Author Archives: lance.rachel@gmail.com

It’s a season

There are seasons to enjoy and seasons to endure. Either way, it would seem the important thing is to be mindful of a season’s passing nature.

In this season of working on a doctorate amidst the energy of my young-ish kids, I am trying to enjoy the enduring….or endure “enjoying” as the case might be. I’m finding that the familiar habits and strategies I’ve always used aren’t quite up to par for the type of focus and productivity I need these days. So I adjust. A lot. The trick is to adjust to adjusting quick enough that it feels “normal.” It’s only a season, after all.

My kids will only be young, full of energy and questions, eager to chat and quick to give hugs for a season.

My work will (likely) only be kind enough to ebb and flow around my family and grad school for a season.

My time in grad school, demanding as it can be, will only last for a season. I will not exist in sea of endless deadlines forever. I will not. I will not.

If it seems like I’m pep-talking myself, I am. Summer break started and the kids are home. Let the dance party begin…

(Actual view from my work space on the first day of summer break)

In moving from one leg of this journey to the next, the goal is to do it with grace. I’m finding the rigor of textbooks and research papers is child’s play, compared to the grace I wish I was giving myself and those around me.

So, I adjust. Again.

I embrace the season of mis-alignment and build the muscle of adjusting. I cultivate the missing grace and patience as I enjoy the enduring of spontaneous dance parties. I practice life in the margins with agility and persistence. And I feel the frustration and smile through the pain, knowing that in doing so I move closer to purpose and alignment.

Today’s change involves getting up three hours before the kids who are innately early risers. I called up some inner fortitude and started the day a lot earlier than I might have liked after a night of lousy sleep and brought to the table some desperate optimism that this strategy will see us through the next few weeks.

We had a huddle last night to talk about what kinds of things we get to do if I can get my work done in the morning…and I may have begged them to do some extra reading in bed before they emerge with all the gusto to face another day. Go team! If anything, this early morning strategy is certainly better for my well being (and thereby everyone else’s) than my previous strategy of loving a little (a lot) too much the quietness of my house in the late night hours after everyone else has gone to bed. Turns out we really do need 6-8 hours of sleep.

So, here’s to adjusting and to early morning flow and to enjoying the enduring of every season.

Small habits, big changes, one step at a time

I did a crazy thing last fall on my fortieth birthday. In a grand stake-in-the-ground kind of gesture, I applied to grad school. But not just any grad school. I figured I’d go for a doctorate and go for a field that’s a bit of a departure from most of my professional work. Why not? Cue “In my next forty years…”

As I contemplated making this big change (because let’s face it, any change is big when you have two little kids), one of the tipping points that I couldn’t ignore was the importance of challenge and intentional growth opportunities in the constant pursuit of wellness. I hadn’t been consistently pushed to my limits in several years and I could feel it. A kind of atrophy that my current day-to-day encounters just weren’t addressing. I wanted to get better. Enter small habits.

small habits big changes

Wellness  is Intentional

Grad school became a part of a renewed wellness initiative. Motherhood had done a number on my self-care regimen and I’d struggled for years to gain new footing. I recognized this opportunity as a fresh start and leaned into the demands of professors and my cohort to act as a kind of accountability, prompting new habits and routines.

Signing up to get a doctorate might sound drastic but the good news is that it’s only the door that opened on my particular journey. For you the impetus to a fresh start will probably look very different. The great thing is, it’s not the the door that matters. It’s looking for the opportunity to declare a fresh start and set new habits.

Habits beget habits. I banked on this principal  to start gradually and build momentum. My intention for these habits is not to conquer big goals, but rather to incorporate these practices in each day and build up my wellness one step at a time. This in itself was a monumental initiative in some ways. The spirit is often willing but the flesh is weak (am I right?!).  With that in mind, here are the areas I’ve been focusing on:

  • Physical fitness – again, we’re not talking major training here. I’d love to ride another century, but now is not the time. My goal in this area is to ensure that I move my body for at least 30 minutes per day. This might look like a kettle bells routine, a spin on the stationary bike, a little yoga, or a hike with the kids. What it looks like isn’t as important as making sure it gets included each day.
  • Diet – rather than make major changes, it was more important to me to set parameters. I know that my body responds well when I increase protein and limit sugar in all forms so I made that the focus for this season.
  • Mind-body connection – I knew I’d need to cultivate a strong positive outlook in order to be successful, so I built in a habit of written reflection and meditation to my mornings.
  • Sleep – speaking of mornings, sleep hygiene had been a fairly distant memory (thank you, pregnancy), so I knew I need to put structure around my sleep-wake times. I declared 11:30 to be bedtime and set my alarm for 6:00 so that I could wake up before everyone else and start each day with a few moments of intention.

