job equals 10 jobs anywhere else in the house with the exclusion of cleaning the bathroom.  He also disposed of all the science experiments from the fridge while I was gone.  I totally give him that because he is always the one to say that he has a poor sense of smell so I figure I should take advantage of it.

I would like to finish the block tonight, but I don't think I will have the energy.  I'm so bummered that the background fabric I picked out isn't going to work.  It's too distracting.  Twice, now, I've tried to use it and it hasn't worked out.  I'm not sure if I'm sold on the blue we settled on, but I can't change my mind because the eagle has landed or is fused.  It does contrast well with the background.  I'm undecided on thread.  I'm not a fan of invisible thread, but I may have to this time.  A lot of the background will be lost when I square up after sewing.  I gave myself plenty extra fabric for shrink.

Eclipse Charity Quilt: Hunter and Prey

The next block on the design board is "Hunter and Prey".

I will be using the Pine Needles/McKenna Ryan On Upward Wing pattern from the At Home in the Woods BOM.

Look at that, Jacob interrupted me, pointing to an eagle in the act of plummeting down toward the ocean from an incredible height.  It checked itself at the last minute, only its talons breaking the surface of the waves, just for an instant.  Then it flapped away, its wings straining against the load of the huge fish it had snagged. 

You see it everywhere, Jacob said, his voice suddenly distant.  Nature taking its course -- hunter and prey, the endless cycle of life and death. .... (Eclipse, p 109)

Here are the fabrics:

Eclipse Charity Quilt: Trip to Jacksonville

Eclipse Charity Quilt:  Trip to Jacksonville

Edward manipulates Bella into a fight with Charlie in order to get her to get out of town after one of Alice's visions.  He spirits her away to visit her mom in Jacksonville, Florida, using the airplane tickets that Esme and Carlisle gave her as a present for her ill-fated 18th birthday.

On the plane trip back home Bella thinks back to a moment during the visit.  Bella and Renee escape for a walk and drift into a mother daughter conversation....

...This morning we'd gone for a walk along the beach....

Renee and I ambled along the sidewalk, trying to stay in the range of the infrequent palm tree shadows.....

There's something .... strange about the way you two are together, she murmured, her forehead creasing her troubled eyes.  The way he watches you -- it's so ... protective.  Like he's about to throw himself in front of a bullet to save you or something. ... (Eclipse, p 66-67)

Block details:

7" block, 8" with white frame

I used the free Paper Panache airplane pattern and combined it with a pattern from the Linda Causee's 24 Tropical Quilt Blocks.  (I previously purchased this book with Breaking Dawn quilt blocks in mind.)

I hand embroidered the "Visit Jacksonville" in the upper right corner for a postcard effect and added personal touch.

I especially like the green fabric I used for the palm tree leaves.  I also like the "striped" water.

Embroidery, Moi?

not so much!

***edited 5/14/10

It's amazing how things look differently in the light of day.  I finished the embroidery on this block at one this morning and it looked....fine.  Honestly, I just wanted to finish it last night....  Today I need to fix the sun--not liking the french knots and will go with lines for the rays--and the "t" needs a better cross.  I can't wait to get home from work to add the white frame strips and my the photo corners.

Up next?.....  I don't know!  I've got the pattern prepped for "Hunter and Prey" and it's the most ready to go.  I still need to tweak Rosalie's pattern and figure out the sizing on the pp paw and heart for "Imprinting".  I need to draft a book pattern for Wuthering Heights because I can't find one I like online.  I want to have the cover actually able to be opened with the quote from the book as printed in Eclipse.  Wuthering Heights is important to Bella and Edward's story in Eclipse so I wanted to incorportate it's significance in a meaningful way into the quilt.

I found some red satin ribbon last night.  I'm toying with using it as my ribbon in the quilt top.  That is, if I don't scare myself off in the end....

I can't wait to hit the quilt stores this weekend to replenish supplies.  I need more white sparkly fabric for my frames.  I also need more of the black fabric I'm using for the New Moon Quilt so I can get back to that.  If I can't find it locally, I'll have to order it online.

More Eclipse Quilt Blocks Ideas

The new Twilight Quilters..... blog is almost done. We're hoping to launch it next week. We've even secured a YahooGroups account. The "first" Breaking Dawn isn't to be released until November 2011 so there is plenty of time left for Twilight quilting. We hope to be able to complete many of the ideas I had originally before everything exploded.

I hope to finish Eclipse Charity Quilt: Trip to Jacksonville tonight. I've gathered opinions on the airplane and now I just need to make it work in the quilt block.

Linda Causee, 24 Tropical Quilt Blocks

The pattern from Paper Panache arrived yesterday that I'm going to use for Rosalie. I hope she doesn't end up looking too much like a zombie bride. I'll need to alter the pattern before I sew and I knew I would, but it's better than starting out from scratch and coming up with something lame. I wanted to represent Rosalie's actual story as featured in Eclipse. Let's hope that I can pull it off!

One of the next blocks is the Hunter and Prey block. (Bella spends time with Jacob while Edward is away hunting on the sly.) I have a couple of paper piece patterns for eagles, but I wasn't up to the challenge of working with a pattern that I would have to reduce more than 50% and the resulting need I would feel to go on about how bad a*s I was in completing it because it had a 1000 pieces like someone I know.  The pattern I selected will only have to be reduced to 70% and it's applique.  I'll just need to be sure I do some other appliqued blocks so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb among all the pp blocks.

Mckenna Ryan, On Upward Wing (At Home in the Woods)

So, basically, I have all the blocks planned out in my mind.  I just need the time to make them.  The only ones I'm still trying to work out are the block for Bella's college choices and the Volturi.  I've been scouring the 'Net for ideas in my free time....  I don't want to leave anything on the table!

How You Look at It: Airplane/Trip to Jacksonville

This pattern has always bugged me.  It doesn't look right no matter which way I turn it.....  The top photo bugs me less, but the bottom photo is how the plane finishes.  What do YOU think?

Eclipse Charity Quilt: Penguins. Lovely.

Eclipse Charity Quilt:  Penguins. Lovely.

We've been monitoring the situation for weeks.  All the signs are there--the unlikely disappearances, always in the night, the poorly disposed-of corpses, the lack of other evidence....  Yes, someone brand-new.... (Edward)

...It won't be the same for me, I whispered, half to myself.  You won't let me be like that.  We'll live in Antartica.  (Bella)

Edward snorted, breaking the tension.  Penguins.  Lovely.

(Eclipse, p. 26)

Block Details:

7" with .5" white frame and "photo corners" on all sides, 8" finished

Pattern:  Silver Linings Originals Ice Animals

I pulled all of the fabrics out of my Twilight stash of fabrics that I've accumulated with all my past projects.  M insisted on the orange sky and I almost always.....listen.