Wednesday 14 March 2012

Dear Jane.......

.... you can't scare me!! 

That's a turn up for the books considering the meltdown I had over (not so) Dear Jane's quilt last week.  I swear at one point I was ready to burn the book.  Thank goodness I didn't because now I'm really starting to have fun.

OK... I did decide to start the whole thing again but that wasn't so bad.... I'd only made 4 blocks and I didn't like two of them.   First off I made these two....


and you just wouldn't believe how calm and in control I was.   No freaking out at all.   Flushed with success I sewed these....


then these.....


followed by......



and tonight I'm working to finish this.


Hey Kit..... it's GREEN!! 

How about that.  Almost nine blocks in the bag and only 216 to go..... I can do this!   But I think  it's going to take a while.

Who'd have believed that one week could make such a difference.     I have Supergoof to thank for the turnaround.    You see the root of my problem was..... I wanted my Dear Jane to look exactly like hers.   Sound stupid to you.... it does to me...now!    The thing is I've loved her version of the quilt for years... yes years.   I look at it on her blog every week... more than once a week too.   Does that make me a Quilt Stalker?

So... when I decided to start my own DJ I was subconsciously stashing fabrics that I thought would recreate her gorgeous quilt.  Then when I finally started working on it everything went went downhill fast my brain shut down.    No matter how hard I tried I couldn't do it.   I couldn't 'see' her quilt in my fabric stash.

It took a while... some good advice from Ingrid and encouraging comments on my last post from some lovely quilters (you know who you are) for me to realise the error of my ways.

The penny dropped!    The reason I couldn't make Ingrid's quilt is..... I'm not her!  I'm ME!   I can only make MY quilt and obviously it will look different but I will love it because I made it.  Eureka!! 

There must be a moral here somewhere but I'm blowed if I can see it.   I'm glad I got all that off my chest.

Now I will show you how all MY blocks look together.....


I really am happy with them.... pretend the green one (for Kit) is finished .   Who knows what colours I'll put in the next block.  I don't.  I'm following recommendations and letting DJ take me where it wants to go.

OK.... before you start a collection to send me to a shrink I'll change the subject.

Look what the postman brought.....


Lynette Anderson's newest book.   I pre-ordered it months ago and it actually arrived ahead of the scheduled time.   Lovely surprise and gorgeous book.    Another 'must make every project in it' book if ever there was one.     Good job I think I'm beginning to sew faster. 

Now before I forget..... it's FNSI time again.    It's this coming Friday and this time I remembered to tell you about it.   As my last Friday Night Sew In sucked  (due to circumstances beyond my control) I'm determined to enjoy this one... to the full!!    Haven't decided what I'm going to do yet but I'm not short on choices.

Now guess what..... I'm going to make you look at yet another cat photo...


Baggy Puss kept me company all afternoon....... he had some great Karma going... Peace and Love to Quilters everywhere..... ahhhhhh

OK... I'm out of here.   I don't think I'll sleep tonight unless I get that green block finished........

Hope you all are having a fantastic week

See ya soon with my FNSI update...

Josie

17 comments:

Sue said...

Congratulations Josie, a confident start is as good as a finish. Your blocks are scrunmptious.

Ellen said...

Your blocks look absolutely fantastic and you have already made so many of them. Certainly putting me and my slow pokey ways to shame!! I am so glad that you have found your way.

Kaye R said...

Glad you have come to peace with it all. I have admired the DJ for a long time but am not ready to do it yet. I will eagerly watch your progress. Happy Sewing.....

Wendy said...

What a great new start Josie! Your blocks look wonderful. I really need to get back on mine again. Your blocks are really inspiring and make me want to do more. Thanks for the update.

Sue said...

What a wonderful start on your DJ blocks ! Just love the fabrics you have chosen, lovely blocks !

Lynette said...

LoL :) (I jumped over from Janiacs) Josie, your Baby Janes are gorgeous. I'm glad you decided to keep working with the project. And hey - really neat way to stage the photos of the blocks!

Anonymous said...

Your blocks look great. I'm glad you took a deep breath and hung in there.

Leanne said...

Beautiful Dear Jane blocks, you have done a great job.

Supergoof said...

YESSSS JOSIEPOWER!!!
;o)

I love your blocks,....
;o)))))))))

Grethe said...

WOW! Lovely DJ blocks,nice way to present your latest blocks:-)
(I`m still at no 4).Lynette`s books seems good;just put my name for her draw.
Have a super weekend at your end:-)

marina said...

Your blocks look great, so glad you have found your enthusiasm again. Love that green block.
Gorgeous pic of Baggy Puss, keep them coming. Oh to have the life of a loved feline.

Anonymous said...

you are so funny Josie,i love your blocks they look fantastic,well done.xx

LuAnn said...

Hi Josie I love your Dear Jane blocks. I just had my finished top out yesterday trying to decide what to do with it. I like all of the reds and creams you had on your wall in the previous post. Beautiful.

Wendy said...

Josie, I just love your blocks, they're gorgeous!! I had missed seeing you were unhappy with the first lot but I can see these are perfect. Baggy Puss looks like he's smiling, brilliant photo. Wendy xx

Aunt 'Reen said...

Congratulations - you've gotten quite a few blocks done and they are ALL beautiful!

Raewyn said...

So pleased you got over your 'block'..you are well on the road to recovery now! Love your blocks!! Your new book sounds a goodie too, I haven't had a chance to see a copy yet but i imagine it to be yum. Hope you had a better FNSI than last time --- and i LOVE your prince charming aka baggy Puss photo!!

Denise said...

Josie..YOUR Dear Jane blocks are absolutely lovely. I'm glad you're having fun again. That's what it is all about!