Wednesday 20 May 2009

Going backwards !

Still having trouble with the trapped nerve down my left arm so have abandoned the big borders from the last post for now. I am trying to set up some physiotherapy - it is really annoying me . Just won't seem to settle.


Instead I am working on another UFO. This is English paper pieced and I started it a few years ago. Basically I didn't have a plan and it just sort of grew and grew. At one point I just looked at it and thought - no I didn't like it too much. And it sat in a basket and that was that. On Saturday we had a quilters day where we all worked on our own quilts. Most were working on lovely new blocks and things whilst I sat and unpicked.


A few of the ladies were wondering what on earth I was doing but I knew it would forever sit as a UFO if I didn't do something with it. And although it was very fiddly I wanted to save the fabrics as they are pretty and far too nice to just put in the bin.


So it went from this




to this.




I have started sewing these back together with the addition on some more fabrics to zip it up a bit. The plan is now to work on this exclusively for a week and see how far I get. I have loads of hexagons prepped and will take them everywhere I go. If my shoulder keeps playing up though I won't have an awful lot to show for it.


Occasionally we go to car boot sales and I'm always on the lookout for things I can renovate. A while back I bought a tatty old shelf - paint peeling and a bit mouldy. Jason looked on with disbelief as I parted with my 50p. After a little work sanding and painting and a bit of time with my drill I now have this on my bedroom wall.



The lovely mini quilt is from a swap with Carolyn.

Off to cut some scraps I think - ready for when I decide to do something other than a UFO.






21 comments:

Belvie said...

Sorry to hear you are having such an awful time with that shoulder. Hope it gets better real soon.

That little shelf is so cute. You did a wonderful job refinishing and decorating it!

Jackie Russell said...

Hope your arm is feeling better soon. Your GFG blocks are really starting to bloom.

Elsie Montgomery said...

Sorry about the arm. Nerve damages take awhile to heal, but you are taking advantage of the down time!

You certainly made your money go far with that lovely little shelf! Wonderful!

Carolyn said...

The quilt looks darling on the little shelf! I'm so sorry about your arm...I have a trapped nerve in my right arm and it's not fun to deal with when it flares up badly. Healing prayers are headed your way!

Quilter Kathy said...

So sorry to hear about your continuing nerve problem....that shouldn't happen to quilters!
I am amazed that you had the patience to unbuild that whole hexagon quilt!
Love the little shelf you made!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Very good use for a 50p...looks wonderful and it great to give something a new lease of life.

Chookyblue...... said...

goodluck with your arm hope it improves quickly......
love your little shelf.......

Gail said...

I like the little shelf! Sometimes husbands just can't see the potential in things can they?

Sorry Your arm is hurting again, I've had something similar and it's not fun! Try to not carry anything with that hand--like shopping bags etc--I find mine is worse when I forget and do that!

Blessings

loulee said...

I do hope that shoulder eases up for you. How frustrating.
Your new shelf is adorable, and so is the mini.
I like your blue project, but if it wasn't right for you then unpick you must. I hope you're happier with its reincarnation. Good luck.

Ali Honey said...

That was brave of you - unpicking! Bad news about that left arm - I hope you get some relief soon.

You are a great hangy person - wow a new shelf!

julieQ said...

Gosh, I am sorry for your shoulder. Chronic pain is just the pits! I like your UFO, so pretty.

Unknown said...

I wish there was some real cure for arms and shoulders and necks for women who quilt. I barely touch a needle these days. I hope you will feel better soon. I love your new shelf.

Floss said...

The shelve is perfect. What a lovely way to displace the mini quilt and other bits.

Kieny The Dutchlady said...

Hope your shoulder/arm is getting better soon. And good luck with the hexagons. The shelf piece is looking great you did a wonderful job on it!

Unknown said...

Hope your shoulder improves soon - there's nothing more frustrating than wanting to stitch and not being able to. Love the shelf, the perfect hanging device for that lovely little mini-quilt. You obviously have a great eye for spotting a sow's ear :o)

Chocolate Cat said...

Gosh that little shelf in your bedroom came up well. It looks great. Hope your shoulder is on the mend.

meggie said...

Oh! I love your car boot rescue! Just what I am looking for.
I send you warm hugs & healing thoughts for your shoulderXX
Love the little quilt in the shelf too, very pretty.

Teresa said...

wow..you must be a very patient person to unsew all those blocks, but I agree with you, the fabrics are lovely and deserved to be rescued. I love your shelf-quilt rack. You did a very nice job with the display too.

A Time for Stitching said...

I hope your arm is better soon. It's frustrating when you have so much you want to do and can't get on with it, but wise to let it heal first.

What patience you have to unpick all those hex's and I love the shelf. I don't have much luck at boot sales myself.
Teresa

sewkalico said...

Hope that trapped nerve eases up soon. Love that shelf!!! Unpicking, I hate it, but I agree, I hate to waste fabrics so reverse sewing is often worth it.

Jean said...

I can't believe you took that all apart! It will be interesting to see how it grows again!