I am in full production mode over here. Even burning the midnight oil, which I never do. I am not a night owl by any stretch of the imagination, but if any sewing is going to get done, it is going to happen after dark.
Yesterday I took Grandpa to the doctor, and then out to lunch. He was so grateful to get out of the house, and have some attention. We went to Applebee's after his appointment and he was so excited to have a lunch date. As we were going into the restaurant he said "You take such good care of me". Aw. Don't you hope that when you are 91 years old you are still loved and appreciated? I sure do. And I am honored to be part of Grandpa's life.
So, while I was waiting in the doctor's office, I was texting my friend back and forth. She is working on Halloween 1904 and has been sending me some pictures of her progress. I am so excited about this project and as you know, I began mine last week too. And I worked on Shiloh. And I got very jazzed about receiving Metropolitan Fair and completely changed up yet another project to incorporate it. That is three projects that are vying for my attention.
As we chatted about Halloween 1904 my friend asked, "Can you focus?"
Silence.
Focus? On what? Oh, my Halloween 1904 project?
Um. Well. Yeah. Maybe I should do that. One thing at a time. Focus. Right. I can do that.
You know how at the begining of the year, a lot of bloggers pick a word and try to set that as their goal for the upcoming year? Shoot, I never did that. Why would I want to do that? But now maybe I have a word for something I should aspire to.
Focus.
32 responses to “Focus”
I never would have thought to piece the background squares before adding the stars, but that’s very clever, you don’t have to worry about losing any star points your way! I would have appliquéd the stars then pieced the the blocks. It’s looking good at your house.
Maybe being able to focus on just 3 projects at once will be a good start, focusing on just 1 at a time, that’s just not you!
I’m thrilled you’re happy to be back in your sewing room, what a difference a week can make, we all need to remember that.
Too bad your friend is so busy sewing 1904 that she doesn’t have time to blog, I bet folks would enjoy seeing her blocks too.
I never would have thought to piece the background squares before adding the stars, but that’s very clever, you don’t have to worry about losing any star points your way! I would have appliquéd the stars then pieced the the blocks. It’s looking good at your house.
Maybe being able to focus on just 3 projects at once will be a good start, focusing on just 1 at a time, that’s just not you!
I’m thrilled you’re happy to be back in your sewing room, what a difference a week can make, we all need to remember that.
Too bad your friend is so busy sewing 1904 that she doesn’t have time to blog, I bet folks would enjoy seeing her blocks too.
I seem to have trouble focusing right now too. I am painting and upholstering a lot these days and the sewing machine sits silent. My sewing room right now looks like a tornado went through so I think that is part of the problem so maybe I should start by cleaning that!
I seem to have trouble focusing right now too. I am painting and upholstering a lot these days and the sewing machine sits silent. My sewing room right now looks like a tornado went through so I think that is part of the problem so maybe I should start by cleaning that!
Love your star blocks and your stellar idea (bad joke!) to piece the 4-patches before doing the applique.
I envy your clear table-top, too, as the table beside my sewing machine has gradually been junked up.
Count me in with those having trouble with focus and it’s been going on for months. It started with FIL having that near stroke on June 6, AMIL having a stroke on June 23, and all of the medical and rehab stuff thereafter. Add in DS2 moving out and FIL not doing well in hospice care and it’s glub, glub here. Just yesterday I was thinking about how much I need to do, want to do, and should do but how hard it is to get started. Bother! This too shall pass.
Hugs!
Love your star blocks and your stellar idea (bad joke!) to piece the 4-patches before doing the applique.
I envy your clear table-top, too, as the table beside my sewing machine has gradually been junked up.
Count me in with those having trouble with focus and it’s been going on for months. It started with FIL having that near stroke on June 6, AMIL having a stroke on June 23, and all of the medical and rehab stuff thereafter. Add in DS2 moving out and FIL not doing well in hospice care and it’s glub, glub here. Just yesterday I was thinking about how much I need to do, want to do, and should do but how hard it is to get started. Bother! This too shall pass.
Hugs!
I love working on several projects!! It does take me longer to get them done, but I sure have fun!!
I love working on several projects!! It does take me longer to get them done, but I sure have fun!!
Focus, shmocus. Sometimes concentrating is fun, sometimes it’s better to have several projects to juggle. (I might not say this if I didn’t love ALL of the projects you’re working on!)
Focus, shmocus. Sometimes concentrating is fun, sometimes it’s better to have several projects to juggle. (I might not say this if I didn’t love ALL of the projects you’re working on!)
‘focus’ – what a good word, one I need to apply to my sewing more
Glad to hear Grandpa is doing well 🙂
‘focus’ – what a good word, one I need to apply to my sewing more
Glad to hear Grandpa is doing well 🙂
I can’t focus on just one thing either—I think I have quilting ADD. Oh well, I don’t mind, and I have these bursts of finishes, all in a row, once in a while. That’s fun! You need to do what works for you.
As for grandpa; how wonderful that he appreciates you and lets you know! That is precious. I wish I had that from my MIL; it would make caring for her oh, so much nicer.
