Happy Valentine's Day, xo

So far this week has been a week of "fails".

I attempted a bit of paper-piecing. Eventually the inevitable happens...

....one of these things is not like the other! Also, it was the second time I did this within the hour, so I walked away....maybe later today I'll try again.

I haven't worked on my Dutch Treat blocks in a few months, so I prepped one to work on at guild last week and I finished it up over the last couple of days. Why oh why is reverse applique so difficult???!!! I'm not particularly happy with this, but it's the best I can do so it stays...

Enough about that!

On the weekend I threw some fat quarters that are for a new applique project into the washing machine with my regular laundry. Usually all the threads that come loose end up in the lint trap, right? 

Well, who knew that my husband's socks must be some form of Velcro....

I should have thought of taking a picture of the whole week's worth of socks that were exactly the same, but I didn't think of it 'til this last one, haha!!


I lamented the other day about my sore, swollen wrist which I think may be from my hand-quilting this past week.  One nice thing about blogging is that you do get some help from readers.

I had a comment from Julie at Pink Doxies to possibly try a compression glove while I'm quilting. I've ordered one and will look forward to trying this....thanks, Julie!

I suggest visiting Julie for a look at her post on How To Create Quilts With Drama. It's a good read and she offers some valuable tips.

I returned to my Down the Rabbit Hole today after a couple of days off so I could finish binding another quilt. 

I left the thimble in the picture so you could get an idea of the scale of the rabbits. I'm not sure how to quilt the rabbits, they will definitely need something. For now, I'll just SID and return to them later....

Writing this post has brought some thought about my hand-work. I have had many "mature" friends over the years worry that their work is deteriorating due to physical limitations....eyesight, arthritis, etc. I've always commented to this by saying they should just enjoy their craft and not worry about perfection. I think the time is coming for me to practice what I preach. There are definitely some days that my hands waver a bit holding the needle. 

I am going to choose to look at it this way...

My quilting journey is full of many chapters and I want to enjoy them all. My first quilts, like many of us, are obviously "first quilts"! Then they progress and become our best work. Now, in my middle-age, my stitches are changing once again. But I will make the choice to enjoy my craft for what it is on any given day....because I quilt to make me happy....and I choose to be happy because it is good for my health (that last bit is a quote, not actually my words!).

I remember as a hockey mom some parents being so upset at their child's performance. I would say to them to give the child a break, because on any given day that child is doing their best on that day. This philosophy has stuck with my in different ways over the years, and now I will use it in my stitching.

So....now at the end of this long (boring?) self-realization I look back at the photo of my Dutch Treat block and think it's ok.....it's the best I can do today!!!

lol....thanks for sticking with my if you're still reading along!!!, this is not the blog post I started out writing a half hour ago!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am linking up with Lorna for Let's Bee Social, and with Susan at Quilt Fabrication for Midweek Makers.