I think it is probably a really, really bad sign that my thirty-fourth quilt is the result of a mistake. One would hope that after 33 finished projects, I’d be above errors…but that hope would be in vain.
And yet, I’ve reassured myself that any “seasoned” and experienced artist would [hopefully] agree with me that we never stop learning, screwing up, adjusting and adapting, and moving forward in our craft.
So here’s the story:
Quilt #34 is a fundraising project being donated to Quilt 2 End ALZ, the non-profit organization I founded this year to use my hobby as a platform to raise awareness and educate others about Alzheimer’s disease.
On behalf of Q2EA, Quilt #34 is headed to Tulsa Football’s Fan Fest this Saturday, August 17th at H.A. Chapman Stadium where it will be raffled (along with game tickets and parking passes, a collector’s football autographed by Coach, and a “Game Ready” bag of goodies) to raise money for our 5th Annual Alzheimer’s Awareness Game at TU on November 8th.
Why is this an oops-to-awesome project, you ask?
Well, look closely at this log cabin block:
See how the logs are all different sizes?
That was not by design.
My “normal” log cabin pattern comes from Eleanor Burns’ Quilt in a Day: Log Cabin book. It uses a 2.5″ center square and 6 fabrics – 3 lights and 3 darks – that are cut into 2.5″ strips. The finished block measures 14″x14″ and is something I have made hundreds or times. Hundreds!
BUT, I was be-bopping right into the project, being the “seasoned” and experienced quilter that I am with thirty-three quilts under my belt, and cut my TU t-shirts at 12.5″ which finish at 12-inch squares.
Oops!
12″x12″ does NOT equal 14″x14″ in any mathematical realm.
At the moment I realized my goof, I was already three seams in, and I refused to start over. Nor was I willing to scrounge up 8 more Tulsa t-shirts.
So, I decided that designs can change.
I can be flexible. At times. If I tattoo those words to the inside of my eyelids and repeat them to myself without ceasing.
This once, I managed to go with the flow. I came up with a solution to fit the measurements that I needed, and I actually love the finished block.
It’s unique and wonky. Colorful, creative, and fun.
In fact, I think it is awesome!
I can’t wait to share it with our Golden Hurricane community this weekend. Raffle tickets are only $5 each (or 5 for $20), so come on out to the stadium this Saturday morning, August 17th, from 10 am – 1 pm.
Help me raise money to promote awareness throughout the season and especially at the ALZ game in November. Enjoy free snow cones and inflatables for the kids. Cheer on the boys while watching the fall scrimmage, and then stick around afterwards for their autographs.
AND, please be sure to stop by my table to say “hi” and check out my oops-to-awesome quilt creation.
See you there!
Love and hugs,
Ashli
#ReignCane
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