The Bits I Like the Least

I had the urge to start something new this afternoon, again. How many projects can I have on the go at once? Why doesn't starting something new ever satisfy the urge for any great period of time? I had a bit of a think about it while waiting for The Sound of the Environment Being Destroyed (think chainsaw happy local in combination with a beautiful old gum tree) to stop this afternoon. I can't concentrate when the chainsaw is going.

I came to the conclusion that what I really want is a new quilt on my bed, or to lie under while watching TV with a handsome beagle by my side ie. something finished.

So I did a quick inventory of possible UFOs, thinking that the string quilt would be the best to tackle. The back was already pieced, I had the batting which I think is a wool one, plus it is a scrap quilt that would allow a basic quilt job done by me, the inexperienced and reluctant machine quilter. I really don't like the finishing off part. Until it's actually finished of course!

Everyone has their problems - borders for Nancy (I would just make quilts without borders LOL), other people who will remain nameless who have a couple of hundred Flimsys in the corner (ducking), and I know there are people who aren't too keen on cutting. Actually that was me until recently. I shocked myself by cutting a fair percentage of the pieces for the 30s Zig Zag quilt that I like in the latest Fons and Porter magazine, without looking up.

Now that I think about it, even the sewing is a bit of a drag sometimes... what does that leave? The best part (my favourite) - looking in magazines and books, looking at online fabric stores with my credit card between my teeth, opening the parcel when the postman arrives, and last but not least, lovingly finding a space for it in the stash. There I've said it - that's what I love most about patchwork and quilting. Oh and reading blogs of course.

Anyway, so I cleared the kitchen table ( a job in itself), started to defrost the fridge while I was at it, put some washing on, made some pumpkin soup in the hope that 'if I cook it, winter will come', cut half of Simon's toenails - enough's enough says poor Simon - then actually got the quilt on the table. I have to keep talking to myself, making bargains all the time.

Bad Side of BRAIN: I think I'll just pin the centre bit. It's going to take me ages to get to the outside bits anyway - I can pin them another time.

Other Side of Brain: don't be so stupid. Just get it over with. It will sit in the corner for another 2 years otherwise.

Bad Side: Yes but the gardening show is on soon and I don't have time to finish it.

Other Side: It isn't on for another 2 hours - just get on with it.

and on it goes... I pinned it and have spent 30 mins deciding what colour thread to use. First I wound 2 bobbins of this avocado green thinking how good it would look. It looked like shit. Then I started to wind a bobbin of purple, then thought why am I wasting the purple on the back? So then I got out the variagated green I bought once that I don't like, and wound that for the back, and put the purple on the front.
I have started to do the quilting, one row, and then had to go and attack the ice in the fridge, have dinner, watch Crocodile Dundee and part of Men In Black, do some knitting...

But I have started, which is progress, so hopefully I can finish it. As I typed that a thought flashed through my brain - I can just do the basic quilting, bind it, then finish it off some other day! There is no hope.

PS the computer still won't start, so today I thought I'll resort to putting the Windows disc in even though I'll probably lose the lot, and guess what? The CD drive drawer is broken! How could I have forgotten?