Wednesday, May 4, 2011

I can't keep a secret . . .


Shhhhhhhhhhhhh! I don't often share my deepest, darkest secrets. But I have to whisper this one to you. Come closer . . . . a little bit closer . . . .

I am a slow quilter. A plodding piecer of blocks. A slow sorter of scraps. I am however an excellent ripper of seams. My seam ripper has a name. It is Jack. I can sew the most wonderful one quarter inch seam, only to have it not line up correctly, so Jack to the rescue.

It goes without saying then, that I am not a speed demon. I blame myself, really. First of all, I wanted to blame the internet because when I see all the prolific quilters online with their completed projects day after day, totes, mug rugs, quilts of all sizes and types, I wonder how they do it? Do they set aside an hour or two, a day or a month? I use a minute timer and keep myself on task by giving myself a set amount of time to help me accomplish the dailies of my day. When do they clean or cook? How do they manage the laundry and kid's soccer games? I hang my head down and ask myself, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? Then I go to my sewing area and strive to keep myself motivated to not feel a bit blue. Blue? I think I have a whole bin of assorted blues . . .

I also have adult A.D.D. Of course I do. I walk into my sewing studio, armed with block patterns in hand and begin to pull out the fabrics that I want to use. Why is it that I have all this fabric but when it comes to putting a few together I hate all the fabric I have. And then while I am picking through, I get nostalgic about some silly 5 inch charm that I can't find the perfect mate for. I can spend hours doing this. Then I dig through the mountain of fabrics I have pulled out to find the patterns I came downstairs with originally. It should also be shared that after all this time I am exhausted, and forgotten just what I was intending to do to begin with. There is really no hope.

I find it difficult to stay on task. I work better with a task ahead of me. But I do get sidetracked. Sigh. I make a master list each month of which block goes to whom in the various swaps I am in. And the process starts all over again.

I am living proof that not all Blondes are pin heads. I raised three children into well fed neurotic, although not quite thumb sucking, adults. I worked three jobs for more years than I can remember to keep them well fed, a roof over their heads and gently used second hand clothes to wear. Except I always purchased new underwear for them. See, there I go again. Dang! See how my mind works? It wanders down a path, chasing each thought until it reaches a wall and says Whoa! You really didn't need to know about their new underwear. Is that why I am so affectionately known as Blondie?

There is really no hope. I have given up since I know my brain while not exactly mushy, gets overwhelmed by so much sensory overload. Well, folksies, it is time to once again go down to my sewing studio and start picking up the fabric pieces again. I have two patterns to contemplate. I think I remember that bin of blues, but, then I think this pattern requires a gutsy, vibrant translation. It's a good thing I have learned to master the minute timer.

8 comments:

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

What a refreshing post! I think a lot of us suffer from adult ADD right along with you - I know I do. Thanks for the chuckle this morning.

Miss Hillbilly said...

I understand you completely! Only it's not me, it's my DD. And she never finishes anything! Do you have that problem? We did used to use the timer for her. I will praise you for every quilt you accomplish because I know from dealing with her that a finish is a big thing for you!

Patticakes said...

Don't worry, your secret is safe with us! I stay motivated by your play list and I am glad to see you have picked up your pieces again!

Donna said...

Ah, it's not the destination, it's the journey! As long as you're having FUN, that's all that matters!

Blondie ~ Vintage Primitives said...

Hi gals, thanks for the visit.
I do actually get a lot more accomplished that I think I do! And my motto has always been when the fun stops, I stops.
I reckons I should post all I have gotten done this year. Perhaps that should be another post!

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

I'm so glad I'm not alone. I have kept the same secrets to myself for sooooo long, and now it's good to know someone else suffers from the same things. My hobby should just be called, "repiling fabric." I sort, make new piles of coordinating pieces. Then I find or acquire a new piece, and it all has to be done over again. The worst part is, I don't want to cut it. It KILLS me. I like my stacks just like they are!!!!!

nancy said...

HAHAHAHA..........youo sound JUST LIKE ME!! I think I have about 4 projects going right now! Ho- Hum...I am trying! :)

nancy said...

Glad to see a silly-willy blog. I am soooo new to any blogging! Please be kind and understand!