Thursday, October 27, 2011

Lesson Learnt - Thursday Think Tank October 27th

Hello rebecca's readers! Rebecca is off doing important work things so I'm here to keep you amused in her absence. Trust me you will laugh - at me, rather than with me...

Photobucket

I'm Lucy and I blog at Charm About You, mostly about quilting and the odd crafty thing I make in between quilts.

Although I don't like to admit it, I'm lazy - generally not in a slobby way (although I've been known to have those days) but I like shortcuts and quick results when I can get them. Quilting is teaching me patience and I started off well...

I did a quilt-a-long sampler quilt, took my time, and cut all those little squares for the borders (no chain piecing!!):


I like following instructions, patterns, advice! I like structure and rules. I am organised and can be extremely motivated but I am also a great procrastinator and I really dislike hate change. I tend to stick to what I know and what I know I can do.
Recently there's been a bit of a shift, I've started expanding and trying new things. I'm exploring my skills because of all the wonderful inspiration and encouragement out there in blogland.
When I see all the amazing projects people are making I always want to try it myself!

There's a 'secret quilt' I'm working on and I've been using improv piecing techniques to make letters. So far it's going ok but I think I totally jumped ahead of myself and thought because I could sew a 'Y', I would be able to sew anything.

http://my.opera.com/cofoppyplop/albums/showpic.dml?album=375152&picture=5447381

Water lilies are so beautiful, I have a tattoo of some, why not sew one? Why not improv piece one?
Well, this is why:


It is a hideous mess of yuck. A blob of material in odd shapes. No really. Don't even try and say anything nice about it at all. It's all wrinkly because of the amount of times I scrunched it up and swore at it (that didn't make it wrinkly, it just made me feel slightly better)!

So I admit defeat, I admit there aren't that many shortcuts, I know I need to take the time to learn properly and be patient, I need to learn how to paper piece!

Would you like to share any disasters? No? I don't blame you. Why not just share with us what you've been thinking about, any quilting, projects your working on or musings... link up below!



14 comments:

Erin @ Once Upon a Donkey said...

Mwhahaha. Oh, you do make me laugh. But, seeing as 3D movies are all the rage right now, maybe you are onto something with the 3D block?? Totally ahead of your time. That's all. ;)

Pat Merkle said...

Thanks for sharing! It's easy to share the successes, it takes courage to share the failures! But we learn from both!

Pam @Threading My Way said...

We all learn from our mistakes. I can relate to your post as I, too, like structure and rules. I am venturing out of my comfort zone due to the ideas and inspiration I am gaining from others. A great post... I certainly didn't laugh at you.

Allison said...

hehehe, I linked my diaster last week, I've got to try to salvage *some* dignity :)

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

haha-Lucy! Thanks for sharing that and letting us all know that we are never alone in our disasters. You said not to even try to say anything nice.. but that is hideously adorable. :o) I bet if you sew a few more petals on, and then just fold some tucks in it all and iron it flat, you could pass it off as a really new and modern improv technique. 3D improv. :o)
xoxo

Live a Colorful Life said...

Hi, Lucy. It was fun following you over here to Rebecca Lynne's. Love your tattoo! :)

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Love the idea that swearing made the block shrivel up in fright!! Well done for sharing your disasters as well as your successes!

Rebecca Lynne said...

Lucy this was a riot. Exactly what I needed to read after a day of legal stuff. Bleh. I think you'll revisit your water lIlies...but I'm mad impressed you showed it off here! Way to be so Rebecca Lynne!!! Whew hew! Wink.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

I love the colours in your water lilies! I think bright prints and grey are a fab combination and I really enjoyed your post :)

Toni said...

Oh no! Craft fail! I love when people show their screw-ups, makes me feel not quite so bad for all of mine! I have no doubt that you will conquer the lilies and show them who's boss! I read a bunch of tutorials about paper piecing, but it never really clicked until I actually sat down and did it.

Katie said...

I wish you luck in conquering the lilies! I can already see that it will be an amazing piece of work.

Krista Schneider said...

HAHAHA, laughing WITH you of course! Sorry that didn't work out for ya, I'm having trouble with my stitching right now and can't figure it out! Sometimes things just don't wanna work right.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Honey I've been quilting a very long time and I could tell you of many disasters, including my first quilt when I had no idea there was a difference between polyester and cotton or why that would make a difference. :) Perseverance is the key. You'll end up with a beautiful flower! blessings, marlene

Nicky said...

Nothing ventured nothing gained - I think we all have had these moments or we just keep doing the same things and never learn anything new - which would be a bit boring! But I think you nearly there Lucy!