Setbacks and Successes

As a kid, I used to enjoy playing the Chutes and Ladders® game. Of course, the best part was when you could zip ahead of your competition when you landed on a space with a ladder and could climb ahead quickly. Not so much fun when you came to one of the slides and took a quick tumble. As I recall, there was one seriously steep chute right at the very end of the game board. As in life, the ups and downs are all part of the process!

Sometimes the projects in the quilting studio can seem just like that game. Some projects just seem to put themselves together and others are setback specialists. And of course other things outside the sewing room come up that keep the best laid quilty plans from being fulfilled (like a crashed computer hard drive!)

Earlier this summer, I started out with a set of quilty goals. Let's see where things stand, shall we?

For starters, there's this pretty triangle thing.

Um. I still think it's pretty, but it doesn't look very much different now than it did at the beginning of the summer. Definitely a setback.

What about this hand-pieced hexie project?

I'm happy to report that this one has progressed from blocks into a quilt top. I just need to get it basted and I can start quilting it. Success!

(Admittedly, it's not a great picture, but it really is pretty!)
And it's even cute from the back!

That project from Sew Sweet, the book by the Swirly Girls. . .

It's coming along. The top is all done; actually that got done really quickly. Quilting remains on the to-do list. Semi Success!

The fat quarter project for my own bedroom.

Hey, the fat quarters were packed in with several projects for a quilty weekend to a friend's camp a couple weeks ago. They came with me, I didn't say I touched them, did I? *A-hem!* Setback.

What about those piles and piles of swapped half-square triangles, (why do I volunteer for such things!?)

Actually, one of the two quilts that will eventually emerge from the box of half-square triangles is nearly done. The binding is almost completely secured! Both quilts will be donated to a good quilty cause. Success!

Q101 lessons are continuing. Success!

And although I haven't shown you many details from the new book, ScrapTherapy, Scraps Plus One!, I am scheduled to teach several projects from the book later this summer and into the fall and winter months. You simply have to look me up and take a class when I'm in the neighborhood! Success!

And I'm nearly done with a new pattern that features some beautiful Hoffman prints from a line called Bohemia and Modern Scrapbook by Fringe Studio®! The fabric has hummingbirds all over it!! Love it! Just a few more quilting stitches and the quilt will be done and the pattern will be off to the printer. A better picture will be coming when it's done. Watch for more details here and at your favorite local quilt shop! Success!

Eh well. Some successes and some set backs. But all is well. . . summer isn't nearly over yet! *wink!*

What about you? I hope your summer is filled with more successes than setbacks, but I have to admit, the setbacks make the successes even more sweet!

Happy Stitching!
Joan