Down to Earth with a Bump!

After the excitement of a holiday and friends to stay I am trying to get back into the swing of things but my brain has been working overtime jumping from this thought to that rendering me next to useless!. During this extended break between contracts I had planned to get loads of making done for the upcoming Xmas Craft Fair season, hell, I have even turned work down so I could get 'more done' but as of Tuesday I had made absolutely nothing. That is not entirely true - have made some gifts and stuff but somehow always seem to get sidetracked and there is always tomorrow...........
But now I have 2 weeks before I start my next contract which has shrunk to 1 week as I am now designing the costumes for the show that my friend Ness has written and will need to do all the buying/sourcing next week. Rehearsals start in Coventry on the day I start my job!
I had made a start on some cushions for a shop in Edinburgh (more on that in the future) before I went away. I had done all the difficult stuff i.e. the patchwork fronts, and on Monday all I had to do was cut out and sew the backs and then sew them all together. It took all Monday to cut and sew the backs as I found myself once again on the computer/on the phone/ watching crap TV when I should have been getting on with it etc etc.
During my browsing, reading blogs I came across Janes' post about the dreaded 'C' word and how she had started making things to put by for the Christmas period. Panic set in. It took ALL of Tuesday to complete two cushions!!!? By Wednesday I was determined to get the cushions done and dusted so that I could concentrate on making stuff (I am also doing the Wee Green Market on Saturday along with Jane and Lynne and blogless Bella Bheag) it was at this point it all went horribly wrong - a series of stupid mistakes, endless unpicking and continually snapping thread had me weeping with frustration and swearing like a trooper (I have a very wide vocabulary when it comes to swearing thanks to 5 years working in the workshops at the Citz!) I eventually completed another two cushions .......

and then decided to stop work on them temporarily so I could calm down and get on with some other stuff. All of which was going swimmingly .................

I even did a wee photoshoot..........

It wasn't until I was putting them away that it hit me - did you spot the deliberate mistake? - I had forgotton to put my Fieldy labels on them. I received this blow with an almost zen like calm - I think I am all sworn out - and retired to the living room to unpick them whilst watching 60 Minute Makeover. By the end of the programme the labels were pinned in place and 10 mins later they were well and truely finished..........

Since then there has been no stopping me and the red tartan Harris tweed has been taking a hammering.............

It's amazing how a deadline engenders greater productivity! I have always found myself to be more focused and productive when working under pressure - no wonder I ended up working in the industry I'm in!

Comments

[ginny]

Hi suzanne.. they are great. how i hate unpicking... did you have a wee bit of the famous grouse to console yourself? i know what you mean about the language... i also worked in rep and with very techy blokes... shocking!
keep that pressure up girl and produce lots more.
x

[snapdragon]

Please don't panic over my productivity - remember I have to fill a Country Living stall and if it carries on like this I will be manning it with a smaile and a song and no bally stock.
See you tomorrow,
J
x

[Diana]

Funny how a deadline produces productivity.... your goodies look wonderful, hope you have a successful fair tomorrow. Have fun!
D x

[Gigibird]

Did you make the little pompoms? They are the cutest stockings I have seen....the red tweed is loovely.
Hope you have a great time at the craft fair. Say hello to Jane for me please?
:)

[Wendy]

Hi there,

Just bought one of your lovely Scotty Dogs from Etsy and really like your stuff. Tweed is just such a lovely fabric isn't it.

W.

[ambika]

Gosh, what an impressive pile of work! I love this red tweed--if it looks half as wonderful in person as it does on my screen, I can't imagine anyone resisting it.

[caireen]

step away from the baseball bat you keep hitting yourself over the head with - you must be one of the most productive people I know! must have been something in the air on Friday - all that could go wrong did go wrong, but it all got done in the end! Cx

[my baboo]

I love the stockings!!!!!!!!! I'm breaking out in a cold sweat now thinking about productivity - I think I will be going for a 'minimalist' stand at the CL Fair!

Good to see you yesterday, love my needle holder.

L
x

[PG]

Sweet little stocking, but oh, what a moment! My heart plummeted for you.Good for you to sort it out so calmly. I have had two C card enquiries and am going to have to bite the bullet this week and get embarked on festive activity...

[Péitseoga]

cool cushions! i have several boxes of felted jumpers, waiting for inspiration, i was thinking a patchwork squared blanket, or with little rectangles, but cushions might be more realistic!
i like the floor in your studio, is it painted white? or grey? we've got carpet to take up and something will have to be done to the floorboards underneath!

[Christy]

Working to a deadline does move one to cut out the small stuff and concentrate on the job at hand.

I do very much like your cushion covers.