Thursday, August 14, 2008

#2 BOM tomorrow--can't wait

Tomorrow is the new post for block #2 of the Star BOM. I am so excited!! I feel that I need to post or maybe vent today about what Judy has (or is) going through. Remember this is my view and feeling about this. I think people complaining about Judy's hard work and publishing a FREE BOM for us to enjoy is totally awesome! Just because they don't or can't read and follow the directions doesn't mean that has anything to do with her. This struck a cord with me since I have learned to view life in a different way since my husband was killed in a motorcycle accident. Life is to short to give up or blame someone else for things that we do wrong. This Star BOM is a great way to challenge yourself if you have gotten set in your way in regards to quilting. First look at using the 16" of an inch, it is funny to see how many of us have learned where the 16" of an inch and we learned this in the first block so what will we learn in the remaining blocks? I want to take this moment to thank Judy for helping me step outside the box and learn something new. I now know how to read a ruler using the the 16"of an inch and learned that there is even a 32nd of an inch mark on that ruler. However, I can't really see the markings that great even with my reading glasses on...(old age does suck). Do you know what else I want to thank Judy for. I have been quilting for the last 20 something years and I avoid the bias. Why? Let me tell you why...because when I press my seems I really press them and so I have a hard time with my blocks being square and not wavy. So the bias, wowza, see the hairs on my arms standing on end? That is because I will totally stretch out my block with the way I press. With that I have stayed away from the bias thing but when I saw Judy's quilt. I loved it and being on a budget right now with going back to school and such I loved that fact that it was free so here I am. I do have to admit that when I sat down to do the first block after spending 2 hours picking out my fabrics using up my stash and doing a scrappy quilt. I was ready to go but then the brakes came on because it was now 8 pm and what was this cut a square 5 3/16" what is that. I take pride and say ok I can cut 7/8" but what is a 5 3/16"? HELP!! So I got on line knowing that Judy was out of town from her post so I couldn't go to her and I do have to admit that is when I didn't like the blog thing because I wanted to reach out and talk to someone so I could do my block. I wasn't going to bed till I did! (once I get something in my head I can't quit) so I started snooping and posting notes for those of you that had already done your block. So check this out. I sent out SOS's and look at what Gail did for me. Remember I am new at this blogging thing so I don't know alot but she was amazing...(Thank you Gail) I felt so loved that you would take time to edit your blog and put a note out there for me to find:) Anyway back to the topic...I did finally have to call my BF and ask him where is the 16" on the ruler and he was so helpful about explaining to me where it was and away I went. Ok it was really 2 calls but also needed to have an excuse to hear his voice because I was so nervous about cutting out my block and it is hearing his voice that calms me the minute I hear him. Wow, how come I keep getting side tracked here? So I got my block cut out but was nervous about working with the bias but knowing it would stretch I knew I had to be extra careful. Ok so I will be truthful. I did great until it was 11 pm and i had to get up at 4 am so the last 2 steps I didn't measure or square up so my block went down the tube just like that. I will admit I was so mad the next day I am not doing this BOM and it was dumb but then my foot reached back and gave me a good swift kick in the pooper and I reminded my self I am not a quitter! I am a quilter...and I have overcome a lot in my life and I am not going to quit. I can do this...I can do this...I also had a lot of people pushing me not to give up. I am a very vocal person and need to talk about what goes on in my head to everyone. So, after everyone telling me not to give up. Guess what? I did my block 1 for the second time and it turned out perfect. Did I tell you that my second block TURNED OUT PERFECT...oh am I yelling that. Sorry it is all the excitement of it measuring out 12 1/2" and that I have 1/4" around for my points. How cool is that...It is way cool. So remember all you bloggers out there life is to short to not be happy! Believe me I don't live in a perfect pink house and I struggle at life and what it deals us but really lets be happy we have someone that is willing to give us a free STAR BOM!!! Way to go Judy...Step outside the box and enjoy life. It is to short and you never know what tomorrow will bring.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you figured it all out and your block came out perfect. After the 2nd block, I think the rest of them will be a piece of cake! Thanks so much for the encouraging words!

Anonymous said...

I think I avoid the 1/16" like you have been avoiding bias. I'll have to go look at my rulers and see if any of them mark the 16th's. Glad you are having fun and learning at the same time!

Jo in TAS said...

Gidday Polly,
Welcome to the blogoverse and thank-you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. It's lovely to say hi to new bloggers. I remember when I started I was so excited that I was talking to people from across the globe.
Life's to short to be worried about what others think. Good on Judy for being a sharing person (there's lots out there!).
Good on you too for tackling her BOM and making it perfect!!
Hope to see more of your work.
Cheers