A New Year - A New Plan!

Why do we DO this to ourselves?  New Year's Resolutions .... ugh!!!  "This year I'm going to - lose the extra pounds ....  get better organized .... finish my UFO's .... slash my stash ... create that dream quilt .... blog more ----

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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???

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

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