300: …….300!!

300: …….300!!

Less bloody than the movie…. and almost as funny as the sequel (Ok, nothing is quite as funny {or fake} as that last link)…….Here is my 300th post!!

Just for fun I went back to the first few months of my blogging life in 2007….WOWZA!  I changed in so many ways…and the blog has changed too.  Back then, I hardly had any pictures in the first couple months of posts, and what pictures I did have were TINY!  So much better now, and practically required in my eyes.  Part of the improvements are due to WordPress…but part are my learning and growing in the blogosphere.

Something that I just “learned” is that supposedly one isn’t supposed to apologize for not posting….and well being raised Lake Wobegon style…I just don’t see how I can avoid that…

so I apologize….but I have a lot of pictures in this one….   🙂

and I am not making excuses, but I will tell you that I have been so frightfully busy ever since my last posts.

One of the things I have been doing Besides catching up and getting behind on everything as usual is working on the shingling on what was Mimi’s playhouse,  and is becoming hers and Linda‘s “tea house” near the garden..

won’t it make a good backdrop for quilts and such in the future?

There is still plenty to do on it…but at least I got a good start on it fairly early in the summer…that helps…

This summer is FULL of home improvement projects, but more on that in future posts….painting the house is the Biggest one, one that I have been putting off for too many years.

We also had our oldest graduate from High School with a diploma and an Associate Degree this past month…

(For those who have met me….yes… Noel is taller than me…I told him he needs to stop…it is so hard to find good clothes when you are so tall….)

And for those who don’t know, I also have a full time DayJob not related to my quilting Second Act that keeps me busier than I would like away from   my family and the quilting  and you all …but that has to stay in place until I become so fabulously successful here in this world….   🙂

Speaking of  quilting….this little project I whipped out last night…as I yes…signed up for a swap I don’t really have time for…but gosh, these little 3.5″ log cabins are just so easy and fun….I felt compelled….  I have 14 more to make…but they really don’t take much time, and are a nice break from the quilting stuff that I Can’t yet show you…

and yes…I have been working on a TON of projects that I can’t show you yet, and I have been talking with some “big names” about things that I can’t discuss yet either….one of which I know very little about myself, but I am excited just because of who I am talking to about “it”….so intriguing isn’t it??

I confess here that I have put off doing this post, not only because of time constraints…but also because I wanted it to be so eloquent and “meaningful” …..yeah….whatever…..

So yes, this 300th post was my usual yammering on in a conversational random manner….but WITH prizes…

you didn’t think I would have my 300th post without prizes did you??

Okay…here they are in no certain order…these are what’s left of my Quilt Market Prize Bonanza..

prize #1….A Jumbo prize pack from Moda….a bunch of these little mini cutey-patooty charm packs that you are SOOO lucky to get…because even as I was taking this picture…I was feeling a lot like Gollum with them….so precious…I did NOT want to put them on here…but I love you THAT much, you know…

prize #2  A great prize pack from Stephanie at A Quilter’s Dream….

prize #3 …. another smaller prize pack from A Quilter’s Dream

prize #4….. and lastly a mixed prize pack ..a Jay McCarroll sketch book from the Free Spirit peeps,  some Honey Child fabric from Sis Boom’s Jennifer Paganelli, some new ribbon from Patty Young.

Now to WIN….you need to comment on this post and tell me what you do to keep focused on Big Projects or what is your biggest distraction from those Big Projects….I will draw randomly from the comments on July 12th in the evening… Pacific Standard Time….

thanks for coming along on the Blue Nickel Train…to who knows where!!

 

57 Comments

  • Great blog Scott……. it’s nice to meet you and learn about your antics….. er, escapades.

