I recently, as in today, finished a project that I am not so proud of. The funny thing is that I actually like it. It started about four weeks ago when I saw a pattern I loved from “Schibbles by Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co.” The design is called “Recess” and it is by Carrie L. Nelson. I ordered the pattern and waited anxiously for it to arrive. I should have known this was going to be a troubled project from the start. The first pattern order never arrived after 10 days so I had to contact the online store and they immediately shipped me another pattern. Okay, so things happen. I have never made a quilt with one theme of fabric, but for this one I used Windham Fabric, “Greet the Day” Collection by Lori Siebert. I am usually not so organized as to use one collection, but for this project I thought it would be fantastic. All things considered, the project went together well. That is until I went to square it up. I had somehow managed to get the pattern about 4” out of square…….this has never happened to me before, in fact I was so agitated I did not sew for a week. I guess I thought if I just left the thing alone it would square out on its own….well, that didn’t happen.
So today I ventured into my sewing to make this mistake right, the more I worked on it, the less I could figure out how to fix it. My seams were all good, the layout was correct; there was just no making it straight. I added the borders thinking this would make it better, but nope, that didn’t do anything but accent the offset. So what did I do? I embraced my blunder!
I never knew that a fabric line could so aptly describe a project. Seize the day! It reminded me of what life is all about. I never choose for a day to start out crazy, but like this project, sometimes it does. I never mean to feel a little “out of sorts”, but sometimes that is how the day begins and ends. When all is said and done, I may be a little out of square, but I am in one piece! Just like my finished quilt.
The pattern name and my grandson helped me put things in perspective. “Recess”, kids love to play, and they always seize the day. Why do adults forget to do that? If we were as anxious to play and enjoy what life offers, maybe we wouldn’t be quite so bothered when something isn’t quite straight. I share this story with you to help you smile a bit more. Think of these things:
1) Take each day as it comes! It may not be perfect, but what is? Laugh!
2) Look at life with the eyes of a three year old. You will be amazed at the difference.
3) Embrace your blunders! Rarely are they life threatening. Laugh!
4) Remember that your creations are works of art. Enjoy them no matter what.
Hope your holiday weekend is great. Make sure you seize the day. Enjoy my blundering pictures!
Gifts by Sheri 