Week in Review 2015 - 07/24

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

Usually I judiciously crop my images so that you can't
see loose threads trailing down or the pins securing
the quilt to the styrofoam wall. Today, I opted
to show Deconstructed Sunrise as it really looked,
when I stopped working yesterday. The binding is
attached, but not turned to the backside.

Sometimes I surprise myself. I've been doing that quite a bit this week in several aspects of my life. Those of you who follow my blog (thank you, thank you!) know that this is the third year that I am participating in the National Bike Challenge. What I love about this is that the vast majority of participants are like me, amateurs eager to find a way to push themselves just a little bit further. The only goal, if it can be called that, is to get out and ride regularly. The way the NBC works is that you get 20 points for each day you ride plus one point for each mile you ride. So if you ride 10 miles your total points for that day are 30. There are five possible virtual badges given out to each rider depending how many points you earn during the five month challenge. The past few years I have reached the first four badges, but never been in the running for the ultimate, final badge. That badge is Diamond, requiring a grand total of 5,000 points. At the rate I've been pedaling I will definitely reach Diamond. This seemed such a lofty, impossible goal when I started. Now I wonder why I sold myself short.

Much of this week's studio time was
spent on FMQ the last couple of
Deconstructed Sunrise panels and
then attaching the panels to each other.

I know I have the reputation of being well organized and a hard worker. Is this deserved? Yes, and no. What you see is what I choose to share. The writing of a weekly blog encourages me to come to some point in the process that "shows" as an accomplishment and photographs well. I surprised myself this week by stopping at good point for me, but less than pretty point for the blog.

I have also been pleasantly surprised by my growing infatuation with Deconstructed Sunrise. This is absolutely a method, palette and concept I feel a need to revisit time and time again.

All these surprises and a few more have resulted in the longest my studio has gone without having my fabric shelved and the remaining detritus stored or trashed. For someone who thrives on clear surfaces and well organized drawers and closets, it is good to know that sometimes, just sometimes I can let go.

Surprise, surprise I even accomplished things this week. Here is how it went:

My studio as it looked Thursday night. Note that the
work table and George's table are becoming covered
with all I "need" and some things no longer needed.
Yes, my studio is huge. I am very fortunate to have the space. 

1) Finish quilting Deconstructed Sunrise - Due November 30, 2015) - Done!

2) Start the finishing work on Deconstructed Sunrise - Done!

3) Free motion quilting practice. - Done!

4) Post the number of days I have worked in my studio in 2015 - 55.5/126

5) Perform a random act of kindness - Done!

What surprises will I have in store for myself next week? They wouldn't be surprises if I knew. No surprise, I do have a plan. Here it is:

1) Continue the finishing work on Deconstructed Sunrise

2) Free motion quilting practice. 

3) Post the number of days I have worked in my studio in 2015

4) Perform a random act of kindness 

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.