The "no" easy button...

I'm still here...lots of challenges to contend with lately and precious little free time...crap, crap, crap.  I'm sorry that Fabric Therapy has been so quiet.  I've done precious little personal sewing for the past few months, and I have trouble posting about nothing.  There have been some difficult issues to deal with as well no time for personal sewing...all adding up to make me cranky.  I don't know about you, but I don't feel like creating nuttin' when I am cranky.

I started blogging as a little thing I did for myself, and I have surely missed it!  Not that I ever thought I had anything to say that anyone else would want to read, but mostly because blogging is like talking to an imaginary quilting buddy.  I love quilting and I want to do and talk about it all the time.

When I feel icky, whacking up fabric and sewing it back together is the best therapy...when there is no time to do that, I feel ickier.  I've been coming up with a list of  rules...rules I need to follow at keep time in my life for the sport I love...rules to tape everywhere in my house so I will remember to follow them.

#1 -  I can't fix anyone else's problems.

#2 -  Just because I have the ABILITY to do something doesn't mean I HAVE to do it.

#3 -  Put my own oxygen mask on first - make a little time everyday for exercise and stitching.

#4 -  It's OK to say "no." (I now have a partner in this effort...the "no" easy button pictured at the top of this post, from my local Hallmark store...)

#5 -  Be thankful for every day...each day has at least something in it that is a gift.

I know I am totally stressed when all I want to do is sit in the quilt cave and snip fabric scraps even smaller with my KICK-ASS scissors that I got for Christmas (thank you, Ola!!).  I think snipping fabric into tiny shapes is my version of sitting, rocking back and forth, and mumbling nonsensically while drooling. 

I just LOVE these Karen Kay Buckley scissors with the "micro serrated edges."  All those tiny teeth just pull the fabric into the scissor blades instead of push it away (like my smooth, sharp shears do...).  I love the little snips as well...same tiny teeth...chomp, chomp.  And I have not lost the scissor guards...yet...BONUS!

Between the chaos, I've been teaching some classes, some that I scheduled before I knew how nuts life would become and some where I've been subbing for a quilting buddy who just got 2 new knees (keep up the great physical therapy, Mary!!).  I've managed to prep samples for those, but sometimes at the last minute in a huge rush (accompanied by more mumbling and drooling...).  Famous last words (these may be on my tombstone some day): "Oh, THAT won't take long to prepare..."

Dumb ass...I guess I need a Rule #6 -  DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING FOR THE LAST MINUTE!

I'm good in a crisis, but it is EXHAUSTING to live every day in one!

Thank goodness for my magic box...when I can't get down to the quilt cave and can do a little hand work, I have either been gluing edges under on little baskets, getting them ready to place on background squares, hand-stitching some down, or trimming around the ironed-on freezer paper patterns for the next batch (with my KICK-ASS scissors!).

I'm still cranking on this long term project...I've pinned some of the finished blocks on my design wall, along with some of the baskets awaiting being paired with a background square.

Thank you for your emails of support during my unplanned absence from blogging.  I may still be spotty until mid-August...or I may post, but not be in town to respond.  Please be patient...I have missed you!  Life should return to a more normal and manageable level of chaos by then...(grin). 

In stitches (again...finally!),
Teresa  :o)