Lessons in Waiting Until the Last Minute

I'm still here!

Life has thrown some pretty tough curve balls these past couple months.

I've been having a very hard time adjusting.

And I'm not good at reaching out

when my heart hurts so badly.

(good golly...I am just not good with people seeing my ugly cry...LOL)

But in light of this,

I did manage to create a few things.

(now doesn't that always put a smile on your face!)

I have to share some lesson's learned in this process.

I signed up for the Sew Sew Modern Swap 2

and again

we had 3 months to get our projects done.

Like the first round,

you are to make a big project and a small one.

They should be something that will really dazzle your partner

(of course!  there is 3 months to get-r-done!)

My partner wanted a sewing machine cover

and the one in  her mosaic is one of my absolute favorites.

I ordered the pattern

and made the cover

THE DAY BEFORE I HAD TO SHIP!

Yep.

I waited until the last minute,

because life was just too crazy and didn't allow me

the time to get it done beforehand.

So here is the finished result:

Now, mind you, I have never worked with linen in such a big scale before.

Just an FYI in case you haven't either,

it pulls and stretches really badly, 

so be careful as you put your project together.

Here are a few close ups for your viewing pleasure:

I've never done piping before and I was very happy with how it came out.

(sorry for the blurry photo!)

There are 60 - 2" squares in this project.

I used all text fabric, as my partner made mention she loved text fabric.

The tape measure twill on the left side of the text squares

came from The Little Red Cottage.

Overall I was very happy with how everything came out.

I also made her a pin cushion

and thread catcher.

My friend, Stephanie, did a great post on this thread catcher.

So great that I had to get the pattern and make one myself!

The pin cushion you can see in the first photo.

Flickr isn't letting me grab my photo to share on that one.

LOL

In all honesty,

I could have made time along the line

and not waited until the 11th hour,

but I didn't,

and I paid the price.

So here are my lessons learned:
1.  My partner didn't get my absolute best work.  I tried to make up for it

by making her two small items and sending some Aurifil thread (which we all know isn't cheap!)

2.  I paid the price, as I only got 2 hours of sleep that night (I had to work the next day), so I did not give myself my best either.

3.  My family paid the price for me being locked up in my sewing room the entire day/night.

4.  I cannot expect anyone to give their best, even myself, when things are put off to the last minute.  That is a very unfair expectation to myself and those around me.  I have to remember that the only

person I can be upset with in this situation is myself.

5.  I will revert back to this post the next time I feel I need to put something else ahead of what needs to be done.  Just as a friendly reminder that, no matter what,

procrastination leads to poor planning

and not giving your best to those who deserve it.

But I own this

and will cross my fingers that my partner loves what I made her!

This is my Oprah moment.

:o)

xoxo to all!

Cindy