Welcome to the Longarm University
Newsletter Special Edition Page 3
Recently, I sent out an email asking how you "Beat the Winter Blahs"
and I was astounded with the response I received! There were 52
email responses and each one of the ideas were wonderful!
Due to the many responses, THREE
Pages of GREAT ideas have been created.
For a printable version (PDF) of the
Entries on Page 3 Click Here
In early February, anyone viewing these
pages was able to vote for the best response on each page.
If you would like to make a
comment about anything on this page Click Here
#35 Sandra C
WINNER of Page 3
I have been wanting to start teaching again, for a long time, but
health issues for myself, my daughter AND my husband have been
preventing it. So, while mine may be somewhat unique, I still think
even the average quilter/crafter would benefit from some of the
goals I set for this year that anyone could use (I took out the ones
the dealt directly with the biz goals):
Personally, prior to thinking about the following items, I think
it's important to pray about what God's will is for your life in
this area. I want to glorify Him in my work, so I depend on Him to
guide me. I understand this is not how everyone will want to do it
- but I have found it very effective.
1) Make a list of all UFO's and prioritize them, then set a
finish date goal on them.
2) Decide what tools/toys/etc... you want to purchase this year and
do the research on the products, fabrics, etc... Then, prioritize
them.
3) Budget how much you have to spend for quilting/crafting each
month and then put together a list/calendar to purchase these items
either by 1) priority or 2) when they go on sale.
4) Add loved ones' Birthdays/Anniversaries/Weddings (not to mention
Christmas) to your calendar and decide what projects you'd like to
make for them and then factor that into your time table of
completing projects by those dates. Don't forget to factor in if
you need supplies and include that in your budget.
5) If you don't already belong to local and state-wide quilting/long
arm, etc. guild or organization, research them and factor the dues
into your budget. Follow through with joining. Note that some
offer discounts on JoAnn's and other places. 6) Set
aside the money and time to attend meetings with like-minded folks -
such as the #5 folks. Don't forget the yearly conferences.
7) Put some money aside for going to at least 2 classes (or more)
that will teach you something you don't already know. Consider
classes not directly related to long arm quilting, but that may help
you broaden your skills and visions - i.e. a business class, a color
theory class from the local community college, etc...).
8) Sign up for coupons and fliers for your favorite stores and
suppliers.
9) Delete or discontinue memberships to un-needed email
notifications (i.e. do we REALLY have time to read 20-50 emails a
day from 100 different suppliers, people, yahoo groups, etc?). Stay
off facebook/twitter, etc. unless you schedule in a specific time
for it - and then set the alarm.
9) Plan your days/weeks/months, etc. on a local calendar for
everyone in the family to see - and schedule in your sewing time as
you desire - letting your family know that is YOUR time....just like
all the other appts. and schedules they have. I even tell them that
if they want to be driven to one of their events, they best not eat
into my time or I will eat into theirs. Harsh - but effective.
10) Organize your family, hopefully no later than the first week
(best even before the first week of the year), and have them decide
what their goals are - so you can talk about supporting each other
in meeting them.
11) Decide what things you can delegate so it frees you up to
sew/quilt. Set a date for that transition (i.e. I had to teach my
husband, first, the method I used to pay, file, etc. the bills so he
could take over).
12) Set aside an hour a week, at least, to just browse the internet,
read a magazine, or watch an educational/inspirational video or TV
program dealing with quilting/crafting. I even find loads of free
classes on the internet and you-tube.
13) Become familiar with the advantages of having a home business
for tax savings (that savings can be used towards quilting items -
lol)
14) Gather friends from church and meet regularly to see what can be
made for the church, a local charity, hospital, or supporting our
troops. Maybe even raffle a quilt off to help supplement church
funds for a particular cause.
15) DO IT! You will be too busy and excited to feel blah'd.
The above is specific to the craft. Below are tips from me, as a
retired RN who has worked in psych and mental health and had an
additional certification from the American Nurses Assoc. in it -
1) Eat right - stay away from processed foods. Our bodies were not
created to break down artificial stuff. Know that artificial
sweeteners like Splenda and aspartame cause hunger because the body
doesn't recognize it, so it doesn't know you ate....and some other
boring reasons. You may need to supplement with vitamins, minerals,
and so forth if you are low. Keep non-greasy munchies near your
sewing area and set time to eat regularly. I know how the time gets
away from me. And, use your crock pot for dinners! Eat small,
frequent meals, and avoid overeating (large portions, frequent large
meals) and junk food.
2) Drink water. The body does not use any liquid that isn't clear,
like water - it doesn't process it the same way - and will help keep
you healthy and help your body heal itself. No caffeine, no pop,
etc... . Water only - add lemon if you hate water like I do.
3) Exercise. I know - we always say it - but it's true. When you
exercise, you'll not only be healthier, but it kicks out endorphins
(pain killers and "happy" chemicals). You will also sleep better at
night and live longer to make more quilts, or teach others - maybe
great grandkids?.
