Chasing Squirrels

I returned to counted cross stitch within the last two years; something I never anticipated happening, something that I certainly didn't think that I had the time for, but nonetheless  it occurred! It came about as the result of a Christmas gift from Quiltkeemosabe. I blogged about this unexpected return to handwork here, a year ago. I continue to enjoy the slow pace and the rhythm of the stitching. But, isn't it funny how we endeavor to make time for the things we desire to do, those very things that we never imagined being able to squeeze into our already packed-full days?  I want to quilt, read, study the Bible, cook gourmet meals, decorate beautiful cookies, keep up with this blog, visit with my friends and family, entertain, make Chrismons, keep an immaculate house and garden, exercise regularly and create beautiful cross stitch samplers in my free time. I want to do it all! I know that this isn't realistic, I don't choose to set myself up for failure by rushing around aimlessly; doing a little of this, a little of that, and not completing anything well.  I needed to come out and admit that I'm a squirrel chaser. I can easily be distracted by that next great thing that I want to do and rush off in pursuit of it, leaving myself lost and drifting without direction. Knowing that, and admitting it, is the first (and maybe the most important) step in taking control back and focusing on what needs to be done and what's the most important task at hand. Prioritizing is one of my greatest challenges; there's always going to be a "squirrel" dashing across my path! Being cognizant of that fact has freed me up to be kinder to myself. I'm granting grace; realizing that if I to stick with one thing at a time, and see that through, those other projects will still be there awaiting their turn, when that time is right. And so, I have returned to stitching in the evenings, when there's time. Slowly, I am finishing projects and am proud of the result, taking one's time has its own rewards; I'm not ever going to be the fastest or the most prolific and that's perfectly okay. 

Quiltkeemosabe made this beautiful project bag for me. Yes, those pesky, ridiculous rodents (the bane of my existence) are peeking out through the clear front to mock me~ I love it!

This zipper pull is an added embellishment. My friend knows me well! As the next weeks and months go by, you know where I'll be. Right here, doing my level best to ignore the scampering squirrels that surround me, both the actual and the metaphorical ones. 

Life is Good!

* Colonial Blooms by The Scarlett House. Stitched on 32 count Belfast linen, called-for WDW colors.  

Sorting It Out

With nowhere to go, and a stash of fabric and supplies on hand, it's like being on a never-ending retreat; these are the days we quilters have been stockpiling for all those years! But-- I need to slow down and sort this out. I have always been that person who's thinking of the "next quilt" before I finish what I'm working on now. With this current situation, for me, it's worse than ever. I tell myself that I'm keeping my eye on my guiding word for 2020 (VISION); with focus aimed at using up the fabric and precut scraps that I have on hand. But, that doesn't keep me from wandering onto Pinterest and "pinning" scrap quilts galore to my visual bulletin boards. "Oh, I want to try that one, and that one, and that one... " Pin.Pin.Pin. If it stopped there that wouldn't be so bad but I find myself obsessed with pulling out my rectangles to begin a Chinese Coin that I saw pictured and organizing fabrics for a Jack's Chain quilt all in shades of blue that someone made and posted. I need to settle down! I need to sort this out. In all honesty, if this quarantine went on forever and a day I would never got to all of those quilts that I have pinned, let alone those that I've already begun. So, to start; I am not clicking on Pinterest. I am writing daily lists, (I've always been a list-maker and daily planner anyway, this wasn't a stretch) I am putting on blinders to anything else. As a way to feel much more productive and in control I am cleaning out and organizing one thing a day; this can be as simple as a drawer or as labor-intensive as a closet; for me, this helps, it keeps me busy and helps me to stay in check with something to show for my deliberate attention to one thing.

While talking on the phone with my Dad this morning my eyes went to the design wall where my partially done "Which Way Now" is hanging and all of a sudden realized a secondary design element to explore with the HSTs; that's placing focus where it belongs-- on what I am working on; I don't need to be running in seventeen different directions! I'm continuing to sort out what it means for me to have nothing but time on my hands and supplies at the ready, I'm also sticking to a regimen of walking and holding fast to reading hour. These few minor adjustments are keeping me centered and better directed. It's all good!

Adapting in an upside down 🙃world: My well-check up scheduled for next week with my PCP has been reformatted-- to a video visit; okay, that's new! I understand the reason but question the value. I assumed when the office called that they were going to reschedule, not suggest this alternative. But, we're all adjusting; we'll see how it goes. Changes are happening so fast it's hard to keep up.

Update on the standing prayer request: Quiltkeemosabe's husband is continuing to improve following surgery, thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for him, for Quiltkeemosabe and for their family. 

"For nothing will be impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37

Life is Good!

