Tuesday, July 12, 2011

advice from a craft genius

do you ever feel that you don't have enough hours in the day? that you don't own your own time? i read this post by aunty cookie who made the pertinent point that you actually choose how to spend your time.

regrettably, i'm one of those annoying people she talks about, who wonders why they don't have time to do things. work vs family? vs friends? vs crafting? vs reading-a-book-for-goodness-sake**! vs life admin? (aunty cookie would definitely disapprove in this department - mmm, change subject!)

case in point: elmo's got heaps of work too, but recently, he baked lemon madeleines for the first time (just imagine that our cupcake tins are shaped as madeleines =) ). these are a much more enjoyable end point than, say, the lame-oh choice of working longer hours.
totally delicious elmo, thank you!

how shameful i feel. so no more complaining, my fault for choosing how to fill the day. but it's time to get tough with those hours!

in an effort to redress this, i made a quilt to welcome a lovely new bub, mr s, to the world via sunny brisvegas. after piling on every cute new fabric in the stash, i exercised some restraint and kept it simple.
Besides, I had to include this awesome animal origami fabric from Ikea.

And hooray, I have mastered the mitered corner (yeah yeah i'm slow)! I used a ruby red bias tape from Bird Textile (found at Wilkins and Kent) to bind the quilt, and all other fabrics are from Ikea or the lovely folks at Patchwork by the Sea in Adelaide.

congrats dr e and p! and welcome mr s, we're looking forward to meeting you.

ps: and yes, i WILL make time for more projects.
** i have read (a MEASLY) one book this year: Zadie Smith's, Changing My Mind. Does it count if it's a collection of essays as opposed to a complete narrative? Sigh.

Listening: 60 Second Idea To Improve the World podcast, BBC world service.

4 comments:

Kate said...

Ah what a delicious looking quilt! And those Madeleines look pretty great, too.
I think the best thing is not to beat yourself up about time. Just enjoy things, and make sure, in every moment, that there's something that you heart desires. Then, how could you lose?!

jfox said...

thanks for your kind words kate, and apologies for the whingeing! you are right and i will happily take your advice to just enjoy, with no regrets =)

Jaye said...

Hi hi!!
Well, just saw your Bird textile bits and got excited and decided i had to comment! Visit Sydney again, and i'll take you to Bird textiles- it's 10mins away from me! And other fabric hoards like the reminant fabric warehouse.. =P

Hope you and elmo are well!!
P.s. Heard exciting news from JP!
Way to go re your encouragement to do it earlier!!! =) =D I guess i'll see you in Radelaide at the end of the year??!!

jfox said...

hey hey julz!

yeah, we're doing alright, how's you? and mr g?!! haha!

oooh would love the textiles tour of sydney! i'll take you up on that next time we're up north =)

yes, we'll definitely see you in radelaide in summer!