4) Get at least 8 hrs. sleep. Less shortens your life and takes a
toll on your heart.
5) Don't stress. Ask yourself: will it be an issue in a week, a
month, a year, or in 5 yrs., depending on the seriousness - ask
yourself if it's going to make a difference if you worry about it -
or if you can just take care of it with an intervention. If you are
self medicating with alcohol, drugs, caffeine, nicotine, etc. STOP -
get help - and learn new coping skills. Pray.
6) Take time for relationships. That includes your relationship
with the Lord.
8) Do things for others. The best way not to get or stay too
depressed or focused on ourselves is to help someone else.
9) Focus on the positive, the strengths, and blessings, not on what
you don't have, can't do, etc... . Be grateful. I had my daughter
make a list of blessings to stick on her closet door.
10) Keep your priorities straight: I believe: God first, family
second, job third. Allot your time and money the same way.
11) Get outside at least 30 min. a day. Have your vitamin D
level checked. Depression occurs easily if we do not get enough
sunshine to process making it. You may need to supplement. Choose
sunscreen that doesn't block the process. Artificial light is also
an option. Note - I checked (literally) and the OTT light doesn't
produce enough. lol
12. Pay cash - or pay off those cards EVERY month. Debt makes us a
sure slave - and being a slave is no fun.
If you do all these above things, you will feel better, be more
productive, think more clearly (and be more creative), and have more
fun. If you do all the above and still have the "blah's", think
about harming yourself (or others), and cannot find joy in your
craft like you once did (or in anything else), see a professional
for help.
Sometimes it's just the winter blah's - but sometimes, it's more
serious.
#36 Susan A ON,
Canada
Nothing warms the heart on a cold and blustery day like making
something for someone special, even if it is something small -
anything that will put a smile on their face so that they know they
are special to you.
#37 Lynn T,
IA
With the cost of cotton batting, January would be a great month to
gather up all the pieces of batting, match them and then sew them
together. This can be accomplished either by hand or machine. Fire
up the crock pot and prepare a pot roast, carrots, onions and
potatoes. Don't forget the bay leaf. Enjoy and hopefully you are
not receiving 10 inches of snow every weekend like we have been.
#38 Nan S, FL
Come visit me in FLORIDA!!!!!! 64 beautiful sunny degrees ... winds
at 7 mph!
#39 Linda G,
NV
Eat lots of chocolate and quilt every day!
#40
Carrolyn V, WA
Learn a new technique or free motion design....just one or
two. Invite several long arm friends over for a Hawaiian
luau mini retreat. Put some bright solid light cloth with
batting and back on your machine. Teach each other this
technique, watch a DVD that one of you have on longarm
techniques....or a part of one and eat from the potluck
lunch/dinner. (or watch a movie tog. or travel log episode)
Have each bring a Hawaiian treat - something cooked with
pineapple or that looks summery (a watermelon cake -
frosted like a watermelon (green on the outside, cake is red
on the inside with small chips or raisins for seeds) Fun to
plan and fun to attend.
#41 Gail A, OK
My moods are very receptive to music. If I want to snuggle in, relax
and do some hand sewing I'll put Kenny G, Giavonnia, etc. BUT if I'm
in a funk and need a lift or I've got lots to do but not in the mood
to do it I'll listen to some Garth Brooks, Eagles, etc. and in no
time I'm moving to beat!! Another "tip", whenever I'm working on
Christmas gifts throughout the year I'll play Christmas music.
Really puts me in the mood and I can usually squeeze out a couple of
extra little things, too.
#42 Bev M
My favorite way to beat the winter blahs:
I have a birdfeeder by the window of my sewing room. It is so close
I can tell the personalities of the various bird types. I sent a
photo to my brother and there were so many cardinals in the snowy
evergreen nearby, his coworkers accused me of photoshopping them
into pic, haha.
Click on photo for larger view
#43 Karen
What I do every year to beat the winter blahs....helps a great deal,
but really isn't a brain storm for quilters as guess what I do? I
start a new quilt. Smiling. But it works. I always take a break
from quilting from November 1st until January 1st, that way I am not
trying to add to the holiday stress by trying to complete gifts for
everyone. If I don't have gifts done by November 1st, they just
wait until the next year. But by giving myself a 2 month break in
quilting during the holidays, I am fresh and ready to start new
again in the new year, and it does beat the January blues. So I've
been busy doing just that, and I look forward to January 1st knowing
I'll be starting a brand new project. I've been snowed in for the
past 2 days....so this has been a life saver.
#44
Carol B, IL
Make a cheery quilt with floral and bright spring prints.
#45 Geri L, AL
I join a Block of the Month and use Spring/Summer fabric colors.
They brighten up the studio when the day is gray and remind me that
Spring/Summer is right around the corner. And this year I am making
an orange flannel quilt to keep me happily warm during those long,
cold winter nights.