I can’t focus on just one thing either—I think I have quilting ADD. Oh well, I don’t mind, and I have these bursts of finishes, all in a row, once in a while. That’s fun! You need to do what works for you.
As for grandpa; how wonderful that he appreciates you and lets you know! That is precious. I wish I had that from my MIL; it would make caring for her oh, so much nicer.
How sweet to have a lunch date with your Grandpa. I would love to have that kind of relationship with my FIL, who is 93. But he is not very social, and since the passing of my MIL this spring has only wanted to stay at home. My hubby brings him over for dinner once in a while, but he is always anxious to go back home. People are so different. Enjoy your Grandpa while he is still able to get around.
How sweet to have a lunch date with your Grandpa. I would love to have that kind of relationship with my FIL, who is 93. But he is not very social, and since the passing of my MIL this spring has only wanted to stay at home. My hubby brings him over for dinner once in a while, but he is always anxious to go back home. People are so different. Enjoy your Grandpa while he is still able to get around.
Yes, focus is good sometimes. We women naturally tend to be multi-taskers, so that’s our excuse for our quilting habits, too!! I can’t have more than 2 projects going on at any given time, but that’s because I sew on my dining room table and there just isn’t any more room!
Yes, focus is good sometimes. We women naturally tend to be multi-taskers, so that’s our excuse for our quilting habits, too!! I can’t have more than 2 projects going on at any given time, but that’s because I sew on my dining room table and there just isn’t any more room!
It’s so sweet that Grandpa is able to tell you how much he appreciates all you do for him! I’ll bet it made your day to hear his words! Focus? Sometimes it’s so hard when you have lots of quilty ideas whizzing around in your brain!!!
It’s so sweet that Grandpa is able to tell you how much he appreciates all you do for him! I’ll bet it made your day to hear his words! Focus? Sometimes it’s so hard when you have lots of quilty ideas whizzing around in your brain!!!
I really like the Halloween quilt -great colors and fabric choices. I also think it is so heartening to read of someone taking such good care of an elderly person and treating them with such kindness and respect. Would we all be so fortunate to be treated that way if and when we get to be elderly.
I really like the Halloween quilt -great colors and fabric choices. I also think it is so heartening to read of someone taking such good care of an elderly person and treating them with such kindness and respect. Would we all be so fortunate to be treated that way if and when we get to be elderly.
I think you & your Grandpa are both very lucky to have each other.
Some people are perfectionists and are able to focus on 1 project at a time. They seem to be very goal oriented. The rest of us are multi-directional and tend to be process oriented. We like the variety and are happy as long as we like what we are doing at the moment. It’s nice to have a bunch of projects to switch things up. If we actually finish anything – well, that a bonus. Focused people end up with a perfect quilt and us multidirectionals have fun & a few UFOs. There’s room for everybody.
I think you & your Grandpa are both very lucky to have each other.
Some people are perfectionists and are able to focus on 1 project at a time. They seem to be very goal oriented. The rest of us are multi-directional and tend to be process oriented. We like the variety and are happy as long as we like what we are doing at the moment. It’s nice to have a bunch of projects to switch things up. If we actually finish anything – well, that a bonus. Focused people end up with a perfect quilt and us multidirectionals have fun & a few UFOs. There’s room for everybody.
You know what. Just a few days ago you had the blues. And now you’re dipping into projects that excite you, and you’re so motivated that you’re burning the midnight oil. That is a kind of focus. And it seems to be bringing you joy. So just go for it!
You know what. Just a few days ago you had the blues. And now you’re dipping into projects that excite you, and you’re so motivated that you’re burning the midnight oil. That is a kind of focus. And it seems to be bringing you joy. So just go for it!
Focus is good… if I could only find mine! LOL….Way to be on a roll in your sewing room! And awwww… I love that your father in love is so sweet and your care for him is precious, too… what a blessing for both of you during this season – I know you are as blessed being with him as he is being cared for by you. And in the midst of all the loved ones you care for – I am glad you are getting your mojo back with your quilting! I think you do have focus – a lot of it… so many ideas – so little time! :O) Like a kid in a candy store, huh?
Focus is good… if I could only find mine! LOL….Way to be on a roll in your sewing room! And awwww… I love that your father in love is so sweet and your care for him is precious, too… what a blessing for both of you during this season – I know you are as blessed being with him as he is being cared for by you. And in the midst of all the loved ones you care for – I am glad you are getting your mojo back with your quilting! I think you do have focus – a lot of it… so many ideas – so little time! :O) Like a kid in a candy store, huh?
ps – tell ‘Cupcake’ up there that we would love to see her blocks, too! LOL
ps – tell ‘Cupcake’ up there that we would love to see her blocks, too! LOL
This post brought tears to my eyes. Caring for others can be draining and hard work. But obviously he appreciates it and loves you, as you do him. I am sure that in the end your selflessness will pay dividends. Take good care of yourself too!
This post brought tears to my eyes. Caring for others can be draining and hard work. But obviously he appreciates it and loves you, as you do him. I am sure that in the end your selflessness will pay dividends. Take good care of yourself too!