    JL

    July 4, 2011 at 9:50 am
  • Congratulations on your 300th post and some lovely giveaways to celebrate.
    I have all my projects folded next to my sewing table, so they are always in sight and can’t get forgotten. The only distraction is saving up the money to buy the necessary fabric for finishing

    July 4, 2011 at 10:09 am
  • Hi Scott, Congrats on your 300th post!! Yes, your blog has changed since I first found you in 2008 and it’s fun to see it. You are certainly having fun. Your photography is always so fantastic. I love the Mimi’s Tea Cottage. I think I might have to show this to my husband and see what he might think of a potting shed/tea cottage in the woods behind our house. Anyway……what distracts me from big projects? That’s easy……small projects. I love anything made with fabric but when I start a large quilt some smaller project always calls me and so I only have a couple of completed large quilts. However, I have lots of big ones in progress. LOL! It will be fun to learn who you’re talking to and what big projects you’ll soon be sharing. Keep it up and one day you’ll be famous and I can say…I knew you when……… 🙂

    July 4, 2011 at 10:19 am
  • Oh my goodness, staying focused is almost impossible! The excitement of a new project keeps me focused until I can see how it’s turning out, and deadlines (the closer the better) keep me focused on finishing. In between those two points ….. the day job saps time & energy, the internet is far too distracting (I’m here, aren’t I?) and of course, all the other potential projects swirling in my head keep me from accomplishing much of anything. I’d love to win one of your prize packs — even if it would become yet another distraction!

    July 4, 2011 at 10:30 am
  • When I start anything big or small project, I am so ready to be sewing that it takes a lot to side-rail me. If I just stay in my studio and never venture upstairs until I am so exhausted I have to go to bed. Otherwise if I see what has happened to the living room and kitchen of my house, I lose my mind and become a screaming pissed off wild woman. I hate to clean twice a day and sometimes 3 times a day because of one very large husband who makes some really gawd awful messes and never ever ever ever ever cleans them up. That is my distraction. How do I avoid that? I have a phone, television, radio, small refrigerator, easy chairs and a bed in the basement of my home, as well as the much needed bathroom. I never really have to ever go up there if I don’t want. LOL

    July 4, 2011 at 10:34 am
  • Sandy A in St. Louis

    Reply

    HI! Congrats on 300 posts! My hubby swears I have Quilter’s ADD and can’t get a single project done. (He’s partially right, but let’s not tell him that, ‘kay?) What keeps me on track is a set in stone “due date.” Usually that is a baby shower, a wedding, something like that. If I don’t have a set date, I put it aside for whenever the mood strikes me. And sometimes even with that date, I am sewing the binding on as someone else drives to the shower or wedding. 😛 I’ve started trying not to start something new until one of the older projects is done, but have fallen off that wagon a few times. Guess I need to get a date book and start writing in due dates in ink! 🙂

    Congrats again! And thanks for the chance to win these goodies!

    July 4, 2011 at 10:41 am
  • Okay, okay, I’ll be #1 (again)! Everyone knows #1 doesn’t get chosen by random.org but I’ll sacrifice. ;D

    The last big project I was working on was a trench for myself. It’s still not finished, I just have to hem the arms and bottom but I’d always rather do something else, like shop for fabric online or quilt! 😀

    Happy 300th post!!

    (technically Tabatha you weren’t #1….my comments are set up to be approved before posting….so I just got back from an errand to approve them all)

    July 4, 2011 at 11:36 am
  • Sandi Price

    Reply

    Great Prizes! Congrats on the 300 posts and thanks for the chance to win.
    My biggest distraction on the major projects is all those not so major projects that just seem to call out my name as soon as I start working on something big. LOL

    July 4, 2011 at 12:02 pm
  • Happy 300!! My biggest distraction from quilting is definitely blogland. It is hard not to look at what everyone else is doing!

    July 4, 2011 at 12:40 pm
  • To stay focused on big projects I tend to lean towards quiltalongs and mystery quilts and such. I alway say it’s just “one more block” or instruction. I write them on my calendar. Right now I have SIX of them going on at the same time and they are all on schedule! Quilting them complete will be another issue because I have a four year old son (my biggest but fun distraction). I will wait until he returns to pre-school in the fall. When I put him on the bus I have four hours to quilt to my heart’s content. Most of my quiltalongs will somehow be done after school is back in session. Yippee! Thanks for offering such great prizes in your giveaways. Congrats on #300.

