As you can see, it's already a bit of a hit!
I followed the fabulous tutorial on Moda Bakeshop by val@pinkplease http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/07/jelly-roll-floor-pillows.html
Wednesday 22 February 2012
I made this!
Today I finished a rather large project I've been working on for my twins' bedroom. They needed somewhere to sit that encourages them to be still and quiet so I made this:
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Exciting news!
It's been a little while since I posted a blog and I have some exciting news!!
Firstly, I won a competition run by The Crafty Network http://thecraftynetwork.wordpress.com/ with my Autumnal quilt
The prize was for my logo and a link to my Facebook page to be posted on their blog for a week (great publicity).
The second bit of news is that Linda, who runs The Crafty Network, has invited me to be a featured crafter! How exciting!?!
It's certainly lifted my spirits this week.
Firstly, I won a competition run by The Crafty Network http://thecraftynetwork.wordpress.com/ with my Autumnal quilt
The prize was for my logo and a link to my Facebook page to be posted on their blog for a week (great publicity).
The second bit of news is that Linda, who runs The Crafty Network, has invited me to be a featured crafter! How exciting!?!
It's certainly lifted my spirits this week.
Friday 10 February 2012
Procrastination is the road to nowhere....
I admit I am a bit guilty of procrastinating any time there is something I should be doing.
In the past, I've told myself that it's ok as I work well under pressure so pulling 'it' off at the last minute isn't a huge problem. But it's actually not great.
I read some really interesting posts on Facebook today about copying handmade work, which I have very recently been a victim of. Having the designs that you've pored over and tried out a billion times, stolen, really hurts. It feels awful.
However, it got me thinking that actually there are also a whole pile of designs and ideas that I've not launched, simply because they came about at the wrong time. These are designs that I've been working on for some time, not sneaked previews or hinted at what I'm designing and just as I was getting ready to upload my pictures onto Facebook, I realise that someone else has had the same idea or at least, a really similar one!
Generally what happens is that I get cross, kick myself for having not been quicker off the mark and had a bit of a grouch about it for a week or so. Then I get over it, have a laugh at how small the world is and give myself a kick up the bum to get things moving quicker next time.
So with this in mind, I have installed a large clock on this blog. To remind me that the clock is ticking, I should apply my creativity to designing in a timely manner and also that if I miss the boat on the first time round, time is cyclical and there will always be another opportunity!
In the past, I've told myself that it's ok as I work well under pressure so pulling 'it' off at the last minute isn't a huge problem. But it's actually not great.
I read some really interesting posts on Facebook today about copying handmade work, which I have very recently been a victim of. Having the designs that you've pored over and tried out a billion times, stolen, really hurts. It feels awful.
However, it got me thinking that actually there are also a whole pile of designs and ideas that I've not launched, simply because they came about at the wrong time. These are designs that I've been working on for some time, not sneaked previews or hinted at what I'm designing and just as I was getting ready to upload my pictures onto Facebook, I realise that someone else has had the same idea or at least, a really similar one!
Generally what happens is that I get cross, kick myself for having not been quicker off the mark and had a bit of a grouch about it for a week or so. Then I get over it, have a laugh at how small the world is and give myself a kick up the bum to get things moving quicker next time.
So with this in mind, I have installed a large clock on this blog. To remind me that the clock is ticking, I should apply my creativity to designing in a timely manner and also that if I miss the boat on the first time round, time is cyclical and there will always be another opportunity!
Sunday 5 February 2012
This week I have mostly been....
Trying to 'calm down' a bit more, in the interests of my health.
After a little health scare last week which saw me in A & E and back at the doctors for ECG's, I have taken a step back to look at my lifestyle.
As a Mum of three boys; one teenager about to leave school and twins who are about to turn three, I have accepted the increased pace of my life and just thought it is the 'norm' to be a stress-head.
Perhaps I do try to do too much in trying complete as much as possible in the day.
So, I have made a few tiny changes to the way I structure my day in an attempt to make some more time for me to be creative and to balance the amount of time I need to spend looking after my family, pets and home with time spent on myself.
1. A nice hot soak in the bath with candles and a good book or magazine, once a week.
2. The twins nap time is not an opportunity to clean the bathrooms. It is my lunch break.
3. I will ask family for help when I need it, rather than trying to cope single handedly.
4. 10 minutes of yoga in the morning and 3 to 4 exercise sessions per week.
5. Less caffeine, more herbal tea.
Trying to 'calm down' a bit more, in the interests of my health.
After a little health scare last week which saw me in A & E and back at the doctors for ECG's, I have taken a step back to look at my lifestyle.
As a Mum of three boys; one teenager about to leave school and twins who are about to turn three, I have accepted the increased pace of my life and just thought it is the 'norm' to be a stress-head.
Perhaps I do try to do too much in trying complete as much as possible in the day.
So, I have made a few tiny changes to the way I structure my day in an attempt to make some more time for me to be creative and to balance the amount of time I need to spend looking after my family, pets and home with time spent on myself.
1. A nice hot soak in the bath with candles and a good book or magazine, once a week.
2. The twins nap time is not an opportunity to clean the bathrooms. It is my lunch break.
3. I will ask family for help when I need it, rather than trying to cope single handedly.
4. 10 minutes of yoga in the morning and 3 to 4 exercise sessions per week.
5. Less caffeine, more herbal tea.
Also taking inspiration from The Dalai Lama
A to Zen of Life
Avoid negative sources, people, places and habits
Believe in yourself
Consider things from every angle
Don't give up and don't give in
Everything you're looking for lies behind the mask you wear
Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches
Give more than you planned to
Hang on to your dreams
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems
Love yourself
Make it happen
Never lie, steal or cheat
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values
Practice makes perfect
Quality not quantity in anything you do
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer
Stop procrastinating
Take control of your own destiny
Understand yourself in order to better understand others
Visualize it
When you lose, don't lose the lesson
Xcellence in all your efforts
You are unique, nothing can replace you
Zero in on your target and go for it
Source: Dalai Lama
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)