Sunday, July 29, 2018

Keep Going



Almost exactly a year ago today I worked on the sashing of Grandma's Apron Strings.    I found that all the pieces of chicken scratch sashing I made were a little short.  Darn! Thank goodness at that time I had only stitched 17 of 84 sashing pieces and had decided to see how they looked.  And in that post last year I mentioned that I felt a little discouraged and said it might be awhile before you saw this quilt again. 

Well, time has passed and I've ripped out those short pieces and given them a little fix plus I've made a lot more chicken scratch pieces that are the right length. 
And I thought I would do another trial run to see how the sashings looks this time.  And I feel encouraged and excited again about this quilt.  You can't even tell the sashing pieces that were fixed from the newer ones that are the right length.   And it looks kind of like the vision I had in my head all this time of Grandma's Apron Strings. 

 And so I'll keep going. 


And when I see the Japanese Beetles in my roses and feel my skin crawl and a feel a little discouraged and depressed...


...I see a Monarch Butterfly on my Tithonia and it keeps me going and makes my day!



Maybe next year at this time Grandma's Apron Strings will be finished!
Time will tell...

16 comments:

Connie said...

That quilt looks very detailed and time consuming, but in the end it is going to be a treasure. I love the chicken scratch stitching and the way you are doing each square with a theme. Your talent is a true blessing, simply amazing :)
Have a lovely day.
Connie :)

mangozz said...

That is a very interesting block design and sashing. You have some unique ideas. How long have you been quilting and designing?

Julierose said...

UGH is right for those beetles--and I have the baby deer frolicking and EATING my whole front garden...chewed off bits everywhere!!
Your chicken scratch is quite a project--it is so pretty with those white pieces...hugs, Julierose

Gretchen Weaver said...

Your chicken scratch borders are beautiful! This will be such a lovely quilt. Happy stitching!

Dixie said...

Keep on keepin' on! It is beautiful.

Quilting Babcia said...

I do love those grandma's apron strings! Japanese beetles seem to only attack the things we love best - raspberries, roses, green beans, basil. What a scourge.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Isn't it wonderful to find joy in a project again. Enjoy your stitching!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

What a great look!! glad the sashings fit now ;-)

Jenny said...

I love your chicken scratch sashings, what a lovely quilt this is going to be!

Robin said...

What a clever idea to use the chicken scratch in your sashing. And, it's nice to hear your enthusiasm for your project again.

Nana said...

I love the chick scratch....I would never have thought of that one...Keep sharing the wonderful work.

gayle said...

I so admire your patience with all that chicken scratch! Such a pretty technique!
And a big yuck to those beetles. Why can't they eat the weeds instead?

Quiltdivajulie said...

Love the back and forth between discouraged and encouraged. Beautiful quilt project, butterfly, and flowers (sans beetles).

Janice Holton said...

Oooo! That sashing is gorgeous and that quilt is going to be a winner! Great photography with the butterfly. I love that picture. :)

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

I saw that sashing and just melted. . .WOW!!! It is perfect!!! I LOVE the butterfly photo. Would you consider allowing me to copy it to make into a quilt? My e-mail address is quilting00@aol.com).

Cathy said...

Your chicken scratch sashing and those cornerstones are delightful! So cute and unique. Can’t say the same for the beetles. I’ve ever seen those before, so I guess we don’t get those here.