I am feeling completely overwhelmed today. I feel like I have a bad habit, a habit that makes it almost impossible to say the word 'no'. I have said the opposite word to no far too many times over these last few months and as a result I feel like I am struggling to swim my way through all the commitments this week. My girls are at home on their Easter holidays and whilst they are keeping themselves busy, they also have been asking me to take them out to a few places - at the very least they want me to take them to the Damien Hirst Retrospective at the Tate Modern so that they can walk through the middle of a cow. Unfortunately bad mummy has said 'yes' to way too many things lately so finds herself saying 'no' more often than not to her daughters. This cannot be right.
I am going to be taking a serious look at this situation and really stripping back on the number of 'yes's' from now on because it seems my priorities might be in the wrong place.
So it looks like my patchwork is mirroring my life - stripping with fabric and in reality.
This pillow was actually made a couple of weeks ago but it seemed perfect to post today. Here it is on the sofa back then.
And here it is today in reality surrounded by fabric mess and a disorganized mind. And if you think this looks messy you should really see the rest of the house.
I hope it helps, Aneela when, I say that you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed. It seems to get that way, periodically, and you just have to step back and take a breath. I'm sure when you reorder things you'll feel much better. You're a great Mummy and I'm betting your girls would be the first to say so! So, deep breath, chin up, sit down on that sofa amidst your lovely creations with a cuppa and some chocolate and work it through in your head. You'll get there. Bless you, thinking of you. xxx
Posted by: Yvonne @ Nellie's Niceties | 04/03/2012 at 01:04 PM
It's always good to step back and check our priorities! Walking through a cow sounds like a must do! :)
lovely pillows!
Posted by: randi | 04/03/2012 at 01:36 PM
Who could resist walking through a cow? Seriously we all get in that place from time to time but our hearts and heads help reset things. And the pile of fabric mess...oh yea...I can so relate to that!
Posted by: Mary Ann | 04/03/2012 at 01:50 PM
Add 'stop!', 'shush' and 'not now' and you get where I am right now, but without the pretty pillows!
Posted by: Flying Blind | 04/03/2012 at 01:57 PM
Wow, I'd like to walk through the middle of a cow too! Let me know if you are around and fancy meeting up there (or anywhere else) in London. The exhibition is on till 9 Sept so there is always the summer hols. Lots of love xx
Posted by: Zoe | 04/03/2012 at 01:59 PM
Your living room isn't messy, it would take 5 minutes to clear it up. I love your strippy pillow! I recognize every fabric in it :)
Posted by: cynthia | 04/03/2012 at 02:09 PM
Feeling that way too lately, Aneela! It's time we say more no's! :) Love your patchwork! Also, George says Hi!
Posted by: Jeni | 04/03/2012 at 02:34 PM
Say no to say yes! It's hard to find balance any day with kids! You still have a pretty mess!
Posted by: kristen | 04/03/2012 at 03:19 PM
I'd love to go walk through a cow! sounds fun. I too had the problem of saying yes all the time. I got good at now and now saying yes is so nice, I know I have a choice now.
Posted by: elsa | 04/03/2012 at 04:41 PM
I got good at saying NO! not now! tee hee
Posted by: elsa | 04/03/2012 at 04:42 PM
I've just had to put my foot down and say no to custom quilts because it was sucking up all my time and I felt like a bad wife / friend / sister etc. Saying no is so liberating.
Posted by: Audrie | 04/03/2012 at 05:08 PM
My house is a disaster, my sewing room is so piled high with scraps and unfinished projects, I have art projects stacked up in every room of the house, I left the house yesterday and my 10 month old had no pants on, I slept on top of the covers last night because I washed my sheets and they werent dry by the time I was ready to pass out, I have a million deadlines and just seriously no time! I too have been committing to too many things and am completely overwhelmed. I hope it gets better for you! Your pillow is lovely and even in your messy working room! I am working on putting a little baby quilt together with a couple A Walk In The Woods charm packs, it's going to be super cute,... if I can ever find the time to finish it ;)
Posted by: Jessie Lathroum | 04/03/2012 at 06:24 PM
Ah, yes. Why do we do this? And then say 'no' to our loved ones? I have some suspicions but don't want to go there! Enjoy your young ones while you can and all else will wait! Hugs and Blessings, Doreen
Posted by: Treadlemusic.wordpress.com | 04/03/2012 at 06:52 PM
Hang in there! You're not alone--at all. No is a wonderful word and I hope you start saying it more so that there are more yeses for you and your girls. Hugs.
