Being Productive Equals Being Enthused

So I had a truly enjoyable time in California.  The people at the California plant made me feel welcomed and of value. While I'm not sure how much of an expert I am they sure treated me like I was one.  That made for a very enjoyable work experience.  Plus I felt like we got some real work done.

There is not really a whole lot to do in Gustine and Santa Nella California. So I spent my evenings in the hotel room.  Fortunately I had planned for this and had my Swedish weaving project ready to go. I should point out that I am not really a needle work person.  It just takes too long to finish a project. But I always forget that before I start a project. Then project drags on for years.

Feathers To and Fro

Anyway I spent the evenings and early mornings (because my body didn't want to adapt to Pacific time) stitching away. In the four days, I was able to get one pattern repeat done.  Over this weekend I was able to get a 1/3 of the next repeat done. This project is going to take 7 pattern repeats to complete. It won't be done anytime soon.  But as I have a few minutes here and there I will work on it. I have it at the ready in a basket hanging on my project shelf. I am really happy with how it is looking and I love the colors.

Thursday, I got off work a little early and went to a couple of quilt shops.  I drove to Los Banos but despite my calling and asking about the hours the day before it was closed.  I then used the google machine to see where else close by I could find a shop. Google listed Cloth and Quilts in Hilmar, CA.  I headed that way. I was about a mile away when I spotted Cabin Quilts also in Hilmar.  It was a fairly small store with a lot of personality. It was very welcoming. I mentioned that I was heading to a different shop when I spotted them.  They said I needed to visit the other shop because it was bigger. They even gave me directions to it.  They told me the other shop had a lot more in the way of books and rulers as well as a bigger fabric selection. After purchasing a few fat quarter bundles and a small jelly roll. I headed over to Cloth and Quilts. When they found out I was visiting the area and looking for quilt shops, they made sure to tell me about Cabin Quilts. They stated that Cabin Quilts cater to more drop in sewing and often had kits made for people to just get going. Both stores offer long Arm services. Cloth and Quilts offers rental time of their long arms. The two stores have a very symbiotic relationship and often refer customers to the other store. They both offer different services and seem to help each other grow.  As a result their customers are the winners. I did make purchases at both stores but didn't break the bank. I was pleased to see the two stores working together.

Friday I headed home.  I didn't get in until late (11:30 pm) but the flights were uneventful and I read two books on the way home.  Saturday I was so proud of myself. I unpacked my suitcases and put everything up including my quilt store purchases. I didn't just pile things up. I also went through the mail and took care of it right away. Then I finished squaring up the blocks I made before I left. After that I sewed 50 more blocks all of which are pressed and squared up as well.

I am finding that I am more eager to work on things, even excited. I have even kept up working on the studio.  I also have had a few epiphanies but I'll save those are for another time.

Are you staying productive? What are you working on?

Different Actions Equal Better Attitudes

They say you can't expect a different outcome if you keep doing the same thing. This blog is about just that.

Well, it has been a month since I last posted. Back then I posted about the disaster that is my studio.  And quite honestly it got worse.  I have been rather busy at work with the big audit and all that entailed.  But I did manage to do a little sewing and a little cleaning.  To be truthful I did most of it this last week.

So the first week of June was the big audit. While it was only 3 days long, they were very long days for me.  Then Thursday and Friday required some catch up and consequently were just as long. But this past week was different.

When I got home from work on Monday, despite putting in a long day, instead of flopping on my bed, I changed my clothes and started working.  I cleared off my desk and put some things away, and started sewing. I got 50 - 4 inch blocks sewn.

Tuesday, I was off due to a pulmonologist appointment that was in the middle of the day. I got up at my usual time instead of sleeping in, even though I really wanted too.  This gave me the time to press and square up those 50 blocks. I even picked up some stuff and put some things away.  I realized that I needed a couple of storage bins though I am loathe to add to the growing collection. After my appointment I picked up a couple of sweater sized storage bins. I only wanted one but had to get 4. I could have gotten another large bin but I had convinced my self that I was not going to buy another bin just to fill it up with more fabric. Despite less than encouraging news from the pulmonologist, when I got home I started putting fabric that was stacked up away. This led me to start cleaning out things under the long arm. I got about half of the storage under the long arm straightened up.  I swept stuff up a little as well.

Wednesday, I was back at work. I put in a 9 hour day and was tired but instead of my usual resting up to do it all over the next day, I changed my clothes and got to work.  I swept up stuff and put some more stuff away.  It wasn't a lot but it was progress.

On Thursday I gave in and bought another big bin.  I filled it up with the fabric I had stacked up for the past year.  I emptied a few boxes and moved the presents for my brother off the long arm.  I then sewed 50 more blocks.

Friday was scheduled to be a travel day for me. But my flight wasn't until the late afternoon. I got up and got to work. I pressed the blocks and even squared up a few. But mostly I cleaned. I swept and cleaned behind the long arm, I cleaned the window sills and I even cleaned the air conditioner. I wet swiffered the floor and put some more stuff away. I emptied boxes and filled the other 3 sweater size bins. I am far from being done but I sure am happy with myself for what I did get done.

Today finds me in Bakersfield,California. I got in late Friday night and I am spending the weekend with my husband before heading up to Gustine, California. This next week I will be working at the company's California plant. So I won't be able to do anything in the studio. But I did prepare some monk's cloth and plan to so some Swedish weaving in the evenings after work. You see I have 6 pieces of monk's cloth that I had for the past 12 years. I wanted to do swedish weaving but never got around to prepping the cloth. I went ahead and got all the pieces, serged and washed. So I when I want to, I can just pull it out and start working on it.  I am hoping that next weekend I will be back on track with getting the studio together and quilting. In the mean time, I am being productive in my down time.

I am much happier and I am really enjoying the progress I am making in my studio.  I know I am far from being where I need to be but lots of things have happened by me just putting in a few minutes after work. One, I found my Quilt path thumb drive so I can start reading about how to really use the computer system on the long arm. Two, I got a good look at all of the fat quarters I have. I really need to get to work using them. Three, I found some patterns that I could use some of those fat quarters for.  I am actually thinking about getting some things made and put up for sale on Etsy.  I am once again inspired. I am feeling optimistic. I still feel like I am drowning in my possessions, but I feel like there is a way to the surface again. Once again I feel like I can get things done.  Am I still tired? Yes! Yes I am. But I feel like I am accomplishing something and that is everything.

Different Actions - I didn't flop on my bed. I did something besides watch TV. I kept moving.
Better Attitudes - I am not as grumpy. I have more patience. I feel like creating. I am encouraged.

How is your struggle going?