A Half Inch Does Make a Difference!

OK, anyone who thought they knew what I am going to say, you are wrong- so go stand in the corner!
I am nearly finished with a quilt top and I am so excited- It's been a difficult (I was going to say hard but remembered the readers who are standing in the corner) top to do. Lots of little squares and triangles that all have to fit just right to form a pattern. The tutorial said easy blocks to make- maybe for someone who cuts straight and can also sew a straight seam, which obviously is not me. Got the blocks done. Squared them off (sort of) started building the rows. Middle looks good. added inside borders- got a little wonky here but with a few adjustments- ok, fine, fine. Put together the outside rows of blocks, hmmm, that double border caused a slight gap, no worry, added a little extra detail and good to go. Now all I need to do is sew them to each side. Side one- what the heck??? Why aren't the rows matching, why am I short a half inch??? Not good. Definitely not good. Can't add to the length because the stupid block dividers still won't match, Nasty looking, very unprofessional, not that I am any professional, I just want to look that way.
DISCOVERY... one of the blocks wasn't quite square, instead of 6x6 it was 6x5 1/2. Right in the middle of the darn row!
No extra material to make another, so right there I must add a 1/2 inch of something to extend it. (Ok, Bob, quit smirking or you get a time out). Match divider?- no too noticeable- if it's going to stand out I will just let it do that and use a contrasting piece like it was a signature. I did it on purpose kind of idea.
If it ever gets finished I will post a picture and you can play Where's the 1/2 Inch? And while you're at it you can also play "There's another Oops" which is another one of my endearing imperfection games!
Everyone can now leave the corner.

Memories, Patience and Imperfection

I am going to start with the patience bit. I usually have a lot of patience, but since July of this year I lost it somewhere. When the GM when off her rocker (another story someday for those who don't know) I was a half-way saint. I took my role as second caregiver seriously, with sympathy and a little empathy. I had needed care after my accident and it was given freely with love. It didn't take long before I realized there would be no return in this endeavor. GM isn't one to say thank you or show she grateful. No smiles, no recognition of thankfulness no conversation unless it is an order. I began to be slightly resentful. My stress level when off the charts and my mood soured. I tend to mutter epithets  under my breath. My relationship with others began to become a little frayed! My grand daughter called me out on it and I resolved to to better. PSP tagging always helped but it became a chore to keep up. I still love it and do some to keep active. Then somehow I remembered my old blogger friends. Started reading those who were still around. One thing lead to another and I found a Quilting blog. Thank you Madam Samm! From there I followed new people with shared interests and found it helped me cope with the drudge of routine bathroom runs and all the rest of the caregiver stuff.  I dug out some really old scraps and started a crazy quilt. I now have several projects underway for Christmas. Where does the patience fit in? Well, so far I swear I have taken out more stitches than I have sewed. I have miscut, miscalculated, and misplaced so much. I realized I have never thrown down a piece, just fixed it (to the best of my ability) and go on. I have results in mind and it takes patience and enduring. If I can do it with my sewing I can do it with GM. Guess what? It really works! Not to say I still don't occasionally mutter a bit....(and we won't mention tired)
I had some flashbacks in the memory department this morning. I remembered my Home EC (mandatory in Junior High) teacher, Mrs. Petersen. She was very patience with a class of twenty or so giggling girls who never saw a sewing machine before they stepped into her class. She was PATIENCE!  She would help us rip out seams and adjust patterns and laugh with us. I really didn't get much more than the basics back then but later in my teens I self-taught myself to sew and loved it. It can be a get away from everything else. Me and my project, in a very messy room, having fun. Sometimes I am rewarded with good results!

My sewing, crafting and quilting is very much like me. Imperfect. I don't quit because of that, sometimes I embrace it. Imperfection becomes individuality when you adjust it! Sew there, another entry in my blog!

Finding Comfort in Strange Places

Sometimes it's the little bright spots that can cheer you and give you comfort. I do not have time to do much tagging and follow my few groups I love so much, but I have subscribed to these newsletters/blogs. Of course, I need to include my all/old time favorite Wildcat's lair (gotta love those crazy cats and dragons!)

http://wildcatslair.blogspot.com/

http://www.sewwequilt.com/

http://www.susanbranch.com/

Somehow I find real comfort in some one's else's reality and fantasy. Right now, I don't have time to quilt (but I have pieces out to cut) I can't vacation in Martha's Vineyard (but I feel like I am there-Love Willard too~) and I must admit I want to jazz up Wildcat's Steampunk with some attitude (sorry Bill, you need more Steampunky decor!!! BUT I love the storyline) And ask Uncle Kerouac makes me laugh like crazy!

I also am abusing phone calls to a friend that doesn't need more stress, but Lordie, IT HELPS!

Thank you all- I will love you to the end and back!