works in progress: life and craft

{life}

Days like that require a few more things too - like some adult connection and a recharge (see above - the recharge being the guy not the drink, though a mint julep doesn't hurt). Because really and truly, we do all have those days, and there is comfort to be found in that. There are plenty of ugly moments around here, I assure you, and there are plenty of times that I lose sight of the bigger picture (so easy to get caught up in those little moments of parenting - so much happens in five minutes worth of time). But I think the lesson I want my little ones to learn is that crummy days happen. And we might as well let go and sink right on into them. It's the only way I know how to get on through them and to the other side.

{craft}

Perfectly timed, this week I've been hand sewing the binding on Ezra's quilt. It's a slow-going process for me - I'm a slow hand stitcher, to be sure - four movies, countless puzzles, books and chats and I've still got inches to go. But that's okay - this week that kind of pace is working out just fine for me. Sitting and stitching, in and out, up and down, over and over - the rhythm is soothing and comforting and like a slow, but steady tick of a clock passing the time - but not too fast.

We're headed to the lake, where I imagine there will be plenty of hand stitching and plenty of 'sinking into the moments' too. Maybe I'll see you on Monday with a quilt. Or maybe not.

Have a lovely weekend. 

Comments

[kristin]

amazing what a little shiny needle, some thread and our hands can create. the quilt looks wonderful - very exciting that you are on your way to finishing it up (at a hapy pace too) can't wait to see it.

[Plumtickled]

Thanks for slowing us down and reminding us of the importance ....... even the bad days are important and special!

Come to think of quilting..... I have a beach quilt that needs a backing & binding sewn on..... maybe we should all pick up some handstitching this weekend and meditate! (At least try)

[Julia]

glad to hear that you find ways to deal with "those days" for yourself and not just for your little ones. btw- i love adelaide in the background of the quilt sewing photo. it's like she's saying "yipee! mama's happy and sewing" have a great weekend.

[shari]

"sinking into the moments". i really like that amanda. have a great trip to the lake! xo

[Meredith]

Love the pictures and the sentiments. Yes we should just sink into the bad days and do what we can to nurture ourselves through. Love the image of you quietly handstitching. I wish I had any talent in that area. I still can't tie a knot to finish up any handstitch!! It baffles me!!

[Stacy]

I've been interested in how the quilt is coming along...can't wait to see the finished product. Enjoy the lake.

[colleen]

you know, it's funny how this all works. i sent a colleague a long entry from yarnstrom on going to nyc. a group of us had just been for a work thing and since we're knitters and quilters, we went to purl soho. anyway, my colleage is a blog novice, had never read one. she got back to me three days later having read all the "best" blogs, reported she had your book and amy's on her amazon wish list.

you're such an inspiration from us gals, hon. have a great week. stitching under the shadow of leaves is the best...........

[colleen]

geesh, forgive the typos. i really need to proofread!

[molly]

such a peaceful post. lovely, amanda.

[Amanda]

It's so so easy to get so caught up in those little moments indeed, and to forget that every family out there goes through the same thing. I love this photo so much - a little peek at real life, with your stitching in hand and a baby in the background.

[hannah]

yay for lake time! take a roll of film with you please.

[Jessica Keith]

Hey there! I read you everyday, but usually don't comment (you get so many, after all!). Your blog reminds me everyday to focus on the important things in life (family), but it's comforting to know that even you have "those days" sometimes. Thanks for letting us share in your wonderful family with you.

[Stefani]

You're making me what to break out those pieces that I cut for Ryder's quilt ages ago! Have a wonderful weekend, Amanda.

[Lorien]

Thank you for sharing the not so graceful moments in your life, and your methods for moving through them.

I just finished my first quilt, and boy did I learn a lesson about how not to do it. There were a few moments of angry sewing where I could have used a coffee/pastry break for some perspective.

[sara]

I've really enjoyed all your posts this week. And as someone who has had a lot of bad days recently it's nice to hear someone say it's just ok to sink into them. Thank you.

Can't wait to see the finished quilt and I hope the weekend brings some better days.

[Grace]

This post was so moving. Thank you.

[Frank]

What a great lesson for the little ones: life isn't always fun, entertaining, smooth, etc. So many of my students weren't taught that lesson.

[andrea]

you are an amazing, wonderful woman, wife, mom. i love your posts. thank you so much for them. you inspire me in so many ways. thank you again.

[cloth.paper.string]

thanks for keeping it real, amanda.
and for the image of sinking into life, in my mind's eye i see both dark squelching mud and bright cozy blankets -- living life fully is surely about surrendering to both extremes.

