Sunday Stash #252 – I’m Still Here, Damnit!
It’s been a week. The dust has settled since my Worth More Than a Cricut blog post, and I can confidently say, “I’m still here, damnit!” That’s right, life may have recently given me a few lemons, but you know I’ll be makin’ me some martinis with a twist! Let me take a hot minute to say “thank you,” to every person out there who left a comment on my blog post, sent me a private message, reacted on Facebook, sent virtual XOXOs, and/or shared how I had inspired their quilt journey. I can’t express how much these sparkling thoughts helped to elevate my mood and how they continue to do so. I’m slowly trying to respond personally to as many of you as I can, but if I don’t quite get there, please know that your love mattered.
What I have learned more than anything, is that I need to retain this blog as my own space of originality. I’m going to be getting back to basics: a bit rough, a bit raw, and a bit va-va-va-voom! I want to make quilts that matter to me, not those that feature the latest designer fabrics. I want to share stories about my journey, not about sponsored gifts. I want to make tutorials for things I haven’t seen before, not more of the same. I want to share and care on the same level as all of you, not standing on a podium of infallibility. Not all of these are mutually exclusive, but they’ll now provide my grounding point for moving forward. Again, thank you for helping me realise this.
As for Sunday Stash, I need to harbour my heart with some protectionist activities. Through my self-reflection I realised I had begun to gauge part of my success as a blogger by how many people were linking up each week. Looking back, this makes no rational sense. The number of people who have new fabric to share, or the number of people blogging is wildly variable, and has considerably changed in recent years. However, I consistently saw myself as failing when people didn’t link up, or when I wasn’t able to get the party started on a particular Sunday. So to curb this anxiety, (for now) Sunday Stash will no longer have a link-up, and it may not even be every Sunday. Instead, like the rest of my blog, I need it to be for me.
So in honour of that, let me show you what I bought at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne last weekend! I sat in on a quick free motion quilting lecture by Pauline Rogers of Pauline’s Quilters World. This wasn’t a hands-on situation, more of a “look how I do it, with these tools.” Of course I fell hook, line, and Tinkerbell for the notions she suggested I buy to make my FMQ experience better. Superior titanium-coated needles, Magic Bobbin Genies, an oil dropper and $44.00 later, I’m all set to become an FMQ-pro. Ha! I wish it were that easy! Practice, babes, practice. Hopefully though, these little bits (along with a bottle of wine) will keep my FMQ juices flowing! I’ll be sure to share any feedback along the way!
Sparkles everyone, and speak to you soon! Mwah!
oh I am totally stealing hook, line, and tinkerbell !! and what is that oil dropper magic you speak of ? can’t see any brand name – is it available in shops do you know ?? I love Superior’s titanium needles but apparently my bernina doesn’t like the bobbin genies 🙁
Doesn’t matter the age – we all love our toys. Every show – more toys. These look like they might just help. Thanks for sharing – I just found you about a month ago and am enjoying the journey as I had to back track and do a Molli binge read. LOVE YOUR QUILTS WITH ‘TUDE. Thanks again.
You keep doing you! I love your quilts – you have a great, unique style.
So glad you will be giving more of yourself to us – love reading your posts. They give a little giggly boost to this gloomy wet part of France. Bisous.
I love reading your thoughts. Creativity is a personal journey. We must ‘get’ that in our soul. “If momma ain’t happy; ain’t nobody happy.” says it well. Do this for you, and everyone will feel the benefit. I don’t know what “linky” is. I just know that your work makes me happy.
-Jean 💟
Hi Molli,
I read your ‘worth more than a cricut’ and hoped we would still be getting posts from you coz I think you’re a treasure and a talent. Anytime you’ve got something to say, I wanna hear it. Anytime you share your work, I wanna see it. 😀❤️🌈🎠
Yay! Go you!
💖
I have been reading your blog for a long time. I check in every week and love to see a new post. Just be you. Beautiful you. I follow a lot of blogs, but rarely post comments because hey, who wants to hear from “me”. There are several blogs that I used to love, but because they got so filled with Sponser affiliates, they lost their “hominess”. And I quit following. If I want advertisements, I will watch tv. Again, just stay you.
Loving that you’re staying true to you with your quilting and blogging journey. Your originality was what brought me to your blog in the first place, and what kept me popping by when I had time for a catch up and you are defintiely at your absolute best when you are writing all about the things that matter to you most and that really come from the heart. Anyone can be a sheep and follow the latest trend, jump on the latest bandwagon and I must admit there are times when I have to walk away from blog reading because everyone seems to be writing about the same latest gadget or making the same on trend quilt. It is wonderful to know that you will be staying true to you and continuing to share your stories and I look forward to continuing to read them. Keep on Sparkling!
I don’t think I’ve ever linked up to this, but I always enjoy seeing what you’ve bought. I’m currently “play quilting” a quilt and it’s fun to do something besides a giant meander (but oh so time consuming!). My newest toy is the folded corners ruler. I didn’t know I needed this and now I’m hooked.
I went to the other side of the world to find a great blog, and I’m glad you’re keeping it real. While I don’t need well-lubed bobbins or superheroic titanium needles today, they make you happy and that makes reading about them fun.
