Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Where's My Blogging Mojo?

Ever find yourself in a period where you have lots to say but have too much rattling around in your head to sit at the computer and say it?

Yeah, that's where I've been lately.  That and getting slightly panicky about winter approaching on oiled roller skates.  And wanting to be done with "must do" projects so I can begin hibernation surrounded with fabric and yarn and lots of books.  And wanting to stay up as late as my little heart desires at night.  And sleep as late as I want/can in the morning.  Without bad (read:  guilty) feelings on either end.

Time spent at the computer recently hasn't felt good.  Not that I don't dearly love keeping up with all your blogs and continuing to yammer on my own.  It's more a sense of feeling pressure get other things done.  You know, simple things like putting a new bag in the vacuum cleaner and eradicating the dust hippos and all the other (what the heck IS all that?) stuff reproducing on my floors.  When I'm not working on move-ahead projects.  Or (still) wrapping things up outside before 1) the ground is frozen solid, or 2) covered with snow.

* * * * * * * *

Well, here's a little color to throw on the page.  Just about a year ago, I made this small wall hanging, but I never got around to posting pictures of it.


It's a pieced background with appliqued "pumpkin seeds."  The small size made it easy and fun to make.


Above you can see the background I pieced of an assortment of neutral colored 1-1/4" squares.


Then the more colorful pieces of applique went on top with some basic outline quilting added.



Last year when I finished it, it hung in this spot for only a couple of weeks before snow fell and I replaced it with a small tin sign I have (just the right size) that says, "Let It Snow."  That stayed on the wall until spring when I put this piece back up.

* * * * * * * *

I'm thinking of all of you who are experiencing difficult circumstances because of Hurricane Sandy.  Hoping you are safe and I'm eagerly waiting to hear that all is okay in your neck of the woods.    

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sometimes you need to just take a step back. No worries we will see be here when you decide to hibernate :) The wall hanging is gorgeous!

Carolyn said...

Get your house / garden in order (as if that will EVER be a "done" job) and then come back to us when you're hunkered down in the winter, quilting with one hand, blogging with the other!

Goodness knows I have a crapload of stuff that still needs finishing up outside and I shouldn't be on the darned computer! Oh well.

Mama Pea said...

Stephanie - Thanks, Bloggy Pal! Hopefully, this is just a self-inflicted (ugly) mood I'm in which will pass in a day (or month) or two. Have a good one!

Mama Pea said...

CR - Been thinking about you. You haven't suffered any of the side affects of Hurricane Sandy? Hope not.

Anonymous said...

Boy, we are in the same boat... winter is fast approaching and there is soooo much However, since I am a giant procrastinator, I have used my computer to further put things off. Perhaps I will emulate you and vow to put it off. I am home today to catch up on things, so I will make a vow to avoid the dreaded keyboard distraction and get things done. I will let you know how it goes.

Mama Pea said...

I don't think I will plan a period that I won't blog or check up on other blogs . . . whenever I contemplate doing that I come up with a boatload of topics I simply HAVE to blog about! I just haven't had the urge to blog lately which is unusual for me. It's probably a subconscious thing going on because I KNOW there are so many other things I should be doing. Sigh.

Okay, this too will pass for both of us. Hope you have a super-good productive day at home today. Maybe you can blog about it!

Kim said...

You've described how I've been feeling..perfectly! Lots to say, but even more to get done. I've got my Kindle loaded and material purchased for some heavy duty reading and quilting, just as soon as the last of the apples are sauced. And the greenhouse is set up for winter. And the piles of brush are burned. And....well, it's coming. :) I love your wall hanging. I have a couple of patterns for small hangings that I'm going to attempt this winter~haven't tried applique yet, but am excited to try!

Sparkless said...

You have to get that stuff done and if you don't have the time or inclination to blog well we'll all understand because we've all been there. A blog is supposed to be fun not another obligation.
When I feel like I have a ton of topics to blog about I start them all and save them. I'll leave them for a bit and come back and reread and post the best ones. Sometimes I only get started and leave it half done. I have tons of them saved but not posted. It's a great way to have something to post on those days when you don't have time or energy to write something.

Mama Pea said...

Kim - Yikes! I've forgotten (for a couple of days) that I still need to get those apples turned into applesauce.

Small wall hangings are so much fun because they get finished before you've grown so tired of them that they end up UFOs. Not that *I* have any UFOs tucked away anywhere. Nope. Nuh-uh. Not me.

