My To Do List
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Barb and I are working like crazy trying to get ready for cross stitch market in Nashville. We have several ideas....but we could use another three weeks in Jan. to get it all done. Luckily market is later than usual. Normally we go the first part of Feb...but this year it's at the end of the month. Thank Goodness!!!
The sampler pictured above is going to be in our new book. The book is based on an antique sampler Barb purchased. My sampler above is my adaptation of the vintage sampler. Do we have a title for the book yet? No....of course not. That usually comes after we see all of the finished projects. We pick a title that suggests the uniting force behind it all. We are thinking about Honeysuckle House....because of the border....but that could still change.
I know you are looking at the word "Walnut" on the sampler and wondering, "What the heck?" I stitched this sampler in memory of my Great Great Great Great Grandmother, Margaret Harris. She died in 1877 in Walnut, Iowa. Last June, I went to Walnut with my friend Flona and Linda and we did the antique sale they have each Father's Day. But at the time, I didn't know my Grandmother was buried there....I will have to see if I can find her next time I'm there.
I know the sampler above is pictured in a hoop....but I never use a hoop when stitching. It gets in my way...but Barb loves to use a hoop.
Anyway, the point of this posting is that the stress was beginning to bother Barb and me. I told her I bought a journal last night. I'm going to write 5 things that I want to do for each day. I'm not going to worry about all the other things that need to be done. I'm just going to do 5 things. That sounds doable right?
My list for the day is:
1. Clean for about an hour
2. Update the blog....I miss writing to you! I know that sounds crazy....but this has turned out to be something I very much enjoy!
3. Pay the bills....don't you hate doing that? It can take a couple of hours to go through all of the mail and sort it all.
4. Get the Loose Feather pattern to the printer
5. Work on another pattern.
You know what? It kind of helps my stress level today. Just 5 things to do....think I can handle it. (Will let you know if it really works later.)
Yesterday I finished the photography on our Engagement Calendar. I took pictures of thimbles, sewing hoops, tape measures, needle cases, tatting shuttles, quilt blocks and all kinds of fun things. The Kansas City Star will be offering it at Spring Quilt market. The picture above didn't make the cut...but thought you might like to see to get an idea.
This pictures highlights a needle case I purchased years ago....another calendar shot. This was really a fun project. Can hardly wait to see it myself....the book designer Amy Robertson is working on it now.
Ok....now I've done two things...off to finish 3 more.
Hugs to all of you!
Alma
61 comments
I'm really looking forward to seeing your new book Alma - that sampler is a must-stitch, from what you've shown us so far. Such pretty colours!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your to-do list - 5 things a day sounds like a good plan!
Another book coming... best news of the day! Especially if that sampler will be in it. I've got this theory that all these gorgeous antique samplers which you keep stumbling upon were stitched by your previous incarnations, and that your latent memories are guiding you back to them, lol. Just kidding, I'm not one who believes in reincarnation, but the thought just came and made me chuckle.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful pattern so far,,and i agree with the list,,I am the same way,,I get up in the morning and think this is all I am going to do today and it ends where I dont even do those things,,so good idea about the list..cant wait to see the end product,,
ReplyDeleteLove the house in the hoop.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to see the new book.
Can't wait to see the new book, I love what I see already!
ReplyDeleteSometimes a list, and a short one, is the only way! Can I suggest you start each day with the not so nice, bill paying maybe? Otherwise those ones tend to slip a bit....!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to make this 5 things to do list a day, that must work. To me it seems a lot of work to make alle samples for a book, do you do this only with Barb or are ther more people involved to make your patters? Always love to read your blog!
ReplyDeleteOh what a lovely sneak peek - I can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteOh! I just can't wait to see the new things! I love Honeysuckle House - since I love the smell of honeysuckle I think it is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThe sampler you are working on is GORGEOUS! And, it's in a booklet? I can't wait to see what will accompany it.
ReplyDeleteFive things is quite an accomplishment. Don't worry about the rest - it will be there when you have the time.
Oh my, I'm really really looking forward to the new book! Wow! I love what I've seen so far!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea doing the 5 things a day list. I do that (different number of things) and write it in one book and use it to track everything that happens. It helps me a lot.
WaHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Like Gio said, hearing that another book is being released, based on an antique sampler, is the best news of the day. The sneak peek that you posted a few days ago caught my eye and I can see it's going to be a must stitch. Yeehaw!
