Link Love: Slow Stitching, Soup & Super Sewing Projects

Big day in our household as some major changes start to make themselves known. It’s funny when we were coming to the end of 2015 I thought I pretty much knew how the year was going to play out. It was going to be a lot of work, but I figured it would be pretty consistent and we’d be plodding along, working towards our goals and enjoy the routine of life. By the time we were in the middle of December 2015 I had a pretty strong sense that 2016 was going to smack those ideas of a quiet, peaceful, stable life out the window.

HUBBY taking a new job was one thing. When we made the decision I didn’t think much past him being happier and finding more enjoyment in his employment. When he announced he’d be off to the US for a month I freaked out but figured it’s just one month, we’ll get through it and then life will go back to “normal”. While he may be back in the country that job hasn’t settled down and it looks like it could throw some more curveballs before the year is done.

I figured I’d pump out a book the same way I do the blog and it would be more work but it wouldn’t be that much more. Ha! Massive understatement. I’m working 24/7 trying to get things written and made and crammed into and around our lives. It’s completely insane and truth-be-told right this minute it sucks and I’m seriously questioning my sanity. Same with the Farmer’s Wife 1930’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along. I started that thinking it would be an easy 2 tutorials a week; just me and those 50 people crazy enough to sew-along. Turns out, massively underestimated that too! The Facebook group is at 7,000 people and rising. The tutorials and associated promotion, photography, scheduling, etc. take a good 6 hours a tutorial. I’m now teaching Farmer’s Wife classes, hosting swaps and answering a lot more email about Farmer’s Wife then I’d ever thought I would. Which is fabulous, scary, awe-inspiring and crazy.

With all of this has come some fabulous opportunities to do more of what I love, which is what I’ve been working so hard towards. It’s just that at the moment I can’t get the space to think, let-a-lone create. It’s impacting my health, my day job, my family and my sanity – which is not great. However, I have the power to change that and while exercising that power might seem scary it’s something that I need to find the courage to do. And I have.

Admitting that you’re not coping or that you need to make changes is something that our society, for some stupid self-harming reason, looks down upon. It’s seen as weakness or unreliability when it’s nothing of the sort. I don’t understand it and it’s something I hope to teach my child to disregard. Knowing when to make changes and making those changes is brave, courageous and the greatest sign of self love and respect.

Last week I hinted that I was making changes and this week I’m here to share the biggest one with you:

The Farmer’s Wife 1930’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along: Up until today I’ve been posting a tutorial for the blocks twice a week (Tuesday’s and Thursday’s). When we sat down and worked out the plan this seemed like a good pace. (I actually thought it a bit slow?!?!) But as the sew-along has grown and gained a life of it’s own this pace now seems too hard to sustain. I want to be able to deliver detailed and varied tutorials and lately I’ve just been doing what I can that’s the quickest so that I can get them posted in time. That’s not what I wanted and it’s not making me happy.

We’ve also had so many new people join the sew-along that I’m getting emails and comments daily about them feeling swamped and behind and struggling to keep up. That’s also not what I wanted. This is a long term project, something to savour not rush through. I want people to be able to make the quilt while making other creative projects around it. Most of all I want people to enjoy the process, not feel like they’re in a race.

With the cooperation and understanding of Fat Quarter Shop and Marti Michell we’re going to slow down the sew-along and turn it into a savour every stitch project. We’re going to take some lessons from the Slow Stitching Movement and not rush ourselves. We’re going to remove the pressure and replace it with enjoyment.

What this means is that instead of doing 2 blocks a week, we’re going to do 1. Every Tuesday at 7:30am AEST a new block will be released. This means you and I will have the time and space to create the blocks we want, think about what we’re creating, take the time to practice the technical lessons and get back to enjoying the process and not rushing to the finish line. It will give those just starting a chance to get caught up, or permission to start where they are and just enjoy the journey.

I’m really looking forward to the change for a number of reasons, some obvious, some not so. Just making the decision has made me feel so much lighter and renewed my energies for this project. It’s also cleared the way for some other exciting projects and opportunities. Life is like sailing, you need to know when to adjust the sails to reach your destination.

So, that’s my big news for today – what’s yours? I hope you have a fabulous day!

FUN THINGS TO CLICK ON

• It’s not often I lose my marbles over a softie, but I have serious coveting happening for this amazing bunny from Kerry at Kid Giddy. Click here to see more.
• Apparently we’re in Autumn (someone tell summer that!) and I’m already feeling the itch to make more soups. I want to try this one from Pip at Meet Me At Mikes. Click here for recipe.
• Looking to show your Irishness this St Patrick day? Then check out this fabulous table runner from Kitty at Night Quilting. Click here for the tutorial.
• Or how about some Easter love with this table runner from Peta at She Quilts A Lot. Click here for tutorial.
• Love this fabulous use for hexagons from A Spoonful of Sugar. Click here for the tutorial.
• I love this monogram cushion by Monica Hajek on Flickr, inspired to make your own? Click here for a tutorial.

COMMUNITY CORK BOARD

• If you love to fussy cut (and goodness knows I do) then check out the latest Block of the Month (BOM) offering from Sue Daley: All Over the Octagon. You can order the full kit or sign up for the BOM Club at the Cotton Factory.  Click here for more details.
• The Maldon Combined Quilters in the historic National Trust classified town of Maldon, Victoria, are holding their biannual Quilt Show on 26 & 27 March, 2016 as part of the Maldon Easter Fair.  They’re expecting it to be a bumper show with a diverse range of 50+ quilts, including designs such as Mrs Billings, Briar Hill, some beautiful Di Ford patterns, and other hand and machine pieced traditional, reproduction and contemporary works. Click here to find out more.
• Canberra Quilters Inc. are celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2016 and to mark the occasion they’re holding a “Celebrate 40 Challenge”. It’s open to Australian and New Zealand Residents, with 40 quilts (quilts must be 40cm x 100cm) being selected to hang at the 2016 Annual Member’s Exhibition. (You don’t have to be a member to enter!) It’s a great challenge and you can find out more or enter by clicking here.

Want something included on the Community Cork Board, then why not drop me an email and if it’s applicable to the GnomeAngel community I’ll share it. It can be anything from a local fate, a charity raffle, a class you’re teaching, a pattern you’ve released, a sew-a-long you’re involved in to a community event that’s happening. Be sure to send me as much detail as you can and links to any applicable websites. I do not have any affiliation with the information provide, it is done so as a community service only. Click here to email me.

SPONSOR MESSAGES

• Fat Quarter Shop have released their new monthly subscription service: Sew Sampler. It looks amazing and I love that unlike other subscriptions this one comes with all the information you need to make a quilt. Each month contains a quilt block recipe card that you can use to make a full 12 block quilt. Genius! You can find out more by clicking here.
• Fat Quarter Shop Crossroads Quilt-along to benefit the March of Dimes has started. You can find the free patterns by clicking here. I’m going to be an official blogger for it and so I’ll be sharing my version of the quilt (which I adore) you can find out more by clicking here.
• March is National Craft Month, and one way you can celebrate is by honing your crafting skills! Craftsy has grouped complementary classes together that will help you in your learning journey. These bundles are now discounted starting at 50% off for the next few days. Hurry, the offer ends soon! Click here to shop the classes!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!