My intentions

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I have been having trouble getting motivated to get back into my bead room, and I have sold a few pieces lately in spite of myself. I haven't been trying. I think one of my problems is that my beads have so over-taken that room, along with my daughter piling some of her stuff in there, that the room itself is not appealing to me to go into. Must get that room in hand and hopefully I will pick up those stones and bits of glass and wire and get to work again. Because I really do want to.

There is something else I really want to do. Some time ago I decided to take up quilting. I had no idea what I was doing but I bought fabric and a pattern and I commenced quilting. Sort of. I made a quilt for my former boyfriend and I wish I had photographed it because it turned out really well. At least I think it did - it was my very first quilt and I gave it as a gift. Didn't realize what an ambitious undertaking it would be when I formulated that plan!

After I made that one, I started hoarding fabric. I do that. I hoarded fabric, squares already cut, fat quarters, fabric by the yard if it was a good deal. I even cut out an entire queen sized quilt, sewed some of the pieced blocks together, and when I laid it out to see how it would look as a finished quilt - I hated it. So I have those 12 inch blocks all neatly piled waiting to be sewn together in an unappealing color scheme. Expensive fabric too. Sigh-h. I want to finish it. Even if ends up being the quilt on a closet shelf you pull down when you need that extra blanket, I want to finish it. I have too many unfinished things around here.

But first - I want to finish this one. This quilt is a scrap quilt, made from every color and pattern, even some old shirts and pajamas have contributed fabric. Some of the rows are uneven and my stitches aren't straight. I have not bound the edges and this poor quilt has resided on an ironing board in my bedroom for the better part of 2 years! The cats love it. Argh-h-h.

This quilt was intended to be the one you see folded up on the end of the couch in front of the TV, the one that could go onto the floor with a child rolled up in it. It was supposed to be that 'all things' quilt that was old fashioned and quaint and maybe even a bit ugly but would have fond memories attached.

So in order to keep myself honest and give myself a push - I intend to finish this quilt. By Christmas. That's a generous amount of time considering what is left to be done on it. I'm stating it here so that I will actually do it - and can come back and post some pictures of it when it's complete.

I'm really hoping that a person or 2 will remember this abandoned quilt and ask me about it sometimes. As in "so, how's that quilt coming?" I need support here. Or a swift kick in the behind, but I'll start by asking for support. Make me do this!


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Crazy cat lady, am I?

Sitting here with one cat on my lap who is looking suspiciously at the other cat next to me on the couch, it occurs to me that blogging and selling jewelry online are activities I should have started years ago. Not because I find I am a natural - but because I would have been younger and maybe I would have been a natural.

At this point in my life as I am typing I am very aware that once this goes out on the web - anyone can read it and I have to ask myself - "why would anyone want to?" I mean really, I am the mother of 2 grown kids - although not quite moved out yet - more than a couple pounds overweight and facing menopause. I work 8 hours a day, come home, work on my new website, bead, or watch TV and then go to bed. I never quite get my house clean enough and never quite have enough energy to do anything out of the ordinary.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not pathetic or sad and lonely - far from it! Besides the fact that I still don't have the financial security I would like to - I am pretty happy! Properly medicated - and you think I'm kidding! :) But really, I have gotten to that place where I like myself just fine. I accept the stupid things I've done, realized I've made mistakes, but I've also done good things, been a kind person, and experienced much joy.

So what if my daughter says I'm going to be a crazy cat lady!? I have 4, 2 of which she single-handedly talked me into so how she can be the one to throw stones - I don't know!

Into my 40's already and never having done any crafts at all - I started weaving pot holders. Yes, the old fashioned kind with the loops on a metal loom. I was sort of working through some difficult emotions at the time and I made pot hold after pot holder after pot holder. When I had a big box full - I decided I needed to move on to the next thing.

I bought "Knitting for Dummies" and proceeded to knit some scarves, and then a few more. Wasn't really for me. But I DO have a lot of yarn - I tend to collect things. After that it was quilting, which I really do plan to go back to since I gathered enough fabric to make quilts for my family and the neighbors family and probably a few more families besides. Plus I have a quilt that just needs binding - collecting cat hair and dust, just waiting to be finished.

Nothing has satisfied quite like beading. I'm not even sure how I started - but once I did - I couldn't stop. Now I have so many beads I simply HAVE to sell some of the things I make because I have no use for all of it and no place to keep it either. Besides, it's in the making of it that I get my satisfaction. You never saw anybody get quite so excited about leopard skin jasper or soo chow jade as I do! I am quite attracted to the stone beads the most, and like those big chunky focal beads and building something around them. What fun! For me anyway!

I had a boyfriend for a long time who used to complain that I wanted too much of his time, I needed a hobby, something I liked to do. Well now I have a hobby and I don't have him and I tell you what - I like this MUCH better!!! ;) It's a win win situation as far as I'm concerned!

Have a wonderful day!

BetteJo