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!
