Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Looking toward the end...from the beginning!

I have been working pretty steadily again on the Dear Jane...here is the second row completed. I have decided to go in order and do each block and row straight through. This will ensure I don't skip around and just do the easiest blocks first...which I would do if I did not have a grand plan. Wish I could do a row a week, but that is not going to happen, however, I am very pleased with my progress so far. I have been thinking of why I really wanted to complete a Dear Jane quilt...and here is what I came up with.

1. To honor Jane, the real person, who persevered and got her quilt completed...in war time.

2. It is a real challenge! I am not an expert quilter by any means, and these block really stretch my abilities far beyond...anything I have ever done before. And I like them because they are little bitty!

3. I feel very strongly lately that I really need to get going on these "Bucket List" quilts that I thought I would do when I was older...older is right now, and no one knows how long we have granted on this earth. Illness is rampant, and I feel that I just need to get this done...NOW!


I like this block! fun and wonky...and the color is different than the plethora of browns in Jane's quilt. I was thinking...I bet many of her colors faded to brown, and were different than the brown they appear today...just thinking.

OK, I got tired of the super hard blocks, and decided to clean out the 2.5 inch drawer and make some nine patches...pretty, huh? Just scraps, but I like 'em!!!



Weigh-In Wednesday!!!



drum roll please...



x+8!!! I lost two pounds this week! (X is the goal weight)


I hope all of you have wonderful days this week!!

Gratitude's:

A Dear Jane book

Dear Husband and dear son and dear daughter in law!

Air conditioning

Cool lemonade in this warm afternoon




Julie

27 comments:

Amelia said...

You are amazing...the blocks look fantastic.

God is blessing you in many ways - love your gratitudes.

Take care of yourself -

Sharon said...

Congrats on EVERYTHING! you are right, no time like the present. For me it's vintage quilts, appliqued ones, that are inspiring me so that is what I'm spending my time working on. Enjoy the process and work on what makes you feel good and don't worry about the other projects, you'll get to them or give them away *vbg*

Becky said...

Your Dear Jane project is inspiring! You are so right. Each day is to be lived and savored. Congrats on your weight loss progress!!!!!! Have a wonderful evening! Take care!

Ali Honey said...

I love the 3 red blocks in the top photo. Am I allowed to say I don't actually like DJ quilts? I like the story and why and how she made it but as brown doesn't do it for me I don't feel the urge to make one. I wonder if anyone has made one without brown....in blues and greens perhaps or even something bright. ( your thought about them fading to brown sounds quite feasible. )
Your little blocks are to my liking especially that bright blue one in the centre.
Hugs from NZ.

Karen said...

Are you making your DJ blocks the same size as in the book? It is hard to tell just looking at them. You have done a very good job on those you have made so far.

Stephanie in Michigan said...

Looking good. I'm just about to embark on the Farmer's Wife blocks...a similar type project. My friend back in Idaho is teaching a class on it, so I'm counting on her to keep me on task with getting it done. Good job making forward progress!

Julia said...

That's a great way to do them Julie...looks lovely.
I know it can be tempting to do the easy ones first...
enjoy it as you go..
Julia ♥

A Garden of Threads said...

Dear Jane is looking wonderful, I like the red and white blocks. Congrats on the weight loss. I hope you have a wonderful week and don't work tooo hard;0)

Pat said...

What a super job you are doing!!!

Leeanne said...

Wow !! you are really moving along with these blocks..good for you! Scrappy nine patches are wonderful... all scrappy quilts are.

ria vogelzang said...

That looks stunning, Julie!! What a great job! I love your Dear Jane blocks!
I agree: it is such a challenge!
Whish I only had one project to work on:...... Jane.....! It really is a beauty of a quilt!
Have fun!
Congratulations on your weightloss!

Cathi ONeill said...

Your Dear Jane is wonderful! I learned so much from mine too!! I left all my blocks in my quilt, the learner ones and the more accomplished ones I did at the end of the journey...makes you see how much you've learned along the way...

Thanks for alway being a great commenter on my blog, I read yours all the time but am not the best at commenting!

Well done on the weight loss, I am down 28 1/2 lbs since February myself and in the middle of a bad week, but will turn it back around!

Sue-Anne said...

I can't believe how many blocks you have made already! And you have them all joined together!

I started my Dear Jane for all the reasons you said on your post. There is something about the quilt that makes me want to reproduce it, almost as if my making it, we can be transported back in time to that era.

Anonymous said...

Hello Julie, I am curious..how long ago did you start Dear Jane...I was drawn into making the quilt...there was something about it....grin....5602 pieces....I am making mine in repro fabrics with a tea stained background....thank you Julie for your inspiration....I have taken mine out of the stash cupboard....and plan to work on mine some more..hugs lyn

Lori said...

You are moving right a long adn it looks great. I lvoe that you are putting them together as you make the blocks.

Such cute scrappy 9 patches!!

YankeeQuilter said...

Your blocks look great! I have an itch to unpack the blocks I've made (yes, mostly the easy ones) and get back to work on it! thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on weight loss first and foremost...healthy is good!
Your blocks are wonderful!! Liking bunches

katrien said...

Great your dj blocks.

Susan said...

Congrats on the weight loss. It is such an unpleasant thing to do.

I am impressed with your Dear Jane. Glad to see that someone is finishing one. Maybe I will one day.

judith lockhart said...

Makes me want to get my unfinished Dear Jane quilt out. And I agree, the time is now to begin working on those UFOs and quilts you really want to do. I like the turquoise block you shared.

Trisha said...

Wow, Julie, you are doing awesome on Dear Jane! My sister and I had a talk on the phone the other day about rebooting the drive to DJ. We set up what we call a DJ Marathon where we set aside a couple days to DJ exclusively. I need to get prepping for the marathon.

Meggie said...

Happy post! XX

Deanna said...

The quilt is looking great! The idea of having some break-sewing when working on something difficult is a good one, too. Keeps things fresh. I may steal your gratitudes idea. We all have much to be thankful for.

Also, congratulations on your weight loss. Keep up the good work.

Myra said...

Your blocks are great! Good for you, and your determination to continue... 8-)
Happy stitchings!

Loris said...

Strong work with the stitching and with the weight loss! Kudos :-)

Mimi said...

Julie, your DJ blocks are looking great. I give you kudos for your plans on DJ. I wish I didn't have so much going on so that I could work exclusively on mine. There are just too many kits, UFO's, WIP lying around and I am trying to get some of them done and out of here. I did put DJ back on the design wall for some inspiration, so we will see. Keep up the good work.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh your dear jane is looked wonderful! I"m skipping around. Well I was until work just got too busy!

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...