Block [blok] -noun an obstacle, obstruction, or hindrance.
I seem to have blogger's block. I think it is caused by my recent discovery of Facebook. I am not too proud to admit I've lost countless hours in the mind numbing abyss of the social networking phenomemon. I've reconnected with people I never thought I ever would. I've remembered things I had long since forgotten. And I've endured seemingly endless fits of giggling.
But now I have a small case of blogger's block. Because now there are people that I knew in high school that read this. And people from college. And people from law school. And even people from the Kansas City Bar Association.
::Gulp::
That is alot of people from my real world taking a glimpse into my daily life. And I certainly don't mind that they do. I wouldn't have a blog if I did. It is just a new thing for me. And the fact that I don't get the same glimpse into their life leaves me feeling a little exposed.
Block [blok] -noun a small section of a city, town, etc., enclosed by neighboring and intersecting streets.
Last week, just a few blocks from my house, my girls were involved in a traffic accident. Thankfully they are fine. And, thankfully, all 7 passengers in the van are fine. Totally and completely fine. No ambulance. No hospital. Nothing like that. Just a little fender-bender really.
It was the first time either had ever ridden with someone else driving besides my parents, Razor or myself.
First time ever.
I'm doing my best to block that little fact out of my mind.
Block [blok] -noun a term used in quilting meaning a measurable portion of the quilt comprised of a certain number of these same measurable parts.
Before Thanksgiving I began embroidering little images of things that relate to Razor. I knew I was going to put them together in a quilt just for him. Well, never one to have much of a grand plan when I start quilting, I embroidered them all on white. The fabric that I've choosen that is most Razor-like are deep forest colors. Outdoorsy colors. Colors without even a speck of white in them. I've made a few blocks and think that the white embroidered sections are just so stark. Razor loves it and wants me to continue. I've made 29 of the total 36 blocks. And now I'm blocked.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to incorporate some white into this to make it better? My only real option is in the outer border. I said before that Razor loves it so I feel I should continue. I just don't want to forever look at the quilt with regret wishing I had done it better or differently.
Block [blok] -verb hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
Finally, this blasted game is hindering AND preventing my progress AND accomplishment of anything worthwhile lately.
-dana
31 comments:
Omigosh! I have been totally smitten with Bejewelled Twist on the computer--the free trial version--and can sit for 3 HOURS playing that stupid game before I realize it! If I bought the game for the computer, they'd probably have to cut me loose from the computer chair to bury me!
I wouldn't add more white to the quilt Dana. If the embroidered blocks appear to stark to you, maybe you could try a tea dye on them. That would be easy for the ones that aren't stitched into blocks yet -- a little more challenging for the others. Looks like it's going to be wonderful.
I love Bejewelled. Such a time waster, but so much fun. It's always jarring when I get the "No More Moves." I'm actually pretty good at it, though. ;-)
i was thinking tea dying, also. sorry that i'm not much help.
and facebook...seriously, i know what you mean! i just got on it recently because my sister (who is living in london now) insisted. we'll have to find each other there. xxx
I actually kinda like the way the white stands out.
Oh I know the 'crackbook' addiction well. It is so fun catching up with people I haven't seen in 20 years...but really I have wasted so much time!
I just found Facebook too but I didnt put my blog info on it.
Tea dying sounds good. Maybe a thin white border.
What if you do a skinny (2") white sashing through the whole quilt? The it might tie it all together better. I like the white though - makes the embroidery stand out and your embroidery is great!
And I totally know what you mean about people you know reading your blog - it makes you a little nervous!
You Stinker - you have an iPhone. I want one oh so badly.
I'm glad you liked the video I posted on my blog. I read your comment and had a big ol' smile on my face. It would be lovely to actually meet and get together and chat over coffee about the randomness of our lives and how blogging (of all things) has created our casual, but special friendship.
oh MAN bejeweled ROCKS! yeah. it's good i don't have that or a facebook account. i keep getting tempted and then i just have to pretend it doesn't exist... i just KNOW i would get so sucked in!!!! i will not even pretend that i have any advice for you about the quilt....i've never even made one! i'd probably just take the whole thing and soak it in tea or something.... antiqued and saved from coffee spills all in one deal! ;-) i love those camping blocks though...love, love, LOVE them! and YIKES about the girls. i am SO freaked about my kids riding with anyone else. so incredibly glad that everyone was ok. i'll stop writing my novel now ;-)
xo
I loved this post. You are equally creative in your writing.
I've been seeing more of the window pane look of all white sashing and really like it. I think if you did that it would be like you were looking out the window into the woods. I'm taking your suggestion and doing that with my blocks too, with kind of the same feel - looking out into a tree full of birds.
