I, whose fabric is divided into categories like 1800's, 1930's, Thimbleberries and Batiks, then stacked by color on shelves.
I, whose books and magazines are carefully shelved -- like my corn and mashed potatoes: NOT MIXING!!!! -- applique' on one shelf, hand quilting tomes on another, history, piecing, etc in their own space, and back issues of magazines (in a magazine holder, thank you very much!), on yet their own shelf.
I.....I!!! I have been reduced to this:
Oh, the mystery!!!
The mystery is NOT what Bonnie Hunter's latest mystery quilt, Roll Roll Cotton Boll , will look like.
The mystery is how I -- control freak, "I can't do the laundry 'til it's sorted correctly," -- "The pillows must be turned this direction on the bed," -- perfectionist messy, must-know-where-I'm-going kinda gal -- got into this!!
The first two steps were OH! so easy! Strips and half-square triangles....Sigh.
And then Bonnie's instructions were to dive into the void, and come up with handfuls of "stuff" and sew it together on phone book paper.
Oh. My. Word.
Oh. My. Word.
I've never done this before. I've always eschewed stringy stuff -- like rhubarb and greens and string quilts and shrimp (I know shrimp isn't exactly stringy, but a former neighbor grew fresh water shrimp and they have these long stringy tentacle-like thingys coming outta their snout....yeah. Cannot even think of putting one of those in my mouth!! Eeww! eeewww! eeeww!). I keep the piano lid firmly closed. I don't do strings.
But I can't quit the mystery quilt, because quitters, they....
Well, they.....
Quit!So now, the only way to finish strong is to conquer the chaos!....
And turn this:
Into this....
I had this box of neutrals -- mostly "junk" strips and strings and bits and bites...Almost all of it gone! GONE! THANK YOU BONNIE!!!!!!
Sigh. Who knew!?!?!
I have no idea what this mystery quilt will be when all is said and done. But I will have conquered it like a hero. A small step for most quilters, but a giant leap for my OCD tendencies and my "I don't do random" personality disorder. I can't deny it's been fun!! It's been a stretch for me, though!
I've got 21 of the 60 needed squares completed. The next step in the mystery will be revealed today...and I will be ready. Soon. :-)
Scripture tells us in Romans 8, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us" (verse 37, NIV). The New American Standard version says "we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loves us." (Emphasis mine) Ain't it COOL!?!?!
Paul concludes the chapter with a classic (if you need a lift, this is a good place to go!):
"For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (verses 38-39, Amplified).
It's a good day!!! I am rolling in cotton! :-D
I am conquering the chaos, baby!!
Blessings!
24 comments:
I LOVE scrappy strip quilts!
Love the Bible verse also!
I am with you, I can't "do" scrappy, and I too always blame it on being a control freak, but your string block looks wonderful. Eeekkk, perhaps I'm going over to the dark side?
Mary Lou I am giving you a standing ovation! You did an amazing job!
Standing on a chair clapping for YOU!
Heeee!!!!!! Wheee!! Let the chaos rule...at least for a fun little while...your blocks look fantastic!!
Oh I hear you girl! I've always thought those "non-organized" folks must not have all their faculties LOL (just kidding!) but for some projects it's kinda nice not to have to think about what goes where :) I love that about string blocks!
Your string blocks look great. Amazing what you can conquer when you get on a roll. I love mixing it all up, so it is interesting to read about your aversion to it! LOL....
Mary Lou I am rolling in the floor laughing at you - you are so me! I want things organized and I can't work if it doesn't happen like I think it ought to happen. It's probably not organized like you organize, it's like I!!! organize. Aren't we funny? Love the scripture too - perfect. blessings, marlene
It's a good day!!! I am rolling in cotton! :-D
I am conquering the chaos, baby!!
...and you're back in control, your comfort zone. You know He wouldn't leave you in the "wilderness"! Looking good, Mary Lou; can't wait to see the mystery revealed.
Yay! Go forth and conquer the chaos!!!
I was recently reminded to hang in there with my last project so I'll remind you also. Hang in there and know it will turn out alright in the end.
One letter sperates the two "quit" and "quilt" so remind yourself, you aren't a quitter, you are more than that word, you are a quilter. :)
It's funny....of all times of the year Bonnie breaks out with this mystery quilt to an already chaotic time of year! Should we give her a talk?! LOL
Awell you chaos and mess is a lttle different from mine. Scott and I have completely-almost-near done it-shelled a house...what would a perfectly good house to others who but us.....? Well, we all have our little imperfections, thanks be to God our Father and the grace he bestows freely upon us....regardless of our mess! Praise the Lord!!!
It will be interesting to see what the quilt will look like. I wish that I machine sewed sometimes just to get my scraps under control. It's ok, they are contained in a plastic container and actually sorted by color. Some day I'll do something with them....or my heirs will :0)
Crispy
Too Funny!!
So did you actually enjoy making the blocks?
Did you find it a freeing experience? Ready to toss aside the OCD and become a wild free spirit??
Seriously, though, the blocks look wonderful, and it must have been a great moment to see the junk box emptied out!
Way to go, Mary Lou, Way to go! You can do it! There is nothing like strings on phone book paper to bring one out to a new level of color work and appreciation. There are all kinds of colors and there are all kinds of people. Together we make beautiful quilts and beautiful communities. :-)
Merry Christmas!
beautiful
I enjoyed reading your post. Very amusing. You are working out of your comfort zone and going to end up with a great surprise.
You can do it Mary Lou!
I love your positive attitude.
I'm also glad to hear you are letting go - I use the "let go, let God" a lot, as I too am a perfectionist :)
Love your string blocks so much!!
Did I write this post? LOL j/k! Hang in there...we CAN do this! :)
Turning that mass of miscellany into the organized squares was a major accomplishment. Well done!
I'm willing to predict that you'll impress yourself when this quilt is finished.
It will be lovely (no doubt at all when Bonnie is the leader), and you'll be glad you followed along.
LOVE your post girlie...especially the way you likened and ended it with scripture!
Your string blocks look good. Real good.
A wonderful job .... great blocks and an almost empty container .... doesn't get any better than that!
I keep looking at my step blocks and wondering how in the world they could ever fit into ANY quilt, but I'm still sewing away. I had to laugh when I was sewing on them today....I have all of this fabric that I could just cut into an 8 1/2" square and use it and it would be a lot faster....but I'll just trust and keep sewing.
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