    July 4, 2011 at 1:05 pm
  • Hooray for kids being taller than their parents! 😉 I have about 4 inches on my mam and an inch-ish on my dad. The Tea house is ADORABLE!! =) To keep focused, I procrastinate. I unfortunately work well under pressure and often need that pressure to get things finished. Annoying, I know. Although I have started doing part at a time, then whipping up something that I can see finished, then going back to the big project. Sometimes I do the back n forth a few times. Then I can see the almost finished project and just get it done. =)

    July 4, 2011 at 1:44 pm
  • Ana

    Reply

    Congrats on the 300 posts! My biggest distraction on big projects is going fishing! We live on a fishing lake and the water calls out to us! My second biggest distraction is the outdoors, we live out in the country “the boonies” and I love my flower gardens, veggie gardens and berry plants!

    Love your blog!

    July 4, 2011 at 1:54 pm
  • Laura

    Reply

    my biggest distraction from big projects is discouragment. When things are going well I can very easily keep focused but when something doesn’t go well I tend to put off working on it for a while until I forget how frustrated I am!

    July 4, 2011 at 3:02 pm
  • Congrats, Scott! My first visit here- your blog is lots of fun! To stay on track with a big project, I just keep reminding myself that I have a deadline (I work much better under pressure!) I also try to have no more than a couple of sewing projects going at the same time-I promise myself that when I finish one, I can start another.

    July 4, 2011 at 3:50 pm
  • Melody

    Reply

    Congratulations on the big 300. Loved the parody. I’m a terrible procrastinator and deadlines is the only thing that gets me. I work great under pressure. Right now I can’t work on anything but handwork since my sewing room is now the collection room for all things going to my daughter’s new house (when she finds one). Ah well. One of these days.

    July 4, 2011 at 5:24 pm
  • Congrats and thanks for the great giveaway! To keep focused I’m usually past the date my project was to be finished by so it’s always panic that keeps me going.

    July 4, 2011 at 5:46 pm
  • Perri

    Reply

    Congrats on not only your 300th post, but all the the major moments you have been celebrating lately. So exciting!

    I can excel at what I call “task avoidance” when faced with a major project or chore I do not particularly want to do…for example…I am supposed to be outside mowing the lawn and instead I am reading your blog. 🙂

    July 4, 2011 at 6:05 pm
  • Congratulations on your 300th post. Thanks for coming up with such a great giveaway. The only thing that keeps me focused on finishing a big project is if there is a deadline to complete it for someone else. My own projects seem to slip slide away.

    July 4, 2011 at 6:13 pm
  • Syd

    Reply

    Congrats on 300 posts!! I often get distracted from my bigger projects by all the small things I come across. My biggest problem is I have so many things I want to learn and am afraid I won’t get all of my list done. Sometimes my mind races a million miles a minute. Thanks for the fun giveaway!!

    July 4, 2011 at 6:13 pm
  • Congrats on your 300th post!!!

    Distraction? My distraction is my quilting and sewing! But it is a good distraction. =)

    I work at home and have done so for over 20 years. I am a legal VA and I have to remind myself that, for now, my LVA business pays the bills (whatev!)!!!

    So, for me it is putting down my quilting and/or sewing and getting back to my paying job!

    Thank you for the opportunity to win! Good luck to everyone.

    ~Pam

    July 4, 2011 at 6:34 pm
  • Go 300!! Congratulations!

    I use fabric to keep me focused. I leave where I can see the beauty which sparks my sewing ventures. My biggest distraction is working to buy the fabric (and pay the rent).

    July 4, 2011 at 7:11 pm
  • Patty

    Reply

    Congratulations on your 300th post! I have a hard time staying focused on large projects too. Guess that’s why I have to have lots of projects going at once. That way when I am tired of one thing I can move to a new project for awhile.

    July 4, 2011 at 7:20 pm
  • We just moved into a new home & all of my sewing/quilting/crafty crap finally has its own room. I knew that I tended to start projects & not finish, but I didn’t realize until now how bad I am! I have at least 15 unfinished quilts in project boxes…. and I’ve only been doing this for 3 years! So, I have been forcing myself to finish at least 5 before starting a new project. But, instead of picking one and finishing it, I’ve been working on one and then another and then – oh! I’ll work on this one! It’s rather hopeless…..
    Sigh…. But, to try and get myself under control I am keeping the projects in their boxes and stacked up by my stash. Easy to get to, easy to work on. Congrats on 300!