ReplyDeleteYou are teasing us again! For the consumer, "Market" be it Needlwork or Quilt is always too far away when you show us these snips of your projects! But please, don't STOP! It keeps me coming back to see more...and buy more!
ReplyDeleteDelightful pincushion in your pictures. I made one from a silver napkin ring from one that belonged to my great grandmother.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Love the house sampler, and I was born and raised in Iowa so that just clinches it for me.
ReplyDeleteThanx for the great pictures. And the sampler. She will just be fine.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you could wish there were 12 more hours in a day.
How about Walnut grove ?
ReplyDeleteThat sampler is stunning, Alma! I can't wait for that book! And the calendar sounds great too! I hope the list making helps with the stress levels. It makes sense -- take one thing at a time! Can't wait for market!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your new book! I think if I chose five things a day, housework wouldn't be one of them. Unfortunately, it should! In fact, I should probably write it on the list twice a day for a while, lol!
ReplyDeleteAlma, I do that all the time ......
ReplyDeleteand call it "my NTD list".
It works good for me.
And I love special notebooks to write it all down.
By the way .... if you want to see a real walnut lover .....
it takes just a little time
and it will give a smile to you ......
go to
http://www.yokkobears.web-log.nl/yokkobears/2010/01/tippi-de-eekhoo.html
and see one of my sweet friends.
Oh gosh I am loving this sampler already! Thanks for the sneak peek. Have fun with the list, it never works for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. Great idea on the 5 thing's list. Love the picture that got cut and the beaded piece. I have wanted to make one of those roll type pincushions for sometime. How about one in your next book? Also, would love to have the receipe that was in the cut picture. Is it a "real" receipe? Could you please posting it, after market would be fine?
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the Walnut House! I'm just nuts about it already!! :)
ReplyDeleteIf I could go to Nashville,how happy I will!It seems to be so great! I'm sure I'll go some day.Lots of love.Couson(France)
ReplyDeleteSorting through bills and doing the paperwork is never fun at all. But when I finish, I'm always so happy that I was able to pay my bills!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the rest of your list.
Can't wait to see the new book! Looks like it will be great as usual. I am continuing to like that sampler.
ReplyDeleteHoneysuckle House sounds perfect and I would buy it just by the title! But I have to make the sampler in the hoop. I'm loving it and I can't wait! Nancy in WI
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing the new book and pieces in it.
ReplyDeleteI find that having daily goals makes it easier to get things done, just like a job outside the home. We tend to get distracted too easily at home;)
Debbie
What great teasers!
ReplyDeleteIf I may suggest - order your to-do list with the most important thing first, the second most important thing next, etc. That way, you'll be sure of getting the most important thing done.
another book...
ReplyDeleteoh i am feeling giddy
its like a carrot dangling in the future
;0)
I always make a list of the things I want to accomplish in a day. I don't worry about not getting it all done and sometimes I even add things to the list that I have already completed just so I can cross it off the list. I like to cross those things off the list. The big and the small--just cross 'em off!!
ReplyDeleteYou are just too organized. I need to look into this five things a day, what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for the sneek peak.
Catherine
It looks so so promising. I'm looking forward to seeing your new book.
ReplyDeleteBest part of list making?
ReplyDeleteChecking things off!
have a great weekend.
Hi Alma....don't forget "time for yourself" on that list. I was telling a friend yesterday how wonderful the first (I think) book "A Fine Collection" is. I have stitched about every design in it...can't wait to see the new book! Happy Day!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoy writing to us, I enjoy reading it. I like your idea of writing 5 things to get accomplished. I use a Franklin Covey I live by that. Never thought I would but it really works for me.
ReplyDeleteThat needlecase is lovely! The photos sounds lovely. I'd love to see some photos of the tatting shuttles...hint...hint! ;) ;) ;)
ReplyDelete~TattingChic ♥
Hi Alma -- Good luck with your list. Not only do I love the look of the new sampler -- the one in the photo with the needle case is gorgeous as well. Will it be in the new book? Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy reading your blog! I'm glad that you enjoy writing to us, your fans.
Five things to do per day - I love that idea! My to-do-list never gets finished. A little like my eyes are bigger than my stomach ... I think there are more hours in the day than there really are. Have to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of managing the stress by writing down five things and limiting cleaning time! I usually clean (or don't) until I'm overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteWe miss you when you don't post. It's like getting a note from an old and dear friend!
