I guess I’m like most people – I dream of finishing up all my UFOs and using my entire stash right down to the last fat quarter. With this in mind, I’m trying to be really strong-willed and not jumping right in and starting the Miss Rosie Summer Wind quilt that I’ve been having a fabric selection fashion show with recently. The rule round here right now is that I have to finish something old before I can start something new….

I decided to dig really deep this morning and go for the really, really old UFOs. I think these applique panels are the oldest I can find. (By the way, I apologize  for the dark photo – it is pouring with rain outside – still – and is just so dark. I tried to get as much natural light as possible, but frankly, there just isn’t much to be had). I know pretty exactly when I made these. I was pregnant with my first child (who is soon to turn 16!!!) and I took a wonderful course with Judy McAllister on the Isle of Arran off the west coast of Scotland. I remember it was heavenly, just heavenly. I went back to Arran many times more over the ensuing years. When my children were tiny and I was permanently exhausted those weeks gave me back my zest for life, not to mention the chance to sleep and have delicious food cooked for me. I wish I had a photo to show you just how gorgeous it was – in an old farmhouse looking out over the Irish Sea with the rocky mass known as Ailsa Craig in the distance.

Anyway, enough reminiscing. I’m sure you know what happened next. I came home with four panels which are really almost finished…..and have not stitched one stitch since. I’ve thought about it over the years, but never quite got as far as threading a needle. I think the time may have come. I’d like to turn these happy memories into something that is actually complete.

This one is my favourite. I think it worked out the best. And I love irises.

I am still plodding on with my sweater – but a few inches of a sleeve really doesn’t make for an interesting blog, so I’m sparing you that. Just so you know, just so you don’t think I’m a total flibbertygibbet with no staying power whatsoever.

So, watch this space. Once the cleaning is done this afternoon, who knows what may happen round here!

Helen

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 at 9:43 am and is filed under Quilting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.