Wednesday, December 12, 2012

12 . 12 . 12 - hmmm, this and that

BA{m}S Swap - Ready to wrap and mail

That is the back of my last swap commitment of the year, for the Bee A {modern} Swapper group. I put it in the courier yesterday - it was the very last day to mail, it is the holidays, I am mailing from Canada, it was penance for taking so long, yada yada. I can't show the front yet - my partner, if she saw it, would know immediately it was for her. I backed the mini with an out of print Denyse Schmidt Katie Jump Rope print so even the back is lovely. I really want to show you the front, it turned out so well, so that is the good thing about that courier, it should be delivered this week and then I can share.

BA{m}S Swap

The triple zip pouch made from Winterkist fabrics is also really fun and is the small item for my partner. It is wonky thought, the last (top) zipper and I had a huge fight. I am hoping its colourfulness and triple zip utility will make up for that.

A name tag

That is my new name tag. I joined the Edmonton Modern Quilt Guild, and we have a challenge to make name tags which reflect our personality/style. I think I did ok. The group is really nice but they are mostly not on line so I am working on encouraging them in that regard. I thought I should join, as I am going to Quiltcon (so excited, more on that soon).

The back of my name tag

The back of my name tag, I guess you are not surprised I went for improv. And a basting pin to hold it onto a borrowed lanyard. The next meeting is tomorrow, so this is done in the nick of time.

My helpers

Here is my tip of the week, you can use your heavy, super cute, bookend guys to hold up your rulers and make some room on your cutting mat. And they can also help your name tags and other small things pose for pictures too. It took me long enough to figure that one out so I am sharing.

I am behind. I looked at my Finish Along list and one of 9 things is done. One. Yikes. Luckily, I don't have to make handmade presents this year. I might sneak in a few knitted hats but there is no pressure for gifts. So maybe I can manage a few more FAL finishes, I am going to try - I have until New Years.  Oh, and I have two sets of bee blocks to finish too. I wonder what else I have forgotten about.

And my last thing to show you today, well there is some adult content coming so look away if you need to (or send the kids off for a minute). This project is not on the FAL list but I am looking forward to working on it. It is my quilt for Krista's Proverbial QAL. I have settled on making a quilt for my office wall - a No quilt.

fabrics for proverbial quilt

The No quilt is for me, to remind me to say No. Generally I say yes on the phone or by email, I say yes because people need me, because I know how to do what they want, because I like to be helpful. But I need to say No more often, I have too much to do and not everything I agree to is a good use of my time, and not every project is good for me.

I have picked out those fabrics. Center City by Jay McCarroll and some solids with various linens for backgrounds. These are some of my most favourite fabrics. The quilt will follow the Proverbial Quilt pattern by Denyse Schmidt, with some additions and variations. I already have some variations, Rebecca (my daughter) has embraced this project and is embroidering. She either thinks I have a streetwise inner voice or need to get one soon. Here is her first block.

For my No quilt

I love it. This is good in all kinds of situations. She has made another, which is ruder and I have not yet taken a picture but I will soon, I expect she is not done with this project yet.

Suggestions for No lines are welcome (edited to add: the ideas do not have to be rude, I am expecting to use many family rated No statements). This is for me, to remind me. The persons asking will not likely ever see the quilt on my wall so it is not a sign to them. And it is not about "I can't" or any other disempowering ideas - of course I can. But I should learn to say No anyway, at least more of the time than I do. I have several lines in mind already, but the wall in my office is very high, there is plenty of room for more.

I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to working on this quilt, while I also work on my FAL projects, and watch movies, TV and read books, hang out with family, and enjoy the season.

If you have not yet entered my Architexture giveway, go here to do so - there are no hoops or anything and the prize is excellent.

It is 12 . 12 . 12, that is not going to happen again for a long while. Enjoy your day.

Best,

Leanne

33 comments:

Canadian Abroad said...

Love that pouch. When I have time again I am going to try that tutorial. The name tag is so perfectly you too. And we have discussed the No quilt. My idea wasn't rude - should it be rude?

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

I LOVE the No quilt idea - but that might be because I love subversive quilts. How about "no f***ing way".

Debbie said...

Fun nametag - so cool you joined the guild! And RE: the no quilt - I'm sorry I'm not too rude. At my worst, I may be known to holler, "ARE YOU CRAZY!?" ;-/

Di said...

The triple zippy pouch looks so good in those bright colours. As for the no quilt. Just say no! Di x

Teje Karjalainen said...

Beautiful pouch and I love your name tag! Wonderful fabrics for your new wall quilt! I feel that lately I say first no being affraid if I have time to do what is asked and then I think if I'm able to say yes. x Teje

Annabella said...

Can't wait to see the swap reveal but I know it will be wonderful, and yes the name tag is perfectly you. As for the 'no' quilt, I can't come up with anything straight away as I need more coffee...we all need to learn to say 'no' more. Good on you Leanne.

