Did you all have a nice holiday? I hope so. It's always fun to slow down and enjoy time with family and friends.
We got hit with strep throat/scarlet fever (it sounds so much more dramatic, doesn't it?) pretty hard this past weekend. I spent most of the day we got back from our trip at the doctor's office trying to get both of my kids evaluated. It was a frustrating morning at best, but they are both on the mend. Having sick kids and trying to fight off being sick yourself + the lack of sleep is exhausting. Not that I want to whine any more than I already have . . . The reason I'm telling you all of this is because it is my excuse for not finishing my quilt for today.
So here it is. Almost finished.
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| backing fabric - IKEA; binding - Amy Bulter Full Moon Dots in Cherry |
Frankly, I'm tired of looking at the blasted thing. I'm going to have to finish it, wash it, and put it away for a while before I decide to look at it again.
I didn't *quite* get our Christmas stockings finished either - enough to fill them, but they are missing a lining and a cuff.
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| Fabric - Holiday Happy by Happy Zombie |
Great tutorial at Fabricworm though! It was me, not the tute that facilitated their incompleteness.
I have several bee blocks to catch up on and a whole list of other to-dos that I want to get to, this year. I've decided to schedule out all my projects for the year, so I'm not scrambling about what to work on next. Maybe it will help keep me on task and actually finish things faster.
I know it's the beginning of the new year and all of that, and I do have some goals that I've laid out for myself, but these ideas of mine have been pressing on me for several months. I have been feeling a great need to change the way I've been running my life (or not running it, as the case may be). I'm tired of feeling tired, frazzled, unorganized and unproductive. I spend a lot of my days feeling like I'm spinning my wheels. And I know I can, and should, be a kinder, more creative mother.
Part of this change is going to require some serious focus and a time diet as I've coined it. I have to cut some things out that are eating up time that should be used otherwise. For instance, finishing organizing and settling into our house (that we've already been in for 7 months), setting up a weekly cleaning routine, planning menus, playing with my kids, getting my head back on straight so that I can truly enjoy the people and things I love.
Blogging, Facebook, and yes, even sewing (esp. feeling the need to have something each week for sew & tell) have become center stage. I don't want to abandon them completely, but I need to cut them out for the time being. I've set aside the month of January to really focus on getting my act together.
The little break from blogging that I took in December was good. Before that it was starting to feel like a chore and I didn't like that at all! I love blogging! I love sharing and seeing what you are sharing! I love Sew & Tell - but I feel like that's all this blog has become, and there's so much more that I would like to be writing about. That I used to write about. So I'm re-evaluating Sew & Tell as well. I'm thinking we will move to once a month. As we've grown in numbers I feel like some of the original excitement has worn off because there has gotten to be too many links to visit. I'm thinking about maybe limiting the number of link ups, so that those who do participate won't spend their whole weekend clicking through links.
These are all just thoughts I've had, and I'm not really sure what Sew & Tell will evolve into. I appreciate your patience and understanding as I try and figure all of this out. I hope this all doesn't seem super heavy. I'm just trying to improve in the areas of my life that will make me better and happier.
The next sew & tell post will be sometime in February - probably mid-month. I will let you know ahead of time!
I'm excited to see the gifts that you made for Christmas, or any other sewing project that you've completed! Please just one link per person. If you have multiple items, put them all in one post and then we can see them all with one click! You all are amazing and inspiring!
PS there are no more free thumbnail linkies. I don't want to pay just yet to get the pictures on the links again...
PLEASE READ THIS POST IF YOU ARE NEW TO LINKING UP! :)
NEW RULES FOR LINKING UP! Please read carefully. The delete monster will be eating non-compliant links.
1. Please write the post for sew & tell - or add a blurb mentioning sew & tell to a post written earlier in the week. If you are linking to a post with your own tutorial, please make sure it was a finish from this week and that the completed project is shown first.
2. One linky per person. (please put multiple projects in one post.)
3. Link to your specific post. (See here for permalink instructions - or email me.)
4. Link back here with a link or a button.
5. Comment on everyone's posts!
30 crafty mcCrafters commented:
I love the black and white fabric on the top quilt image - what is it?
