Monday, August 26, 2013

#20 Letting go of Perfection

Well from last weeks post to this weeks post has been a process of letting go!! Perfection... what is it anyway? because what I think is perfect or imperfect could be the total opposite of what your view is!! I love reclaimed hardwood, have it in our family room and dining area.

All the knots and and holes and inconsistent grain, I love it!! It's imperfections are what makes it special! So why was I having such a hard time with "perfection" in my quilting???
I have no idea!! and I'm happy to tell you, with all of the encouraging remarks I have received over the last week and pushing myself to keep going and finish the quilt top, I have let go of a lot of that "perfection pressure" that I was putting onto myself, and I started really enjoying the quilting process more. I've even started to feel a lot more comfortable with the long arm machine and actually like the finished top!! I even like how it looks on the back!!!! I also can't wait to get another quilt loaded and go again!!! lol!! Quite a change from how I was feeling last week.
I have decided though that I am going to stick with one pattern, probably stippling, until it is second nature and I feel totally comfortable with it, than try learning a new pattern!! I think that way I'll be better able to gauge more clearly my learning and improving curve!! I'm so excited to start!!!

What I've been up to this week:

 String of Pearls or as I call mine String of Pure Style!


You really see the pattern  the stitching makes at this angle!!



 Blocks 37-39 From the Tula Pink City Sampler QAL
Realized I totally missed posting 3 of my blocks









Block# 13 From the Virtual Quilting Bee
Brooke Johnson of Pitter Putter Stitch showed two variations of the same block!! Exact same pieces, just placed differently to achieve two different looking blocks!! So Cool!! How could I resist I had to make both!! Which means I am going to have to make some extra blocks at the end of this bee to be able to incorporate this extra block!!! Oh well it is worth it!!

Here's a reminder of what has been made so far:

 and the hint: Food related


Any guesses?
Last but not least a sneak peak at a baby quilt I am making for a very special baby!!
 More on this next week!!






24 comments:

  1. I just love the pattern that emerges on the back! I was thinking the same thing, maybe one design until mastered is better than a ton at once.

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  2. Hey Paula!! Thanks, we seem to be at the same learning stage!! Awesome, we can encourage and help each other achieve our goals!!!
    I think I have said this to you in the past, but it's worth repeating! I love that dish that you use to frame your blocks to photograph! It is a fantastic back drop, they always look so nice!!

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  3. Ooh your quilt looks just gorgeous! Glad you are loving how it turned out - it really looks fab!

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    1. Thanks Kristy!! I appreciate the encouragement !! Can't wait till you find the right spot to capture pics of your Star Wars quilt!! Been loving all your projects lately!!

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  4. so adorable the baby quilt!!!!!!
    Your work is beautiful!

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    1. It's part of a panel!! It is adorable!! : )
      Thank you!! It's nice to hear encouraging remarks after putting in so much effort!!
      I bought thermal stuff today, so I can make the lunch bag!! But I might have to make the origami bag too!! Lol

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  5. Your quilt is beautiful and the quilting on it is wonderful! Great blocks too!

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    1. Thanks so much Connie!!! I'm so glad you stopped and took the time to make a comment!! It's so nice to hear what people are thinking!! Happy quilting!!

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  6. The quilting looks great on your String of Pure Style :D It's such a nice pattern, all these finishes I see make me just a little jealous - guess I should have joined in! (SO don't need another new project though...)

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    1. I think the tutorial will stay up, even after the QAL is over, can always do it later!! I didn't need any more projects either, but couldn't seem to help myself!! Lol
      Another few hours of hand sewing and ill be taking pictures to post!! This will be my 2nd FM quilt I have completed start to finish!! It's exciting!

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  7. Wow you've been very busy. You have some pretty projects there.

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    1. Thanks, Ava!! I do like to keep busy, but am having so much fun!! Hope you pop by again!! Enjoy your weekend!!

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  8. Thanks for linking up - I love how your quilting turned out and the back is pretty nifty too :-)

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    1. Thanks, Christa!! I posted a finished picture from flickr, will post more finished pictures on Monday's post!! Noticed that my first picture image isn't showing? Link works but not the picture?? Weird. Can you delete it an than I'll link it again? Or is there another solution? Let me know, thanks

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  9. Love the quilt and the quilting on it. That turned out fantastic. Great other things going on as well!

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    1. Thanks Beth!! I'm so happy it turned out so well!! Thanks for the encouragement!!

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  10. I found you through the link for your paper pieced block on Quiet Play. What a great bunch of projects! I'm so impressed by the gorgeous quilting on your quilt for Christa's QAL.

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    1. Thanks, Lisa Marie!! I love Kristy!!! She is so talented!! I'm happy with the quilt too! I'm glad you liked it!!

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  11. You have so many wonderful projects going on! I love the fabric choices for your City Sampler blocks, and the back of your String of Pearls looks really cool!

    Thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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    1. Thanks, Kelly!! The City Sampler is so not my normal choices, you are I wanted to make it fun and bright!! I think I have definitely achieved that!! : )
      I really am happy with the way the string of pearls turned out too!! Thanks for all the encouraging words!!!

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  12. So much quilty goodness packed into this post! Your string of pearls is beautiful. Congrats on a stylish finish! Love those City Sampler blocks, too. Your fabric choices are sew-weet! And the baby quilt block... AMAZING! Thanks for sharing these!

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    1. Thanks, Lorna!! You are so encouraging!! I'm having a lot of fun, and trying all different fabrics and colours, learning what works and what doesn't !!

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  13. Wow! I love the quilting on your sting of pearls quilt. I totally get what you are saying about perfection--it is what has stopped me in the past from just quilting my quilts. I love your analogy you used of the imperfections in the wood is what makes it awesome. I need to channel that into my projects.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and the feedback about the comment box. I hadn't realized I still had it, so thanks for pointing it out.

    Keep posting the fun projects!

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    1. Thanks, Allison!! It's nice to know I'm not alone!!! Thanks for your kind words about my quilting!!! I will keep posting what I've been up too, hope you'll come back and see!
      Enjoy your long weekend!

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