Friday, November 4, 2011

Am I allowed mention the "C" word?

You know...Christmas? Well, what else did you think I meant :-))

Block 2


So, I've been pondering my table runner for Susan's Modern Christmas Table Runner swap. This runner was probably the worst hit of all my projects when my sewing mojo deserted me a few weeks ago. Inspiration was not coming to me and I was starting to really freak out about the fast approaching swap date. I did some sketches a few weeks ago but discarded them. Then I did a few random wonky Christmas tree blocks. I liked them individually but they just weren't singing for me.

Block 1

This afternoon, in a stormer of a bad mood, I pulled out my fabrics and started cutting triangles. Aggressively. Lol! It made me feel much better. Then I did a bit of sewing. Then I realised it was pretty close to the very first sketch I did. Doh! All that angst for nothing.

Minimalist trees progress

I did have a little freak out trying to get my trees to all sit in a straight line. It involved some swearing and a lot of seam ripping. Or maybe, I should reverse those. A bit of seam ripping and a LOT of swearing :-))) I made sure to send the kids out of the room so they thankfully missed the worst of it. But eventually it all worked. And I smiled. To everyone's relief!!

Then, after putting the kids to bed, and never one to pass up some sewing when inspiration finally strikes,  I decided to do a skiny scrappy border. Its a little wobbly but I'll sort that out with the quilting. And now, as if my magic, the quilt top is done. And I think it looks really nice.

Minimalist Christmas Trees top finished


It appeals to the modernist in me. I love the clean lines, the simple shapes. Love the border and how it pulls it together. Love that it is Christmassy without being twee. So, now I'm happy. The question is, what does my partner think? I hope she likes it. If she doesn't, well, I have already tried it out on my coffee table and it will work perfectly there. So, now, having got that all off my chest I'm off to enjoy a little bedtime glass of red wine.

36 comments:

Live a Colorful Life said...

That runner is SO cute! LOVE.IT.! Not too soon for the "C" word.

Heidi Grohs said...

No...you just ruined my day! ;)

Pat Merkle said...

Love the table runner. Love the fabric in the table runner.

Kathy said...

Amazing what a strong emotion can inspire! Your Christmas runner is so fresh - it's nice to take a break from some of the traditional Christmas tones :)

Toni said...

Sarah, I love it! Maybe it isn't a bad thing for your mojo to disappear for a day or two if you come up with this in the end!

Liz said...

I've always like that combination of white and bright Christmas fabric. It looks great.

Leanne said...

I love it and the story is even better! It is so great when a storming mood leads to a creative breakthrough, sort of like a movie or something.

Susan said...

Its a lovely runner! It would sit very happily on my table! I'll be looking for it in the mail, shall i!?

Jodi B. said...

Sarah in Ireland,
I like your table runner very much. Thank you for sharing your frustration and then the marvelous outcome. Some things work right away, but it is nice to see the "normal" way, many tries to get it just right. Very nice!
Jodi B

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

I'm sure she'll love it! And, it's never to early for Christmas! It sneaks up on us all too fast!

felicity said...

Very cute. Another C word! :)

Lee said...

I love it! I'm not really in the Christmas spirit yet, but that's cute enough to entice me. : )

Erin @ Once Upon a Donkey said...

Congrats on getting your mojo back - and with a bang, might I add. Gorgeous table runner. Very fresh and modern and just loooovely. :)

Charlotte said...

Ooh that table runner is lovely. My google reader page says you are a noreply blogger, didn't know if you knew as blogger sometimes seems to reset itself!!!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

I love it!! (And that's all that matters right! xxx).

Canadian Abroad said...

I think it looks brilliant. I also think that the best sewing is always accompanied by a little (or a lot) of swearing. At least it is in this house.

Elisa Black said...

It came out great!! Glad you worked through your plateau/lapse-- you've got it back now! Nice job!

tusen said...

Looks great. It seems that a bit of frustration sometimes helps ;)

Lynne said...

I think it's lovely. So glad your mojo came back - even if under duress!

BendingPins.com said...

I'm not a holiday decoration person but I love this table runner!! We all have bad days but yours turned out fantastic!

Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane said...

I love it Sarah- so cute! Very modern and clean- perfect.

Sarah said...

Oh wow! It was definitely worth waiting for your mojo to return if this is what happens. Very lucky partner!

Rhonda the Rambler said...

I think it is superb which is much more than I can say about mine right now!!

Katy Cameron said...

Oh good, glad your mojo sauntered back in time for the swap, the top looks fab!

Catherine said...

love it, the colours are crisp and fresh and the design is fab

Isisjem said...

I think it looks great!!

Melissa said...

It is beautiful! I can't imagine anyone not liking it. Congrats :)

Shocking Hocking said...

it's a cracker

The Sunflower Patch said...

Love your "C" trees ;)

Kirsten said...

The chrissy decorations are out in the shops already so it mustn't be too early Sarah:) Love your table runner!!

Cindy said...

Sarah, it's beautiful! Great colors, clean smooth shapes and lovely crisp white. Who wouldn't love it. Well done!!!

Glad you found your mojo again :)

Yon Quilting Wife said...

I am so glad your sewing mojo has returned. The runner looks great.

Mhairi said...

I would love this if it turned up in my mail box so I am sure your partner will too.
Also - try unsewing not seam ripping. So much more positive and less frustrating when you are doing more unsewing than sewing.

Unknown said...

Definitely not too soon! I'm thinking I started a little too late this year...!

Your runner looks beautiful :-) But I do like the single tree's too, you could make a double sided mug rug out of them... or piece them into the backing?

Kritta22 said...

I think you need to make a tute out of that table runner...

You know for us?
But what better way to bring in the Christmas spirit than more swearing by making it again!!!!

I'm just saying.

Then you could have company on Santa's swearing list.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

I think it's looking great :)