That’s it. Just four key areas of wellness will make a huge impact overall. And again, the key is less about what the habits are, and more about the purposeful practice of good habits. Here’s why I started with these four areas.

Physical Fitness

The United States Department of Health and Human Services published the first Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans in 2008. It recommends 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity daily or a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes per week for adults ages 18 to 64 years. Strength training for all of the major body parts is recommended at least twice a week.

If you are not already physically active, incorporating fitness activities into your life doesn’t need to pose a major challenge. A wide range of physical activities meet the guidelines so pick something you enjoy and pick the best time of day to set aside for it. Set yourself up to win and remove as many barriers as you can, if a gym membership isn’t possible, don’t make it part of the plan. Youtube is a great resource for fitness routines. A simple set of hand weights or a walk around the block will help you meet the recommendation. You do you.

Keys to Success:

  • Pick an activity you enjoy.
  • Break it up. Every little bit counts so if you move for 20 minutes twice a day or in 10 minute increments throughout the day, you’ve met the recommended 2 hours and 30 minutes per week.
  • Put it in the calendar and block out the time.

Diet

Eating well triggers a variety of health benefits: mental clarity, better weight maintenance, lower chances of developing diabetes or heart disease, and lower instances of illness. As recommended by the 2010 issue of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a healthy diet includes significant amounts of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean proteins and unrefined grains. The recommendations also suggest lowering sodium, added sugar, trans fat, saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet.

Before you look to cut things from your diet, work on adding healthy choices to your meals and snacks. Don’t set a litany of “No ___” rules, these just aren’t fun and food really is meant ot be enjoyed. Instead of declaring “Don’t eat sugar” you might say “choose protein for snacks and fruit for dessert.” Take a proactive, positive approach as you make changes to what you eat. Keep your healthy food choices simple and on hand so there’s no excuse to cave to temptation.

Chose natural over factory-created every time. That may sound like a tall order, but if really stop and think about what goes into factory-created food and see if you feel good about consuming it. A splash of lemon in tea or water is regenerative and refreshing. And the old, “yeah, but it doesn’t taste good” is a cop out. Just stop that nonsense and make a better choice. Small changes and good habits add up to a complete transition to a more healthful lifestyle.

Keys to Success:

  • Choose one or two small changes to incorporate each month. Keep it positive!
  • Eating healthy needs to be enjoyable for it to be a change that endures, so pay attention to your body’s response.
  • Keep it simple. Variety is good, but stick with what works and keep it on hand.

Mind-Body Connection

The emotional state can affect food choices, physical activity, and engagement in just about every other arena. If we are stressed or unhappy, many of us reach for quick-fix options. Foods high in sugar and fat satisfy the pleasure and reward centers in our brains and may seem like a good idea at the time. Back away from the sugar!

Instead, build in dopamine boosting triggers: creative practice, yoga, fresh air, exercise, sleep, and play are a few easy ways to cultivate a a positive state. Again, you do you. Decide which of these areas you can easily incorporate a few minutes each day as a part of a wellness routine.

It is important to keep the body healthy and the mind in a state of equilibrium to experience a sense of well-being. Equilibrium simply means you do not aim for unrealistic highs or dwell on debilitating lows. Practicing the art of “let it go” and being even-tempered makes it easier to deal with stress, adapt to change, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Keys to Success:

  • Choose a mind-body activity to include in your schedule which suits your lifestyle and temperament.
  • Determine to practice it daily.

