How do you do as much as you do? I was asked that question in a forum yesterday.
Let me tell you, life is much quieter and less busy than when we had 15 people in the house. Can you imagine the shopping, cooking and cleaning for those little poppits… so nowadays its a breeze really.
I was talking about some of my textile art projects to a group once and I was asked the question “how do you get as much done as you do”
I was about to answer when a woman from down the back called out. “We all have real lives yours is only quilting” I was taken back. This lady, also a teacher, has often done this to me in public. Even down to correcting the way she thought I should pronounce words “we don’t say it that way in Australia” and many other things right in the middle of a presentation. !!!!!
Sure, Quilting is my life and I work hard at it… but so are my family, the Grandies, my friends and my students. I’m just lucky to be focused and well organised at doing stuff…. nothing more, nothing less. I approach everything that way.
In saying that I have worked on at least 3 projects today, done the household stuff and then we’re off to a pub with my siblings to see a band. But, I have put in the hours on the Bayeux that I set my self each day. So that means, the Giraffe, now called “Geraldine” is not finished. I have to fit everything in around her.
I began by placing her on a linen strip of fabric that was already hemmed from Ikea.
Then I auditioned a border and cut the linen smaller and when I looked at it again, and I really didn’t like it. I wished I had left it as it was. Has that happened to you?
The only alternative was to put the cut quilt top back onto another strip of Ikea fabric. I now have a double layer under Geraldine. She’s well padded. I want to leave the sides open because its already hemmed and it will give the piece another dimension. Sometimes these ‘fly by the seat of you pants’ situations work, sometimes not.
Darn it.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing with my siblings and Geraldine was given a break as was my precious Bayeux.
First of all, how rude of that woman to make such a comment about having a life. She must feel quite insecure to have to put others down like that.
I get asked this question a lot because it does seem that I do quite a bit. But I work from home (I am self employed) and I’m an obsessive, erm, avid quilter, so it works well. Time other people spend on commuting , lunch or coffee breaks gets spent on quilting or other projects. I still see my family and friends, still have time to do other activities if I want – it’s all a matter of putting life’s puzzle pieces together one at a time. My kids are grown, my house is smaller (we downsized) and other things aren’t a priority.
It seems to me like you have figured out your puzzle for now – and that’s a good thing.
Great comment Marijke. Its 5.00 am right now, I’m in the studio, no transport to worry about, still I’m my PJ’s and I’m about to quilt. Thats how its done on my patch.
She should change her bad attitude and be proud of you for all you accomplish!!! Her loss…she’s rude. At the very least she should have said she wished she could get all that done!
Oh, there is the Tall Poppy syndrome alive and well in Australia.
I have an answer ready these days.
“Thank you. We’re all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view”.
Very good reply, Pam! I am amazed by people that feel the need to negatively comment on everything. It seems that nothing is out of bounds, whether it is was one accomplishes in a day or what one chooses to eat or how one lives their lives. Do unto others…..
On a brighter note, Geraldine is gorgeous!
Love Geraldine.
We all have 24 hrs every day no more no less, and if we want to do more we need to be inspired by others who seem to be able to do more, and learn from them. We can then make our own decisions about how we want to spend each of OUR days that is good for US. One of the reasons I follow your blog Pam, is because I am motivated to do more. Thank you.
We all have 24 hours each day, no more no less. I we want to do more, we need to see how others do it and be inspired by them.We can then make choices about how to fill our own 24 hours in the way that suits us. That’s why I follow your blog Pam, because I’m motivated to do more. Thank you.
Kate…. it doesn’t matter what industry you are in, or who you encounter there are always ‘undertakers’ However, there are a million more partakers to one undertaker… so fortunately they are in the minority.
Oh “Tall Poppy”, remember it isn’t you she is criticising only her own lack of ability. I have always thought of you as “my friend” and not really thought about you as being famous. But you do fall into that catagory of “Tall Poppy”. You are in great company.
Carolyn, I’m certainly not famous, but you’ve had it too… its one of those things we put hour hands up for and say…
Pick me”
The first question was fair. I probably have asked like questions but in a different way. The second was a statement and not a question and was rude and sounds like she delights in making those those statements against you. I find when that happens it’s because they do not really know “you” and that they are typically jealous and may feel threatened for some reason.
I had a similar situation at work one time and it was miserable for a couple of years! But then I formed a knitting group and taught her to knit and quilt and it changed everything. My husband could not understand why I did that and I knew that she was unhappy about herself and her situation and I think that once we found some commonality it changed everything. I left that work situation and was glad about the change in our relationship as it has helped. There have been times that our paths have crossed and they are pleasant and not stressful.
I ove following your Facebook posts and especially your Kenya trip. That is on my bucket list!
LauraT
Great comment Laura, You sure did the right thing. I’ve done a similar thing and it worked well.
I mentioned I now have an answer… but to be honest I probably wouldn’t be that rude to her.