Getting things done

Jennifer left me a nice comment saying she was in awe of what I accomplished. Well, I get that type of comment lot - along the lines of where do you find the time....? I can tell you that the secret is not in what I do, but in either what I do not do, or which of several things I do all at the same time. Like type this while I watch Grey's Anatomy, for example.

So, the quilt she was commenting on was substantially made whilst in a hotel, watching property development programmes on TV, nibbling on a room service sandwich and at one point ( whilst pinning bits) I was also talking to my husband on the phone.

The activity in our house just a few minutes ago might help you understand too. In January I bought some poles to match the curtain rail with a view to having two quilts hanging in the alcoves of our lounge. Today I decided it was past time to put them up, despite the fact that the quilts are not finished. ( It will be good motivation!). So this is how our house was at half-past seven. I was at the sewing machine being happy doing a pile of City and Guild samples ......This was my Dad doing the hard work on my hanging poles.....

and .....this is my husband cooking his tea becuase if he waits for me he will starve!

Today, I also came to an accommodation with my City and Guilds teacher over time. I signed up for the certificate in Patchwork and Quilting because

(a) I thought it was a good way to be taught all the different techniques

(b) I liked the design element

(c) you need it to get on to the diploma which I thought might be handy for teaching purposes later in life

The latter two reasons hold good and in fact we have now done all the design portfolios. However the samples of techniques are causing a problem because I have been teaching myself quicker than the course - last week we were taught what a rotary cutter was (sigh).... plus I can get far more done at home than in the class when in any event we are expected only to do one sample a fortnight. Two of my class mates are still workng on a sample from six weeks ago....So we have come to a deal where I will work ahead at my own pace and see if I can get it done in two years not three. If I can't it doesn't matter - if I can, great. I'm just going stir crazy going so slowly! If I'd done it on line I would have been going at my own pace anyway but this way I get to pay the far cheaper in person rates and still get to be with my new buddies in class - I'll just be doing somthing different with my hands as we chat.

Which is why I was busy stitching up as many varieties of log cabins as I could think of while the men in my life ran around doing my bidding. Now that technique isn't in the C&G syllabus!