I am caught up with exactly one of the sew-alongs in which I am participating. That is not good. Let’s talk about the one I am actually up to date on. What you see in the photo above is the third week of Heather Brigg’s 4th of July at Granny’s sew-along. I’ve made 16 blocks with a red background.
Don’t get me wrong, I am delighted to have finished 16 blocks. I am raring to go for Monday’s Week 4 release, which will at least start me out with a different color combination. Enough with the red and white. Let’s move on.
I am so grateful that this blog gives me some accountability for the projects I start and hope to finish! My goal for this weekend is to get caught up on the other five sew-alongs I started at the beginning of the year. The Strawberry 2026 sew-along is so intricate, I think I will be lucky to get the March block done, but if I really concentrate, I hope to catch up with Sewcialites, A Quilting Life, Riley Blake Challenge, and Irish Chain.
I have not been using my time in the best way I can, and I hope to turn over a new leaf and do better.
What do you do to distract yourself when things aren’t going great? Lately, I have found myself turning more and more to entertaining YouTube channels that add little (or no) value to my life. Their main value is that they numb my thoughts and distract me. That is a habit that is quite unproductive and that I need to break ASAP. This coming week, I am going to try to turn to journaling, exercise, and catching up on my reading and sewing projects. I will let you know how it goes.
Happy Mother’s Day to those of you who are mothers or have mothers! Sara is coming over for brunch on Sunday and we will have a joint celebration of Mother’s Day and her birthday. I am so looking forward to it, and guess what? The weather is supposed to be glorious!
12 Responses
Don’t be hard on yourself, Nicole. You are doing great! Those fourth of July at Granny’s quilt blocks are lovely! As to the other sew-alongs, well, at least you are working on them. I, on the other hand, have downloaded each month’s blocks faithfully (for all the ones you listed except the Irish Chain – is there a sew along for that or are you just working on that on your own?), yet I haven’t sewn a single one! Well, summer will be here soon (that’s what I keep telling myself). I have a stack of research papers to grade and my eye exam is today, so, there’s that. BTW, I downloaded The Storm by Rachel Hawkins due to your recommendation. I grew up in Mobile Alabama, and I’m looking forward to seeing how accurate the novelist is at representing home (I currently live in central Florida). I’ll let you know how she fares!
I had that happen with true crime shows on TV a few months ago. My solution might work for you too. I set a small TV up on my sewing table, just back from my main sewing machine. I realized I don’t really need to look, I can just listen while I sew. If I am sewing, I don’t care how much time I spend listening to true crime.
You amaze me! All those projects going at once. My sewing room could not handle that much activity. And you know, you sew for the sheer pleasure of it, so slacking off once in awhile is just fine!.
As for media, I am trying to break my habit of Instagram, but am not having much luck. Maybe tomorrow.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I am right there with you on the YouTube channels. Some can be entertaining but such a time thief! Maybe I will try to do better with you!!
I agree with Carole! You are amazing Nicole with your quilting and other sundry activities . I can’t begin to tell you how many ufo’s I have. You have had quite a few bumps in the road of life lately and I hope going forward will be smoother for you.
Have a wonderful weekend with your family! Happy Mother’s Day!
I agree that all the social media platforms are a non productive waste of time, but still a it of entertainment. I set up my iPad while I’m sewing and have YouTube videos playing. I do enjoy seeing what people are sharing but I don’t need to watch every minute. As for FB and IG, only when I have my coffee in the morning! Your red and white blocks are perfect! Enjoy the process!
Happy Mothers Day! 🌷
Your Mother’s Day plans with Sara sound lovely! I, too, listen to mindless tv or podcasts as I’m sewing. I don’t have FB or IG so that keeps me off social media scrolling! Blog reading is another story, but I’m not going there! 🙃 Happy Mother’s Day! 💐
I am already behind one month on my newest BOM. I rarely do BOMs because I cannot keep up. You would think only one block a month wouldn’t be hard. But then there are all those other projects going on. I still have one BOM I started in 2022 or so. I just have one block left. I have finished all the rest! This week I finished all the blocks on a quilt I cut out two years ago–agony! I spent a good two hours trying to figure out which cut pieces went with which blocks. I have vowed only to cut what I am ready to sew in the future!
Considering what you have been going through, you are simply amazing! I cannot believe how much you accomplish. You cook these amazing dinners. If it were me, I would be pulling out the Kraft Mac’n’Cheese and a can of string beans. Choice two would be grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup with added fresh tomatoes and basil. But you are cooking these chef worthy meals.
Really, just attach three or four gold stars every hour!
wait. what? we hold you accountable? I just come here to be inspired by your work and to be amused by the funny things your followers post. I also have found some fantastic tools/rulers from your blog.
I’m with Donna, you accomplish so much in a week. Cut yourself a lot of slack. Enjoy Sara and Eva this weekend and enjoy the sunshine. Everything is awful so we must find joy and hope in little places.
Happy Mother’s Day from across the pond. I wouldn’t be able to keep up with one sew along let alone more! I think you’ve done well given your eye issues and medical visits for you both! I love the pinwheel centres.
I think you accomplish quite a bit especially with all the medical issues you’ve had and taking care of family! I’m all about the journey, as long as I’m happy and enjoying myself it’s a win win! Happy Mothers Day!
I ditto what Ina said. Have a Happy Mother’s Day!