The World's Longest Ongoing Quilt Project

Okay, here's the deal.  I started this painstakingly intricate child sized quilt top seventeen years ago.  No kidding.  I can't believe I'm telling it but...there you have it. 

It's been in my shed.  I'm not kidding about that either.  I held my breath when I opened the box it was in, hoping it was still in one piece.  I designed the paper doll and all her clothes on notebook paper and had stored the sketches with the quilt top.  Even though it had been years everything was fine.  I know, I can hardly believe it myself.

 

  

I have to wonder why I stopped working on it.  I really don't remember.  I had put so much time into it -- planning every detail, hand dying some of the fabrics, making those tiny (microscopic) buttons.

 

I'd written a little poem I wanted to embroidery in that blank space I have left to fill.  I'm no writer (you know) but it was sort of cute...

Little girl with paper friends,

Quietly in a corner pretends.

Tales of childhood dreams are told,

Cutting out memories as they unfold.

So, here's the plan.  I'm posting about my half finished quilt and hopefully you'll leave sweet comments (because you guys always leave the best comments) and I'll feel encouraged to finish it.   

The world's longest ongoing quilt project.  I feel better already. 

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I'm a Contestant on Crafting with the Stars

Oh, yes! You heard me right...

I'm a Crafting with the Stars contestant @ Sew Dang Cute!

It's Season 2 and I'm in!  I can't believe it!

(This was my second try but I'm over not making it on Season One, I am.  I'm fine now, really, just fine...)

I'm shaking in my boots!

And who am I paired up with?  None other than the very creative and talented Char @ Crap I've Made!

  Perfect. For me anyway.  It's just me and you, babe!

Round one voting starts Monday, January 24th -- I won't let you forget.

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I Finished theTrompe L'oeil Grandfather Clock!

I'm done.  

My Pier 1 inspired Trompe L'oeil Grandfather Clock is finished--I thought I'd never say those words...

Isn't he handsome?

He's barely 2" deep but stands a whopping 6'6"!

Here's my inspiration.

And here's the process in pictures...

The pattern was drawn and cut from poster board -- he's 6'6" so it took several pieces. Well, half a pattern anyway.  I just flipped it over for the other half.

A dear friend gave me this piece of 3/8" exterior bead board.  I used a Sharpie to trace around the pattern.

This part takes a while.  You can't get in a hurry cutting it out.

A Mouse sander does a great job of sanding the edges.

The wood trim came from my scrap pile.

I mixed several left over paints and came up with this creamy green.

A $1.29 Goodwill find gives it some needed dimension.

Add to that a $10 clock from the Dollar Store and I think I've got a pretty grand clock here.

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I'm linkin' up with

 

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Trompe L'oeil Grandfather Clock

Just checking in.  Although I'm standing dangerously close to the edge, I wanted you all to know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  My problem?  It's cold.  I mean really, really cold.  And, I'm right in the middle of a wood project that I can't get outside to cut.

I considered bringing it into the house to do it but my husband thought better of it.  Bah humbug.

So, I'm going where I have never gone before by giving you all a little glimpse of what I'm working on before it's done.

Wrinkles and coffee stains courtesy Lindy

I spotted this adorable clock in the February issue of County Living. Awesome issue, by the way.  Anyway, it got me thinking I needed one.  As great as this one was (and at a decent price, I might add)-- it just wasn't  exactly what I wanted, though.

I was thinking something a little taller, less ornate, in a different color and for a lot less money.  Hmmm, now I'm wondering what I saw in that old Pier 1 version after all...

I decided to make my own and found these pictures on the internet while looking for inspiration. 

Pretty, but too ornate.

Way too ornate.

Too plain. 

And then I found this one. Gorgeous.

and this one...

Perfect.  

Here's where I am on mine.  I'm working on the pattern. 

And with a $10 clock from Dollar General, a free panel of exterior beadboard and a quart of paint (which I haven't picked out yet) I will have an 18" taller, just the right color, perfect for my space, grander, grandfather clock all my own.  

Just give me a couple of days...

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HELP!!!

One more thing.  I haven't been able to "follow" anyone in a while.  When I go through the steps, I get a message that I am a follower but when I go back and check, I'm not.  I've tried over and over. (What's the definition for insanity? Something about doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result?)  Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on this -- I am super technically challenged...

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