For a long time (OK...true confessions...it's almost TWO years!) a quilt layout has been on my secondary design wall.
Initially I loved the project, enjoyed selecting the fabrics and playing with the colours, and I loved paper piecing the arcs. Then it gradually morphed into "the dreaded IOP".
It didn't look "right", it made me feel "itchy" and nervous, and I just wasn't feeling it. The blocks were so hard to construct, the curved seams onto paper pieced arcs seemed impossible for me to deal with, the colours and layout started to annoy me and ...in fact I started to hate the whole thing.
I can't logically explain it. It doesn't really make any sense, but I had to respect my feelings about it and try to figure out what to do. I had spent a lot of money on the classes and the fabric...what to do?!?
I knew if I put it in the UFO closet, telling myself that it was really a "WIP" (work in progress), that it would never see the light of day again!
So I kept it in my face. Looked at it (or tried not to) every single day. Wondering to myself "what could I change that would make me like it more"? and asking the quilt "what do you want from me"?!?
And for two years this quilt did not whisper a single thing.
I am a CQW (certified quilt whisperer) but this quilt was tight lipped - not a peep!
Finally... my friend Louise helped me to accept that "it is what it is".
And what exactly is it?
It is a colourful, challenging mess of chomping teeth! Yep it is! That's all I saw when I looked at it. It had morphed from a colourful celebration, to a miserable mess of biting teeth.
So those of you who remember that I had braces put on my teeth at 51 years of age (STUPID thing to do even to save your teeth from breaking off) will recognize how much that might be triggering to me. I have had terrible pain (which the Dr. calls "discomfort"!) with these braces and this past weekend another bracket snap off one of my crowns, and I am too busy to get to the office to get it fixed at a time they have available.
So...I will suffer with it until either it becomes unbearable, or until February 14th Valentine's Day, whichever comes first! That is hilarious to me! Truly, it makes me LOL for real!And what does all this have to do with the dreaded IOP quilt blocks?!?
Well, the chompers are going to be worked on this month.
Oh yes they are Gail!
And come by tomorrow for my stop on the Hugs and Kisses blog hop!
25 comments:
IOP I remember them well. Although I never got convinced to do it,I have seem a few of them in various degrees of doneness!
I love that you call them chompers.It will make you smile when you think of the name and maybe that will help you to get it done. Good luck with the quilt and with your braces.
Maybe they are chompers coming to give you a kiss? I remember the braces and pain well. I hope something free's up so you can get in sooner. Great job writing that you will work on it this month. It really will be beautiful when it is done.
those chompers do seem tight lipped yet have their STRAIGHT teeth showing, finish it by the time you get your braces off so you can both show off your beautiful teeth!
These are beautiful. I bet once you start on them, it will come together. If not, you could always applique them on blocks as chompers...how cute would that be?
be brave -- it's a beautiful quilt. perhapse it would not cause you as much pain if you turned the whole thing on point -- then it wouldn't look like teeth any more but rather diamonds and flowers (and what girl doesn't love that). Can't wait to see what you do with it.
I love this quilt. I have ever since you first showed pictures of it.
What a great post, you very eloquently described a situation we've all been through, and it's not fun! Sometimes it's not the quilt as much as what's going on in our lives as we work on our quilts, like your teeth analogy. Sometimes it's as simple as needing to work on a soothing quilt when life is not, or a challenging quilt when life is boring. I love this quilt and it breaks my heart that you don't love it too, but really, life is too short to work on a quilt that's not fun or satisfying. Give it one more shot, if things don't improve put it up, maybe the quilt is telling you it needs to go into the UFO closet.
I love your "chompers." I remember you making them and me envying what was being done. I am so glad you are giving in and working on this again: I know you will love it when it is done. And, I am so sorry about your braces problem. I had them when I was young and was so glad when they came out. Good luck with both.
great post I can totally see how this would trigger bad feelings since you see them as teeth! I'm amazed that you were able to keep it up on your 2nd design wall for so long.
good luck!!
What a fabulous story, Kathy. I think your quilt has been delivering a message to you - maybe it's not happy in it's present form. I think it might be feeling your angst. Don't force yourself to work on something that makes you unhappy - you've waited two years; what's the rush. You'll know when the time is right. Chompers makes me :-)
LOL!!! They DO look like chomping teeth! I never saw that before :*) I wish you well and Godspeed in finishing them up and getting them off your wall! Hopefully, someday you will love the quilt and look back on this and laugh about how you once felt about it :*)
I have never tried such a difficult pattern, but I love these colors. Good luck. It will be stunning when you finish.
I remember braces. Wore them a long time, part of the time I was an adult. One of those individuals that had no choice.
A delightful read today. I have always wondered how you can sew curved pieces of paper to each other in the paper piecing process. Does not sound like fun.
So funny Kathy - now I am loling...Just get it done woman - haha. It is beautiful - good luck with the braces xxxx
It is beautiful! And time consuming. When I was still working, I managed one Lady Liberty (New York Beauty) block and decided that paper piecing would have to wait. Best wishes as you pick this back up and decide what to do with it - whatever you do will be right for you. :)
This post made me giggle. I remember this quilt. Those arcs were beautifully laid out in an eye-catching array for your header at one time. Now it has been reduced to "Chompers"! *LOL*
Actually they look like an animal trap to me. You could call it "Trapped", because that is how it makes you feel, but with your braces experience, Chompers makes it personal.
How wonderful that you finally figured out what it is about the quilt that was bothering you! Maybe now you can actually work on it without so much frustration.:) Good luck with your braces!
when you quilt it, be sure to use silver thread and add "braces" to your chompers
This post had me laughing - not at you, but with you. I still think it is a wonderful, colorful quilt. The Chompers tale was too funny. I'll be watching the progress. Hope you can get to the dentist before real trouble develops.
Ouch! I feel your pain...but this quilt will be gorgeous, so go for it!
They DO look like chompers. Sorry about the braces, I still remember mine (more years than I want to count).
Ha ha ha Kathy!!! You are too funny...love the chompers! And, you CAN do it. Sewing those arcs isn't bad at all once you get a few done. I removed the paper from the arcs before sewing them to the 4 patch..worked slick. I'm making good headway on my quilt! I got at it in January and am pushing myself to get this one done too! I have all the outside border pieces paper pieced....just the 8 corner sections to go. What a relief to be working on this thing again. Remember, my offer still stands for a sewing day if you need inspiration and a second head LOL
I remember when you were working on that quilt! Glad to see it will get some attention...love the working name.
You know... when I first saw your quilt I saw a wonderful, colourful and complex quilt and was blown away by it. Now... all I can see is gnashing teeth coming to bite me! It's going to be fabulous when you join those arcs and the Chompers disappear for good. Sorry to hear about your real 'toothy' problem... you have my sympathy!
so funny - well, not your braces but the story of the quilt. Okay I'm dumb, what does IOP stand for?
The quilt is colorful and fun and totally worth finishing, chompers and all.
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