something for me

I thought I’d share a project I am currently working on that is something I am making for myself.  Block-by-block, I have been building a lap-sized postage stamp quilt that will house a gazillion prints I love.  Once it is finished, it will sit in a basket in our livingroom, ready and waiting for me to use whenever I’m sitting on the couch. {I had considered making it large enough to use on our queen sized bed, but I’ve decided that I will enjoy it more if it is used in this way.}  I started by cutting a bunch of 2.5″ squares out of my scraps.  Once I made blocks with that pile, I set up a few swaps with some flickr friends and have been making blocks from squares that they have sent me. I’ve since received donations from other friends as well.  I’ve also linked into a scrapbuster swap group that will allow me to swap blocks I’ve made for ones made by other crafters. It will be fun to see the variety of blocks that will result.

The beauty of this project is its simplicity. There is no color scheme and there is certainly no real plan. I just grab a handful of squares and arrange them in a manner that is pleasing to me. When I have time to pull out my sewing machine, I mindlessly chain piece them together. I can sew a block in fifteen minutes.  The process is freeing.

Of the many projects {five, I think, which is A LOT for me!} I have going currently, this one is my favorite by far. What began as an attempt to catalog a countless number of fabric bits that I adore has now become a testament to how generous and friendly this online community of crafters truly is. Most of the time, as I piece together these small bits of fabric, I am not thinking about anything in particular. That is the beauty of this basic, almost rhythmic task. But there are times when I think about the countless kind, generous people I have met through this online platform and how much their friendship, advice, and camaraderie has influenced the things that I make. I get really excited thinking about the final product. It’s going to be such a great quilt!

ETA: I am very lucky in that I now have all the scrappy 2.5″ squares I need to make this quilt. For the time being, I won’t be setting up any more swaps. 

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