A week between posts
This may have been the first time that I’ve gone a whole week between blog posts (other than when I’ve been away on holidays). I’ve been doing a little bit of crafting, but haven’t completed any projects. Currently I’m working on a chain of crocheted loops, a crocheted scarf, a cot quilt for a friend’s new bub (yes, the one I visited a week ago – this will be a late baby gift), a bag for a friend’s sister, another bag for a friend who just turned 40 (the party was on Friday night; the gift will be very late), my kitten embroidery from Brown Owls, and the back of my Churn Dash quilt. Lots of unfinished items there – but they are works in progress rather than UFOs sitting in the back of the cupboard!
I visited the Quilt and Craft fair on Friday with my parents and Stella. The quilt display was incredible. I am astounded by the amount of time, love and work that goes into making quilts! I found it really useful as a way of crystallising what I like in a quilt. Although there were many that I can appreciate, I really like quilts that are pieced, rather than appliqued, and I prefer traditional designs but in comtemporary fabric prints. And I like a lot of white! Now there are a few new quilt ideas percolating in my brain. And would you believe it, with all those stalls at the fair, I didn’t buy ANYTHING! Nothing at all! I had too-much-choice paralysis. I did collect some business cards from places that I know I’ll go back to one day, but otherwise I was overwhelmed with the variety.
Generally I try to stick with crafting in this blog, but this post from Pip really struck a chord with me! My life is flat chat at the moment. I’m not doing a particularly stunning job at anything. By the time I work two long days at my regular paid job, do the books for our businesses, do the washing, ironing, tidying, sorting, shopping, bill-paying, etc, my kids and hubby aren’t getting the time and attention they deserve. I’m taking multi-tasking to a stupid level (even now as I type I’m playing a game with Clare – and I should just stop typing, give her my undivided attention and play). Superwoman I’m not. But I have so much internal conflict about what I SHOULD do and what I want to do (and they are sometimes the same thing). I need time for myself, but I don’t want to be taking it at Clare’s and Stella’s expense. Like many women, it doesn’t seem to matter what choice I make; I end up feeling guilty. I feel guilting about the amount of time I spend blogging too, of course.
Enough navel-gazing! Stella has a cold and is asleep at the moment and Clare is occupied with a puzzle, so I’d better get to the shower and make a proper start on the day. I’ll be back later with normal programming! And because I don’t like to post without a photo, here’s one to finish off. Stella has this thing about climbing. Since she’s only 13 months old, it’s not such a good thing.
I HEAR YA!!! I think it’s the modern woman’s dilemma, and I think every mother is her own worst critic. We do what we can.
Oh – and I found my little poppit on the WINDOWSILL IN THE STUDIO the other day….you may have noticed that it’s a less-than-30cm wide, slippery stone surface, over a metre up from HARD floor level. She’d traveled via a chair and a table. Even SHE looked a bit freaked out when she realised what she’d done!!
Hope to chat soon. xx
I put “multi tasker” on my CV.
I posted a pic of my blog header source (I know you asked a little while ago).
Now back to juggling those six balls!!!xx Liz
Lara, I feel guilty because I dont work anymore and I dont feel as though I am pulling my weight (financially)…..yet I have so much more time to spend on the things I love to do…….I should feel really good about that, but sometimes I think my husband is working far too hard…..and I feel quilty!!. cant seem to win
Sharon
Hi. No one can remain a supermum forever – you will eventually burn out. If that happens to you you will really want the love and appreciation of your hubby and girls. I know I tried. Cherrie
You bought nothing???? WOW.
That was a great post of Pips and i think we all understand that struggle to have time for yourself but not at the expense of everything else. Stella is a danger mouse for sure – up there without a care in the world.
Wow! You bought nothing! Good for you! I would have been in deep trouble in a situation like that!
I was lucky with my first and avoided climbing, but I am sure to have exact opposite everything with the next one!
Oh but what a cute little dare devil!
I hear you too, If it helps at all that I feel exactly the same way you do and Pip! You aren’t alone! Hang in there – I think it is just what motherhood is all about.
I can’t believe you didn’t buy anything at all – I didn’t buy much either, actually only one thing! So there you go – I am nearly as bad.
As for the quilt show – your thoughts were mine exactly – totally agree with every single one of them!
I know exactly how you feel. I am new to blogging and now feel guilty about adding it to my list of things I want to do. I thought just having all my crafty projects was bad enough and that I should be spending more time playing with my little boy.
Justr to add to my guilt ridden mind, a friend bought me a subscription to a parenting magazine that I just flicked through. Apparently we should all be teaching our kids another language and making picture/word flashcards in both English and another language. Yeh right! Add it to the list of things I should be doing to be a great mum…….
First of all, blogging is cheaper than therapy! I way overdid the super mom/super wife thing and it didn’t get me very far because while I was working full time, cleaning, cooking, and running the kids everywhere, my husband said he felt neglected and found a replacement! I find some satisfaction in that the replacement makes him no happier than I did! We all need to do something that WE like and not fell guilty about it. So I say if we feel stretched too thin, we should hire someone to clean now and then, order more takeout, and to hell with a clean house!
I have been reading your blog for some time now and I’m always in awe of the quantity and quality of your work. Be assured that children, and especially girls so ‘get it’ that their mum has made something for them, and they love to tell people. I’m sure Clare beams with pride when someone says she is wearing a beautiful skirt, knit or has a fantastic bag, and she says, “my mum made it!”
From what I know of you from your blog we seem to be travelling similar paths with very similar interests. I now have 3 little lovelys, the youngest being 6 months and all at home until we start prep next year. Just because I’m not crafting as much as I’d like and doing more parenting does not mean I’m feeling any more satisified with my lot. I just have more projects started and not finished, and even more that are purchases ready to begin. I feel guilt and frustration when someone won’t settle and that disrupts plans for an evening behind the machine. And being at home 7 days (we do go to kinder and activities) means a huge amount of mess and cleaning. I regularly go to sew and end up ironing!
I’m also my own worst enemy and try to do/make too much. I feel like my friends and family have an expectation that I will turn out anything and everything and I want to oblige.
There are only so many hours in the day, but you do have to fit your own mask first. Finding the balance is the secret. Let me know if you do!
Lynda
I had to smile when I saw the picture – my 13 month old is exactly the same. She just loves to climb. I read something the other day that said some babies seem to think that they’re mountain goats and it’s so true. I took my little one to baby group this morning, for instance, and plonked her down in a room full of toys and others babies but did she want to play with them? Nope, she headed straight for a chair and proceeded to clamber up it and then stand on it looking down on the other babies like she was queen of all she surveyed!
Gotta love em!