December | 2014 | Paula Sue Quilts

I have one more day until I start this new project to make a block a day for 365 days, dedicating each block to a friend or family member. In the last few days I have been prepping for it. I have picked a block, organized my fabric and practiced making the block. There are a few things I have come to know:

1. There is no way that making a block every day for 365 days is going to happen if I don’t get faster at this. If I don’t, it will remain just a romantic notion and I will have a cute wall hanging by April.

2. I need organization and planning (see #1)

3. The title I chose for this project is pretty lame. Since the block is going to be a hummingbird, we will just call it Hummingbirds.

4. The original thinking behind who would get a block dedicated to them was just as lame. Mostly because I want to make blocks for people that have brought joy and laughter in my life but I probably wouldn’t make them a quilt as I don’t know them anymore, not really (Facebook doesn’t count). And the converse is true as well, there are a few people who have the lion share of quilts and they are totally getting a bird.

Here are some facts and thoughts about hummingbirds.

1. When we bought this house this year, the first thing we noticed were that there were dozens and dozens of humming birds living in a tree. They are magnificent and are so loud you can hear them from inside the house. Until then, I had never seen one sitting still perched on a branch. It was just perfect.

2. If you google them you find some interesting quotes:

“The hummingbird spirit animal symbolizes the enjoyment of life and lightness of being.”

“Appearing out of no where the Hummingbird springs joy in the heart, and there is magic in the air in this moment of fleeting serendipity”

Who doesn’t need a good spirit animal, right?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

About a year ago I came across a blog – “A Thousand Quilted Cranes“. A designer was commemorating all of those that touched his life (either positively or negatively) by making cranes dedicated to them. I was inspired to do the same, although I could never quite figure out the best way to do it. I didn’t want to shamelessly copy him and do Margaret Rolfe’s crane… that is his. Although it is tempting, as this crane is beautifull. I also struggled with what I would write about each person (and am still struggling with that), how many I would make, how I would pick them, etc…

I was working on binding for a quilt this morning for someone who’s baby is already 6 months old and it hit me. I will dedicate each block to someone I would have made a quilt for. Odd, I know. You might be thinking, “Well why didn’t you just make a quilt for them?”. I only have one answer for you… LIFE. It gets in the way.

I have a full time job, responsibilities and a serious addition to cable TV. I don’t have a prioritized list of who is more important when it comes to making quilts and there is no way I can make one for everyone. In the end, it usually comes down to what is going on in my life at the time. For example, if you are having a baby and I don’t have time to start a quilt for you, you will most likely get something nice from a store. But know that I desperately wanted to make you something. If you are lucky, I started a quilt and told you about it. That ususally means you will eventually get it (even if it’s 2 years from now).

I start this project this week, today in fact. I will pick a design, create a separate page on my site for those that are interested to track my progress and start making blocks January 1. The ultimate goal – 365 blocks – a years worth of would be quilts.

I don’t have anything to show right now so I leave you with more UFO’s from Quilt Festival this year.