When RealJob is super crazy, I work late into the night but also wake up super early–like at 4am. For the past week or so, I’ve taken the dark hours before going to the office to do some crafty stuff. I was feeling really unlike myself without crafting for a while there and this has restored a sense of peace. In particular, almost all of this sampler was made in the wee hours last week.
But now I’m sewing again!
And what am I sewing? Something super simple because my synapses aren’t connecting well at 4am.
This past week, Molly and I swapped some scrap squares. She sent those charming piles there on the right and I unearthed my own hoard of 2.5″ squares. It’s going to be another scrappy quilt of love, sewn a tiny bit at a time. I blame Molly for making me start a new project, but thank her whole-heartedly for catalyzing the perfect new therapeutic project.
And that is keeping me calm while the world goes all wonky around me.
I hope you’re having a great week!
Awesome bedhead!
nice scrap squares!
and i like that you’re finding time for calm. xo
simple is good. as is recognizing the need that YOU MUST. thanks for sharing!
I identify with this post so much. I’ve really only just recently figured out (duh) that a key to my happiness is making stuff. (Good stuff, not crappy stuff. The crappy stuff makes me grumpy.) My postage stamp quilt has been the really simple project that I have had readily available for those times when I only have 25 minutes to craft, or I can’t freakin’ decide what I want to work on. It is my therapy too. And I am a little bit freaked out by the fact that I have started piecing blocks together to make the top. I need to figure out what my next therapy project will be soon!
There is so much to be said for simple projects. That’s pretty much all I do these days, and I don’t feel one bit guilty about it. Sewing the endless seam, no conflict, no major decisions. Just the Zen-like humming of the machine. I gotta hand it to you for carving out time like that for yourself. You know what makes you healthy–go for it! And btw, you look lovely.
Glad you’re finding some creative time! Even at 4am!
I so relate. Last night, I managed to even get the exercising done at the level I insist upon to keep me on track during “mass hysteria” times, but at 9:30p (bedtime is 10) I said, MUST CREATE at least a bit: one Granny Square followed. One is better than none and I felt almost human again.
And your squares are sooooooooooo comforting to this AR accountant! :)
Hang in there…there’s light at the end of the tunnel and it’s NOT gonna be a train!
(((hugs)))
You look so intent! Love those squares and you “taking care of yourself” with some necessary creating!
I love your expression of 4am intense concentration!
Good luck enduring the rest of the RealJob craziness.
I absolutely agree. Making makes happiness. I’m glad you’ve rediscovered the key to work sanity, C! Your patchwork quilt will be a treasure. I’ve been cutting squares from my scraps, and will start putting them together in the next few months. I would love a quilt with special little pieces from the stash!
it has been a super busy week for me. i have one day this week that i am not working which is quite a change from my two day a week job. my house is a disaster and i haven’t sewed all week. hoping to clean this morning and sew this afternoon a little. we will see how successful i am. maybe i should start waking up at 4…
I think I shall strive to always have a “tiny bit at a time” project underway — it’s so important to DO something and feel as though I’ve DONE something, no matter how wonky the world.
Good for you. You need to do something for yourself other than work.
I can’t even function at this time in the morning. If stay up until it’s 4 am I’m fine but once that sleep sets in. It’s all over.
(delurk) My hours of operation have been to bed at 9:00 p.m., up at 4:00 a.m. for the past 20 years, it started when I worked at an animal hospital and now I work in constrution (a jump, I know!). The only sewing I do during the week is hand sewing (lurk).
You’re right, the bedhead IS epic, but look at that concentration!
i absolutley LOVE your resillence! You do “SO” much and are so creative! I honestly don’t know how you get it all done!!! You are my Heroine! You motivate and inspire me to keep my creativity trudging along! I’m steadily cheering you on and continue to kick ‘real jobs” bootaa!! ;)
While the little scrappy squares look great what I realy love? That photo of you sewing in the dark hours with the concentration . Just love it.