Linda M Poole: 2011

November 3, 2011

I truly applaud those that can successfully multitask. I really do. For the first time ever, I can honestly admit that I am not good at it. I am not talking about emptying the dishwasher while talking on the phone or throwing the dog a Frisbee while raking the leaves, I am talking about how life is a "Hurry Up" world and "Get as much as you can done" in your day. It causes anxiety and can ultimately be a downer at the end of the day when you see you didn't get all you wanted to do finished. In a world where we are practically tethered to our smart phones, computers iPads, tablets and endless technology, you would think everything would be easier. For a while I thought making detailed To Do Lists would be my answer. The lists seemed to get longer and multi tasking would be my answer. How can a creative person with to many ideas in her head accomplish this?

For a person who loves to cook, I found that preparing healthy meals became a burden and I opted for the quick and easy. Not good. Fitting in exercise or an annual check up at the doctors went on the back burner. Even Zoie my pup, went to the wayside just a little bit. It was easier to open the door to let her do her business that putting the leash on and taking her for a proper walk. I found myself starting designs and having 4-5 quilts going at the same time. I can handle only 3 at one time to prevent boredom.

I am not a one man band able to juggle multiple instruments. I am going back to my tried and true trusty notebook brain. The place where I list my urgent things to do on the left side and my want to do's on the right side. Walking that tight rope is not what I want for my life. Even proper sleep is neglected so I can do "just one more thing". So, for me to wrap up this year and start fresh in 2012, I have decided to put that leash on Zoie and walk her. It will be good for my mind as well as for those extra pounds I carry. I will not stress my life being disappointed if I cannot get to something right there and then while trying to do another task. No more I say. I am living in the present moment from now on and making sure that whatever it is I am doing, I do it well and with passion...not half way. Anyone else want to join me?

HAPPY NEWS

Life is good and I feel extraordinarily elated.

I am not so sure if I lead an ordinary life, but I married my best friend late September. Our ceremony was on The Delaware river, a place that is near and dear to our hearts.

Billie Jo, my best friend for life and maid of honor shares with me what we do best - belly laughs!

My dad and I

And of course, our flower girl was grand daughter Gabriella

It's that time again, where I work on new designs for new classes for the following year . It's not finished yet, but would this not look fabulous on your table as a runner or a skinny quilt on your wall? I named this "Blooming Hearts"...well the name came from the help of friends!

I have been working on adding applique to painting on fabric. I painted the trees on fabric and then added these little hearts on line with words that are important to me. It is something new I am developing for a class! How does "Hearts on the Line" sound to you for a name?

If you are a guild program person, email me for my online brochure for 2012 . My email addy is at the top right of this blog.

Are you on Facebook? If you are, come see what I am doing and join me on my Quilt/Art page: Linda M Poole's Facebook Page

YOUR COLOR FIX FOR TODAY

So, another blog done with joy and I didn't answer a phone or multitask or do anything else while writing this. Ok....I admit I let the pup out to do her business, but that doesn't count now does it?

......I recently taught for CQC (Colorado Quilt Council) in Colorado Springs, CO. My personal attendant, now friend, Lynda Bruce ( a die hard geo-cacher) showed me all the awesomeness of her state during my visit.


Yes, I learned about geo-caching from Lynda and we found the treasure!

Thanks everyone for stopping by. I really hope you leave a comment here on the blog!

Linda xxx

September 10, 2011

The Creative Adult,Thinking Outisde the Obvious,Crop Circles and Your Color Fix for Today

When I first saw this quote, my first thoughts were "How sad". But instantly I reversed that thought and began to rework it in my mind. It actually is a wonderful quote. So what exactly does a child survive to be a creative adult? Not all creative adults lack self esteem or criticisms, but many do. The survival of adolescence, self doubts and self worth is a magnificent feat. You may not know you survived them and they still may linger inside of you, but pushing forth all of that magnificent and wonderful energies that keep you creative, make you worthy. The word would be less colorful without you.We all survived being that awkward child trying to find their inside passions, but as creative adults we did survive that.Keep at it, keep creating, keep making wonderful things that make "you" happy and the world, and your surroundings will be much better for it!

I love anything that is free flowing. Taking a pencil to paper and just effortlessly drawing long winding lines. That is how I begin almost every design I do. I can't think things out to death or have a preset plan of what I will draw or design. It comes from within. I never know what the end result will be and that is what makes designing exciting for me. The beginning of this skinny quilt is in it's infant stages. Nothing sewn down and more to go and I can feel this simple quilt will be delightful to teach in the future. Being sort of a perfectionist on what I show, I decided to let that go. In my perfect world you would see everything appliqued in place, stems tucked under vines without extra seam allowance fabric showing before I trim and applique, but today I let that go and wanted to share what has been making me happy. Of course I will show the finished quilted piece when done.

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE OBVIOUS...

I love when creative people take something you use for an obvious reason and make it into something you didn't think possible......

CROP CIRCLES

I have a fascination with crop circles. I am much more interested in their designs than if aliens landed . OK, to be truthful, I am a little curious about the talents these extraterrestrials have. I see some wonderful designs to be used in quilts...who would have thought aliens as our muses?