Sweatshop Mode & Adulation

Once again, I overbooked myself and didn't give myself adequate time to finish projects I had started.  Granted, these deadlines for quilts are completely in my head and in no way imposed on me by anyone else.  So why do I beat myself up if I don't meet these deadlines?  Why do I torture myself trying to get things done by these self-imposed deadlines?  I have no idea.  Maybe I secretly crave stress in my life.

This past week I was in what I call "sweatshop"mode - coming home after a full day of work and meetings and evening classes to gobble some dinner and SEW SEW SEW SEW!  I realized last weekend that I had a baby shower for a good work friend in one week (today) and I had intended to sew her a baby quilt.  Oops!  I had been so focused on my other sewing that I spaced it out.  So I spent lots of late nights getting it done.  I picked a large scale pattern to make it a bit easier/simpler to and chose colors from her nursery theme. 

 At times I was so exhausted that I seriously doubted my construction and design.  But in the end, it turned out alright.  In fact, when my gift was opened at the baby shower, the attendees began to applaud!  Really?  I have never had that happen before - maybe some ooo-ing and ahh-ing, lots of thanking, but never applause.  Has this ever happened to you?

 

Stinky christening the quilt before I wrapped it up

 I was honored, shocked, humbled, embarrassed, and of course got a bit emotional (which I blame on the extreme lack of decent sleep this week).  It never ceases to amaze me how people view my quilts in such a different light than I do.  Most of the time I only see the crooked quilting lines or the uneven edges.  I'm glad to be reminded that folks appreciate my work.