Make It A Habit

As the old saying goes, it takes 21 to make a new habit. More complex accomplishments like establishing an exercise routine, daily meditation and dietary changes can take longer, but it’s important to remember that the goal of creating a habit isn’t about getting “there” in 21 days, it’s about the art of practicing something every day.

Join me on the quest to better wellness. What habits are you working on?

 

 

wonky star sample

Wonky Star Swap

Let me give you 10 reasons why wonky stars are the best:

  1. They’re fabulously quirky and adorable
  2. They are quick to sew
  3. They are forgiving – don’t like matching points? No problem!
  4. They are economical (say scrap buster!)
  5. They are flexible (size up, size down, on the fly, easy math, all at the same time)
  6. They play nice with others
  7. They’re cheerful (look at one without smiling, I dare you!)
  8. They’re jazzy with just enough individual personality and a touch of structure
  9. They great for beginners and seasoned quilters – keep them simple or take them up a notch!
  10. They’re just amazing. That is all.

wonky star sample

Wonky star samples courtesy of @Gus.Rocco…aren’t they great?!

 

I love wonky stars. I have since forever and I’m not alone so I’m excited to open up a wonky star swap!  Instagram is where it’s happening, it’s worth signing up for the quilty community if you’re not already active, so hop on over and check out #wonkystars2018, a few people signed up and got right to work making stars!

If you’re already a fan, just sign up here. If not, read on so I can convince you that this wonky star swap is the best. thing. ever!

I’ll send all the necessary details via email once the signup form closes and I’ve divided up the swap groups, but here’s the basic 411:

If you’ve never done a block swap, trust me, this is a great one to start with! If you’re not already a converted wonky star lover you should check out my dedicated Pinterest board, Quilts: Wonky Stars

I’m aiming for groups of 12-15 swappers so it won’t be too many to make and we’ll still receive a fun variety of blocks to start up a wonky quilt. If you’re up for a double dose (making and receiving two sets) I’ll have a spot on the form for you to indicate.

wonky star quilt

Wonky star quilt from @WombatQuilts & PMQG…love!

 

Like I mentioned above, wonky stars have the perfect blend of individual personality and common structure  to create the ultimate jazzy  perfection. So here are the parameters we’ll be working with in our swap:

  • Background fabric: white or print that reads white
  • Star fabric: bright colors or prints that read as a color (the star does not have to be all one color)
  • Block size: any size block will do! This will add to the wonkiness of your finished quilt, you’ll get to be creative with sashing and such to piece the stars together.
  • Pattern: basic sawtooth star with wonky points, here’s a great tutorial & finished example from @wombatquilts and another tutorial  from @sstaum with great variations…I want to try them all! If you want to get creative and nest 2-3 together, or arrange more than one star in a block that’s great – the wonkier the better!!!

You must have a public Instagram profile with some signs of quilty activity and you must be following me @ByLanceR for important updates and such. Please watch #wonkystars2018 and join the conversation – it’s part of the swap experience! Instagram swaps changed my quilting journey they’re addictive and such an amazing way to expand your creative and friendly horizons. I’ve written before about how every quilt has a story. there are already people from seven countries signed up to swap blocks – think of the stories your quilt could tell with blocks from all over the world!

Of course we know life happens, if it looks like you won’t be able to fulfill the commitment, please communicate with me so I can let your swap friends know – nobody wants to end up short in the end. And it goes without saying, once you’ve received your blocks, please be sure to post pics and thank your swap-mates!

Important dates

There are just a few dates to note. Don’t be intimidated by the check-ins, they’re standard for a swap and they’re how our community really comes together. Just follow the hashtag #wonkystars2018 (and be sure to add it to all your pictures). It’s like a wonky star party up in there, so jump in and make some new friends!

  • December 1, 2017: Signup closes – quick, get on over there and sign up, it’s EASY….you know you want to! Also, INVITE ALL YOUR QUILTY FRIENDS!!!
  • December 4, 2017: Swap details sent to participants. You will receive the names and shipping information for 12-15 swap friends and you will send your stars directly to them. In return you will receive #happymail for days as your swap friends each send you a star!
  • December 15, 2017: Fabric pull. This is a simple photo to show the fabric you’ll be working with on this swap – this particular swap is great for scraps – pull out those bins & bust a few scraps!
  • January 15, 2018: Sewing progress – at least one completed block shown. But really, we want to see all that wonky goodness, so keep those pictures rolling!
  • January 29-30, 2018: Shipping (pleeeeease don’t be late!). Again, we all know life happens, if something comes up and you can’t ship on time, just let me know. Whatever you do, DON’T FLAKE!

wonky star sample

Look at this fussy cut block from @HardKnocksArts …adorbs!

