As you know, finding a work/life balance can be difficult. It’s something I struggle with and I’ve discussed it here before. Over the past several months I’ve spent a lot of time analyzing why I have such a difficult time and trying to find ways to get more done and stress less.
I found that my biggest roadblock is my energy level. I feel exhausted all the time, and that keeps me from doing the things I want to do and need to do. I believe that a big part of the reason I’m so tired is because my diet is crap. Seriously. You know the saying if you put in crap it runs like crap? (Or something like that..) Well, I’m putting crap food in my body and my body is barely functioning.
So last week I experimented a little. I cut out some of the sugar I’ve been eating, and switched out some of the crap food for healthier options. You know what I’m going to say, right? I felt a bit better, had a bit more energy, and managed to make progress on multiple projects. I even felt joy again at being in my sewing room and working on some personal projects. It was a good week.
So what did I spend my time working on? First, I managed to get together all 8 blocks and 2 half blocks for my Midnight Mystery quilt. Can you believe that? I barely can believe it myself. I mean, I started these blocks three years ago! Now to get them all put together.
I also finished quilting another customer quilt. There were two of these quilts to do – in different colors and the center block was a bit different. I quilted both of them essentially the same and enjoyed every minute of it. The quilting is a mix of ruler work and some free motion. It was fairly quick and really easy.
That dark color that looks brown is really a deep plum color. I think it shows a little better in the close-up pic below. Who knew plum would be so difficult to photograph?
This week I’ll be putting the binding on this quilt and then I can get both quilts back to their owner. I know she’ll be happy to have them back!
Okay, so remember I told you I was going to try to keep up with the #100Days100Blocks2018 quilt-along? The good news is I managed to make a block a day for the first seven days. I’m behind by two blocks (three if you count today). I hope to catch up today or tomorrow. I have a good excuse for being behind already, no really! I’ll tell you why in a minute. But first, here are blocks 3 – 7:
-
- Block 3
-
- Block 4
-
- Block 5
-
- Block 6
-
- Block 7
Wish me luck in keeping this project on track. I only have 93 more blocks to make! LOL
In addition to the above projects I was able to quilt and bind three mug rugs for the quilt shop where I work, and piece a lap size quilt for them as well. This week the shop is participating in a shop hop and there have been lots of samples to make. If you’re in the area be sure to stop by the shop starting Wednesday – I bet you’ll find something that just has to come home with you!
Now to the DrEAMi! project that I had to start and the reason I’m behind on my mini blocks. (If you’re not familiar with a DrEAMi! project, click the link and read all about it.)
On Thursday I found out that my niece’s grandmother is terminally ill. Kayla is extremely close to her MaMa and the news is hitting her hard. It is so sad, especially because MaMa is one of those very special people that goes above and beyond to help others. As soon as I heard the news my immediate reaction was “this lady needs a quilt”. Because that’s what we quilters do, right?
So on Friday I pulled a layer cake from my stash and got to work making large (8-3/4″) half square triangles.
The layer cake is Chestnut Street by Fig Tree. I chose it because it has bright, happy colors. I didn’t have a plan – I just started sewing. Over the weekend I put the blocks together and began sewing them into rows of large flying geese. My hope is to get this quilt finished and quilted this week, so wish me luck. I’ll be working a lot of hours at the shop today and later in the week, but this project is worth staying up late nights and working on. I feel an urgency to finish it quickly.
Whew! I feel like I’ve been talking forever. That happens when there’s a lot to share! But now it’s your turn to share your projects. What has you excited to be in your sewing space this week? You can link any blog post, Instagram or Flickr pic – here’s how:
Loading InLinkz ...
Wow! You have had a lot going on! Congratulations on making small changes in your diet! That lends itself to the most success – small changes are easier to implement and maintain!
Your projects are lovely and your last quilt is will be perfect and much appreciated! Blessings to you!
Great that you made the changes and started to feel better already. The quilt blocks are so pretty, beautiful colourways.
