My 2012 resolution

Thank you so much for all your tips and suggestions on how to 'keep up' (or not!) with blog posts and emails, etc.  I think part of why I was feeling so overwhelmed is because (without wishing to go on and on about it!) I'm so tired and when I'm this tired things tend to feel overwhelming quite quickly.  In order to not get to that point again I'm going to:

1. View the list of new posts in Google Reader as a menu of things I may like to read rather than a list of things I must read before I am allowed off the computer.
2. Give myself permission to completely skip a blog post if I'm not in the mood to read it.
3. Give myself permission to only read one post if I have more than one unread item from that blog.
4. Remember that I do not have to leave a comment on every post I read, particularly if I'm reading several posts from the same blog back to back.
5. Try setting a timer so that I don't end up spending far longer than I'd planned on the computer.  And switching off the computer when my time is up - wish me luck with this one!
6. Remind myself that I read blogs to catch up with friends and see what they are making/doing/thinking.  And I do it because it is fun and I enjoy it, not because someone is forcing me!

I'm still going to be reading all the blogs I follow, it's more about altering my attitude and feelings towards having a reader full of new items and learning what works for me.   I'll let you know if it makes a difference, I hope it makes things feel more manageable...

And, because it seems we all struggle with the whole reading/commenting/emailing lark I've added a 'like' button to the bottom of each post so that if you don't want to leave a comment but would like to let me know you enjoyed reading it you can click on that.  I love comments and don't wish to suggest that you all stop commenting (I'd get lonely!) but I thought it might make it easier.  If you don't like the idea of a like button please feel free to let me know, I can always remove it!  Thank you, Hadley, for suggesting the idea and the link to Di's blog and thank you, Di, for the post about this and the link to Geri's blog!

I think it's time for some photos, don't you?!

Here are a few more hexies that I stitched over Christmas.  I've been busy working on the secret project and, after a couple of hours of doubt yesterday afternoon (when I thought I'd been wasting my time!) I'm feeling rather fond of it again!  I'll share photos as soon I'm able but for now I'll continue to tease you!

(Six pointed small blue and white check star in a white background)
I've decided I'm going to include lots of this style in the quilt as 
I think they'll provide a nice balance for the more complex hexies.

(Pale pink and white fussy cut hexagon surrounded by grey and white trapezia)
I can't tell you how long it took me to get the pattern to match on the border, despite careful
placement of my templates.  The fabric can't be as accurately printed as it looks!

And my two favourite hexies (well, for the moment at least!)

(Star in a star hexies in yellow and white - I've reversed the placement 

of colours to make mirror twins)

This is the yellow fabric that a friend gave me - it works really well with my other 'hexy' fabrics!

And I've decided (at the last minute) to join in the Resolved to Sew 2012 party which is being hosted by the wonderful Ali at Very Berry Handmade.  If you've somehow missed all mention of this (where have you been?!) then please pop over and have a look - there are some marvellous prizes to be won!  I have one sewing resolution for this year - I don't think it will come as a surprise.  I'm resolving to spend less time on the computer and more time sewing!  Don't worry, I'm not about to disappear (you should be so lucky!) but there were days last year when I spent so much time on the computer that I didn't have any time to sew so I'm going to make a big effort to change that.  I have sewing goals for this year (finish piecing hexies and put the quilt top together, start my Christmas quilt, start and finish piecing (and possibly start quilting) the blue and white quilt for my mam and dad) but, in my mind at least, they're different from making a resolution.  I'm not sure if I'm supposed to mention here what I'd like if I win the 'Bloggers' Draw' or whether it's supposed to go in my comment on Ali's blog so just to be safe I'll put in both!  This is what I have my beady eye on...

Fat quarter bundle (4FQs)  from Kate Spain’s Terrain collection from Gone to Earth

...which will go nicely with the Terrain charm packs that are living in my kitchen cupboard (I put them there so they wouldn't tempt me before Christmas and they like living with the spare kitchen roll, plastic boxes and cake cases so much that they asked to stay there for a while longer!  And yes, they're still in the wrapper they came in!).  I'm going to use the thought of a Terrain quilt to get me through the cutting and piecing of about 1500 blue and white 2.5" squares to make a quilt for a double bed and having four FQs from the range will give me more options when I start to think about the design.

 And here's your Archie fix, taken about half an hour after we got back from our walk yesterday morning. 

(Archie curled up on his bed, looking tired)
Look, it's been a hard morning, what with all that sniffing I'm required to do 
not to mention maintaining my territory.  Off you pop and leave me in peace.

(Archie still curled up but with his back turned to the camera)
Well, if you can't take a hint or even a direct command then you can take 
photos of the back of my head...see how you like that!

(Archie looking sleepy and slightly shirty)
For the love of all things holy will you leave me alone?!  Now I know 
why those people on telly complain about having their privacy invaded
- I wonder if Lord Justice Leveson would be interested?

Time to go - I have a busy week ahead of me...more of that next time but I'll leave you with the thought that it involves a dozen children, scissors and needles...now doesn't that sound like fun?

Have a good week!

P.S.  Thanks to Rachel at mammafairysews I now have a link to my Pinterest boards over there on my side bar!  I got it from the 'about' drop down menu on Pinterest...simple when you know where to look!

P.P.S.  Random Fact Five  I once had an allergic reaction to a packet of prawn cocktail flavoured crisps!  My lips and eyes swelled up, I had an awful excema type rash on my face, felt quite awful and got sent home from work.  I was off for three days until the reaction subsided and I could see (and speak!) enough to go back!  Not much fun at the time but it didn't stop my colleagues laughing about it every time someone mentioned prawns/seafood/shellfish!