 

I *think* one block should only require one stamp (stock up on stamps before they increase on January 21!). Flakers are no fun so please proceed only if you can commit to making and shipping 12-15 blocks by the end of January.

If you have more questions about Instagram swapping, here’s a great post on etiquette and such. Or leave a comment here and we can chat about it. Or just jump in & sign up! The quilty community is waiting for you!

Also, because I love you and don’t want you to miss a good quilty thing, be sure to check out this amazing bundle of patterns & tutorials from my friends at Ultimate Bundles (yes, I’ve worked with them in the past and I’m an affiliate now, but only because I’m a huuuuge fan of what they do!). This is over 200 patterns, tutorials, and ebooks on all manner of handicrafts: QUILTING(!), sewing, applique, embroidery, knitting, crochet, and weaving.  And we’re talking top name designers – Alison Glass, Yvonne Fuchs…be still my heart! Also, you get a six month subscription to Make Modern Magazine and if you order by midnight on November30 you get a free Craftsy class to boot! Awesome! Check out the Handmade with Love Bundle & get creative with me in 2018!

Creating a Beautiful Life

I’ve been a quilt maker since I was fairly young, all the ladies I knew at that time were quilters. I think I was 15 when I joined the ranks and made my first quilt. I was young enough to not be intimidated by the 1″ postage stamp pattern that I insisted upon making. My mom, in all her wisdom, convinced me to start with one block and go from there. Wise indeed. That quilt ended up as a charming, quirky, sampler lovingly hand-quilted by the sewing bee of my grandfather’s childhood church. It’s not what many would call fabulous but it’s an important part of my journey.

Garden Quilt

My first quilt, circa 1993, age 15.

Because I began quilting in my formative years and grew into it as I grew into adulthood, I never learned to appreciate what a creative force it has been for me. It was always there and I was always making at some level. And all was good…until it wasn’t.

When we needed my quilting room for a nursery, when it was necessary to pack up all my supplies and relocate them into nooks and closets, that thing which both facilitates and fuels my own unique expression was shoved away as well. If maintaining a creative practice is like tending a garden: pulling the weeds and pruning the plants for optimum beauty, then I had let my garden grow fallow. While it led to a low point in my own journey, it also enlightened the path for the rest of my journey. I can no longer deny the importance of a creative practice. And not just any creative practice – I’ve tried lettering, painting, pottery, crochet…none of which make my heart sing. When I returned to quilting after a five-year hiatus, I knew I was home.

So, what is it to “create a beautiful life” and what does this have to do with quilting? It’s about the obligation we have to feed our souls with that creative expression that makes us come alive. That thing that you could gladly stay up all night to do, make, practice? That’s the thing. You must do it. We are created in the image of a creative God which means we are wired to create. It is our job to pursue that thing we’re meant to create and get on it. Find a way to practice it daily. Do away with the notion that being creative takes a great amount of time, dollars, space, or talent. Stop making excuses and make something beautiful.

A beautiful life is one lived slowly, in pursuit of creating rather than consuming. I make my family’s bread and other staples because by slowing down and taking the time to make these things by hand, we are given the gift of knowing the ingredients, feeling the textures, smelling the smells, tasting the freshness, and anticipating the goodness. I make quilts for the same reason – it’s slow, it touches so many senses, it nourishes the soul and cares for the body. It goes deep.

A beautiful life is one spent observing the small, beautiful things that occur naturally all around us. Where I live, this often means building a muscle of shutting out the noise and clutter, ignoring the constant hustle, slowing and making space to go deeper. When you make something you are forced to go deeper, whether it’s brief or ongoing. But to be deep is to savor and appreciate, to focus on finer details and force the weight of a daily grind to take a back seat. That is a beautiful life.