Hugs
Connie
Glad to hear I am not the only one preferring to stich embroidery without a frame. The journal idea is beginning to sound like a plan for me..I need to set goals in 2010! Louise
ReplyDeleteI love thar cross stitch house! Beautifull! Greetings from the Netherlands by Berna
ReplyDeleteLove the sampler, Alma. I like working with a hoop too.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Simple Abundance by Sarah Breathnach? She suggests a gratitude journal where every day you write down 5 things you are thankful for.
clare
Thanks for posting - I'm glad it was one of your five things for the day. How selfish is that of me? ;)
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to see more of your upcoming book - this sampler is certainly a must-stitch!!
J'aime vous lire et découvrir toutes ces explications, apercevoir de nouveaux modèles ... je suis impatiente de pouvoir les acheter, je suis une inconditionnelle de BBD - bises
ReplyDeleteSo excited to see the new pretties! Keep up the good work and know that we are all waiting patiently...because good things come to those who wait!
ReplyDelete"Clean for an hour"????
ReplyDeleteI thought since you were famous you surely didn't have to do mundane tasks such as cleaning. If you tell me you have to cook also, all my illusions are
shattered. Love you, love
your stuff. Keep working
on the five and strive to
be really rich instead of
just famous and maybe you
won't have to clean for an hour.
Hi Alma I would love to know what kind and color of linen you have shown in the hoop. Thanks as always, I love the design
ReplyDeleteI just finished all the houses of the Home Sweet Home quilt,... so my to do list is a little bit shorter,...
ReplyDeleteYou are invited in my kitchen, to have a look!
;o)
I simply enjoy your blog and visit it often. The photos are most beautiful.
ReplyDeleteEverything you girls do is beautiful! Such awesome talent!! I just love to look at it all. The five things on a list sound great, I will see if I can do that, my problem is I have a hundred things to do most of the time!!!
ReplyDeleteI need to slow down!
Hugs and thanks for the endless inspiration!
Margaret B
Thank you Alma and Barb for giving us such beautiful quilting and needlework patterns...we appreciate it so much. We love you guys! Good luck with market. Hopefully your 5 things to do list will help with the stress. We love hearing from you, always!
ReplyDeleteAlma,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely promise of things to come. The new book sounds wonderful.
The design in memory of your great great great great grandmother really made me sit up and take notice. She died in 1877 and my husband's grandmother was born only 10 years before in 1867!! These dates fascinated me! You go six generations back to 1877 and my husband goes two generations back to a similar time! My lovely MIL, who sadly passed away just before Christmas, at 100 (I stitched Petites Lettres Rouge for her 100th birthday) was the last of 12 children and was born in 1909 when her mum was 42 years old. MIL gave birth to DH when she was 38 years old!
In England we have a Five a Day Advertising campaign encouraging people to eat five pieces of fruit or veg a day to keep the body healthy. It now looks like accomplishing five jobs a day keeps the mind healthy - what a great idea :>)
Angela xx
Love the new sampler! Can't wait to see the whole thing. The fabric and colors are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you like writing to us Alma - I have enjoyed your blog immensely. I thinking writing a blog can be many things to many people. I enjoy my blog too and the comments our friends make. Can't wait to see your new market offerings. Melody
ReplyDeleteI love your work and always wonder how you get so much done in so little time! Your "5 things a day" idea sounds excellent! I plan most of my projects for the year in January and then schedule them out during the year - I build in time for lost days, new ideas, new projects. I never get everything done, but I know what I absolutely want to accomplish and focus on those things. Usually it works...
ReplyDeleteWhat a tease LOL!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see the new patterns
ReplyDeletei am so excited to see your new cross stitch pieces .. i love the look of the little snippet you are showing and will definitely be adding your new pieces to my stash .. you two are my absolute favorites ... love the vintagey feel to everything!!
ReplyDeleteI loved your suggestion to make a list! I thought it such a good idea that I started my own list and the one thing on my list every day (at least for 16 days) so far has been to prepare one block for applique of Wild Promagranate. And that has been so much fun--love those larger pieces and of course I took the easy way out--got a kit! Off to the next item on my list. Thanks for the great ideas.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your new wonderful 5 designs plus your new book I was hoping that it would be release to the shops early but I guess we can impatiently wait for it. Your designs are just great
ReplyDeletegood luck at market and hurry the shop owners back with all your goodies looking forward to them
Daisy is Moberly
I am looking forward to the 5 new designs and the new book I can hardly wait for the shop owners to get back from market. The Blackbird girls designs are the greatest and I have been a fan since you started Loose Feathers and I have a stash of them. They are always great. Daisy in Moberly
ReplyDeleteNote: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.