When I last posted about my lollipop project, I was enthusiastically starting block #3, hoping...nay, planning... that this eventual nine block quilt would be hanging in my newly painted kitchen this summer. I took this photo this morning. *Delusional* comes to mind. My enthusiasm hasn't waned but it had to be put aside, owing to another big project and...confession...a need for some new glasses. (Those little stitches!) I'm considering fabrics again for the current block so, how does Christmas sound?
Things have been buzzing around here. Among all of the myriad lists and home improvement schedules, I've been holed up for weeks in the sewing room, choosing and switching, cutting and stitching. I've burned out an iron! Replaced a cutting board! And finally I can breathe a little. But, alas...don't you hate it when bloggers do this...I can't share it yet. I've taken lots of pictures and notes through the process, so just hang on a bit more. Like 6 weeks, 2 days, 21 hours, 55 minutes and 57 seconds (Tokyo time), according to Molly's wedding website just now.
I only even mention it to let you know that yes, this still is a mostly quilting blog and things will get back to normal eventually. Most probably the day after the wedding, otherwise known as *the first day of the rest of my life*. I've missed writing here, but haven't had much stitchy news to share. Or, frankly, the focus to write about other things. I generally ignore the stats, but I took a peek the other day to see how many of you had drifted off, only to find subscribers up. So you prefer fewer posts?
In other news...and believe me, this is BIG news, in our family anyhow...ding dong, the couch is dead. Well, not dead, but wrestled down to the basement family room by M and myself in a comical...if we had been watching someone else do it...trip down an enclosed staircase with a tight turn at the bottom. (Where are the kids when you need them? Oh yeah, Tokyo and Shanghai.) Although it looks in great condition here, it has given many years of faithful service. I was looking through some old family photos last week and came across this one...
Molly and K, sitting on that same couch, 28 years ago. Can you believe this has been our family couch that long? I was a stern taskmaster...No food in there!! I've wanted to replace it for many years...the family joke...but it was always something. So sure was I of its imminent demise that when the kids and partners visited Chicago for Christmas, 2010, we staged a ceremonial, last photo on the white couch.
And then we found out we were moving again! And it took until now to finally replace it. Sorry, no shot of the new furniture. The painter's here this week working on the hallways and kitchen. We assembled some Ikea pieces on the weekend which are waiting to be moved to bedrooms. A sleeper couch was delivered on Saturday for a spare bedroom and the displaced childhood bookcases (and bed) have resulted in stacks of books and extra linens that are waiting for a new destination. The dining room table is covered with folders marked *church*, *reception*, *bakery*, *florist*, *music* and *flight itineraries* and incoming reply cards. In short, the house is in a fruit-basket-upset state. M shakes his head and comments that things look more unsettled than ever and I reassure him that everything will start falling into place soon.
At least in 5 weeks, 2 days, 21 hours..... when those flights start arriving. I hope.
Wow what make was the couch that it held up that long? Have fun getting ready for the wedding.
Posted by: Meredith | May 23, 2012 at 02:49 PM
I am amazed that a white couch can look so great after 28 years! I'm just not strict enough with my kids... Your lollipops will be wonderful on those red backgrounds - whenever you get them finished. Very cute picture of your kids with the mouse ears :0)
Posted by: Janet | May 23, 2012 at 02:56 PM
Your block look so nice together!
I have a wedding coming up too but not until August of 2013. They are a lot of work!
Posted by: Kelly | May 23, 2012 at 03:49 PM
Wonderful to have you back in blogland! Love the lollipops, I have been wanting to do one of those quilts forever, well since I first saw Kim's.
Al the best with the wedding plans and may the sun shine brightly!
Barb
Posted by: Barb Robson | May 23, 2012 at 03:51 PM
Just a note of encouragement: regardless of how long it takes, this quilt is worth it. It's good to set goals, but not get crazy when it doesn't happen. I will look forward to any progress :). Good luck with all the other things in your life!
Posted by: Karen | May 23, 2012 at 04:17 PM
Jan this quilt is going to be beautiful. I catch my breath each time I look at the fabrics you've used. And you know, life intervenes...for all of us. I've just posted (about Japanese fabrics, coincidentally) and found some blocks which I started out enthusiastically ages ago - AND a pattern waiting in the wings with a BOXFUL of Taupe fabrics to be commenced....we have had stuff happening,and not as joyful as a wedding.
Go enjoy planning for this great event, the quilt - and your readers - will wait!
Posted by: Lynne Gill | May 23, 2012 at 05:24 PM
Oh I just love the red background for this quilt looks wonderful.
Can't imagine all your going thru. I totally agree the rest of your life comment. You have been going going going for a few years!
Thinking of you going thru all this!!! It will all be worth it. So nice to have them home again too.
Kathie
Posted by: Kathie | May 23, 2012 at 05:31 PM
Hummm. Can you ship it to France? One of ours has just collapsed and I love yours. It's crying out to have numerous quilts draped over it, which is probably why ours collapsed.
I've recently found a great Etsy shop selling Japanese fabrics. I bought some Paris based ones to compliment "some others I have".
Posted by: Clare | May 23, 2012 at 05:43 PM
You were quite revolutionary to have a white couch 28 years ago! Glad to see that life is still humming along. Your lollipop blocks are beautiful! No matter how long it takes to make them.
Posted by: Anita | May 24, 2012 at 08:29 AM
We are day 3 and counting! Tomorrow the full family of siblings and significant others will be here. We started tonight off with a barbecue for some of the wedding party. I am just smiling along, having a great time now that most of the prep is over. The Bride and her Maids of Honor are busy inventoring what has to go to the hotel and the rest of us are drinking wine and dancing. It's a great time and I know yours will be, too.
And seriously, my whole estimation of you has changed based upon your ownership of what looks like a pristine couch for 28 YEARS!!!
Posted by: Loretta | May 24, 2012 at 09:09 PM
Jan, your blog is still my very favorite no matter how many (or how few) the posts. Living life should always come first, especially when it brings a wedding! Enjoy these next few weeks to the fullest.
Posted by: Lindey | May 25, 2012 at 10:38 AM
The quilting will wait... a daughter's wedding is huge! I have a friend here in Tokyo in the opposite situation - living in Tokyo, and planning wedding for a daughter who is living in the states. Stressful and wonderful. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of your lollipops - fun, stunning!
Posted by: Cynthia | May 25, 2012 at 07:21 PM
Your lollipop blocks are wonderful! A white couch that was in use for 28 years, is quite a rarity!! Enjoy your new furniture. :-)
Posted by: Maureen from Ventura | May 28, 2012 at 12:12 PM
not to worry, Janice. it will all be okay. just a few more weeks to go. hang in there!
Posted by: Tonya Ricucci | May 30, 2012 at 06:13 PM
I shudder to think what a white couch would look like in my house after 28 years! Yours looks amazing, still. Your lollipop quilt looks great too. You may find this hard to believe, but you may miss the wedding planning. I do, just a bit, but its nice to get back to normal...
Posted by: Dixie | May 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM
I thought you must have mixed up your photos and you were showing us the new couch! It looks so good! I really love your Lollipop trees done on a red background, brilliant!! Not long till the wedding...
Posted by: Rachaeldaisy | June 02, 2012 at 05:37 PM
How is that couch finished?? It (amazingly) still looks new!
Posted by: Igloo | June 06, 2012 at 12:44 PM
I am a bit behind on your posts .., yeah, the couch thing is pretty amazing, but the hilarious shot of M and K with their Mousehats?! I laughed out loud at work when I saw it. Hysterical.
Posted by: Lori | August 15, 2012 at 01:04 PM