Over Three Years?

I can't believe it has been more than THREE YEARS since I did the A to Z Challenge and last posted on this blog.  Seriously, where does the time go?

In 2020, when everything was on lockdown, I really had every intention of getting in that sewing room and finishing so many of my "half-way done" projects.  And then the slump hit.  Ever been in one?  I just didn't want to sew ... every time I walked into that room, I just became overwhelmed with all of the projects, scraps, and other stuff that was taking up my space.  I would then turn around and find something less stressful to occupy my time.

This feeling lasted for about 18 months (believe it or not)!

When I finally got up the nerve, it was with a new sense of purpose.  Organize first and then find something easy to finish quickly ... something that will give me some accomplishment and joy instead of panic.  When I start a new project, I do so with such enthusiasm over the planning and piecing parts.  It's the quilting and binding that I dislike the most.  So when I got back in the sewing room, I decided that I just needed to finish three quilts that needed bindings.  This was huge!!  These quilts have been sitting finished but without bindings for YEARS!  One of those was my Bonnie Hunter Mystery from 2016 and is now on my bed!  Yay!

I now have some motivation ... my mojo is back!  Recently, I have been working on mostly small projects and lots of charity work (which I will explain more about in upcoming posts), and it has been so nice to be back in the sewing room without being overwhelmed.  I guess, the best thing to do when you fall off a horse is to get right back on again!  Here we go!

Happy Sewing!

Cat  >^..^<

A2Z Challenge: Block Z - The Final Post

Zig Zag

I can't believe this is it ... the last post and the last block to finish my quilt top (sort of, but that's another blog post altogether).  So "Z" was similar to "X" ... I thought I was going to have problems, but this block in the 501 Quilt Blocks book was perfect for the end of the quilt.

I thought maybe I would have the top sewn together by now, but I still haven't figured out how I'm going to quilt this thing.  I'm leaning toward a "quilt-as-you-go" method which means I don't want to sew the rows together quite yet.  I will post some followup posts on my progress as I finish this project.

Thank you so much to those that stopped by.  I did check out quite a few of the other A2Z participants but didn't do much commenting.  I'm sorry.  I do have the list downloaded and plan to visit some other blogs while I have more time, like on my summer break.  :-)

Until next time ... Happy Sewing!

Cat

A2Z Challenge: Block Y

Yankee Puzzle

I love this block!  I found this purple plaid recently and thought it would be perfect with the hot pink that has been sitting in my homespun box forever.  Yankee Puzzle turned out so bright and happy!!

Only one more to go!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Blocks W and X

Water Wheel, Windblown Square, and X Quartet

And yet again ... half-square triangle and four patch blocks put together in a different way!  Love the possibilities of the simply created!  I had both of the "W" blocks put together a while ago.  I really like the effect of the Windblown Square.

Surprisingly, finding an "X" block that I thought would fit my sampler was not difficult.  I had one option, and it blends perfectly.  It makes me happy when things work out!!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Blocks U and V

Underground Railroad and Variable Star

Both of my next blocks are new, and I really like how they turned out.  I knew I was going to do Underground Railroad from the beginning.  And again, how many possible ways can you rearrange four-patches and half-square triangles?  LOL!  On the other hand, coming up with my "V" block was a challenge.  While you would thing there would be a bunch of them (with Virginia and Vermont available) but many were looking way too complicated for what I wanted in my quilt.  I finally settled on the Variable Star.

Four more days!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block T

Thrifty and Triangle Squares

Well, I'm getting to the end of the quilt, and finding blocks that fit the alphabet theme and that have a different look from the other blocks is becoming quite challenging.

I really like Thrifty, but it is yet another nine-patch with four-patch corners.  I think this makes four of this style, and I had a hard time placing in the quilt without putting it next to another block of the same style.  I know I need to not worry about it, and the sashing will help break it up ... but my self-diagnosed OCD is still going crazy!

Having Triangle Squares right next to Thrifty helps as well.  This block is one of only a few that have four colors (including the neutral).  Most of my blocks are three colors, so it makes this one a bit special.

Six more days!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block S

Sawtooth Star and Snail's Trail

Happy Monday!!  Only 8 more posts to go ... can you believe we are almost done with April?  Being at the end of April for me means only 5 more weeks before final exams and I'm on summer vacation.  As a teacher, I am usually doing some sort of professional development over the summer, but this year is wide open.  I see a lot of sewing in my near future.

So my "S" blocks are two classics.  The Sawtooth Star that I made is not technically correct (I used half-square triangles instead of flying geese) and I have been playing around with remaking it.  It wouldn't take that much effort and it would give me a chance to fix some points.  I'm also not sure about that gold plaid in the center.

But since I made this Snail's Trail block I have been in love with it.  These pink and purple plaids are so awesome together and the lighter colors are such a good contrast with the rest of the blocks ... they break up all the darker colors really well.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.