The saying "Just do it" sounds so simple but there are days that it is not. Our lives are busy and full, and sometimes quilting falls by the wayside for a bit. That is ok !
I am passionate about quilting and it is important to me, but I learned many years ago that I am not Super Woman and some days there just are not enough hours or enough energy to do what I want.
If you are reading this blog, then you are interested in quilting. But being interested and actually doing an activity are not the same. I am interested in instrumental music and I listen to a lot of it, but I don't play an instrument and have no intention of learning how to play an one. Quilting is not a spectator activity - it is an activity that requires a person to be involved and doing if the quilts you want to make are going to get made. Each quilt a person makes teaches something that can be used somehow in another quilt.
I have many great quilting books and magazines and I get all kinds of ideas, encouragement, and inspiration from them. When I first started quilting, I would look at a quilt or a photo of a quilt, shake my head sadly and think that there was no way I could do whatever the pattern was. However, as I got braver and realized that if I messed up a quilt the world would not end over it, and no one would die - it freed me to try those different patterns.
Successfully completing each step of the quilt process gives confidence to go to the next step. Before you know it, the top is complete and then when it is tied, or quilted it is so exciting that getting the binding on and a tag made is just ...... well, exciting.
Woo hoo..........I made a quilt !!!!
Even now, after so many quilts, I still get excited to complete a quilt - and I don't care what size it is.
Don't be discouraged because the quilt is not large, or some expert pattern. Every completed quilt represents hours of your precious time, probably some money, definitely some frustration, something new learned and an object you should be proud to have done. With each completed quilt, you will become more confident in your quilt making skills.
People ask me how I have time to quilt. I don't have time - I make time for quilting because of willful choices I make each day:
- I set my timer and cram in 10 or 15 minutes most mornings before I head to work, which starts out my day with a good attitude because I feel like I accomplished something already. Yes, that means I get up a few minutes earlier but those few minutes of some quilt related activity also is a reward for laying out my clothing the night before, packing my lunch and having it ready in the fridge, and having all the personal stuff I need for the day all together and ready to leave as soon as the timer goes off.
- Being healthy and active helps the body, which also helps quilting activities. I try to walk at least a mile every day - even if I have to do in a mall or hotel hallways. I don't snack, drink coffee, or eat if I am not hungry. I do drink a lot of water every day, take my vitamins, eat what I like but with smaller servings, and reward myself with one soda a day (I love cherry coke).
- Get enough good sleep and rest.
- I am basically a home body and when I am done with work for the day, I am happy to return home to "my castle" for the quiet and peace it brings to my stressed and tired body and mind. Even a hotel room can be relaxing if I have a project to work on each evening.
- I do not live on the computer. Please understand that I work on the computer all day long - and yes, this blog is done on the computer. However, I choose not to waste time on social media (it is a spectator sport), computer games, or just "surfing" the web. I want to actually be doing something and have something to show for my time.
- I also don't live on my phone. I choose to not make or receive calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. My phone spends a lot of time face down and on "Do not disturb" mode. I am picky about who I spend time on the phone with. Think of time as money - there is only so much available and needs to be used wisely.
My day is winding down and I will soon be headed to bed. but let me just encourage you again to fit some quilting activity into your busy day each and every day. There is just a good feeling to see the progress you make each day on something you really want to have. Quilting is good for the mind and soul.
Happy Quilting to one and all
No comments:
Post a Comment