...being my 'spot' earlier this week down at my mother-in-law's beach house on the Mornington Peninsula. I spent a lot of time in this chair reaching down for new colours and adding each finished square to the stacks. It was so incredibly relaxing, peaceful and idyllic. *sigh*
And now my space is here...
...in this basket in my lounge room for the time being. I intend to make a massive blanket out of these squares. I calculated that I'd need 625 squares to complete it. Yes it is a big task. After feeling a little overwhelmed by the thought I decided it was no big deal in the end. If it's 625 then it's 625. It can be done - just not that quickly!
It also doesn't mean that this will be my only project. I've decided it's going to be the background project. You know, the project you have when you don't have any other project? I like the idea I have something to fall back on when I've finished other things.
Oh and I haven't forgotten to write up that fishing game pattern. It's still going on in the background too. I made one for a 3 yo birthday party last week and took some photos of the progress. Unfortunately time for me is a huge factor. I just don't seem to have enough of it. While I bestowed the virtues of being the bread winner I failed to mention that time is something I don't have enough of and what I do have spare tends to be at the brain dead end of the day! C'est la vie but it's coming albeit, little by little.
I'm back at work again today. The upside is that it's now a short week.
Don't forget to hop....skip....jump....or somersault over to Kirsty's too....
31 comments:
I think that is the best way to approach the big projects, not look at the overwhelming picture. It is so much better than never starting them at all!
Yes i know exactly what you mean! It's like a Clayton's project! I got a weird look from the other ladies in my quilting class the other night when I mentioned I had one quilt I was hand quilting, one I was ready to machine quilt and am now binding and one I was cutting for. I like to have one project for each room I might find myself in! Can't wait to see the process as well as the finished result :)
OH MY GOODNESS! I didn't realise that you had so many quilts on the go! That's fantastic Mel! Are you sure those ladies weren't looking at you in admiration? I know that would have been the look on my face if I was there!
Bliss! Crocheting by the beach is so productive! From the pile of squares already finished, it looks like you've already broken the 600 mark - that's got to feel good :)
Oh that is perfection...Lucky you!!! Love all those grannies
625! Far out...that's a lot of crochet. It will be magnificent when it's done.
Hmmm good question ... nah I reckon they just thought I was a young upstart with quilting ADD!
sweet basket of lovely color and texture!
I think crocheting squares is the perfect project for the brain dead end of the day. I hope you are sewing the ends in as you go...........Loving your basket of colour.
Good on you - a great approach. Love the chair in the top photo!!
such a lovely sight all that crocheted loveliness
LOL! It's funny you say that Kate. I did think of it a couple of times but you know how it is...you finish one and want to get started on the next. But you are right. I should do it now as part of the ritual of completing each square. I will be very appreciative of it when I reach number 625... Thanks for reinforcing the idea and not letting me succumb to procrastination!
I think I'd like to take a leaf out of your book and have a background project. Perhaps not a 625 square crochet blanket! But something that can tick along, be toted places and packed away, something that requires only basic tools. Hmmmmmm...
That is one lovely looking chair. Going back to work is the pits ~ and I'm with you on the time thing. The 625 project sounds like a perfect backdrop to life though.
All that beautiful crochet work makes me want to learn again and give it a go.The finished product will be so worth all the effort that you will go to. :)
M if I sat in your chair I reckon I would be able to crochet instantly!!!
xo Steph
Catherine you should definitely give it a go. Go and check out some online 'how to's" . Pip at Meet me at Mikes has some good links and so does Attic24. I didn't remember how to crochet either until Pip started the Granny a day thing. I followed her links and it all came flooding back. Now I can't stop!! So go for it!!
Take as many leaves as you like Gina. I've come to realise that not a moment should be wasted. I just wish I had relearnt how to crochet 10 years ago. Think of all that time wasted waiting for public transport and watching TV?
Embroidery and anything hand sewn is a good toter project? Would love to hear what you end up doing
Hey M* I brought the felt!!!
Your blanket is going to be amazing. Imagine how you will feel when it is finished and you can walk past it each day and think 'I made that' and smile!
I have big and little projects on the go too. My mother taught me to do that! I am still working on the hand sewn hexagons for a quilt that I also intend to hand quilt. I like the idea of having a quilt done entirely by hand. I have given my self a long time to do it! I also have one quilt top sewn up, just looking for backing, I'm cutting another one, making dolls and other Christmas present etc. What do other people do with their spare time?!!
PS. Thanks for your candid post about being a working mother and have your home hubby. As the home mother I am now feeling a bit more sensitive to my hubby. Even if it is annoying when I ask for help in the middle of the night and only get a "But I have to work"... :)
it's very wise to have a project like that in the background ~ good for time management too! if you have a spare moment you can make a little progress :)
Thanks so much for replying and for your tips. I love creating but I have to say my guilty pleasure is the internet so I am not doing as much creating as I would like to but there are so many pretty things to look at like your crochet. Have a good night!
Smiles Catherine
yes i love background projects ... i've lost count of how many i have ... but i love them all!
welcome back - from the looks of it you had a very relaxing time - hope so!!!
"A background project" now my 'other thing' finally has a better name.. This is going to be a cracker of a blanket. Peta
Gotta love the high-on-portability, in for the long haul background project. 625? Pah! (who the hell am I kidding?)...
Oh my goodness, that's some serious crocheting. You're amazing. Please show us the final product - it will no doubt look fabulous.
i have silver clog envy..! yes will pack wuppet for Japan.. thx x
never look at a can of worms, treat each worm as an individual. 625 worms-nup-one at a time
Background projects are a great idea, especially ones you can do anywhere. And as for the 625 target, maybe imaging yourself and Matthew and 1,2,3 kids under the blanket will help.
Your granny squares are lovely. Sarah Applebaum has done some extremely delightful things with them too. If you're into granny squares you're probably familiar with her work. These images in particular move me:
http://www.sarahapplebaum.com/index.php?silo=portfolio
I love the colors! And I totally understand the lack of time.
You are NOT allowed to send me oodles of lovely crafty fabric bits. My husband would kill me. You can send me like five. But if you send me the lovely trimmings of your crazy quilt attempt it will defeat my ideal. (Which is to use up all my lovely trimmings!)
:P
But thanks for thinking of me. You'll find a use for them I'm sure! Glad to see you still have some time to make things in the midst of bread winning. It's important.
moo!
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