Amy,
Thanks for sharing this with all of us. The Sew & Tell link up is lots of fun, but if it isn't working for you it won't work for us either. Please do what is best for you and your family first and know that we can live with a once a month S&T (or maybe someone else would like to host--wish I could but I'm a similar place you are).
Best wishes for a more peaceful and organized New Year!
Happy New Year Amy!!! So sorry to hear that part of the holidays was spent being sick and taking care of sick ones. I completely hear you on the need to get organized, settled in the new house, time managment, etc. I have some of the same issues (been in our new house seven months and still don't feel settled) without a new baby so I can imagine how busy you are.
Those stockings look cute to me...finished or not! I can't wait to see your completed quilt...sounds like you are 99% finished with it.
oh, no! glad people are getting better. i hope everyone stays healthy! i love the combo of the ikea fabric & full moon dots! can't wait to see it finished!
i have been trying to figure out the best use of my time too. once a month on the linky party sounds great. for me, that is more reasonable since my sewing time is limited.
i hope you are all feeling 100% soon!
Oh Amy! I hope you and your family are on the mend. It is no fun being sick!! I love your quilt fabric. I cannot wait to see the whole thing (even if you are sick of it).
I enjoy the linky, but you have to do what is best for you and your family. I will be around whenever you post and whenever you host. :)
Deeply appreciative of the Sew & Tell for its creativity and kick in the butt to finish somethingness.
LOL As the mom of three boys, may I offer a bit of Life? Unless you are WonderWoman, this is your life. Embrace the craziness, the messiness, realize that 5 people live in your home. Home. Not house as featured in Country Living, House Beautiful or even Woman's Day. Make it their home...which means letting go of a lot for us mommies with OCD tendencies.
Love them. Hug them. And remember, it it's important enough to God to get done today, it will get done. If it doesn't, then that's what tomorrows are for!
Hugs!
I hope that things start calming down a bit over there. I swear, sometimes I think you have the worst luck ever! And I hate that feeling that your living your whole life by the seat of your pants. I feel like that right now too, with one kid and no obligations for link parties! I think you should spend today making cupcakes and snuggling with those cutie little kids of yours. Actually, I'd pick that to do most days. Love you!
I have enjoyed being able to drop in and out of Sew and Tell depending on my productivity, and I hate to think of it becoming an obligation and burden to you, needing to have something to show us once a week. I fully support your decision to scale back - sewing and quilting should be a pleasure, not a duty!
Amy, I so hear what you are saying. Good on you for your honesty.I hosted a link party for 14 weeks last year and where it was exciting to start out with, it ended up with me getting out of bed on a friday morning to make something for show and tell.Thats mad!!!
You and your family life comes first. Once a month sounds good to me.
PS sorry to hear of the sickness in your house. Feeling unwell makes us re-evaluate life!!
Happy New Year
Andrea
I love it since I first found you and Sew & Tell, BUT your family and you come first! do what works for you and your family :)
Can't wait to see the finished quilt! and I need to make some new stockings before next year so I thank you!!!
have a blesssed wonderful day!
Amy, I hope your kids are starting to feel better - it's so tough when kids are sick sometimes. Thanks for being so upfront with how you're feeling about Sew & Tell and your blogging in general - it shouldn't feel like a chore, and of course your family should come first. I totally respect whichever direction you decide to take your blog, and Sew & Tell, as long as it works for you. Good luck with your organizing and such on your month off :)
Oh Amy, I feel your pain! Take the time you need. I too have given myself permission to let go of some stuff (online marketing) and it feels so great!
Amy I found this post very refreshing, although I'm so sorry about your children's bout with strep/scarlet fever. I know how that feels, and it's awful!
I totally relate to your time management struggles. I've also taken a break to get some necessary things in order -- including all that you've mentioned (i.e. time with the children, meal/menu planning, chore schedule, daily schedule, etc.). It's so nice to have our oldest daughter back to help with some of these things; but she's also taking time to pursue some of her own goals.
I love motherhood! :-)
Your quilt fabric is marvelous. I look forward to seeing the finished product. Oh! And I love those stockings! I think that linking up once a month is wise. I'm just sad that I can't do it until then. I had hoped to have something for this week, but it just didn't happen... AGAIN.
