Scenes from bedrest

Maybe it's that crazy nesting urge everyone says happens at the end of pregnancy, or maybe just feeling restless, but "the fear" - of the cut, of the blank page, of the blank canvas - applicable to just about everything I do, was tackled on a number of fronts this past week. The doctor said as long as I wasn't on my feet too long, it was fine to be up and about in the house a bit, so I've been spending some quality time playing with my favorite colors while I rest.

Isn't this the prettiest little basket of yarn? Last night I finally ripped out my baby blanket and started over. I wasn't happy with how the pattern was turning out and it seems I have nothing but time these days. Must admit I had to give it about a week before I could bear to pull it apart and get going again.

I think Miller was a little surprised to come home to a large easel set up in the dining room and paints strewn out over the table. I've never painted anything in my life, but I'm such a hobbyholic that I just happened to have all the supplies on hand - including canvases, a few different mediums, and a full-size easel - to start on something for the nursery, which we may or may not wind up using in the end. It was a fun process regardless, and I had my feet propped up the whole time. I bought all these supplies on a whim 5 years ago (in my, "I should take up painting!" phase, which apparently lasted the duration of a trip to Michael's), and I'd never played with them before because I had blank canvas fear (well, and, I don't really know what I'm doing). But I'm so glad I just went for it, it was relaxing and helped clear my head a bit. Thanks, Ans for your guidance on painting with oils! Messy, but so fun!

It was my goal since the very beginning to make a crib quilt showcasing all the fabrics I designed for the nursery. The problem was I couldn't decide on what pattern to use, and I had the fear of the cut - of cutting into them, hating the direction I took (a la the crocheted blanket) and not being able to undo it. I started thinking this quilt would never get done, especially since I now have this lovely little lady draped over the back of the glider. Well, something got into me Saturday and I just sat down on the floor and started cutting. No pattern, no rotary cutter, just me, the fabrics and some scissors. Perfectly constructed it's not – rotary cutters give you straighter edges and thus straighter seams (see those jagged edges??), but it requires being on my feet, leaning over a table and that would be breaking the rules. I actually really love working this way - much more fun to freehand design than to follow a pattern, and I can visualize how it's going to turn out as I go. It is in the process of being quilted (by a much more experienced quilter than I - I know my limitations!) as we speak, and then I might share some real pictures.

It'll be a race to the finish to see which will be done first - the baby or her little blankets?

We're taking bets. Until tomorrow friends! xo