#46 Pat P
There is much you can do! January used to be my worst month but I am
so busy! I'm older so I stopped wishing for time to pass! In
December we brought home a beautiful shelter dog, He loves the
outdoors and gets us moving! If it's snowy and icy, don't forget
your Yax Trax! Volunteer, learn something new! Help nursing home
residents make a quilt, or knit or crochet something. Present them
with a quilt show. Forget the weather, do it anyway!
#47 Colette B,
VA
Hello, Iced in in VA. Perfect opportunity for this question. A good
idea might be to reorganize the sewing area or just spend time
mulling through your stash to inspire new projects. I plan on
completing my newest design.
#48 Judy R, MD
I go away for a week with a group of friends to quilt. Last year we
went to PA and were snowed in for the week and it was great!
Nothing to do but sew and eat. This year we're going to the outer
banks in NC.
#49 Pat M, IA
Only work with bright, cheerful fabrics---it is dark and gloomy
enough outside!
#50 Fran F, IN
To beat the winter blahs, I always keep all the light on in the
rooms I am in. I always have upbeat music on and I try to take a
break every two hours when I am quilting. I also love vanilla so I
make sure I use an air freshener in vanilla in my studio. Makes for
an inviting place to be. I also keep cut up carrots in my frig and
grab a few when I take a break with a large glass of a non alcoholic
beverage.
#51 Palma D,
WA
My husband and I decided to go south for the holidays, to get out
of the rain. We took our RV and camped in Oceanside, CA. It
rained so much we thought we were going to get washed out to sea.
Now it is beautiful, clear, and warm. We are headed to Tucson for
some desert fun and I know a great quilt store there, the fabric I
could just roll in. I think planning for the future always takes
care of any blahs, so we are planning a trip to Disneyworld! I am
sure I can find some great fabric somewhere in Florida!
#52 Cindy R, WA
I love scented candles! I have a candle warmer (it heats the candle
so it melts, not burns) and it releases the fragrance from a candle
throughout the house. During the winter, I’ll melt spring or summer
scents. Makes me feel like it is warm and sunny instead of cold,
damp and dreary. I especially like the Yankee Candles – their scents
are great and they lasts a long time.
#53 Robyn Y,
Australia
Hi all fellow quilters, I live in Western Australia and we don't
have the winter snows, below 0 weather, blizzards etc like over
there, we are lucky to get below 10 degrees Celsius in winter. We
are in our summer now and it has been very hot with temps up to 40
degrees C. During the start of winter I like to get all my cleaning
done within the first two weeks (bit like spring cleaning in winter)
and by doing this it keeps me warm. When all the cleaning is done
then I start on my work room and give it a winter (spring) clean.
Once that is done I can walk into my room and feel refreshed and
ready to start sewing again. During some weekends friends will come
around for a full day of sewing and some laughter and I usually make
some home cooked soup and fresh bread. It is such a lively day that
they forget when to go home. Sometimes we will work on our own
quilts and toss ideas around with whoever is there or if we feel
like we don't want to work on our own quilts then we will make
donation quilts with the fabric which has been donated and when we
have quite a few of these made then we will visit the various
Associations and present the quilts to them. Not only does this
make you feel warm and satisfied inside but you know that it will
keep someone else warm in the long winter months.
Happy quilting
everyone, stay warm, spring will soon be here as will our autumn.
#54 Beth H, CA
WINNER of Page 3
To beat the winter blahs, I go to my sisters cabin in Volcano CA
where I meet up with my sisters (I have 6 of them, but not all live
in CA), along with my two
nieces and my dear sister-in-law. We bring our machines and sew, do
crafts, eat lots of food, drink, shop, sleep, and sometimes we just
sit and watch the wildlife that come through the property. We
plan our menu weeks in advance and we count down the days until we
head up to the cabin. Sometimes we play a dice game called Left,
Right, Center and use fat quarters (with a theme) instead of dollar
bills so at the end of the game you have enough fabric to make a
quilt. It's amazing how hard it is to give up those fat quarters.
I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful family. We have a blast
and as soon as the cabin trip is over, we start planning the next
one. We had a quilt camp this past January and have planned the
next one the middle of February. Usually we go up for 4-5 days but
this time we are going up for 9 days. What could be better than to
spend time with my sisters, everyone takes turns cooking or we get
takeout, then we sew until 3 or 4 am. There is no time table to
get anything done, we laugh so much our sides ache and sometimes we
cry but we thoroughly enjoy each other's company. Before we know
it, it's time to go home. I don't get snow where I live so when I
am up at the cabin, and it does snow, it's a treat for us. I
definitely could not live in the snow but it is so beautiful to
visit. Quilt Camp definitely gets me through the Winter Blah's or
any Blah's life may send my way.
Happy quilting and Bless you all.
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