So every once in a while I go through my works in progress. Some of them I know I will finish and some I know I won't finish.
I pulled these "Beyond The Cherry Tree" blocks out the other day. While I love the colors I just know I don't want to make any more. There are six all together. Instead of having them languish in the drawer I am going to make a Christmas table runner for my kitchen table with 5 of them. The extra block will go into my box of leftovers.
That's the bad thing about applique, they take a long time. You can get tired of them or just not have it in you to finish them.
I think quilted up they will look nice and my time will not have gone to waste.
They will add a nice touch to the table and every time I look at them I will feel good that they are "finished"!
Do you have any projects like this? What do you do with your "not quite finished blocks"?
Kelly
Your blocks are beautiful and I am glad you are going to finish them into a beautiful project. There isn't enough space for me to go into al my ufo's.
ReplyDeleteMine go back into the box in hopes of finishing more. But I'm going to change my ways and do like you're doing, get 'em DONE! Yours are gorgeous! Love the colors!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for your lovely blocks! You will get a lot of joy out of seeing them in their finished state and there's absolutely nothing wrong with a table runner. I think we get it in our heads sometimes that only 'quilts' are worthy, but in reality we enjoy all the beautiful things we make! The remaining block might make a beautiful pillow later on. I have done the same sort of thing--given myself permission to quit a project or change directions with it. Our interests change so much, we can't possibly accomplish everything we want to.:)
ReplyDeleteThese blocks are so beautiful! Love that pattern. Agree with Audrey above- pillows made out of remaining blocks would be charming.I have more UFOs than I care to admit. Have fantasies that they will all go into a massive sampler/ kitchen sink quilt... But then that will become another UFO and so on and so on:)
ReplyDeleteI think you were appliqeing these blocks when I first started following your blog 5 years ago. It's so lovely to see them again, they'll make a beautiful table runner and that way they'll be used and not hidden in the ufo cupboard.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't want me to start to tell you about my UFOs - it would take me all day and all night to write them up! LOL (and probably well into next week too.....)
ReplyDeleteBut. The one I feel worst about, is a cross stitched Bell Pull. I completed the stitching about 20 years ago, and got stuck as to how to finish it. Then, determined to finish it up I dragged it out, only to find that there was a dirty big rusty mark in an unfixable spot from the needle I had left in it. Oh Woe. Back in the box it went......
I think it's fine to change the plan midstream. I have let projects grow or shrink or morph depending on the mood I'm in. I've also given away completed tops and parts of tops that were just weighing me down. It's lovely to see them finished finally by someone else. Although I do have a few still hanging around that whisper to me on occasion. Your table runner is going to be really pretty!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I have the hardest time finishing anything that I have started that I have appliqued. I usually can finish a project I have pieced. I do get bored or tired. It does take too long. I have several of those projects hanging about. I am all about learning a new technique or skill and then I am anxious to move on. So I have given myself permission to stop them, change them, shorten them and just finish them.
ReplyDeleteYour cherry red and green blocks are delightful. I think you have made a good decision to stop. Just finish them and make something you will enjoy. We don't always need a whole quilt to bring us joy. Just a little mini quilt sometimes is enough to make us happy.
Fantastic blocks that will make a fantastic table runner. I'm glad you're using them in a project that will get done and then be enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteGreat solution so that all your lovely work does not go to waste.
ReplyDeleteI have had a couple of projects I knew I would not finish, so I gave them to some volunteer groups who were happy to take them on.
Great idea Kelly - they will look great at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI have lots of ufos too and not sure how many of them will get finished or how.
These blocks are going to make an absolutely beautiful table runner. What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThey are going to make a Gorgeous table runner! Love them.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely blocks !! Your appliqué is perfect !
ReplyDeleteWell, I have some Ufos too (like everyone !) and they sit on a chair, desperately waiting for me...... and one day, I wake up ! Realize that they are here on the chair and take one to finish it .................. or not !! :)
What beautiful work you do, Kelly! I bet you might even enjoy the table runner more than a quilt, if you get it out every Christmas. Great idea. I have some UFO's too, but none this lovely. I have been known to give away projects that I've lost interest in.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea, Kelly! This is going to be a gorgeous table runner. I was even thinking that maybe you could make the runner reversible and thereby use that one remaining block on the flipside? Just a thought. I know it will feel good to get those blocks into a finish - something I need to do with a few orphan blocks I have kicking around. Thanks for the nudge. ;o)
ReplyDeleteLove the backgrounds and it will be perfect for a runner!!
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