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| Pinwheel baby quilt it progress |
LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color, who recently moved halfway across the country, has written several posts about the experience: the excitement of discoveries along the drive, the struggles of house-hunting, the challenges of finding her feet, her supplies and her mojo. She's creating again and contacting nearby quilters. Hooray.
There are parallels with my life. Fortunately we are a large clan so most items have found a home where they will be a memento of happy childhoods without becoming a mausoleum. But we've now reached the paperwork. Oh, my stars and garters. Everything was well arranged but still must be read before deciding to keep or shred. The shredder is very small and overheats regularly. I'd get a new one but... it's helpful to be forced to slow down this process. Surely we will reach the end soon. Then we can donate the shredder.
I haven't read anyone's posts, haven't responded to comments, haven't sew any borders or made any quilting plans. I did take a lunch break and wander through a quilt store but even that didn't inspire me.
QS is coming to help again so I cleared these blocks off the spare bed. Instead of putting them away immediately, I laid them on the floor and snapped this photo.
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| Pinwheel baby quilt with space for an inner border |
I think a quiet inner border might be the solution. The colorful pinwheels might actually work although I'm going to try to make a few more with black and white... and purple and green.
What have you been up to? Reading about your creative decisions will be a blessed hour of tranquility.
Enjoy the day, Ann
InLinkz removed because it was hacked.
15 comments:
Sometimes tiny bits of sewing are all life allows for. I think your colourful pinwheels will work if can find the right colour for an inner border.
Try to be gentle with yourself - you've been through A LOT and it is so very hard on your body, your spirit, and your creative muse. The papers will all be dealt with (ask me how I know - we've had to do the same kind of thing multiple times) and all of you will come out on the other side chastened but wiser. Sending hugs and well wishes and all sorts of positive vibes.
Ah, the shredding! I am just about at the one year mark and finally the paperwork seems to be mostly done. Still, I have not made it all the way back to the blogosphere. The experiences of the past year did, however, instill in me a conviction that I need to thin out my own possessions and papers, as a favor to those who will follow me. I am quilting, though, with some "real live" people now, which is so important, and still reading. Ann, there are easier times ahead, and your bright colors and unexpected ways of combining them will pull you through. (Not to mention QS.) Be well
I love your pinwheels, they cheer me up. That's wonderful that your QS is coming to help.
You are brave and like Julie said, 'be gentle with yourself'.
Thanks for hosting AHIQ with Kaja.
I'm sorry to hear about your struggles, Ann. Know that it's the slow, steady way that sees you to the end. And the end will help to clarify the rest of your life.
The pinwheels certainly do cheer things up, though. They are happy little pieces and just a few at a time add up quickly. Remember all of our circle blocks? (Was that two years ago?) I started late, quit early and had no clue why I was making them. But in a few short months I had enough for a comfortable quilt. Think of your pinwheels that way. Just do what you can each day and watch them grow: first into a small pile, then into a big pile, and finally into a pile large enough for a gloriously happy, colorful quilt.
I can't even imagine the responsibility and heaviness of taking care of all the things you are dealing with. So glad that you have some help. As I look at your bright, spunky little pinwheels, I am admiring the whimsical look to them being all topsy turvy. It seems to add an element of playfulness even though I'm sure it was totally not intentional in this pic. Thanks for continuing to host the AHIQ tho I'm sure you're wondering about it being a priority right now!
Your pinwheels are very cheery and I love the orange ones. I'm sorry that you, and your family, are dealing with this situation, one that is never, ever easy. Ann, I hope you will find a little tranquil time and soon find you're able to settle to some stitching therapy.
Yes, I think the quilt needs a quiet inner border. This is certainly the season of tiny sewing bits.
I know I'm not alone closing an estate. In fact, many people like you have dealt with this before. It's just amazing how much time and energy each step takes. Most of her files are immaculate but still need to be reviewed. I swear I will tighten mine up. Then I realize most of mine are now digital. How will that change things in the future? They still need to be reviewed. I think I need to weed some of them out.
Thanks for the well wishes and the good advice.
My condolences on your loss, Sue. This work distracts us from sorrow but it's still there waiting whenever we slow down. Probably a good reason to slow down and take regular breaks. But I'm trying to get to a point that we can close the house - just want to move as little paperwork and stuff as possible.
Yes, I need to thin my possessions... again. QS spring cleans annually. I need to follow her lead to keep stuff from piling up. Like you, it's a favor to my executors and heirs. Plus, there is a balance between frugality and hoarding.
I'm glad you're quilting again. A creative group inspires me; even more when you can meet in person.
I've missed your blog and would enjoy seeing more of your work. Thanks for writing.
Thanks, Janie. I like the cheerful colors, too, but think it needs a quiet spot...
Thanks for joining in AHIQ. Reading the process of other makers always inspires me. You are so creative despite your small, temporary (?) venue. Amazing.
Funny you mention that, Mary. I am seeing the rest of my life very differently. There's actually an end date on the horizon that's helping me prioritize what I want to accomplish. Priorities have shifted.
Pinwheels are happy. And simple. I enjoy seeing them grouped. Yes, like the circle blocks. I started on time but quit early. There are several ideas still floating around my brain. I will need to lay them out to see what might work. So I will take your advice on these pinwheels. Thanks!
I can't believe how those circles changed my thinking. Everything I do, including in the studio, seems to be at some insanely fast pace. Then suddenly there were a few minutes each day when I sat, calmly, and sewed by hand. I've found more time for little hand projects since then. Retiring helped, certainly, but the calm of holding a needle and working in small increments that grew (and grew) into a large quilt really has changed my perspective. I like my new attitude of a slow, peaceful pace that builds into something. (Thanks for talking me into this philosopher mode--I like this metacognitive thinking.)
While it is very sorrowful at times we also find laughter and joy in handling certain possessions. Our family tells the same stories over and over; frequently an object in mother's house sparks the story again and we all have a laugh. I realize how very fortunate we are to have had such loving parents who gave us so many happy years.
The pinwheels are whimsical. Perhaps that is why I haven't been able to work on them this past month. Hopefully this month will see them finished.
Everyone has a favorite color. One of the joys of adding these crazy colored pinwheels is that everyone should have a favorite in the mix.
If we live long enough, we all go through this situation. I now understand why executors can be paid although it must be a bit easier if it's a "job" for someone with whom you have no family relationship.
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