Dear Jen and letting go!

Setting the mood for the day! Yesterday didn't start out well as several irritating or unexpected issues arose, and that was before 9 AM! However, I discussed my frustration with one of the groups, and all was OK. I have a Plan B, and that's all that counts! 

Thanks to everyone on that call for listening to me! Sometimes, all you need is someone to listen. I didn't need them to solve the problem; I just needed to vent. 

Good grief—I've been meaning to talk about Dear Jen, but I keep getting caught up with other things. 

Dear Jen was the fifth Jen Kingwell quilt I taught. The others being Long Time Gone, Wanderer's Wife (previously Gypsy Wife), Boho Heart, and Green Tea and Sweet Beans. I think this fifth one was a killer. It was the worst of the lot for the blocks; however, the setting is the easiest!

Dear Jen

Some of the 72 blocks in this quilt border on ridiculous! And of course, it was designed for hand piecing, where you can get away with much more! I haven't had a chance to return to work on my quilt, but I've made a huge start. I believe I shared it a couple of weeks ago, but in case you forgot, here's what mine looks like. 

My version of Dear Jen

I will get it done! 

Here is what happened for the others in the Dear Jen class. Something about this pattern made you either love it or hate it—or come to hate it! Two other people called it a day early on and made smaller projects. 

Cheryl

Gail

I applaud Cheryl and Gail wholeheartedly. They made a decision, substituted blocks or used orphan blocks, but did NOT let the project become a UFO. Kudos to both of them. 

Then several people loved the blocks, and while the tops aren't finished yet, they are well on their way to completing them. 

Brenda made one of each block and used the same narrow sashing I chose. 

Brenda

Lucy made many blocks and added others from her orphan block stash. She found a center block/panel; all that remains is assembling it. 

Lucy

Lois made most of the blocks and will be sashing them with a gold fabric. 

Lois

Lois

Leslie made THREE of each block. Some were substitutes. 

Leslie

Linda was making three or four of every block, and until spring hit (garden time), she kept up with the monthly homework! 

Linda V

Linda V

Cathie made three of many blocks, and her top is almost together. 

Cathie

The rest of the group made significant progress on the blocks but stalled along the way. And that's OK - I got stalled. It's OK to get stalled. Now is the time to stop making more blocks for this project and make something with what you have, like Gail and Cheryl did at the beginning of this post. 

Sheila

Sheila

Sandy

Nancy

Kathi

Maryke

Margaret

Lynn

Linda W

Karen

Deb

Cathy

Cathy

This was a very challenging quilt. The colors, the blocks, the quantity—everything about it was challenging. Everyone should congratulate themselves on what they accomplished and move on! Why did I choose this quilt? Multiple people suggested it, and I said YES before looking at the pattern. Sigh....... Lesson learned: Do NOT agree to teach something not on your radar screen!!

I will say that I contemplated many times - if others can make these blocks, then why can't I? I have the skills, but something about this quilt or my mental state said - it's not going to happen. As I mentioned in my other blog post, my Dear Jen quilt will be completed and used in the studio as a reminder that I do NOT have to finish every project I start. Or I don't have to make it like the original. Making it smaller, conquering that fear of not making it like the original is a HUGE roadblock, and I can safely say that I made it over the barrier. 

Needless to say, this is the last Jen Kingwell on my to-do list! I may consider one other, Small World, but I'm done! 

Speaking of being done, I'm about done with classes. I don't want to say I'm at the breaking point, but I will be so thankful when this month ends. I never thought I would say that, but I'm so ready to throw in the towel. My brain has reached its capacity and beyond. I just need to stretch it over one more week to get through Quilt Canada, and then I'll be home free. 

People have said that you know when it's time to retire, downsize, or whatever. I've reached that point! I'm not ready to stop cold turkey, but I'm done! I need a break! I'm so glad I made the decision to cut back. It's going to be a treat to work on my projects without having to stop and take pictures or prep a presentation! I can hardly wait! 

On that note, we have the UFO club this morning, which is my favorite since it means we are getting those old projects done! Everything is ready to go!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!