Susan said...

Love the name tag...especially the back! About the NO quilt...what about .."What part of NO don't you understand!?" It will be a great quilt!

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

So much eye candy in one post, Leanne! Can't wait to see the mini, the triple zip pouch is superb - and your daughter's embroidery is fantastic! Not quite as rude but I say 'hell no' a lot (when I'm trying to be polite - otherwise I'm there with your daughter ;o) )

Sarah said...

I'd love to do a block for you, how about a good old Scottish "git tae fuck!" The less rude version also sounds less serious "nah" I'd go sweary.... ;-)

Gertie Pye said...

Love the name tag! I like your daughter's embroidery! As my daughter is only 6 I usually say "No my love" when I have to tell her no to something. I'm sure when she's older she'll be saying the other to me!

Jenny Squawk said...

Yippie! I'll be at QuiltCon with a bunch of my guildies. As for your mates who aren't online too much - no big deal. Many a modern quilter is blogless.

elle said...

oh, I like those bookends! lol

Heather D. said...

Can't wait to see the reveal of the mini. The back is lovely, I can only imagine the front!

Svetlana said...

gorgeous projects, Leanne. I so love your name tag, it's definitely so you.

Karen said...

there should be more cursing in the world :)

Kelly said...

Love the zippy pouch and the name tag, But I especially love the rudey embroidery. I need one of those for my work wall ;-)

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Katy Cameron said...

I love the Winterkist pouch, it looks straight enough to me (although I'm not feeling too well and squinting slightly at the screen here ;o) )

For your new project 'Hell no!' or, how about 'Non, Niet, Nein, Nej, Nee, Nincs, Nie, Ne, Nao, Nu'. If you look at the non-latin alphabet languages, you can get some very pretty looking symbols for No too ;o)

Catherine said...

Ha ha the the no quilt!

Skye said...

I love the No Quilt. Perfection.

Here is my contribution:

Nyet. Nein. Uh uh. Nope. Get out of TOWN.

What Comes Next? said...

your projects are great - good luck with getting more of them crossed off your list. What I really love is your "No" quilt - it's exactly the same sentiment that is driving my Proverbial QAL - which hasn't started yet as I haven't said "no" enough!

Erin Quinn said...

No -
I don't think so...
Absolutely, positively No.
At this time your suggestion is not feasable.
Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough.
Learn to say 'no' to the good so you can say 'yes' to the best.
Unlikely...
Ain't no body got time for dat!

I'm trying tot hink if I have any else, but I don't...
I'm all tapped out.

I can't wait to see it when it's finihsed!
E

Marg said...

Love the NO quilt idea, that's going to be fabulous.
The name tag reflects perfectly, your style.

Captain StitchyPants said...

Love that quilt idea :) Being able to say no is very empowering!

No. Hell no. Nope. Sod off. Nuh-uh.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Love it all!!
I will try to think of something more constructive than my first thought xxx

Mary Menzer said...

Hee hee hee.

So glad I read your blog!

My local MQG has many members not really on line much, but some are and we are pulling those unfamiliar into the virtual world. Some are saying f**k no.
heeheehee

Unknown said...

Ain't gonna happen
Not now, not later, not ever!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

Love your triple zip pouch and that name tag...as for the no quilt, it will be interesting to see it finished.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Love the pouch and name tag...and the little bookends - they're so cute! I also love the idea of your 'No' quilt and can't wait to see more!

P.S. Not on your nelly!

Thearica said...

I like this concept of a NO quilt... hmmm...

Here is my additions:

Do I look like I have "Yes" written on my forehead?

Nupe!

Nadda!

Not in a New York minute!

Not!

Zilch!

Nope!

Shit no!

No freaking way!

I don't think so!

What part of "NO" do you NOT understand... The "N" or the "O"?

I did NOT stutter when I said "NO"!

Not "No" but "Hell No"!

OK.. I will leave some more for the others. Hope these help. :)





StuffandThings said...

Your mini quilt is genius!

OPQuilt said...

The way I think about no is by way of analogy of a house. Some guests (tasks) are delightful and fun to have around and know when to leave. Some guests are fun for a couple of days and then you begin to wonder why in heavens name did you let them in the front door in the first place? And so I have adopted a meeting them at the front door, the "Not even getting in the house" as a way of deferring on those houseguests (tasks, obligations other think up for me) that I know I won't be able to get rid of. I just did another one of those Not Even In The Front Door today (a person called wanting me to join a ladies who lunch club of over-75 year olds!) by saying Aren't you sweet to think of me, then not even letting it in my proverbial house.

Gee. I hope you're not a shrink.

Kidding. Great post. I always learn a lot from you.

Elizabeth E.

Sarah said...

No, you can't have an ice block is something I say repeatedly on these long hot Australian summer days! I have young kids. N-O spells no is another statement I remember from my childhood.