After a gorgeous week of Spring weather and sunny days we awoke to 2 inches of snow yesterday morning. Very weird. After a flurry of morning e-mails debating about whether to go or not I got in the car and took off. I had a ticket to Sandra Betzina’s zipper session and I wasn’t going to let a little snow stop me!
My expo partner decided not to go which left me driving the 1 1/2 hour trip by myself. It turned out to be some very much needed “alone time” (Leil likes to say this while making air quotes with her fingers).
One of the biggest challenges of working from home is realizing that I in fact need time away from my work. I absolutely love what I do and I’m a homebody by nature. I’m truly living the best life I could ever imagine for myself. It doesn’t occur to me that maybe sometimes I need to break the routine and mix it up a bit.
I came back incredibly energized and inspired. Number one by all the people I met: sewing idols, friends local and distant (hi Cindy and Dawnise!), ASG pals, and a new designer friend that I’d only talked with on the phone. Secondly, by all the fabulous products and creations that filled the aisles. I picked up a little of this and a little of that: new materials to play with, beautiful fabrics to make clothes, and vivid ideas to build on.
My day of fresh air was totally awesome. Time to self-reflect on the direction I’ve set my compass to. Time to recognize that I need to be doing more designing and creating and less stressing about taking over the world of online fabric selling. Sometimes I try to over-think and outdo by brute force instead of letting things grow in their own beautifully organic way (which by now I should know they’re going to do regardless of how much I try to rush things along!). My renewed commitment to myself is to step back a bit and enjoy the ride. Focus on my passions and make time for them.
Next post: my brush with greatness, a report on Sandra Betzina and the Tilton sisters.
What a lovely post! And what a great reminder for us all to take some time for ourselves – though I think of quilting as me time – it can still be “work” (certainly, my latest endeavour was frustrating and time consuming!), so yes, some down time – even a walkon our own is a little brain refresher.
Focus on your passion! Excellent advice. So thank you for it.
Wasn’t it fun? I had to work yesterday, but went today. Did you see the Texture Magic Sheets at Superior Threads? Love those guys! I totally understand about getting away from “work”. Time to recharge the batteries!
Great plan – go with the creating and designing and all will fall into place! Lovely things in your photos.
Well, everyone who stayed home yesterday was there today! Wow, was it crowded. We also met Sandra (what a lovely person), stood about four feet from Nancy Zieman and took in the Project Runway/Simplicity fashion show. I’ll blog about it this weekend, but I did manage to sneak a couple of photos I can post.
Ooh, and I also bought the most fabulous double sided fabric I can’t wait to show off.
Oh what fun, I was going to take a pass on expo in Pomona, Ca next month but now I am thinking I must go!
how was the class? the expo comes here late next month and i’m thinking about the classes but i’ve never heard anything about the quality of them? do tell…
I’m so jealous!
Kit and Mary: thank you!
Auntie Pami: I missed the texture magic sheets, maybe I need to go back this weekend
Sarah: so disappointed we didn’t go on the same day. Looking forward to reading your post!
Cici: I need a full blown post to answer this question! The ’sessions’ aren’t really classes. They’re 45 minute presentations by well-known sewing personalities. Ultimately, the person making the presentation is also promoting their business and their products. Unfortunately, some are not very good at this and you feel like you’ve been roped into a timeshare presentation without the goodies. My ASG group has been a wealth of information about which personalities are the best to see. Nancy Zieman and Sandra Betzina have excellent reputations, I’ve seen them both and give them the highest rating possible. They’re funny too!
A new thing at Expo is to offer longer, hands-on classes which I haven’t tried yet.
My only advice is to not overschedule. Attending a single session and one fashion show was enough for me, I spent the rest of the time walking the vendor floor. Last year I attended 4 sessions and was completely wiped out by the end of the day and felt like I didn’t have enough time to leisurely stroll the vendors.
So glad you got to have time alone to re-charge…what a fun expo! I can’t wait to see what your creative mind comes up with next..and you are doing a wonderful job with your shop!
Just wanted to encourage you to be patient with yourself as you watch the next chapters unfold. I know it’s really hard – I’m living it! But I am absolutely convinced that in the end, your best life *will* unfold.
You may not know….my husband was killed in a workplace shooting in November. As you can imagine, my kids (ages 4 and 5) and I are still reeling from the shock of this major change in our lives. But I am committed to patiently seeing the next chapter of my life unfold.
And we *will* be happy and healthy again!!!
Thank you for sharing how this day of recharging has helped you to see your path more clearly. It inspires me to think about what will help me also see my path more clearly.
Hugs to you!
For others reading through these comments: Carol and I know each other from our past life working together in the Bay Area. We re-connected when she discovered my blog a couple of years ago. I did not know about this tragic loss of her husband and I’ve contacted her directly. It makes me very sad and also reminds me about what’s really important in our lives.
May I just say YUM!? Those products look like they would be a BLAST to play with!
It is hard to step back & allow things to happen on their own, but sometimes that is just what is needed. I miss seeing the things you create, so look forward to more of that in the future
What a fun day! Lovin’ the multi coloured thread. You are right, you do need your alone time, it’s usually enough to rejuvenate the mind and soul for more of that work! And to your friend Carol….(((HUGS))) Blessings, Heather
Hi Kathy – so glad you had a fun time! I wish I could have joined you
We need to meet up soon!