Friday, August 29, 2014

You can't make me! What if I don't feel like it!?

Do you plan your projects based on how your feeling? If you are doing art as a hobby I guess that works okay but when it is your business it doesn't work like that. I find my feelings are too fickled.  I can remember when I was growing up my mom would say, "Ah its raining, I feel like sewing today. I have to be in the mood to sew and rainy days put me in that mood". So growing up in southern California we didn't sew much! LOL but on those few rainy days we sewed like mad women!



When you design and do art as a business whether its patterns or fabric, showing up to work based on a mood is a luxury we don't have.  I have to create daily, working on whatever is on my design board or list that day. I don't have the luxury of waiting for the mood to hit me, I have to always be in the mood! Does that make me moody? NO WAY!! I love it, its all about mindset. How you approach things and mentally prepare for things is the key. I have a few secrets on how I can turn a "I don't want to do that" moment into a productive day!  Do you want to hear more?? I will be sharing some more of my tips in upcoming posts so check back often.

Knowing that I am a procrastinator by nature I will find ways to avoid projects that I am not enjoying by creating distractions. I could be emails, Facebook, phone calls sometimes I just get hungry and want to eat. I now know that this is all the ways my mind is trying to NOT do the work. By understanding some of my mindsets and personality flaws I am better able to identify why I am always feeling so stressed. I can't tell you how many times I have come down to the wire and had to work all night so I could finish a project in time for a deadline. Do you do this too? Are you a procrastinator and avoid the things that you don't feel like doing?? When I think back to my school days I did the same thing, study for a test at the last minute, start the book the day before the book report was due…. ugg.

So anyway, back to creating whether I feel like it or not doesn't work in business, any business. How many times have you woke up and said I don't feel like going to work today, or I don't want to pay these bills. It doesn't work too well in life either. But you know once you go, once you do the task the day goes well! Right!? So tip #1. EAT YOUR FROGS EARLY. Take the thing (your frog) you are avoiding the most today and do it first!!! Don't put it off, don't get your email, don't look at Facebook. If its a big frog schedule an hour or so to start it then move to something else. Each day by taking a bite of this big frog it will soon disappear. Make lists so you can check things off, it will give you a sense of accomplishment to see all you get done this way!!

Well I am off to take another bite of my frogs this week, I am getting lots done, designing quilts and placemats and projects for some new shows. Its been a push as I really would like to paint, but no, its time to design and sew.

Today you will find me in my sewing studio, feasting on frogs and getting lots done and wishing it would RAIN.  What are you up too? I would love to see your projects too! Use the linky tool and share some picts of what your working on this week!


Monday, August 25, 2014

Crazy fun filled daze!

This Summer has been a blur of activities and it is coming to an end, the grandkids all started school and I am busy getting ready for the San Diego Quilt Show. My classes are next week, there is still time to sign up if you would like to take one of my two classes. www.sandiegoquiltshow.com 

I will also have my new Monster Mats kitted up in my booth along with my other patterns! Its should be a great show! The fall is always so exciting with the new shows and holidays right around the corner! It is also super busy time and I just love it! 


 I have been working on lots of fun things this summer, getting new items on my website and designing and painting too. I am loving my new patterns, here is a sneak peek at some of my latest projects.
My newest quilt features my new Fabric Line called "Wild Things", tons of fun. And then there is my Mug Rug Club which is doing well too! 

Last Month we learned about value and did a bit of an art quilt. 

My new quilt to be released soon.

So my summer was amazing, here is a little bit of some of the amazing things that I was able to do that I haven't had a chance to share with you! 

1. I went to see Cher in concert!! Yeah, another thing off of my bucket list, and as a bonus I got to see Cindy Lauper too! This concert was amazing!!! 

2. I went to Asheville, NC for an Uplevel conference for my business and met a bunch of amazing business women and men and I took the time to go and see the Biltmore Estate, wow, amazing!


3. I had lots of great days with the grandkids and family in our backyard.
Blake and Bryce

Campout out back in the tent with the girls


Enjoying the crazy weather in August
4. Taught some classes!

5. Took Jennifer to see Cesar Milan in Vegas, of course we took Chloe too!

Just a few things I wanted to share, life is good! So many things to be thankful for this summer. I hope your summer was full of fun too and that you are as excited about Fall as I am!



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