A big thank you to Catherine for letting me host this month's slow blogger linky party. As you may know, Catherine champions those of us who are being creative but perhaps at a more relaxed pace to others. I remember, when I first started blogging, feeling that I couldn't keep up with many of the inspirational people I was following who were so productive all the time. Of course, it's not a race but sometimes it's good to take the pressure off and remember that life will do its best to butt in and mess up the "To Do" list and that that's ok. I go through periods of hectic (well hectic for me!) activity often followed by fallow times where I'd rather hang out on the couch with Laughing Boy (football permitting, obvs.) or need to clear the decks. I like to think I'm on a foxtrot vibe (complete with wafty dress and Hollywood hair!)
I am still in April time in my head (and my To Do list) and can't quite believe it's mid May already! This week, I am rushing to catch up with bee blocks. My MIL gave me a thorough telling off last week, complaining that I keep "playing around" with the odd block here and there when I should be creating wonderous things. In some ways she is right, I have over committed myself to Bees and swaps this year. But I do love them and they do push me out of my comfort zone, which is no bad thing. Of course, it does mean that I often don't sew for myself or get the chance to finish (or even start!) big things like quilts. So I am on the Bee/swap wagon for the rest of the year - no new sign ups, honest guv'. You have permission to biatch slap me if you see me sidling up to any new ones, ok?
Hopefully, this means I'll soon get a chance to dive into this pile of loveliness and start making some summer tops....
 |
| well they are summery for me! |
Oh totally with you there sweetie. My activity happens only in bursts! And I still feel gutted that I'm not making the things everyone gets stuck in making... (I want a medallion so bad - right pouty face here) But, I just dont have the energy. Phooey. Looking forward to seein these tops! I'm guessing it'll be fashion show in July no?
ReplyDeleteI'm just the same. I have weekends when I sew the whole time, then other times I'll sit in front of the TV drinking wine and do nothing! You've got some gorgeous material there, look foward to seeing some fab tops.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting:-) I like the look of your summery top fabric. Are you going to go all Wiksten?:-)
ReplyDeleteI have overcommitted myself to Bees & swaps too Moira. I think the imminent FQR Sample swap may be the last nail in the coffin for me! I am also a slow crafter - I thought Trashalou summed it up nicely when she was doing her "introduce yourself" on Flickr for last year's FQR by saying "I craft at a glacial pace". I'm right there with her! I would say 90% of the sewing I have done this year has been Bee blocks, which have been fun, but with limited sewing time it means I don't get very much else done. At least the weather is sufficiently grotty that I don't feel like I am missing out by not finishing my summer dress.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the bee/swap thing. After I have finished the Kinky bee/ FQR swaps I am done for the year. As well as these 'commissions' that I keep getting but actually don't really want. I want to sew for me, for fun - selfish or what! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYep I'm not doing anymore swaps or bees this year either unless they're fabric only swaps or it's Mouthy Stitches ;) I need the time to work on my magazine projects.
ReplyDeleteThat was me for most of last year - bees and swaps and the QAL I cohosted took up all my time, and I ended up getting a bit ragey about it! Selfish sewing is the best IMO, but I'm probably just a horrible person :o)
ReplyDeleteOH yes bees are great for getting us out of our comfort zone, I've loved being in two bees this year for the first time; but for those of us who don't have endless time for sewing can mean slower quilts indeed! Lovely looking fabrics, love that pink dandelion one especially- shouts summer! Meanwhile we're approaching winter...!
ReplyDeleteI'm really new to the blogging and quilting/sewing thing - only really been around this year, so I don't really know what this Bee & swaps thing is all about! I'm finding that I spend all my time doing stuff, think about blogging, but then never actually sit down and write it... And I know if I don't make the effort to write stuff I'll never really get into the blogging community. So that's my aim for the next few months (as well as the huge project list).
ReplyDeleteI am beginning to rein in my inner signer-upper too, as I was ending up spending all my sewing time sewing things I "had to do" rather than those I "wanted to do". We shall see how long this self-imposed regime lasts though!
ReplyDeleteI seem to spend so much time thinking about sewing and not enough time actually doing it. I've made a few things in the last year but not as much as some people seem to manage, they must spend a fortune on fabric. Good luck with your projects.
ReplyDeleteMy activity def comes in fits and starts too, I am in a whirl at the moment and trying to make the most of it, but then I start to think about all the things I want to do and spend less time doing anything at all
ReplyDeleteToo true, it's always, i'll just make these bee blocks and then i can get to my projects for me, and then its the next month and we have to start again! :o)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. I started signing up for bees and swaps this year and it does take a lot of my limited sewing time. But they are so much fun. Those fabrics are lovely. Thank you for hosting.
ReplyDeleteI like to make small quilts - that is why I design mug rugs. I can welcome the changing seasons and holidays into my home with just an hour or two of sewing. All the col our, all the fun, less of the slog.
ReplyDeleteHi Moira, thanks for hosting the slow blogger's unite party. I have eyed the slow bloggers for some time and decided today to join in. Infact I have been a slow blogger from my first blogpost. Too much real life going on here to committ myself to blogging regularly. It's good to see fellow bloggers struggle with the wish to sew and blog more and our daily routines and duties that seem to counteract every scheme. I don't feel more "normal" and less "unable/ imperfect". Thank you, dear Slow Bloggers, I hope to join your parties often.
ReplyDeleteChristine
P.S. I hope you don't mind that my actual blogpost includes a giveaway. If you'd rather see some of my "work" linked up, please contact me, I'd be happy to change the link to another blogpost.