Embroidering You Way To Peace

We live in a small, waterfront community in Greece. When we moved into our rental house, we had a gorgeous view of the old Venetian port of Chania on the island of Crete. Within a couple of months though, construction began on two new homes that were crammed into the land between us and the cliffs at the water’s edge. The loss of the view was disheartening, since it is why we chose this house. However, the agonizing and constant noise of construction was even worse.

Now, another new home is starting construction right next to us. I am in a state of panic at the level of noise I will have to endure! I’m actually very sensitive to noise, to the point that even “white noise” machines irritate me! Strangely, though, the sound of my embroidery machine does not bother me, and I’m thinking that may be the solution to the problem.

Instead of being held hostage to noises that I have no control over, I can use the clatter and whir of the embroidery machine to claim my ears for my own! Of course, that also means that I’ll have to raise the level of my radio so that I can hear it. I like to sing along as I stitch. As long as I don’t also dance around, terrifying the cats in the process, it should be okay.

Now, I just have to come up with a list of embroidery patterns and projects to keep myself busy most of the day for the next three months. I’ll also have to go through my embroidery supplies to make sure I don’t run out of anything that I’ll need. Ah, shopping. What a misery!

I have a large computer library of machine embroidery designs, including lots of free embroidery projects that I have yet to stitch out. I think I’ll tote my laptop to Kentriko, my favorite café, for a cup of cappuccino and time to go through all my files in beautiful peace. Of course, I could just camp out at Kentriko for the next few months, but I think Menolis, the owner, would get tired of seeing me, especially if I set up a sewing studio at one of his outdoor tables! I could spend every day looking for new embroidery designs and free embroidery downloads, though, without taking up too much space and enjoy my cuppa, too. Bliss!

I also want to install new storage for my machine embroidery threads. I have such a beautiful rainbow of colors that I’d prefer to have them displayed on the wall instead of tucked into the rolling cart they are currently sorted in. The act of doing my own construction will definitely be better than listening to someone else’s! And, the process of hanging everything straight will make me concentrate on something other than the noise.

I may also do some research on embroidery design services; I’d like to have some designs created that will complement my china pattern. My favorite embroidery design gallery offers this, so I think that will be my first task. Then, I can spend the next months creating embroidery embellished tablecloths, napkins and more for my festive table. Maybe I could even stitch up some fabric chair covers to create a completely different look.Wow, with all this to look forward to, the thought of the noise isn’t bothering me so much! Many stitchers say that their embroidery or quilting is a form of therapy. Today, not only is my machine embroidery acting as therapy, but it looks like it will also be my protector.

Embroidery as guardian angel? I like it!

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

I thought I had a handle on my monthly deadlines and schedules. It seems I was sadly mistaken! Whether you make your living by working at home, like I do, or work in an office, it is so very important to have tasks scheduled so they get done before they are due. This is not rocket science! When I worked in an office, it worked flawlessly most of the time. Working at home is a whole new world!

Most of my work revolves around machine embroidery designs and embroidery quilting. While neither can be described as a quick and easy task, I have set my schedule to allow me to get as much work done as possible without driving myself crazy or finding that I’m spending too much time at my desk or in the sewing room. Balance is definitely the key.

I had a spurt of energy and inspiration at the turn of the New Year, and my new schedule shows it. I had become convinced that I could do more embroidery designs and spend more time making quilts than I had been. After all, years ago, I would spend eight hours in my sewing room, making quilts, and never thought about it. It was my weekend sewing time. Household chores got done during the week, in the evenings after returning home from the office.

Now that I work at home, I feel a bit of guilt for spending so much time doing what used to be my weekend pleasure. Even though it is my job, making quilts and digitizing embroidery designs is so pleasurable, that it still doesn’t feel like work, even after several years.

Last year, I would really hustle to get my deadlines met at the end of each month. The last week of the month was spent meeting obligations, while the first week of the next month was spent in answering questions and fixing any mistakes made the previous month. The middle weeks were mine to do as I wished. Generally, I didn’t work as efficiently as I should have.

Recognizing that I should have been using the middle weeks to actually get my work done, I changed up my schedule. Guess what? It actually works! Imagine that!

Now, I meet my monthly obligations a couple of days early and use the last days of the month to do follow-up. With embroidery, this means making sure everything is listed accurately. With the quilt embroidery, it means answering questions and, possibly, revising my work.

I then let myself enjoy a few days of leisure, which usually involves some sort of work because I truly do enjoy it. This also gives me a break between one deadline’s work and the next, which is important because each month is a different project. Keeping fresh is key!

I now spend the middle weeks doing my work, wandering between making quilts and digitizing machine embroidery designs as I feel the need to do so. Since what I do is art/creative, it is easier to accomplish my goals if I don’t force it. As long as I meet my goals, nothing else matters.

In an office setting, that isn’t always true. But, you still have some flexibility to schedule your time to use it most efficiently. I tried several schedules until I reached this one that seems to work for me; changed it if I saw an area for improvement.

You can do this, too! Your boss will honestly appreciate a motivated, organized employee who meets deadlines ahead of time. They might persist in wanting you to do certain things at certain times, but you can show them the light! Just tell them you’re making quilts.

If nothing else, it will confuse them and they will go away!