    July 4, 2011 at 7:28 pm
  • Way to go Scott – 300 posts – Congratulations! And here’s hoping the talking with the it people bring you what you need to make your dreams come true! The Tea House is going to be adorable. Lucky young ones!

    July 4, 2011 at 8:10 pm
  • Hello I have just found your blog. I haven’t been quilting long so keeping focused is really really hard, there are so many things I want to do! At first I started one quilt and finished it before starting something else. Not any more!! I see something I want to do and just can’t wait to start cutting. Thank you for a lovely giveaway. Linda

    July 4, 2011 at 10:51 pm
  • LoLoJo

    Reply

    Congratulations on your 300th post! and thanks for the giveaway! My biggest distraction that keeps my from sewing and fun is clutter. I am in the process of reorganizing(or really just organizing) so that I can work on a project, any project whenever the mood hits. I have been very neglectful of my creative side sad to say.

    July 4, 2011 at 11:42 pm
  • Pamela S

    Reply

    Congrats on the 300 post milestone, Scott and your handsome son’s graduation!! To answer your question, I keep focused on big projects because my Achilles heel is curiosity! I am curious and eager to see the finished project. A lot of times I question how it will all come together and sometimes have to make myself keep going when I hit a wall but the end result is always so worthwhile. Thanks for the generous giveaways too! Its fun to see what gifts you choose for your giveaways ~

    July 5, 2011 at 3:37 am
  • MaryBeth

    Reply

    Oh my goodness. I do get distracted from the big projects to the point that I’ve only made smaller projects – nothing larger than a twin size quilt. Okay, after I finish the 3 baby quilts that I MUST do (they’re all due in Sept) I WILL start on my daughter’s queen size quilt!

    July 5, 2011 at 3:38 am
  • Lynn D in NC

    Reply

    Has it been that long? I’ve been following you for so long – not quite the beginning, but close. I have a hard time staying focused on ‘my’ projects, due to requests coming in from family members…I tend to put those ahead of what I want to work on…but I love that they ask me.

    July 5, 2011 at 4:53 am
  • My biggest distraction is Google Reader, and all the great quilting blogs in blogland. Hopefully I’m learning things as I read! 😉

    July 5, 2011 at 5:22 am
  • Yvonne Hamilton

    Reply

    What gets me off track with big projects are the little ones that come along–like I’ll have a quilt top to quilt and oh dear, someone’s daughter is expecting a baby and due any minute and having known that daughter since SHE was a baby…sigh…gotta make a baby quilt! Or then there’s the people who tell me (two in the last month!) that they have a niece getting married and can I please please quilt the quilt they’re making, and have it done in time for the wedding? I admit to being a soft touch. I say “sure!” as I wonder if they’ll even get the top finished in time. lol Or the auction quilts for good causes…that’s another thing that sucks me in and gets me distracted from MY projects. Eventually, though, everything will fall into place and all the current “gotta do” things will be done and I’ll have time for those “wanna do” projects. It all works out…

    July 5, 2011 at 5:38 am
  • Kenda

    Reply

    One of my biggest Projects is a quilt I have in my Hand quilting frame. I am Hand quilting images from “Alice in Wonderland”. I try to keep focused on big projects like that by keeping things around me that inspired the project to begin with like watch a lot of Alice in Wonderland or just have it playing as back round noise. What keeps me from my big project? Getting distracted with other smaller projects like crocheting a sweater or a doily. Oh and 5 children can be my biggest distraction. Thank you for all of your wonderful posts.

    Kenda

    July 5, 2011 at 7:33 am
  • becky marshall

    Reply

    I enjoy your blog, Scott and I wish I had the teahouse in my back yard. Actually, we use our greenhouse in spring and fall for a cuppa! Keep up the good work…….always fun to see what you are up to. Congrats on #300!

    July 5, 2011 at 7:35 am
  • Congrats on your 300! I have no clue what I use to keep my focused. Taking a day off from work and locking myself in the house always helps. I get distracted by everything: blogs, housework, cleaning the sewing room, eating, and always, new, bigger projects!! Great prizes, thanks for the giveaway!

