=^..^=
Well, the "blogging more" shouldn't be too difficult since I haven't blogged since November, right?
The holidays proved to be very busy ones for us and, unfortunately, blogging simply had to take a back seat. And if I'm honest, I must admit it was nice to take a short break. Although I am a blogger, I am first and foremost a Quilter, as my husband reminded me with this gorgeous picture for my studio this Christmas!
Isn't it wonderful??? I can't stop looking at it! It's perfect with the "Sew/cute" plaque :) And I love that on a deeper level it is a very real picture of who I am ... so many pieces that are different and have an identity all on their own, but they all come together to make up the unique individual that is ME! We creative types are all like that - juggling so many plates at one time, it's no wonder that one falls and shatters once in a while, right?
I often struggle with the time it takes to blog, working it into a schedule that's already too full, and I hear so many other bloggers saying the same thing. But of course, like them, I enjoy my friendships with all of you too much to call it quits.
So, I've put myself on a schedule for the coming year, and I'm determined to post on those dates even if it means a short, quick update. Of course, that's where I always get snookered - keeping it short and quick !!! (Like that word "snookered" do you? If I were my friend Barbara over at Cat Patches, I'd look it up in the dictionary and post the definition for you. But she's much better at that kind of thing than I am, so I'll just tell you it basically means to become trapped or tripped up.)
Which leads me to my word for 2016 - JUST DO IT!!! Which is really a phrase .... a really well-known, often quoted, definitely overused phrase .... but it says what I need to keep in mind this year, so it stays =^..^= One of my biggest problems is making myself just sit down and DO something when I know it's going to take a lot of time and effort. I keep finding perfectly plausible excuses for putting it off. And I put it off until it's too late or - worse - the timing is critical and I am in crisis mode - not good! All the planning and organization in the world can't overcome good old-fashioned procrastination.
This year I plan to practice better ways of getting over the hurdles that tend to stop me in my tracks. If the size of the job is what I'm balking at, then I need to break it down into smaller pieces and eat that darn elephant one bite at a time! (Like blogging) Or if it is something I don't like to do (like borders or binding), then I need to put nose to grindstone and Just Do It!!! My hope is that keeping an awareness of this tendency in my mind will help me overcome it. Like in the fairytale story, Rumplestiltskin, being able to name and understand your adversary is often the first step to success. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks???
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| Folk Art Album - Block #10 |
Today, as always, I will be joining Kathy's Quilts and the gang for some Slow Sunday Stitching! Hand stitching while watching our Carolina Panthers play usually helps keep me from going nuts during tense moments. Last Sunday I played around with different stitches to liven this block up a little ... I like the effect of these little french knots around the center flower edges :)
What is on the agenda for your Sunday?
Something fun I hope!!!
♥Looking forward to a GREAT 2016 with all of you ♥
Hugs & Blessings!
Teresa
=^..^=
I look forward to reading lots of blog posts from you in 2016! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWow have you been looking in my window? LOL I have alot of the same tendencies you do. Think it will take too long, etc. And really if I just sit down and do it I am usually finished much sooner than I thought. So I will be doing the just do it along with you this year. May we both be successful in our attempts.
ReplyDeleteI hear a lot of familiar laments in your post, they're the ones that go zinging through my head every day. We'll love seeing what you're up to at whatever schedule works for you. While I try to post every week or so, often there's little new to show especially if working on a large hand quilted project. We all need to cut ourselves a little more slack! Your hubby chose a winner for your Christmas gift! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel... and I mean e x a c t l y!!
ReplyDeleteLife is just full of too many fun things and we have to make so many difficult choices.
You do whatever makes your heart sing :0
And enjoy stitching your flower today!
"Just do it!" was my mantra for several years, and then I lost sight of it. I need to revive it. I want to be like Wanda at Exuberant Color and post a little something every day.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great plan--I start off with great guns and seem to fizzle out near the finish line.
ReplyDeleteLove the 'quilter' sign - great gift. Be brave my dear and it will come about. Even if you pick just one day a week to write a brief blog post, we will stop in for a visit.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Teresa! Love your quilter plaque, too! What a fun, thoughtful gift. I'm not a faithful blogger. I just post when the spirits move me. Sometimes it's once a week, sometimes it's only once a month. No one forgets me! XO
ReplyDeleteI can use your phrase for the year, too! I look forward to reading more of you wonderful blog posts, even if they are only three words. :) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear from you again. It can be difficult to find a balance between blogging and quilting. There is so much great inspiration out there, but it is hard to make them happen when always frittering away time on the computer. LOVE your new quilt picture. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! My very first love is family history and when I started blogging I felt like I had to choose between research or blogging. Somehow I managed to do both. And now I'm also quilting and blogging about that! If only time weren't a problem....
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love your Folk Album Block 10. It's gorgeous and that blue is spectacular. Did you buy the set of patterns, or is it a block of the month, or...?
Happy New Year to you, Teresa. I hope your schedule works for you (but if it doesn't just change it).
It sounds like a great idea. I hope it works out well for you. It will be fun to see more posts - even if they are quick ones. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI like what you are doing with those flowers. I hope your schedule works in your favor.
ReplyDeleteUnless you are earning money from your blogging, why do it every day?? Once a week, once a month, whenever you have something to share from your creative fingers, that works for me! Life is too short to do things that aren't important to the big picture (you know, like family, friends we can hug). Do what you need to do that fulfills you and we'll be here whenever you can find the time to share! Have a blessed new year and your flower is fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Teresa! I use my blog as a journal so that keeps me going but I never cease to be amazed how the quick, almost no planning blog posts get more comments than the ones I spend hours composing and 'polishing up'! My thoughts for 2016 ( my word instead of using resolution or goals) are, Be kind to myself, Continue to be kind to others.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful hubby. Perfect gift!
ReplyDeleteI can relate so well to the feelings expressed here. Can't we all? : )
Need to tell myself the "just do it" when I find myself staring at a task thinking I don't have time or am not in the mood. Some progress, however small, is so much better than none at all. Okay, I just made that up and it rhymes and everything. Probably should be my slogan for the year. : )
That is such a cheerful block you are stitching. I like what you are doing with the knots around the center.
I'm glad you are hanging in there with blogging. I would sure miss you.
Happy New Year! Nice to see you back... but I admit to the same struggles.. not enough time and procrastination! Love the picture from your husband.. it is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI only blog when I have something to blog about. I would hate to blog to a schedule, too much like work for me.
ReplyDeleteJust Do It! Very succinct and no time wasted coming up with lots of words to explain it. Very self-explanatory.
ReplyDeleteLove your new signage; whoo-hoo for a husband who knows how to please. I think your applique is awesome and I think I'd like to try that design in wool applique!! Very nice. Welcome back to the blogging world!
Happy to find your post -- my word for this year is ENJOY ...
ReplyDeleteSuch a thoughtful gift. I like your word for the year and I don't to be in crisis mode either! Beautiful stitching on your flower. I will look forward to your 2016 posts!
ReplyDeleteLove love your plaque....good goals.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you! Hey, it was a big relief that you, an amazing quilter, don't like to do bindings! I have several quilts just a-waiting to be bound and can always thinks of something else I'd rather do. Love that picture! My DH did something similar with FAMILY and photos of the GK. Happy New Year!!!
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