I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I last posted! I have been doing a little sewing but just a little each day so nothing ready enough to share yet.
I took the afternoon off 2 Fridays ago and on my way home I decided on the spur of the moment to go to a quilt shop in Brenham, TX that I rarely get a chance to go to. I figured yes I have plenty of fabric/books/patterns but maybe something new would give me the inspiration I needed to get back into quilting. So away I went on my afternoons adventure. I was pretty restrained for my first trip to a quilt shop in several months. I bought a pattern. Actually 2 of the same - one for me and one for Susan. So, Susan, be checking your mailbox toward the end of the week. I think you'll like it as it's a pieced/embroidered calendar quilt that will make a nice carry along project.
I also purchased a couple dozen fall FQs. I'm not sure what I'll do with them but I had a lot of fun selecting them so I'll turn them into something fun. And I did something I've never done before. I bought a kit! I usually don't even look at them but I really liked the one they had made up in the store. It's really simple - a large cut of pretty fabric with 2 rows of co-ordinating squares around it (I'm doing mine with 3 rows to make it a bit bigger). Nothing I couldn't have done on my own without the pattern and using my fabrics but I really liked the fabric they used in their center and they no longer had it on the bolt. So I bought the kit.
I thought this would be a good simple pattern to give me a jumpstart back into quilting. Since I'm making it bigger I pulled a half dozen more FQs from my stash that co-ordinated with the others. I cut it out that weekend and I've spent the last week sewing the squares into sets of 3 a few a night. Maybe 15-20 minutes worth a day. It's not much but I'm making steady progress so I'm happy. I should get the last of the sets of 3 sewn together tonight and can get the top assembled by this weekend. Not the fastest top I've ever done but I've decided I don't have to act like every quilt is a race to finish. I can be satisfied with slow, steady progress.
I wish I had all day, every day to spend on my quilting but until I'm ready to quit work - and I'm not quite to that point yet - then I'm going to have to be happy with the time I'm able to spend. Sometimes I get caught up in the impossible "rules" and "deadlines" I set myself and forget to enjoy the process. And that's when I sit like a lump in my chair for weeks at a time and get more and more depressed because I'm not making the progress I think I should. And the longer I stew over it, the less I do and so goes the vicious cycle.
So...... No more rules. No more deadlines. No more feeling down because I can't get as much done as I once could. For now I'll work on what I feel like, when I feel like it and not feel at all guilty about not finishing projects that have already been started or not using the fabric/books/patterns I already have. And you know what? I find that since I'm allowing myself to do whatever I want what I want to do is finish up some UFOs and make stash quilts. LOL! Go figure.......
P.S. I had a picture of my loot to share but blogger doesn't seem to think you need to see it today. :-(
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11 comments:
Glad you got the chance to do some fun shopping. I like your NO RULES. This is why I don't put out monthly goals -- I would only end up feeling bad about myself for not meeting them. I just try to relish what I do accomplish and then get on with my day *s*
I like the new rule - no beating up on yourself! It's tough to fit everything I want to do into those stolen evening and weekend moments. Good to remember why we're doing it in the first place!
Glad you are back on track, even if it's a bit slower. i think we sometimes forget this is supposed to be fun, relaxing, and a hobby!!
There are some prolific quilters out there in blogland but many are retired and can spend more time. I am like you not ready to retire though i'd like too!! so until then I am following you on the slow and steady trail. we may be the tortoises in the "tortoise and hare" race but the quilts will still be beautiful!!!
glad you had a great day at the LQS!!
I know exactly what you mean. I am looking forward to retirement and being able to quilt all day. It is difficult to keep up with everything that needs to be done and enjoy life too.
Glad to see you back, Nancy. 'No rules' sounds like a good rule to me. I don't set myself monthly goals - it's too stressful when you have to work as well (in fact, setting goals REMINDS me of work). I quilt for enjoyment, not to beat myself up about not getting things done quick enough and if I get waylaid by other projects or life gets in the way, so what!
glad you've found a way that lets you enjoy quilting. No point if its more drugery....
Glad to hear from you Nancy - we've missed you! I like the "no rules" approach too. It works for me a lot of the time.
well, my first comment--a long one just flew out into cyberspace, so now I'll condense! Nancy--glad you are still alive and well! :) And that you have readjusted how you approach your quilting. This is supposed to fun, relaxing and pure joy. Those who work outside the home always amaze me that they even have time to quilt at all! Enjoy the process--I'm trying to do so in an orderly fashion! LOL
Nancy, I am so glad you are back too as you and your sister are both in my top 12 favorite blogs to keep up with.
Maybe you can try again to post your photo o fyour loot and it will go thru. I would love to see those fall FQ's - I am sure they are pretty! Are these for Judy L's Leaf Season or another project?
Thanks for stopping by my new blog - I see that we are both in TX :c) ~Bonnie
Glad to see you post again, stick to your 'no rules' guns and enjoy! When I have the opportunity to spend all day, I forget things like making meals for DH (and myself, but when I'm into a project, I don't get hungry).I wish life didn't get in the way so much-but then again, wouldn't things get boring...maybe.
Glad to see you back. Quilting is a hobby, something, by definition, that we do for fun. If we try to set too many rules and deadlines then it ends up 'owning' and contolling us and we feel guilty about it and unable to enjoy the process. Enjoy your new found freedom.
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