My new-to-me toy is a Singer featherweight, which I’m having great fun learning and just aching to sew sequins with. You keep me going, telling me it’s ok to be interested and not make great things just now. Love you, babe.
Yeah, glad you’re back with your vim and vigor, have missed you!
Very glad to read this Sunday’s blog. Your message is so true……….This journey should be about what’s in our heart and soul and not measured by response from others. Some time ago I read this little quote from Will Smith: “Stop letting people who do so little for you control so much of your mind, feelings and emotions.” It has served me well through some tough times. Keep on sparkling Molli. XOXO
So glad you are you and show us your humanity and your honesty. THAT to me is better than new fabric. Though inDO get revved up about it too in full disclosure. As for FMQ and wine it is TRUE. My FIRST FMQ teacher WAY back in about 1996/7 gave us that advice in all sincerity: it relaxes you and that is essential to good FMQ. Bottoms up! Well for me a perpetual lightweight, one is enough, and taken slowly! 😉
I am glad you decided to stay and endure the transformation that awaits. I have been doing tied whole cloth quilts recently and I am tired of it. Boring. I have tried free motion but seem not to have the right sense of rhythm My quilts look a jumbled mess of stitches rather than a joy of free abandonment. Basics is good. I am reviewing my stash and looking for inspiration first review tells me that I didn’t buy enough solid colors. Oh my gosh…I’ll need to go shopping!!!! Have a great week little caterpillar
Thanks! Keep it up!
I didn’t comment on your cricut post, but it really resonated with me. I’ve been struggling with my physical and mental health for… far too long. It takes a real toll, and your honesty about your own feelings gave me heart. The antidepressants have started to plane off the worst of the dark times and I’m seizing a chance to get better control over my recently neglected craft room, which is also helping a bit. I’ve even done a little sewing! Also, I would FAR rather read posts from someone who is passionate about whatever they are doing than ones that are trying to get me to buy the latest shiny gimmick. Keep keepin’ it real, m’dear! <3
Oh, and my new shiny toy, as inspired by your good self, will be a home-built design wall! The space is (almost) ready, the polystyrene boards get delivered tomorrow, I shall jury-rig a hot-wire cutter to trim them down to size, and I won £40 last night at a pub quiz, which will go some way to buying the flannel. 🙂
I’m here ….I listen ….and I am in a similar boat but like you am trying desperately hard to get back to basics and keeping the fun alive for me no one else. I love my SB’s witty repartee don’t ever stop 😘👌🏻
I got dragged to the bush by the kids over Easter and missed your Cricut blog and the AQC 🙁 Do what you love and don’t be too hard on yourself. I only read two or three blogs these days and yours is definitely one. 🙂 You are a gifted writer and quilter. Love reading your blog. X
Glad you are not getting caught up in the me-too quilting! I always enjoyed the sas and the glitter! I always felt you had a strong sense of self – I recall your free quilt is not free! And so you sleep on the bottom bunk, and the scandal with the penis design. With this background, how did you fall into the cricket? I would have thought you would have gotten the accuquilt die to go for your penis design!
I have linked up in the past, but I just don’t know what you did with all of that fabric every week! But I would love to go on a shop hop with you!
Take care of yourself, no one else will.
I’m so glad you’re back, we’ve missed you!! Love reading your blog. Thank you!
The sparkle is back! 😉
I have those bobbin genies and used them in place of the spring in the bobbin case on my TL98Q. Now I have a 2200QVP Mini and hadn’t thought to use them. I haven’t had any issues, but maybe I’ll try them out again. Hmmmmm. (is it broke or isn’t it????)
In reading your last couple of blog posts, I feel like this story’s going from “Ghost” (Molli, you in danger gurl!) to “How Molli Got Her Groove Back”, and I’m so excited to see how the story progresses. You are where you are because you did you and you need to keep doing you! Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi, I don’t regularly check in on the blog, but found my way here from FB. I think your “worth more than a cricut” blog post resonates with many of us. I definitely go through “phases” of everything is going wonderfully and I feel creative to what the hell am I doing! We are our own worst critics and we love to judge ourselves against the achievements of others. But Spring has sprung here in the northern hemisphere, after what seems like an endless winter, and with the sun comes lots of positive energy. I’m working on a few new quilting themed projects, and trying to finish some old ones, and whilst I will continue to remain in awe of others work (Molli, you are definitely included in that), I will try to look at my own work in a less judgmental way. Not every new project we try will work out the way we expect, but hey, that’s all part of life experience!
You are the sparkle genius of the Quilting world, no matter the Cricut or the Sunday Stash no link policy. Personally, I want to thank you for being there virtually from across the world and being a Sunday motivation for me always. Your blog is fun and cool…
Stay a superstar, always and keep that sparkle on 🙂
You are the sparkle genius of the Quilting world, no matter the Cricut or the Sunday Stash no link policy. Personally, I want to thank you for being there virtually from across the world and being a Sunday motivation for me always. Your blog is fun and cool…
Stay a superstar, always and keep that sparkle on 🙂