Sunday, January 30, 2011

Rolling Rolling Rolling.....

Here is where I'm at on the RRCB (Roll Roll Cotton Boll) mystery quilt designed by Bonnie of Quiltville. The other day I added the missing half triangle's to the outer edge and stitched together my rows.  Now I just need to add the borders and the top will be ready to start the next stage.

My UFO project (no. 6) - is all cut out and being pieced.  Will share photo's of it's progress in a few days.

My Monochromatic challenge has only gotten to the design stage - lol.  I hope to start cutting this week, but due to my DH having surgery and is home recovering and a death in the family - I may be busy with other life matter's for a good part of this week.  We'll see how much I can accomplish in the free time I have.

I ran across several new mystery quilt projects coming up along with some great BOM and other challenges.  I'll get them all organized and links set up here sometime within the week.  Be sure to sign up to follow this blog to keep updated. 

Monday, January 10, 2011

Mystery Quilts 2011

I am setting up a page for links to upcoming and active Mystery Quilts for 2011.  If you have a mystery started on your page or an upcoming mystery starting, or even if you are particapating in or know about upcoming mystery's please post here and let me know the link so I can add it to the list.  This will help people who are looking for mystery's to have a one stop location to find them.  Pass the word around so everyone knows where to come and add to the list and where to look for when they are searching.  You will find the Mystery Quilt link page up in my menu tabs.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

It's 2011 - It's Time To Relax, Enjoy, and Create.

This year I have had thedesire to do lots of  new projects  - but still have the lingering UFO's from last year and even some from years before .  At the same time I want to maintain an inner joy and peace by not letting deadlines make me feel overwhelmed and in hurry to maintain deadlines.  You see, I was diagnosed with MG (Myasthenia Gravis) in 2007. It affected my eyes first, then my speech, ability to chew, form words, then my strength in my hands and legs, and even my memory.  With it comes a lot of fatigue.   Before I was diag. with MG I was very active.  I was head of the sewing department for a marine cushion company, maintained a tight schedule both at home, work and with my hobbies, and always met my deadlines way ahead of schedule.  But since MG came into my life, I have felt frustrated, stressed, overwhelmed and unable to meet even  (what normally would have been) very easy deadlines and goals. 
Finally last summer I was so frustrated and ashamed at being behind on birthday gifts, reaching deadlines on orders from customers, and other obligations, I told myself I had to just take it one day at a time and do what I could do.    As long as it gets done, and I did good work, then that is my goal. 
To my amazement, I grasped onto a wonderful feeling of freedom.
I actually took some time to allow myself to just sit on the porch, relax, enjoy the sounds of birds singing, smell the fresh breeze, and feel the sun's warmth and I let go of those thoughts in my head of "Oh, I can't sit here, I have deadlines to meet - I have to get to work".     I finally felt joy, a deep happiness, an inner peace.  It was beyond words, it was wonderful.  I don't think I have ever felt like that before.  And I look forward to practicing it again this year.  Yes, practice.  I found that my old habits started coming back after about five or six weeks. Once again, I started making tight schedules for myself and deadlines.  Feeling obligated as birthdays approached, to make new gifts, then more occasions arose, holiday's, etc.  Until, once again, I was right back into frustration and depression. Old habits are hard to break - especially for old ladies my age.
Even though, this year some projects I'm working on are monthly challenges, and BOM's, which have deadlines - I'm going to remember to take my time, relax and be grateful for being able to partake in the things in life that I enjoy even if it takes me a bit longer then everyone else.  Happy New Year!