If you enjoy hand work (as opposed to machine work), you'll love applique. I find it relaxing. Be sure to post about it when you DO get time this winter to try it out!

Mama Pea said...

Sparkless - Yep, when there is a deadline (like winter) staring you in the face, it (sometimes) gives that little extra push to get goin'!

Jotting down post ideas to use later is a great idea. Can I have some of yours??

2 Tramps said...

Not blogging here, either. Am feeling a nagging unrest, picking which chores can/should be done before winter hits and which will need to be pushed off to another time. It can feel like defeat sometimes to discard something on the to do list. But making the right choices can also be freeing. And like you, I have reading and sewing projects waiting for me.

Lisa said...

Your posts always make me feel better, because misery loves company?! :) Seriously, I thought it was just me who was having the blogging blights. As I lay in bed, waiting for the sleep to come, I can write the most clever posts in my head. Come morning, sit me down in front of the computer, if there is even time to do that any more, my mind goes blank and words fail me. LOVE your wallhanging! Thank you for showing a more close-up view and explaining what you did.

Mama Pea said...

2 Tramps - I suppose it all relates back to making good choices. I mean since none of us seem to unlimited time or $$!

Curious that you should mention a "nagging unrest." Even when I finish tasks that have been hanging fire for a long time, rather than having a great sense of relief or accomplishment, that dratted "nagging unrest" seems to be hovering. Is that because of the tasks still needing attention? Or do I just need to snap out of it and start appreciating what I do get done?? Hmmm, may have to think on this a little more.

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - It is my lot in life, m'dear, to grump and groan so you feel better! ;o} Seriously, I know it makes me feel better to hear that others out there are experiencing the less than chirky feelings I have some times! Support, without being down right depressing, of course, is what we all need.

Lisa B said...

I love the small quilt. It fits the season so well. Winter is coming. Fabric and yarn await. Have faith wont be long now.

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - Thanks, Lisa. Fabric and yarn await? Sounds like there are many of us itching to get our hands into both of those!

Amy Dingmann said...

I get what you're saying about the bloggin' mojo. I've got a list of things to talk about but haven't had the time lately to say them. And from a trip around the blog-o-sphere, I would have to say you (and I) are not alone. Seems like things have slowed down a lot this year. I wonder if things are changing?

Anonymous said...

I am amazed that you can do what you do and STILL maintain a quality blog!!! As I've mentioned before, I do enjoy my daily cup of tea with your blog. Even that is a guilty pleasure for me because of time constrants. I will rationalize it as my, ahem, "continuing education". After all, I learn so much from you!!!-"M"

Susan said...

Now, that is a quilt I could handle! Not to worry - you're preaching to the choir here. We love to hear from you anytime at all - but, we do worry if it's too long... It's hard to fit all that needs to be done into any single day. And our days are getting shorter - eeeeek! I feel your panic....

Mama Pea said...

Mama Tea - I do think there is general feeling of unrest floating through the air. Maybe it's partly from the rough summer/gardening season so many of us had. And the concern about the election: Can either candidate for President steer our country into more stable economic times? (Doesn't look good, if you ask me.)

Mama Pea said...

"M" - It's all done with smoke and mirrors, as they say!! (If I keep moving fast enough, nobody will catch on to the fact that I'm basically a lazy slug!)

Now I must get back on to my (nearly) daily posts so you have an excuse to sit with your daily cup of tea!

I truly have you bamboozled if you think you're gonna learn anything from my blathering blogging. I'm still waiting to find something I feel I'm really good at!

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Couldn't believe it was nearly dark out at 5 p.m. today. And it's going to be a lot darker after this weekend! AND we're still a long way from the shortest day of the year near the last part of December. Eeeeeek from me, too!

Erin said...

Love the wall hanging! I have felt a real pressure to blog this year where it normally comes very easily to me. I think it's just a natural part of life's cycles. I try to just "be okay" with blogging less but then I feel guilty LOL, we can't win!

Mama Pea said...

Erin - I have to be honest and say I really miss your more frequent posts . . . but I also know there are times when blogging just doesn't flow or feel good and is more of a chore. (We really don't need more "chores" now, do we?) No reason in the world for you to feel guilty about the situation. Really. We all go through different periods and stages and that's okay. I still think about you lots and hope all is going well. Stay in touch, Friend.