And yes, facebook is a time waster - have you started playing word twist yet? I'll invite you to a game!
I was wondering where you were, I was counting the days since your last post....Law School???? You're a quilting, photogrpaher and lawyer?
Do you have the 3 legged cat as a block?
I was going to suggest the same thing Carol did-- dye the white blocks using tea bags or with regualr dye.. I think making the blocks off-white or even a pale green would help.
I am SO SO SO glad your girls are ok. That was lucky that no one was hurt
So... now I'm pulling the App Store up on my iPhone, looking for the evil Bejeweled game........ :)
I think the quilt looks great. I think the white really makes the embroidery really pop. OMG I hate bejewelled but only because from time to time it has stolen the hubbs from me.
Can we be friends? Facebook has grabbed hold of me too. iPhone - Totally jealous!
I was thinking tea-dye too until I saw some blocks are sewn together. So here are a few other ideas: sew tan rectangles over the top and bottom of the squares so the white is a rectangle within the tan fabric - or whatever shape works best for all the blocks. The blocks that are already sewn to other blocks the tan could be appliqued. Or come up with a close quilting design for the corners of each white block. If you do it in a color it wold reduce the amount of white space. Looks lovely though and is so full of meaning!
I'm loving FB too! I found so many friends. Check out my friend list to find Cheri and Mary from Jones 9th floor!
My friend does this all the time to fabric that is too "bright", use Tan Ritz dye. It is easy and really tones down the white to make it blend with the other fabrics. You can soak a little or make it look antique.
Love your web site!
Ha ha. I was just thinking that I need a new phone and wouldn't it be great if I could play games on it too! How about some text twist too? Another college favorite. I also know what you mean when 'real' people start reading your blog. I had a friend the other day offhandedly mention she saw something on my blog. ::blink:: I didn't even know she knew about it.
Totally searched for you on fb, before, but now you are there! I love the embroidery blocks. Wow!
what a clever post about your "Blocks" :) well written! ...just another reason why I ♥ coming to visit your blog - and now FB page. (I'm addicted too~!)
and I know exactly what you mean about your real life firends now reading your blog.. and feeling exposed.. I wish everyone had a blog.
Your blocks are so cute. I didn't read the other comments.. but incase no one else has suggested it.. how about after you are done with Razor's quilt top - TEA DYING the whole thing! Knock the white out of it and warm it up :) I think that would be perfect.
I've never tea dyed before but have read abut it... not sure if you could do just the top before it's a quilt - but a top would be easier to get in and out of the washer...
Can't wait to see the whole top when you are done.
oh and I'm in ♥ with redwork all of a sudden! I jsut completed my 1st block last week (see my blog)
well - better get off here and to bed. the alarm is gonna be buzzin soon. Love from Texas! ~bonnie
FB is fun!! Love the quilt you are working on for Razor . . . so him, like you said. I read somewhere that coffee staining is a bit more permanent, than tea. I bet you could even brush it on. ho hum hope you figure it out! :)
I would feel the same way. But most of my facebook friends don't know about my blogging habit. And the ones that do know are equally afflicted.
Loving that quilt
Nothing wrong with those white blocks, terrific . Meaningful things standing out in an adorable quilt.
I'd put white once again as a small border, finishing with a nice tan border. I know, it's just an opinion, everyone has one. To me, contrast brings things to life.
what about doing the quilting stitches in a bright white?
I discovered Bejeweled at Thanksgiving and still haven't beaten my sister-in-law's high score of 404K, but I came really close at 350K in the Action mode. Did you know it records the time you've spent playing it? 9h 52m and I haven't touched it in weeks :) I also really like Gratitude, FB (of course), Darkslide and my husband and I use iNeedStuff all the time - synching our lists. Glad the girls are doing fine.
I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels a little exposed because of a blog. I thought it would be a great idea to include my blog address on Christmas Cards - that is until I realized that so many people might actually read it!
What a great quilt - I love the idea!
And I'm so totally addicted to the free Bejeweled version on the computer, that I can't allow myself to get the app for my ipod...I'd never get anything done!
Hi there, funny how we are quite happy to blog to strangers, but feel self conscious about people I know reading. Hardly any of my friends know I blog!! Would you consider putting your embroideries in a coffee/tea/parisan essense to give a more natural tone. I actually haven't read all the comments, so maybe someone has suggested this all ready!!
I just found Facebook too, very addictive, I didnt put my blog info on it though.
Tea/coffee dying sounds good, maybe the whole thing? Or maybe a thin white border or white stitching was a good idea too. What a great idea for your husband! So glad the girls are ok, it is always a worry when they are out of your possession. -Tonya
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