Thanks for continuing to inspire us all! Blessings!
Hope all are feeling better and that you have thwarted the sickies!
I have loved participating in the S-N-T this past year. It has inspired and motivated me. That said, it is not your responsibility to insure that I am either of those things :) This is such a busy season for you with youngsters and family activities... please enjoy it! And do not feel fettered by S-N-T as an obligation if it does not compliment your season. (that spiel was me practicing for my roll as a mentor mom this semester in the pre-school program)
Feel better for everyone, and I hope you don't get sick.
And I just sent you an email, since my comment just became two paragraphs!
Thanks so much for hosting this! It is my first time joining in. I am curious to take a tour around the other links. I really like your stockings and the fabric you chose!
I sometimes feel that way too. Your life is not your blog. It was kinda nice to not blog about secret sewing everyday in December. I also found out last year I hate to sew or blog in the summer time. Follow what works for you. You are in no way obligated to blog every day. Could you maybe have guest hosts once a month like stash manicure?
Hi Amy! I think a monthly Sew & Tell is a great idea; in my case linking up and visiting all the other links will be more doable when only once a month.
Take care of yourself and all the things you need to do.-)
I love sew and tell! I think it makes sense to do it monthly. Also, I like the links without the pictures. I tend to check out more when the finished product is a surprise :)
Cute stockings! I can't wait to see your quilt. And please go easy on yourself, your baby is still so young. :)
Just wanted to say I just downloaded the Motivated Moms app for my iPhone and it seems pretty useful. Maybe that would help you too?
I just wanted to join the masses and say thank you so much for hosting this, as it's been such a great finisher motivation for me, too... but definitely do what you need to do for you and your family. As a mom of 3 kids 4 and under, I understand the need to slow things down a bit. Blogging is definitely on the backburner over here. I hope to continue to see you around on here, though. :)
Amy, I am so in love with the fabric that you chose for the back of your quilt. That is so perfect with the front, since I think I know which one that is. ;-)
I think you should do what is best for you, whether it is Sew and Tell once a month or whatever else you decide. I am surprised you are doing as much as you are, anyway, because when my kids were babies, they weren't sleeping through the night until they were almost 2, and so I didn't start sewing again until last spring; I was just too exhausted to do anything after they went to bed. I was just in a totally different place.
I go through phases with things, too. Last year I was really into couponing, but in the last month or two, I have no desire to do it (probably because my daughter no longer goes in the baby carrier, so that means I'm keeping 2 kids in line while at the store). I just hated spending so much time and energy on it, so I just stopped. Yeah, we're spending more money on groceries now, but it was getting so unpleasurable for me. Just an example.
Sorry, I didn't mean to make this so long...I just wanted to tell you that I understand. :-)
I hear you loud and clear! It's so hard to find the best way to balance it all. Blogging is fun, but I find it saps my energy where as sewing at least rejuvenates me emotionally. Plus, you've got the unpredictable-baby factor to compound everything. I admire your discipline in setting boundaries. GOod for you!
I so know how you feel... I really want to improve my household organization a bit that will ultimately facilitate more free time in the end...and I have January planned for finishing odds n ends too! Cheers to the New Year & glad you are all on the mend!
Know how you feel... I am working on cleaning up my house, not just from Christmas but from a busy life...
Hope you can find some balance in yours.
I love this post. I'm glad that you are so honest and open. Thank you for being my friend and for brightening my days. I adore you! Thanks for taking me to the quilt store today. My new fabric is still making my heart skip a beat. Thanks for inspiring me and for inspiring all of us!
I think your goals sound perfect, Amy! Putting home life first is something I have been working on too, so maybe it's a theme for this year? I find myself wanting to spend more quality time with my husband and that means for me that my computer time is going to be limited. Your idea of once a month sewntell sounds like a great change!
p.s. I love the new look of your blog!! So cute!
Hey! I am not sure if you have seen this website but it has helped me try to get a routine around our house that we have moved into recently. Well as much as you can when you live in a reno!! Anyway, it's www.flylady.net Have a wonderful rest of January!!
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