Skip to content

Feb 13

13 Comments

Sometimes you (I) just have to face the truth

Sixty three. SIXTY THREE.

That would be the number of started projects I had. Not planned projects like pattern & fabric pairings, kits, or even orphan quilt blocks without a plan. Just the WIP, the stuff that already made it through one serious round of purging last fall.2017-01-17-08-46-24

I know what the number is because a couple weeks ago I pulled together every (neatly sorted) bin or bag of quilting, sewing and knitting and quickly photographed each and every project. I had a simple plan: print and tape the photos on the wall next to my design wall. And then FOCUS.

2017-01-17-14-50-19-1

But I had to count the photos three times.

Once the shock passed I realized a few truths:

  • Even allowing for the realities of being multi-craftual, it’s overwhelming.
  • Even allowing that some are simple mending or finishing, it’s still overwhelming.
  • To believe that being organized (each craft in it’s own tidy storage bin) was getting it under control is classic magical thinking. Cue the unicorns and rainbows all you want, it still wasn’t done.

So after yet another round of getting real (sort of) and letting go (a bit), I got it down to 49. I could have given up a couple more, but I like the symmetry on the wall. Then again, I always eat my M&Ms in color-matched pairs so there may be some underlying issues.

2017-01-24-07-22-48

There it is. My wall of shame and washi tape. And you know what? I also discovered one more truth:

While I never set out to bury myself in half-done projects, there’s a ton of work already done. Good, creative, skilled work that I deserve to give myself credit for. And perhaps that reminder is the most important of all.

I got this.

PS: If you’re even remotely surprised to see a post here, you’re not alone. I’m giving blogging another go and intentionally skipping the sincere but pointless excuses. It’s damned boring.

 

 

 

Mar 4

14 Comments

Seasons

25133048159_1f38c85d29_o

For months I’ve written a new post every week or two, which I promptly delete.

Life is a bit of a muddle right now. Chaotic. Full of goodness and challenges, with brief bursts of time spent creating. Enough to write about. Occasionally.

24255163541_319215fe45_o

And yet I delete, for many reasons.

I’ve been stuck the past year or so. Not feeling creative and not having much success when I did try to get something going.

25500548005_00404861c3_o

Home projects, work deadlines, health issues, a sweet new grandson to squeeze my heart along with his big sister, and my guy’s surgery & recovery all contributed to less time in the studio, but they certainly didn’t cause the malaise. In fact, they just made it a bit easier to avoid. And sharing it here felt self-indulgent, not to mention pretty damned boring. Easier to hide out and wait for the storm to pass.

25500537775_888a986fbf_o

Going back into the studio after so long has taken significant emotional bootstrapping, not to mention sorting and purging and organizing after months of dump-and-run(away). A couple classes, time with dear (and insanely talented) friends, and a self-imposed break from quilting social media (guaranteed to kill off an already fragile spirit) have all helped.

25382101962_7745c840bd_o

At last another spring to inspire renewal and growth. To heal, recharge, reinvent.

25500567445_293b56e80b_o

In the past couple weeks, life has presented me with a chance for a big, scary, wonderful change later this year. At just the moment when I have the courage to grab on to it.

I won’t hit ‘delete’ this time. I kinda want to know what happens next.

25133046339_71db17ef44_o

← Older Entries
%d bloggers like this: