Sunday, September 30, 2018

Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party! Pull up a comfy chair, make yourself a cup of your favourite tea, and join us while we add a few stitches to our multiyear projects!


I put the blocks for my Life Is Beautiful project on the design wall this week to assess where I was with this and how far I had to go.

Here are the project stats: 

*31 embroidered patterns (there should be 32 but 1 appears to be MIA!)

*29 embroidered blocks have been appliqued to a background 4 patch block 

*19 of the embroidered blocks have been quilted

*13 of the alternate blocks (no embroidery) have been pieced and quilted

*14 alternate blocks have the 4 patches sewn and the circle appliqued, and are ready for quilting

So much work has been completed and yet, after 4 years of work, there is still so much to do!
Oh well, what can you do?!?
Just keep swimming stitching (video here). 

I maintain my enthusiasm for long term projects like this by taking occasional breaks from it. I pick up other hand stitching projects, usually embroidery or other small projects. The key to working on these long term projects is to never let it get completely "out of sight" so it doesn't drift toward "out of mind"! 
Today I will put in a few more stitches and focus on this thought: 
Everything is accomplished one slow stitch/step at a time.





Tomorrow I will be posting another little hand stitched project - a hexie block for my Save the Bees project. Hope you can drop by my blog to see it and enter your name in the giveaway draw!





What are you slow stitching today? Are you feeling a tad bit discouraged about your progress? Just keep on stitching... and link up your blog post to share your project with us.


   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

19 comments:

Kaja said...

Yours is truly a long term project but seems to be coming along beautifully.

KaHolly said...

Sadly, I don’t have a Slow Stitching project at the moment, but on my list of things to do today is the prep work to get one started! Your work is lovely. Life is Beautiful has been a long time favorite of mine.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Oh so happy to have another look at these embroidered blocks, Kathy. I love them.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Your Life is Beautiful quilt is gorgeous! I am working on the wool stitch along for Autumn Jubilee, and maybe I can link up next time.

Julierose said...

Actually, I am discouraged with quilting by hand on my Pomegranates--I've really lost my enthusiasm for it.. (no mo'mojo) maybe I'll pick it up this afternoon while watching the Patriots...i was so gung-ho for it to for a while..I guess sometimes you need to rest, as you say...Enjoy your Sunday hugs, Julierose

Julierose said...

P.S. I just love your embroideries--this is such a spectacular quilt...

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I've enjoyed watching your progress on Life is Beautiful! It's going to be a great accomplishment!

SandraC said...

Oh, I can't wait to see the new block for Save the Bees!

Cathy said...

Some projects just cannot be rushed!

Barbara said...

My embroidery projects are all long term projects. I rarely finish one in less than four years, but I keep several projects going at the same time and rotate through them. That’s how I keep my interest up...with the variety. Each time I finish one and move on to the next, it’s kind of like meeting up with an old friend again. Your project is great. That’s weird about the one that’s MIA.

stitchingirlblog.wordpress.com said...

I love when embroidery and quilting come together. Your quilt is beautiful!! I truly enjoy long term projects. I like to see them grow as time passes.

Sarah said...

You are absolutely right about not taking your eye off the ball (quilt project)! I fear that has happened to me on more than one occasion. I do so love your life is beautiful project and it seems to me you have done a huge amount!

Karen said...

I have watched you over those four years making the blocks. One of these days, you will post a finished quilt. Maybe sooner than later!

Deb said...

Goodness I hadn't realized I have been watching your progress on these blocks for 4 years, time does fly when having fun. I trade off on project too when I need a break and try to keep them close so they don't become out of mind.

Janet O. said...

I had forgotten about this project for a minute.
Maybe I shouldn't even ask, but do you have any idea how many long term WIP you have stowed away here and there? Your patience with them amazes me! And they are all beautiful projects.

Deanna W said...

Good to know you were working hard...Missed you at the quilt show. Maybe should have sent you a reminder earlier than the day of the show. Was a beautiful show and I even won a few minis!!

Teresa said...

I love your quilt and especially the setting with the alternate blocks. Going to be a beautiful, interesting quilt when you get it done.

LakeMGal said...

I have just discovered hexies and am anxious to give them a try!

Unknown said...

I have to confess,,,, I've never made a hexie! One of these days I will give them a try.