    July 5, 2011 at 9:46 am
  • Just wanted to say congrats on 300 and sticking with this blog world. I hope someday soon you can quit the “day” job and do this passion full time! Love the little garden house – it’s coming along great!! So glad to be able to follow your success 🙂 PS – If my comment comes up as a winner – throw it to the next person please – I just won from you last month 🙂

    July 5, 2011 at 9:50 am
  • Sarah N

    Reply

    If I am trying to focus on getting a project done, I schedule time to work on it everyday – no matter what. I am always amazed at what I can accomplish in 30 minutes if I just sit down and FOCUS!

    Thanks for the great giveaways!

    July 5, 2011 at 3:12 pm
  • patti

    Reply

    Hi, I have just found your blog and I am so excited to have found you! When I am working on a large project, I tend to work on small things like mug rugs & pouches so that I get a bit of a break from the BIG thing. It’s kinda like taking a pit stop when you go on a long road trip… it gives you just enough time away but you are still excited to get there!

    July 5, 2011 at 3:20 pm
  • Indianna

    Reply

    300 wow – that takes an effort to do – congratulations. My big distraction is clutter – I’m very untidy, but also blogs, I love reading them and seeing what others have made, I read them like I used to read magazines, but it’s far cheeper and much more informative and fun. BUT they also add to the clutter as I print off more and more good ideas! Thanx

    July 6, 2011 at 2:26 am
  • Betsy Pratt

    Reply

    Hi Scott!
    What a milestone! 300 blog posts. It’s like turning 30, or maybe, more like turning 40(?). Whatever the case, congratulations to you for coming so far.

    When working on big projects, most of the time the motivation just seems to come naturally because of the project itself. Other times I have had to make things more formal and find milestones and set some timelines around those. Havings the big project broken up into these milestone “chunks” can be easier to work on rather than being overwhelmed by the whole thing.

    So those are my words of wisdom. And congrats again.
    Betsy Pratt

    July 6, 2011 at 6:52 am
  • SewLindaAnn

    Reply

    All things being relative, I understand all the goings on. I too had a h.s. graduate, I’m looking into culinary school and he’s getting a license and looking at college. your log cabins are sweet, and I loved the yellow planter. Are those maroon flowers petunias? gorgeous with the marigolds. Staying focused on a large project is hard for me because I get a little bored/edgy to finish since my favorite part is the figuring out stuff. Once it’s half way done and I know everything to do I start a couple of smaller projects and just force myself to work on it at least 15 mins. a day. And then rewards don’t hurt either.

    July 6, 2011 at 8:01 am
  • Oh yes, I find it hard to keep my focus. Best thing I do is tell other people what I am working on. I also promise to make regular posts about the project on my blog including photos so I can’t fib. That really does help me keep on track. For one project I commited to my sister that I would send her daily emails of my progress. she had a special interest in the project as she had sent the fabric from Japan and was anxious that I actually would finish.

    July 6, 2011 at 2:10 pm
  • Barbara Huston

    Reply

    Congratulations on 300!! I get distracted from my projects about halfway thru. Its such a bummer! If I don’t have a deadline, it will just sit. So, deadlines are great for me!

    July 8, 2011 at 1:41 pm
  • Kathy

    Reply

    I try to finish one project at a time, but I always have the next project ready to go. I love to cook and garden, so I try to balance everything, but my love is quilting.

    July 8, 2011 at 10:38 pm
  • Jeanette

    Reply

    “This day we rescue a world from mysticism and tyranny and usher in a future brighter than anything we can imagine. This is Sparta!” Oops…wrong 300 ;o)
    Congrats on the milestone Scott. And on your tall sons graduation…Linda and I were talking about how frustrating it is to get shirts long enough for those tall boys.

    If I’m excited about it I usually don’t have any trouble keeping on task and finishing a project, otherwise I am like Sandy and need a deadline to push me along and pry me from those projects I really would rather do. Good luck finishing your projects!

    July 9, 2011 at 6:35 pm
  • Congrats on 300!