Posted by: Collette | 04/03/2012 at 08:09 PM
Don't worry you really aren't alone. I know it's hard and because I hate anybody saying no to me I practically never say it to anybody else. Don't you know the saying 'if you want something done ask a busy person'? You aren't disorganized you are completely organized. I love the pillows and the quilt at the back of the sofa and I especially love your coffee table. Have fun with the girls.
Love
Patti xxx
Posted by: Patti | 04/03/2012 at 09:24 PM
"And if you think this looks messy you should really see the rest of the house."
Truer words were never spoken! It's really impossible to get it all done... and sometimes, the house just has to sacrifice itself to the fabric. :)
Posted by: traceyjay | 04/03/2012 at 09:57 PM
You are not alone here.We all get overwhelmed at times and our houses are often messy but learn from an old girl.Take the time to take the girls out and let them walk through a cow...uck!, all else can wait. Before you know it they will be grown and won't want you to do anything with them. Happy kids and Hubs make for a less stressful household. Then while they are happy we can have more creative time with our fabrics/machines.
I spent the best day yesterday (should've been in the sewing room cleaning...still)with 2yr old Miss Z and 8yr old Miss E. We had the best morning at quilt group, lunch at McDonalds, playing on the trampoline and watching Dora the Explorer in the afternoon. Miss Z went home and Miss E and I were in bed at 7.30pm completely exhausted. The sewing room is still waiting for me to-day. It didn't go anywhere and nor will your commitments. Relax and go with the flow.
The new cushion is lovely and I could only wish my messy fabrics were as messy as yours.
Posted by: Julie | 04/03/2012 at 10:34 PM
what a great smorgasbord!
Posted by: tiara | 04/03/2012 at 10:59 PM
I'm not sure if stripping means the same in UK as it does in Canada but I nearly choked on my diet coke when I read the title. :-)
The patchwork is really lovely. Sorry you're feeling overwhelmed. It's okay to put certain things aside if you're making time for things that are important to you. Walking through a cow with your daughters sounds like a pretty important thing to me. :-)
Posted by: CitricSugar | 04/04/2012 at 12:56 AM
Aneela, as I was cleaning my sewing room I found this in a 1999 newsletter from a patchwork shop. I thought it sort of related to your post to-day.
My Quilt
My neighbour is washing her windows and scrubbing and washing her floors,
But my home is all topsy turvy and dust is behind all doors.
My neighbour she keeps a spotless home and she goes around all day at a trot,
but no-one would know in a fortnight if she swept it to-day or not.
The task I am at is enticing,
My neighbour is worn to a rag,
I am making a quilt out of pieces I have stowed in a pretty chintz bag,
And the quilt I know my family will display with great pride in their heart,
"So lovely, my mother made it. An example of patience and art."
But will the neighbours children remember her struggle with the dust and the mess? they will not....they will wish that she had made them a quilt like I am making to-day!
What other excuse do we need? STEP AWAY from those brooms, mops and cleaning cloths and GET QUILTING!!!!!
Posted by: Julie | 04/04/2012 at 10:24 AM
Everyone has times of feeling overwhelmed and it can be exhausting! Put your feet up, have a cup of tea and re-prioritize your list of things to do. I would put walking through a cow up at the top of that list!
Posted by: Donna | 04/04/2012 at 12:12 PM
I hope things get settled soon and you find more balance. I love your new cushions and new settees, it looks like such a welcoming front room!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | 04/05/2012 at 02:59 PM
Aneela, you do know that a cluttered mind is a creative mind!!! I best most of us a similiar situation with the disorganization...let it go it will still be there when you get back and if it still bothers you then pick it up. In the meantime enjoy the time with your girls, they are young for such a short time and time it is a flying!!
Here's a P.S. for ya...2 weeks ago I made 6 pillowcases from some "Little Apples" and a "A Walk in the Woods" for my granddaughter who just turned 8...she was having a sleepover or as we used to call them "Pajama Party" and she wanted something different for party favors...what a smashing hit with all the girls and their moms...now they all want them for their parties. They LOVED the fabric and thought it was so appropriate for the age of the girls!!! Thanks for some great collections!
Posted by: Cheryl - MA | 04/06/2012 at 11:33 PM
I feel for you...family must come first when it can. Have fun with your girls!
Posted by: Jamie Lee | 04/07/2012 at 02:37 AM
FELIZ PĂSCOA!
Posted by: Maria do Carmo Pezzuto | 04/08/2012 at 03:35 AM
Saying no is hard to do but your work is awesome!
liZ
Posted by: liZ | 04/08/2012 at 06:41 AM