[Amy]

Thanks for sharing this. Some blogs make life look so idyllic that you can end up wondering why yours doesn't pan out that way, despite all your hard work...everyone does have days like those. Your philosophy of just sinking into them is an appealing one and something I'd like to work on with my children.

[Lin]

Reading your blog, I imagine a blissful, serene home where voices are never raised and tempers never flare. It's very reassuring to read that you are human too, and susceptible to the same things as the rest of us. Yesterday, I lost "sight of the bigger picture" and and ended up feeling guilty. Your last two posts really helped me feel better. Thank you.

[Lin]

Reading your blog, I imagine a blissful, serene home where voices are never raised and tempers never flare. It's very reassuring to read that you are human too, and susceptible to the same things as the rest of us. Yesterday, I lost "sight of the bigger picture" and and ended up feeling guilty. Your last two posts really helped me feel better. Thank you.

[Siri]

After reading these last two posts I've got the words to this song running through my head: "Mama said there'll be days like this, there'll be days like this, Mama said."
My mom used to tell me, when I'd tell her not to worry so much about this or that about one of us, that a mom is never happy unless her kids are happy. I would sort of laugh at her in disbelief, telling her that she could just choose to be happy anyways.
Of course, NOW I know what she meant. It's hard to be happy when they're not. Nearly impossible, some days.
Of course, then there's the opposite take: "Ain't nobody happy unless Mama's happy!" Right?
I love hand sewing binding, too. Something soothing about it, also good knowing you're putting the finishing touch on and will be done soon. The binding adds just the right "je ne sais quoi." (Wow. I haven't written anything in French in way too long!)
I'm taking a cue from you and bringing along some pieces to embroidery while camping this weekend. It's way too hot to touch wool!
Hope you have a great weekend without sinking into too many of "those" kind of moments.

[brit]

I love the rhythm of hand quilting it is one of my joys, I wish I could say daily joys, but with babes underfoot it's not always true. Nothing quite centers me like rocking the needle, at night when I'm trying to calm my brain, I often focus on that quilting rhythm, so much more calming that sheep counting.

I come here everyday for life inspiration. Thanks for writing this blog.

[Veronica TM]

have a wonderful time at the lake, amanda! hand stitching and 'sinking into the momnet' sounds like a great plan.

[tamara]

I've been having one of "those days" all week. The summer head cold my wee ones so generously shared with me is dragging me down real low where not much is getting down around here besides watching movies.

It doesn't help too that the rain has invaded us all week...*sigh* Doesn't the weather know that we see enough of moisture in the form of snow all winter that we just don't want to see a week of rain??

But heading into the weekend the sun is shining and I'm hoping that is a good omen of the days ahead as well as for this dratted head cold.

Enjoy your weekend....

[erin]

enjoy your weekend amanda!

[Ali]

You inspire me :)

[Molly]

I don't know what looks better, the mint julep or the beer. You make everything look good, even bad days. It was a bad homeschooling day a few months back that prompted me to google "homeschool bad day" and stumble upon the wonderful world of homeschooling blogs, specifically unschooling blogs, and encouraged me to start blogging daily. So I now say, THANK GOODNESS FOR BAD DAYS! You never know how they will change your life.

[Sarah Rooker]

Over the years, I have found that if I am busy with sewing, other handwork, or house projects, my kids calm down and find things to do. If I lie down to read a book or get on my computer, chaos ensues. Your photo reminded me of this, and it made me wonder if that is true for your kids as well? Do they find comfort in your sewing, etc? Mine do.

[Jan]

Great blog! :)

[diana]

...miss A. cheering in the background ;)
BTW: Kathleen's photography from "A walk through Durham Township" is truly amazing. Thanks for that link.

[Emily (Five Flowers)]

Enjoy the lake! I don't know how mom's of 3 or more survive days like those- it's hard enough with two! But its great when you come out on the other end, spend some time with some girlfriends and have a nice glass of wine... I like the bath idea with ice. That will be a big hit!

[Cindy]

Hey, I want to comment to both works in progress and "some days". I can relate to both and have been THERE! I remember a morning when my last baby was about 2 and we were making toilet paper "Thanksgiving Pilgrims" and watching Bob the Frickin Builder at 10:30 and I was counting the minutes until naptime, Ohhh, I cherish those moments but can so remember that feeling of Ohhhhh I need to talk to someone over 2, NOW! Anyway, I love and totally relate to your blog:)

[Julie]

I am a midcoast Mainer and I (finally!) just want to let you know, Amanda, how much I adore reading your blog. It is the first thing I do most mornings drinking my coffee before the kids wake up. I am always inspired by your words, your projects, your links, your recipes, and your ideas. Thank you!