It’s not about physical surroundings. Or the aesthetics of the thing being made. But the intentional act of making. The daily practice of honoring the creative aspect that makes our heart sing. This doesn’t come naturally and it isn’t taught in school. It’s a practice. What is your thing? What can you be more intentional to practice, even just moments at  time, every day?  I dare you to start. Dive in. Don’t hesitate. And definitely don’t compare yourself to what’s found on Pinterest.  Close the computer. Put away the devices. Take up your fabric, your paint, your pieces, your ingredients, and make something.

Pause. Breathe. Sit in the gratitude that’s to be found in the making. And then set your hands to work and your mind to rest.

Ponder that thing you create. Dream up a way that you can practice this thing every day. Is it a page? A piece? A few moments at an instrument? A new recipe? The same recipe pursued to perfection? As you begin the practice, be sure to note the difference it makes. Is there a new lightness to your step? A clarity you hadn’t felt before? A new joy? Progress? The simple act of reflecting on your practice is bound to bring you deeper.

So let’s do this, shall we? Make a beautiful life with me. What’s your creative thing? I’d love to hear about it! 

This post is a part of the 2017 Quilt Bloggers Hop. I’m excited to spend the next several months exchanging insights with a group of talented quilt makers and bloggers. For more quilty goodness, be sure to stop by and check out these others who are also sharing this week:

Leanne @shecanquilt : She Can Quilt

Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl : Quilting Jet Girl

Beth @CookingupQuilts : Cooking Up Quilts

Jess @SewJess: Sew Jess Handmade 

Amanda @ Quiltologie : Quiltologie All Things Handmade

Abigail @CutandAlter: Cut and Alter

Rose @ SomethingRoseMade: Something Rose Made

Stop by and say hi (there’s prizes!), bloggers love to hear from you. And stay tuned for more great posts from the group over the next several months.

Saved by Art

creative

I spent many years building a foundation of quilting experience. In that process, I lost my touch with a true creative process and took my art for granted. In the end I wasn’t joyfully making and pouring my soul into something new, I was just producing an iteration of someone’s preconceived ideas.

So I quit.

I used my entry into motherhood as the excuse to walk away from my heart song. I had no idea how important it is to a soul to faithfully cultivate a creative practice. There is something within us, as created beings, that needs to create. The medium isn’t important, but what is important is to know which medium it is that makes your own soul sing. I’ve tried so many, from pottery to lettering, gardening to crochet, and more. I can confidently say I’m a quilter. Quilting just fits like a native language.  That’s an important thing to discover for yourself.

I was blessed for many years to have a room of my own for making. Who doesn’t want to shut the door on an in-process creative mess?! But babies came along and that room as called to serve a different process. And so I thought the thing to do was to box up my tools and focus on other things. I had no idea that doing this also meant that I was shutting away a piece of essence. And at such an important place in my story.

How grateful am I, then, for a renewed connection. An undeniable, visceral connection.

There’s a reason that art is treasured. But I think we forget, while treasuring the pieces that are made, that we should also treasure the act of making art. Each of us. No matter what that art is. There’s a soul-filling mindfulness that encompasses all of the senses when we set out to bring life to an idea.

Find your thing. Dive deep, and gratefully listen for the heart strings. And then carefully cultivate a daily, intentional practice of making something beautiful.

Creative is Brave

I’ve been working on a creative practice. It’s been incredibly life-changing. Not that what I’m creating is amazing in any way. That’s entirely not the point. It’s just about practicing creativity. That’s it. The goal is to practice. Like anything else, when you practice creativity, in whatever medium in which you work, you get stronger. Exception isn’t an accident. Intention is the impetus for improvement.

We have the unfortunate experience of being makers in an age where consuming and comparing the work of others is almost unavoidable. When we consume and compare we stifle our own voice a little more each time. Look around, be inspired. But before you consume, sit down and create.

To bravely practice your art is to put aside the fears that stand in the way of moving forward. It’s easy to hear reason after reason why you shouldn’t.

