Dry Spells

I sew every week. Some weeks, that is every day. A little bit of prep after work. A seam or two in between other tasks. A full day of just for fun sewing. Whatever time I’m able to commit, sewing is always a priority in my life.

Unfortunately, it can’t always be the highest priority. Now, I just got to go on vacation, which makes me super lucky. But, there has been no sewing since before vacation!! Nothing. Haven’t glued together a pattern. Haven’t washed any pretty fabric. Haven’t even online shopped patterns. And, damn, it is starting to get to me!

The last two weeks of no-sewing have been filled with work and connecting with people. Usually, I’m not much of a people person. I love my people, but the general population isn’t typically my cup of tea. But every once in a while, I need to reconnect and re-center with my peeps.  Catch up with one-on-one time and make sure they know I’m always here for them.

Working is always there. Whether it is something to look forward to or something to check off the list. Vacation always makes work build up while simultaneously throwing off my work rhythm.  Playing catch up and finding my groove has been much slower work than I expected.  Maybe partially because I almost never take a “real” vacation from both my jobs.  Maybe partially because I could have used a longer vacation.  (And couldn’t we all use a nice, long vacation?)

So, what do you do when you just can’t make time to sew? When other priorities just rank higher on the list? For me, I focus on the other joys in life.  Those connections are a bright spot.  I love being fully immersed in experiences with the people I am lucky enough to call friends and family (even those friends I haven’t met in person yet.  Hey sewing peeps!!)  Stepping back from my hectic schedule allows me to focus on the rest of my life.

I have been thoroughly enjoying cooking and planning a few birthday celebrations!  Prepping for the holidays, right around the corner.  Organizing and cleaning out my home space.  (I removed 3 huge bags of …stuff from my room/closets and feel so much better for it!).  All of these little things that I tend to neglect when I have a million deadlines looming and barely a moment to spare a thought for.

Also, fall really has finally started showing up here in Atlanta.  I am so enjoying the open windows and cool evenings.  I’m thinking I need to get a few lovely walks in, in the evenings, when I can take a deep breath and just be.  October is my favorite month, for many reason, and it is almost half gone already!  I still need to convince Virginia that we should start hanging twinkle lights early this year and work out the details of our sister visiting at the end of the year. (YAY!!!)

But, I am ready to throw myself back into the craft room.  I don’t even think I’m going to clean it first!  I have work sewing to do, but really want to carve out an hour to sew a shirt for Virginia.  I’ve got new fabric to wash up!  Have I mentioned that I won some GORGEOUS fabric from Surge Fabric Shop?  I ordered some great cotton lycra and lace and desperately want to jump in and start sharing how beautifully it sews up!  Christmas sewing is looming over my head.  Plus, some great ideas to sew for loved ones.  And I’m pretty sure I actually do have a deadline looming that I need to remember.  Whoops.  (Isn’t this why I have a spreadsheet?  I should pull that up…)

So, I’ll be back to the grindstone as soon as I find my work rhythm.  And of course, sharing away all the pretties I make!!  What do you do when you just can’t make time to sew?  Let me know and share what you are working on right now!!  I’d love the inspiration!

Stephanie <3