Friday, October 23, 2009

I'm Dating...

I've been a dabbler.

I've tried lots of different needlecrafts.  In no particular order:
Cross stitch...
  Punch needle...
    Knitting...
      Crochet...
        Tatting...
          Needlepoint...
            Sewing...
              And other crafts too. 

I have the stuff to do lots of that.  I have yarn and thread and fabric and tools and beads and a variety of goodies.  It was all... well... fun, but just okay. 

I was asked, "what's your passion?"  As in, that thing you love to do above all else.  Something that lifts your soul.  Well... uh... hmm... none of them felt like my passion (!).  Well shoot.  I wanted a passion.  I just hadn't found it. 

(Oh, and the person who asked?  Yep, had a passion.  Of course.  *grin*)

I think finding your passion is like finding your true love.  Some people know their true love the instant they meet.  The rest of us date.  We find someone we like.  And we date. 

I picked quilting.  (As in the broad term "quilting", from patchwork to applique, from hand to machine.)

So yes, we're dating.  We're going to try this for awhile.  We're going to get together often and see if we like each other.  To see if we find each other interesting. 

And so far? I think he might be the one. 

Okay you overachievers, settle down... some people DO have multiple passions.  (I better be careful about this parallel theme because that'd make them a polygamist.  LOL.)  For now, I'll start with finding one. 

Have you found your passion?

And since I'm supposed to show pictures, here goes.  My first quilting project is Nearly Insane, by hand. (I'm not a hand-stitching purist and have every intention of piecing with a sewing machine on other projects.)  For those unfamiliar, the pattern is made up of 98 unique 6" blocks. 

I'm doing it in greens and blues.  Here's block #21:



Block #6



Block #50:



Block #66:



The first one I made was #6.  (Sorry it's a little blurry.  Not trying to hide anything, just wasn't steady enough on the shot.)

My favorite is the last one. 

May your hands stay busy and happy. 

ADDED AFTER ORIGINAL POST:  I just checked my post and when I click my pictures they blow up HUGE.  I didn't intend on shoving my blocks in your face, so to speak.  What I want is so that you can click the picture and it fits in the screen, but you have that little thingy in the bottom corner that you can click to blow it up (go ahead, inspect away, if it makes you happy).  If anyone can help me out with that, I'd greatly appreciate it! 

13 comments:

Cathi said...

What great blocks!! That is an amazing quilt.

Marj said...

Looks like you will be busy trying out quilting for quite awhile, 98 blocks.LOL If you want to see another one in progress go to http://quiltville.com/ Bonnie has her's in progress nearly insane quilt listed on the left side bar on her website. I like the colors that you have chose to use.

Crispy said...

Love your blocks Beth. I have that book but never did any of them....not insane enough for me LOL. I'll e-mail you about fixing your photos :0)

Crispy

Karen said...

Excellent Nearly Insane blocks! Love the blue/green combo. I almost purchased the book last Saturday, then my sister took it from my hands and bought it! All worked out well, as she said she would share. :)

Carrie P. said...

Congratulations on your new project. It is one I will never do but I admire those that are doing one. I love your fabrics and you are doing a great job.
I like seeing the blocks "in my face" when I enlarge them especially when they are applique.

Anonymous said...

I dare not try Nearly Insane but will enjoy watching yours. :-) Loved the "dating" post...apparently I've married quilting. LOL

Janet said...

I admire you for hand piecing the NI blocks, wow. Quilting is my first love but sometimes I have dates with embroidery.

Kaaren said...

Love the analogy between dating and quilting. It took me a while to "fall in love" but once I did, I can't see a divorce any time soon. I think because I was self taught, I was having difficulty with points matching,lining up etc. etc. but once I read further and learned more, the frustrations eased and the journey has become much more enjoyable.

You, Beth are doing superbly. Admittedly, I took the closer look at your blocks and they are amazing. I think you're going to be a cheap date because it certainly isn't going to take that long for you to be a master.

Superb job and thanks for sharing.

paulette said...

I think you and quilting are having a serious relationship!! You have gone beyond dating....if you know what I mean! Love your blocks, Beth! I predict that you and your quilt are going to be VERY happy together!
Take care!
Paulette

Gigi's Thimble said...

Funny! I'm right there with you though. I'm completely obsessed. The grass (?) in my vase was dried wheat that I've had for about 10 years too.

Love your blocks. Great job!

Nat Palaskas said...

Beth, I hope you do find your passion! I have too many passions and I need help to stay with just one. What to do, I lovely them all and dating them all at a different times LOL! Your blocks are great - Hugs Natima

Cathi said...

Quilting is a never-ending passion for me, although I do dabble in other crafts from time to time.
Your blocks are absolutely gorgeous. I think you may have found your obsession! :-)

Cath's Pennies Designs said...

I think you may be right about finding the passion. I've always done crafts/sewing but when I started working and sewing with wool, I never went back to cottons. Nothing wrong with cottons ... I love quilts, but my passion is working with wool. Maybe, just maybe with my pattern, you'll find some passion with wool?
Thanks for the purchase and I'll have it in the mail for you tomorrow.
Cathy