Tuesday, October 28, 2014

In between



The last few weeks have been delightfully quiet, with pretty much nothing that's newsworthy. My days have been taken up with physical therapy on my neck, and then resting until the pain subsides. I've been taking it easy, on doctor's orders, just sort of gliding through days with no real agenda or plan, something that doesn't sit easily with me.

The decision has finally been well and truly made: travel is off my docket for the duration. Instead of visiting over a dozen guilds a year, I will book only one or two. Air travel will be severely curtailed, as I just can't manage the heavy suitcases without the risk of further damaging my neck and shoulders. It is just too physically demanding for me. No matter how I exercise to build upper body strength, the damage can't be undone.

We've been sneaking up on this. Risking further damage to my shoulders by reaching around to pat myself on the back, I'm good at teaching and speaking, and I love it. I've always felt that knowing something only became valuable when I could share it. It's been a very tough choice to make.

And then there's the blog. Many of my favorite bloggers have been soul searching about their blogs. Some have changed directions, some have redefined, even renamed, and others have chosen to stop blogging all together.

It's always been a challenge for me to blog, I just don't think that I'm all that interesting. In the beginning it was just another marketing tool for my quilting career. What will it be now, if my quilting career is in the rear view mirror?

As I've ventured out into other fiber art forms, I've worried that I'd alienate my "base", the quilters who follow my projects, and perhaps, buy my patterns. I love you guys, and I hope you'll stick with me.

I've had tunnel vision while building my quilting career. But now that I'm off that merry-go-round, my interests have grown just so much wider. In the last two years I've learned how to spin yarn, weave on a floor loom, and weave tapestry. I've remembered how much I love to cook and bake, to feather my nest, to knit and read, and sometimes do nothing at all. And above all, I love to learn.

So, from now on, for better or worse, the blog will be about me, my adventures and misadventures (because who doesn't love a good failure from time to time?) I hope you'll come along for the ride. There may even be a quilt or two along the way.






7 comments:

  1. I can't wait to see where your journey takes you. Wishing you courage, healing, and a whole bundle of fun! I, for one, will always read whatever you have to say.

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  2. Anonymous10:01 AM

    Wishing you well where ever your journey takes you. I have always enjoyed your posts and will continue to follow along. Sending you healing thoughts and hoping you continue to find time for the things you enjoy.

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  3. I won't be able to take a class with you in VA in 2015, but I hope you'll be back in 2016. I'm saving my pennies for that.

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  4. I do have a question for you-I remember that you fell last year, but is that what is still keeping you in pain? I've had cervical disc surgery so I can understand your pain.

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  5. Beth, I found your blog because of a Craftsy class. While I am not young I am at the beginning of my quoting journey. I want to tell you that you and your blog and your teaching are inspirational to others like me and much younger. It doesn't matter to me if you move into fibre art or traditional jilts because the journey and the course of the life is what matters!

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  6. Keep well and enjoy doing the things that make you happy. I love your work and your blog. I look forward to reading more of your entertaining posts.

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  7. Hi Beth,
    I'm late to the party as usual but I'm sorry to hear that your teaching will be curtailed. You're so good at it! I do hope this new direction will bring you health and happiness. I think you're very interesting, and if I could use italics for the "very," I would. I'll watch with interest as your new life unfolds! ~Diane at Quiltmaker

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