    I think my kids are my biggest distraction, although life in general comes in as a photo finish second. Between the 7 year old drama, the twin 4 year old acrobatic mayhem, and the sheer avalanche of deadlines, to-do lists, and dishes to be done, it’s easy to let a long term project fall to the wayside under the intention of picking it up ‘when everything else is done’ (a.k.a. NEVER)!

    July 10, 2011 at 2:21 pm
  • Congrats on your 300th post! I have a really hard time staying on task for big projects. I usually end up bouncing back and forth between the big project and small ones (I get more done and serves to satisfy my …oOo shiny…distracted/bored easily problem). I’m currently trying to organize my sewing room so I don’t have as many distractions on my table.

    July 10, 2011 at 2:21 pm
  • I am so glad that you tweet! Otherwise I would have missed all of this! I think that life in general can get in the way of completing anything that takes more than a day! lol! There is always something that is more ‘important’, ie your job, groceries, laundry, the yard, etc. I really have to focus and make a point to work on large projects, or they end up in my container of ‘wips’.

    July 10, 2011 at 2:50 pm
  • Congratulations on number 300. I haven’t started any huge projects YET because I am still pretty new to quilting. But knowing my lame brain when I do start one this dumb brain of mine won’t let me start anything else until it’s done. So please wish me luck.
    Love
    Patti xxx

    July 10, 2011 at 3:07 pm
  • I met you at Spring Market. I am a recent convert to twitter and I just found your blog. I love the pictures. I will visit again.

    July 10, 2011 at 3:25 pm
  • Karen

    Reply

    You know, Scott, I thought you meant a little dollhouse-sized house. Wow, you are busy!

    Congratulations on 300, but more important, on your youngun graduating. Awesome that he already has an Associate’s degree. Only a couple of years and he’ll be done! That’s always a good thing.

    The Big Picture project at my house right now is getting our other house ready, on the market and sold. Two house pymts really stink.

    But my personal big picture is not just sewing projects, but having fun and learning new things while doing them. I’m keeping focused by (shhh don’t tell anyone) not finishing hardly anything. Lol. That’s not what you mean is it?? haha

    July 10, 2011 at 3:30 pm
  • Cathie B

    Reply

    Congratulations – love your blog. The thing that distracts me the most from completing a big project is the lure of all the other projects that I want to do simultaneously!!! I am the queen of UFO’s because I want to do it all : ) I’m working on getting more organized and more focussed. The joy of a finished project (or quilt in my case) is such a satisfying feeling. Finished or not, I’m blessed to be able to enjoy what I’m doing!

    July 11, 2011 at 12:50 pm
  • Sarah W

    Reply

    How to focus? Stop reading blogs!!! (But I’m glad I didn’t follow that advice or I wouldn’t be signing up for your super-duper 300 post giveaway). Congrats on all your news and good luck with your work.

    July 11, 2011 at 2:18 pm
  • Evelene Sterling

    Reply

    Oh congratulations on 300 and my problem is the same as Sarah W I just have been reading too many blogs lately and procrastinating on my projects. I call reading blogs my Real People magazine with heart and soul. Thanks for a chance to win.

    bimbi9 at verizon dot net

    July 12, 2011 at 7:29 am
  • My baby is my distraction right now, but that’s ok! Also, my fabric stash – I can’t stop cutting into it to start new projects instead of finishing up the old.

    July 12, 2011 at 10:15 am
  • Patty

    Reply

    Wow…300! I have a lot of catching up to do! I just found your blog today. And so glad I did. You are very talented in so many ways; quilting, gardening, construction, parenting and not to mention writing. I too quilt, garden and parent. What keeps me from my creative endeavors? Well, mostly a little thing called – work. But in addition to work, I must admit I get distracted surfing the internet and watching reality tv shows.

    July 12, 2011 at 2:09 pm
  • Tania

    Reply

    How do I keep on “track” and stop the creative “train” from running away from me??? (pardon both the puns!)

    I keep the door of my sewing room open…..so I can see the WIP’s, and make sure I stay feeling creative….by reading all these fantastic blogs! Thanks Scott, you guys really do ‘rock’.

    July 12, 2011 at 7:03 pm
  • MaryBeth

    Reply

    Hmmm, am I too late? I was distracted by all the projects in my head, LOL.

    July 13, 2011 at 3:28 pm

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.