“I’m not good enough”

“My work isn’t as beautiful as theirs”

“They’ll laugh”

“They’ll judge”

“I can’t”

Oh, but you can. Find your thing. Sit down. Be brave. Just start.

#30minutesaday

 

The Art of Daily Practice

When I set out to make quilting my life, I couldn’t just drop everything and quilt. Daily demands don’t simply fall into line just because you decide to change career paths. As much as I’d love to spend my days fondling fabric and churning out fabulously original designs that sell for thousands…I had to figure out how to fit quilting around freelance work, household chores, and motherhood in crazy, suburban 2017.

Balance is always good.

There’s old advice for writers that says something about leaving your work with a sentence unfinished. This way, when you sit down again and start to write, you can pick right up where you left off. There’s no searching for the next flow of words. The words will flow. It’s actually relatively transferable.

I used to look at quilting as project to be done in big blocks of time. But in order to make it a sustainable part of my life I needed to reframe it to fit into little pockets here and there. And perhaps the occasional large chunk of time, seized after bedtime. Enter #30minutesaday.

 

 

Just like exercise, brushing teeth, and eating your vegetables, building a creative practice is a fundamental part of a healthy life. Not that I do all of those things every day. But I know that I should.

In thirty minutes, an active daily practice, I can try new techniques and play with new ideas that may not be ready for a full-blown project. I work on multiple projects simultaneously, brewing several while moving one forward, moving on another one the next day. I get to appreciate short, immediate results and the challenge of new parameters – an immediate gratification that’s motivating, even intoxicating. It’s changed the way I create and made me a better, stronger quilter.

Try it. Just a few minutes of daily practice leads to growth, change, forward momentum.

Building Creative Muscles

In order to grow and improve in skill and creative flow, practice is critical. This we know. But practice is hard, my friends. We’re all busy. Dang, the suburbs are crazy with the busy-ness they conjure. Life in the twenty-first century is a lot of things, and topping the list is busy. Can I get an amen?

There are a thousand things conspiring to keep us from practicing that thing which keeps our soul alight. Work. School. Family. Volunteering. Commuting. Sleeping. Being busy is exhausting.

So, then how do we practice?

Since my return to quilting a few months ago, I’ve loosely held a goal of sitting down just a few minutes every day. I used to think that quilting was something to be done in large blocks of time, a luxury not experienced in my new season of motherhood. My days of uninterrupted solitude had passed, and so I thought my quilting days were gone as well. But when I realized how important quilting and creating is to my soul, I also realized it only takes a few minutes to make an impact. “Just do something” I tell myself. You don’t have to finish anything, or even make any real progress. Just practice. This is tops for my list of new habits to embrace in 2017. #15minutesaday.

When we decided, rather spontaneously, to spend several weeks this fall, driving to Arizona and back, I worried about keeping up my creative practice. A sewing machine and stack of fabric isn’t exactly RV friendly. At least it didn’t fit well into our little RV with our two little kids.

So I improvised.

sketchingQuilting is a multi-faceted art form. It can be done quickly, with the main goal being simply to finish. That’s fine, I worked that way for a while when I started quilting. But that’s not where my heart has been this time around. This time, I can’t seem to leave a pattern well enough alone as I incorporate tweaks and edits to make the thing my own. Where I was once content to run a quick meander and call a project finished, now I’m much more interested in letting a top breathe and finding just the right motif to complement the piecing. But this motif-style quilting isn’t something I have much experience working in, so I’ve been reading and sketching and studying different styles. This is how I kept my flow going while we drove.

sketching2
Across the plains, from sea to shining sea (just kidding, we didn’t actually make it to the ocean, but I’m pretty sure we saw all the plains), I sketched and traced and read tips from the pros. All in the name of muscle memory and training my eyes, hands, and brain to see and feel a new set of motions. I have visions of wildly quilting my future projects, but when it comes to laying thread to fabric…call me chicken.

Practice can take many forms.

My friends, it’s working! I have miles to go, I suppose I’ll never be an Angela Walters, but compared to the lazy stipple routine I had been comfortable with for so long, I’ve come a long way, baby! By hyper-focusing on the shapes and rhythms of this particular facet, I’ve gained new confidence and forward momentum. So there you go…just practice.