Up next: RAK

Field of View

Thank you for your kind words and keen insight regarding yesterday's post; only God knows what the future holds and that's a very good thing! Many times the best surprises are just beyond what's in our immediate view, we tend to focus on what's right directly in front of us rather than expanding our target and looking beyond, at the bigger picture. Just think about everything that we would miss is we failed to broaden our vision. This is the scene outside my sewing room this morning: an absolutely perfect reminder of exactly what lies just beyond a limited field of view!

Life is Good!

On this, the fourteenth day of November, I am thankful for visual reminders of God's constant care and abiding love.

With Laser Focus...

Life has been hectic lately; lots of things going on daily that occupy my time and mind. I had a friend who used to say she had to fly sideways just to keep from taking off... that's an apt description of recent activities for me. Anyway, on Monday I loaded a quilt onto Snowbird and quilted it using this pantograph, Paisley Max. There was something so relaxing, so centering, about switching on the machine and following that laser dot with intense concentration. I couldn't veer from the path, I couldn't stop midway and come back to my laser and line later, if I even hesitated en route I feared losing course or changing direction inadvertantly. And so, I pressed on. The quilt is all paisley-ed out now with this lovely, swirling texture on its surface.  I was able to clear my mind and focus with clarity... on this one thing. It was liberating and empowering at the same time. Knowing now that I have the ability to keep competing thoughts, activities and concerns at bay gives me the encouragement I need to actually accomplish the many things demanding my attention, one at a time; and a peek at what it may be like to reach the end of "quilt tops to be quilted" queue!

Life is Good!

Paying Attention!

Does this happen to you?  I made a special trip to the grocery store for two cans of cream of CHICKEN soup; I came home with two cans of cream of CELERY. Mr. Goodneedle will not eat celery, not even anything that hints of the taste of celery. Yes, I needed to make a return trip to the store!  Why did this happen? I wasn't paying attention... I grabbed two cans of what I thought was  what I was after, I was on auto-mode; NOT a good way to operate at all, this only results in causing me to spend more time, more energy, more money. Groan.  It was late, I was tired, I decided to wait until morning for shopping trip number two. I turned off the lights and remembered, after I was already back in the bedroom, that my clean and folded pajamas were still in the laundry room... clear on the other end of the house!  No problem;, I half-ran, half-walked, through the pitch-black house to retrieve them... plowing straight into the corner of our kitchen island. The point of impact was the left side of my abdomen, I literally heard the breath woosh out of my lungs. Wow; I had miscalculated my "flight path" by about a foot. Why did this happen? I wasn't paying attention... again; still operating, this time at full speed, on auto-mode. I got the message loud and clear. I need to pay closer attention... and get a headlamp!

What other areas of my life need my complete and focused attention? 

Distracted action, performed in darkness, is the equivalent of complete inaction.

I've switched off the auto button and turned on a light... I'm all ears, God!

"I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever 

will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible." - 1 Corinthians 7: 35

Life is Good!

The Power Of Persuasion

It all started innocently enough; I was doing well staying on task and adhering to my  Christmas "to do" lists; I never saw it coming. I was blindsided by this folded fabric star and powerless to fight off the urge to drop everything and make one. Call it the power of persuasion, the strength of suggestion or the danger of distraction; whatever it was, it attacked me. Last week, while attending my monthly applique workshop a fellow student pulled two of these stars out of her bag for "show and tell"; another class member offered a website with this online tutorial, that's all it took. I am weak; I plan to work on my resolve, later. This is now hanging on my tree! (I substituted fabric strips, bonded to poster board, for the book pages in the above referenced tutorial. My strips are 1/2" wide and 7" in length.)

Our instructor then showed this incredibly gorgeous Wandering Foot quilt, 
hand appliqued and hand quilted! This time I had to hold onto the table top in front of me, 
I was swooning. "No, no, no" I told myself. "It can wait!"
It will have to wait, I've already veered too far from the path and am losing all focus.
I did look up this pattern for it though, there was satisfaction in doing that much... for now!
Life is Good!

One Word Wednesday

Architect~

Life is Good!

Free Photo Fun

I've been hanging out with my youngest grandson the last couple of days, we've had a LOT of fun. He can now tell Nana what a baby monkey and what a kitten says; he will be 15 months old tomorrow and is just too cute! During his ever-diminishing (vanishing?) naptimes I have been working on the Chubby Chicks, giving them legs to stand on. That, and playing with Picnik photo editing, I have used the free version through Picasa for the last year or so. Picnik is going away, for good, on April 19; they are now offering all of their editing effects, even the premium version, at no charge, until that time! Give it a try, you'll be amazed at what you can create.

"Be like a postage stamp.  Stick to one thing until you get there.”Josh Billings


...and have a little creative fun along the way...

Life is Good!