-Soma
Oh be sure to link up your DrEAMi! with the linky at the end of the month, the last Saturday! Thank you for the shout-out – I know there are a TON of us squirrel chasers out there. You never know what the power of a filled-with-love quilt can do: I made one hmm, something like 15 years ago for a terminally ill colleague, now a very dear friend, and yep, she’s still here!!! Stage 4 cancer spread all over into her lymph nodes…tried an experimental drug…and did major visualization and whole body work… 🙂 And WOW did you ever get a ton done last week! Ha on the Midnight Mystery – my ‘misbehavin’ activity yesterday was sewing the 25 blocks that have sat in a pile over a year, together into a flimsy! Post coming on IG this am. 🙂
So good that you decided to make those changes and you are feeling better already. Your blocks and quilting are wonderful, Beth. The Midnight Mystery quilt blocks made me think of stepping stones 🙂
-Soma
I have been on a couple of vacations lately which always seems to mean eating more junk and just more in general. When I got home it was like I had a food hangover – So, getting back on track now. It does help. As other readers mentioned, if I am getting less sleep, it also affects energy. So many things to think of! Love the 100 day blocks. Good luck with that one – it is a challenge to keep up with a daily block. I started that quilt long ago and have about six blocks done. I think I didn’t progress because I really didn’t like the fabrics I chose for it. Have a great week Beth and I hope you are able to make progress on the quilt for your niece’s grandmother.
Lovely quilt pics — I especially like the Midnight Mystery blocks. It’s wonderful that you are sewing special love and caring into a quilt for a special lady. Keep up the good work. Like many I have a huge sweet tooth and the issues that come with it. I am now much more capable of controlling it as long as I get a little taste of sweetness after lunch and dinner. (Yes, both.) My go to treat is Oreo Thins. 4 cookies for 150 calories. Three flavors. win-win all around. I also look for other reasonable calorie treats — 150 for the smaller Klondike bars. I’m being “good” but still getting a small treat. Now if I could just like vegetables more! But I love V8 juice so i’m going to start drinking 8 0z a day. It counts as two veggies. Yum. I wish you luck on your energy journey. I also think sleep (or lack there of does make a big difference too.)
I love your Midnight Mystery quilt blocks! It’s so hard to find balance and you have to find any little think that works and exploit it to its fullest potential sometimes! 😀
You are definitely making a lot of progress on a lot of fronts. I know that the quilt you are making is going to be appreciated and loved. I will be thinking of your niece, her grandmother, and all of your family.
I have always had a sweet tooth and really cut back on them some time ago and have more energy but the main problem can be lack of sleep – you might think you are sleeping but you might be surprised to find you are not actually sleeping all night and are constantly going in and out of a restful deep sleep. I hated having to do it but I have to take a sleep aide to get to a deep restful sleep but after I started to take it my body is thanking me as I feel so much better –
Your Dreami quilt will be gorgeous in those fabrics! You have a very kind heart to want to make it for Kayla’s MaMa. I’m sure it will be greatly appreciated.
And good for you for cutting back on the sugar! DH and I did that a while ago and it really does make a HUGE difference in both energy levels and overall health. Keep up the great work!!
Great job nixing the sugar and getting more quilting done! Love your City Sampler blocks. And I’m looking forward to seeing the final photo of your dreami project. ~Nancy, who is 10 days off of sugar and counting
Hi Beth! Oh man, your lack of energy really hit home this morning. I know I really need to adjust my diet to much more healthy foods. Oh, those sugary foods are so easy to like though. I imagine if I just start small like you suggest it will be easier to do. Congrats on all your got accomplished! Those blocks look great, and the customer’s quilt does read as burgundy in the second photo. Happy Monday! ~smile~ Roseanne
I hear you on sugars-I have a very large sweet tooth, grrr. It seems I sew every day and yet feel I don’t have enough done to show for it, I guess I am getting slower!! It sure sounds like you had a productive week. I am setting my goals for a great week, and hoping you have one too.
It’s amazing what changing just a few things will do to help or hurt your energy level. Congrats on all the progress on your projects and on your customer projects. Have fun with your DREAMi project, those fabrics are so pretty.
You have been extremely busy, a little extra energy goes a long way. Can’t wait to see the dreami quilt finished.
Glad you’re feeling spunkier with an easy change to your diet. Keep up the good work! Your niece will feel so blessed. There’s a big difference in gifting any quilt and gifting a quilt that you made while thinking of that person. I think your love is absorbed into the fibers forever!
Oh Beth you are such a good person, it’s a beautiful quilt to be for Kayla’s grandmother. Hope it will confort her. Great progress on all your projects, thanks to your changes in your life! You look full of energy, keep going ;))
it’s always amazing how even one small step towards taking care of ourselves makes such a big difference ,[duh, i wonder when i’ll get the message?!], enjoy and may you go from strength to strength!
shoshana