the fruits of my labour

At last I have finished something. After weeks of feeling really frustrated about not getting any projects started or finished, I’ve finally completed the first part of Isobel’s birthday present. Actually, I finished it last week (I think it was last week; the days have been such a blur for me lately. Actually, I think they always are.). Anyway, it’s done and I’m happy. It’s a birth announcement pillow, based on the Happy Birthday Pillow project in Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts, a book I bought myself with a Christmas gift card. The centre of the pillow is printable fabric on to which I printed Isobel’s name, weight and date of birth, in colours coordinating with the patterned fabric. I then backstitched around each letter and number. That was definitely the most time-consuming part, but it was pretty easy and gave me a great excuse to park myself on the couch and watch TV. I like TV, but I hate having nothing to do with my hands while I watch it. I do like to be productive.

According to the book, this project should have taken me only four to eight hours. It took me longer than that (I think, but I wasn’t counting the hours), but that’s all me. I’m so slow, and whenever I do gain some speed I seem to make more mistakes, so it’s probably best to take it slowly for now. The book, however, is beautiful and full of really inspiring projects and excellent information. I can’t wait to try something else from it.

But first, I need to finish the other, far more ambitious, gift for Isobel. Then there’s all the other belated gifts I need to make. I’m going to catch up, right? Slowly, but surely.