That’s right! Christmas right here in the studio! I swear I may have all the windows open so I can feel that spring breeze, but I’m working away on a Christmas quilt! It’s so weird, but I’m getting very used to it! Spring market is coming up in May and its the time I’ll introduce my new block of the month for Christmas! So here I am singing Christmas carols as I work. (:

Today I started sketching the layout, and drawing the blocks. Soon I’ll open this fat quarter package and put it to work!

That’s right, this is Christmas fabric from Moda. You see I’m not the only one who works ahead of the season. It’s all so we can say “Merry Christmas Everyone!”

As I head down the road to Quilt Market, I find myself caught up once again in the crazy world of multi-tasking. With only 11 weeks to go, I always start to panic. I look around at the piles of projects, the lists of tasks, and I tell myself next time I’ll be more organized, I’ll get things done sooner, blah, blah, blah…and of course it never happens. But this time someone has come to save me and she doesn’t even know it!

Beth Ferrier, is an author, designer and a teacher who also writes articles for “American Quilt Retailer” a magazine written for quilt shops and retailers. She also has a blog http://applewd.com/blog/ that I think you’ll enjoy. If you’ve been lucky enough to take one of her classes, or hear one of her lectures you are lucky. This is one smart lady and all of us can take something from her words of wisdom. In the latest issue of “American Quilt Retailer” she’s talking about how to become a recovering multi-tasker, something I really want to be!

“Science is telling us that multi-tasking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. As many of us have discovered, multi-tasking often just leaves us with more stuff half done. ” “Contrary to what we’ve thought, multi-tasking doesn’t get more done, it just makes us look busier. Giving our full attention to the task at hand instead of worrying about the chores to come means not only will we finish sooner, and with fewer mistakes, but we’ll remember the pleasure that comes with savoring the fabric of all that we do.” Thanks Beth for the wonderful words of advice!

She tells us to enjoy every step of the process of making a quilt. Working on one project at a time doesn’t mean you are inefficient, it’s a joy! So my advice to all of you is to look around your sewing room and figure out where you should start. Pick one project and finish it! Think of how you will feel when it’s done! Enjoy the process. Don’t make a list of things you have to finish. Instead just pick one at a time and enjoy completing it.

After reading her article, I stopped all the thousand things I was doing, and paid attention to just one quilt. Finish this one first, I told myself, and then move on. Enjoy the process of design, the wonderful feeling of seeing a quilt design come together, the way the fabric works together to bring harmony to the quilt. This is what it’s all about. How easy this is to forget!

It’s amazing how efficient and simple this process can be!

To all you little sweet pickles out there, I just have one thing to say…He called me! Yes, the man himself called…Mark Lipinski. I have to say I was excited. It was like talking to the Martha Stewart of the quilting world, and those that know me well, know how much I ADORE Martha. He’s a whole lot funnier and he hasn’t been to jail that I know of LOL!

He has the best job in the whole world because he gets paid to be himself. How cool is that? Not to mention his writing skills, design skills, and yes, people skills. He had me eating out of his hand in the first five minutes. He’s going to add me to an article he’s doing in the July/August issue! Can you believe it?

Warning: If you don’t think this man is cool, then don’t go here http://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com/ . He’s not for the weak of heart. You gotta get out that sense of humor before you visit. Anyone who wants to sew pearls on a patterned shirt is FUNNY! Oh, and creative too.

Chelsea wants to meet Tulip. A Chihuahua and a pug. Can’t you see it?

Sunday is my catch up day of the week. I love Sunday! I can take a break from the phone you see peeking out by my desk, and I feel like the day is all mine!

Last week in my studio, I put a table up against a wall, added a few of my favorite things, and now I have a place to spread out, with papers, pens and even vintage books nearby. Today I’ve spent the whole day at this desk, working on all those little projects calling my name. No matter how messy the desk top gets, all those things on the shelf are always ready to inspire me!

A few of my treasures…notice the bunny egg cups from Sur la Table?

I collect vintage glass salt & pepper shakers and fill them with Crystal beads.

All shapes and sizes!

And Max, my 16 year old tabby, has been watching me work. He loves the comfy white chair right by my desk. That is one smart cat!

I love Sunday don’t you?