follow up.

I've had so many comments/emails etc. about my post about my work day, (a few post down...) I thought I'd do a follow up.

Most popular comment:

This is your JOB?
Yes, this is my job. My job is my creative passion, making quilts. I LOVE MY JOB/CAREER!  I don't just sit and sew a couple hours each day...I sew an average 10.5 hours a day.
I'm not quite sure why this is surprising. How many hours do you put in at your job? 40? 50?
Small businesses mean, you work full on to get the job done, and to pay the rent! The PLUS, is for me, it does not feel like work! I love creating!!
...AND, my family comes first. I plan everything I do, first around my daughter's schedule, and then around my husband's schedule. Whatever time is left, is when I plan my work/travel/teach schedule.

If this is NOT your job/career, why would you think you need to produce more to keep up?
We are not in race... Everyone works at their own pace... give yourselves a break!   Sheesh!


Another favorite comment...
I'm sure your points don't match.
My point match.  The beauty of putting in your 10,000 hours is that, your skills do magically get better! Also learning what works, and what doesn't that info sticks with you!

Me? I like my points to match up. I know how to sew my 1/4" seam, which is key in making your points match up.  Patterns are designed with a 1/4" seam, so if you sew 1/8" seam or 1/2" you points are not going to match up. It's as simple as that.  If you don't care that that they don't match up, great. That is completely your choice.
People talk about quilt police, You are your own worst quilt police.  Everyone has there comfort zone about what is "good enough" for them... float to your own boat on that regard.

Am I a perfect quilter?
NO. No one is perfect. I do not make perfect quilts.
I make quilts that please me, to the best of my ability.
I am only perfect in my imperfections.


Another favorite comment:
When do you sleep? 
I sleep like a rock. My tasks are all over the place during the day, from cutting, to cleaning, to writing, to sewing, to long arming, to binding, that my brain is pretty dead by 8pm. I'm early to bed, and early to rise.

Another favorite:
You must not have UFO's.
I have UFO's. (Unfinished objects) But I don't call them that.  They are quilts that just have not come to their fullest potential yet. Anyone who knows my work, knows that I re-purpose my quilt tops too, at various times, depending when inspiration hits... It's all just fabric, seams of not,  and I can cut it up at any time... I paid for it. :-)


Misconception**  5-6 quilt tops a week does not mean one quilt top a day...Those 5-6 quilt tops I make a week, are of the 12 that are constantly on my design walls. When one comes down, another is cut and ready to be designed on my wall.  So those quilts rotate due to various deadlines, and what has to be done each week.  I'm not saying I make 5-6 brand new quilt projects a week, or that I'm making a quilt top each day of the week, I'm saying, with 12 quilts constantly in the works, 5-6 quilt tops do get finished from whatever stage they were in at the start of the week... they rotate.

* side note: Although, driving home last night for 4.5 hours from teaching, I was so inspired, I had an idea! this morning, I went in my studio, and made a quilt top (cut, design, sew) before lunch time...I knew what I wanted it to be, so I jumped in, and did not stop until I had it done.
So, the point being, when inspiration hits, things get done.  
I can't wait show you! 
(after I quilt it)

Does it always happen that fast?

NO! ...I wish!

Some hang on my walls for weeks, before I know that final outcome. But if it has a deadline, you have to pay attention to your intuition, and make a choice.
I don't have days to sit and ponder, "well, hmmm, should I use the light purple of the medium purple?" 
Make the choice and move on.

We are all very trained out of our intuition. We buy the pattern, with the kit, and we don't have to make choices...
MAKE CHOICES.
Every single day, I am making tons of choices.
I listen to my gut, and my quilt, every day...
I'm trained to listen to it by staying connected to my process.

I don't get hung up on, "Well, maybe, oh, I'm not sure... what should I do.... etc"
Make a decision, and move on!

I can procrastinate with the best of them, but usually on paperwork.   ugh. loathe paperwork.

I have quilts to make, ideas to bring to fruition, I don't procrastinate on my quilt designing...


Be "quilt maker" fearless. 
Life is to short to second guess your creativity.

GO MAKE.