Just Three - August... and some thoughts

It's the first week of the month!  
That means, time to check in, report, and link up!

If you're new, here's how it works --
1) Pick three quilty-type goals for the month.  OF COURSE you can do more than three things, and there is no gestapo to come check in on you if you decide to alter your course, it's really just meant to be fun, and maybe give a little direction/report.

2) Blog about it!  Reflect and report on the previous month, and then set course with what's coming.

3) Come link up during the first week of the month, and please link back here in your post. :)  (There's a button over on the side margin)


P.S. The winner from last month's custom charm pack giveaway is lucky #13 -- Alidiza!
P.P.S I read all the links -- but sometimes am nursing or holding a little girlie, and don't have a free hand to type comments!

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Report/Reflect - 

Last month's goals:

1) Get Penny Candy done!  (You can go enter to win a free copy of the pattern here)

Pattern is done!  Sadly, quilt top still isn't quilted.  I think I'm going to have to be brave and just do it myself!

2) Finish curtains for kiddos' rooms, and a couple other pretty little projects.  

Scarlet's patchwork panel curtains are done and up hanging in her room!

I have the fabric for Steiger's, but they're not done yet.

3) Make something amazing...

I designed and made a new block that I love, and I made great progress on my chubby stars!

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August's "Just Three" --

1) Make some baby quilts (and crib skirts)

I've got this one I want to finish, the triangle one (it's really close), and these ones too.  Maybe I'll come up with one more, just for fun.

2) Make something amazing that I plan to write the pattern for.

I'm thinking either the glassy quilt, or my new idea.

3)  Make the Treasure Boxes quilt (for the Treasure Boxes quilt along!)

(Can I tell you that I won't be able to enter my paypal info fast enough when Out to Sea is released?)

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OK, now some questions I've wanted to ask, and some thoughts I've just wanted to say out loud (and hear your thoughts)

First -- thoughts on sneak peeks of patterns?  Do you like to see the WIP/progress shots?  Is it annoying and would you rather I just wait until it's all done?

For me, the reality is that sometimes it's a long time between having the idea, and getting the pattern published.  We only have one computer, and my husband likes to use it in the evenings (when we have more free time).  And if I didn't show the progress shots, my blog would be even more quiet than it is.

What do you guys think?  I blog because I like to connect with kindred spirits... so it seems kind of sad not to show progress shots, but it seems like that's what people do... hmmm...

Also, Jolene brought it up yesterday, but I've been wanting to share some thoughts on patterns anyway.  Just because I suppose.

How I see quilt patterns, copyright, and all that jazz...

When I buy a pattern, I see it as thinking the design is great, and not wanting to take the time to figure it out myself.  Most patterns I CAN figure out, but don't necessarily want to spend the time it would take to to do so.  So I buy the pattern.  Even if I never make the quilt, I read the pattern, and have learned something about block construction, patterns, and different techniques.

I appreciate free patterns and tutorials, and definitely share some around here, but because I don't have a sponsored blog, and don't feel that I generate enough material (let's be real here -- I also don't want the pressure of being paid to blog -- this is my FUN TIME!  Do I love free fabric?  Unequivocally, but I want this space to be mine... and I just don't have the time to do enough blogging and the like to be sponsored -- It would feel like pressure!)  Tutorials take a lot of time, and time is something I'm kind of short on these days.

Anyway -- 

I am not under any delusion that a design in a quilt is "mine" or even new and original.  There's nothing new in quilting really.  When I was researching copyrights on quilt patterns, I found that you actually only copyright the pattern (directions, etc.) when you publish a quilt pattern, and not the design of the quilt.  I feel really comfortable with that.  I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to claim a design as my own, but the math and the directions and the figuring -- those I did.  

So I basically see buying a quilt pattern as paying someone for their time to figure it up (and also saving a bunch of mine).  

We all know that quilting is an expensive habit.  Writing and selling patterns is my attempt to help fund that hobby... because as cute as these little people are, they don't pay very well... at least not in the kind of currency that allows me to buy more fabric. :)  

(I'll try not to spend your college tuition in fabric... ♥)

Linking to Lee's!  (which is hosted by my friend Katie this week!  Yea Katie!)
And Lynne's Fresh Sewing Day! 

OK -- enough blabbing!  Link up! (and comment)