Living Life in the Slow Lane

In the crafting world, and in life in general, I see a lot of people in a hurry. People who breeze through life at high speed, instead of slowing down enough to enjoy what's going on around them. I often wonder what feeling comes from moving at such a pace. I'm not sure what satisfaction comes from watching your achievements pile up behind you as you speed away onto the next project. I know there are times when a last minute gift must be made, or a deadline gets changed and you've got to work quickly. There are other times though, when it's nice to slow down and actually connect with what you're doing. Over the years, I've made more quick projects than I can count. I can't remember a lot about them. Not when they were made, what inspired them, or what-the-heck-I-was-thinking with some of them. The projects I remember, the ones that mean something to me, are the ones I took some time on. Most of them involved some amount of handwork, which always slows the pace.

 I started this pillow a couple of years ago during my daughter's swimming lessons, so whenever I see it I remember her joy at becoming an independent swimmer. I left the pillow unfinished for a while and moved onto other projects. I finally completed it earlier this year. Working on it again brought back those happy times.

I worked on a quilt for my mother-in-law, who has since passed on, partly during quiet times while working a craft fair booth. It was during my only season of craft fairing, and as it turned out, people here were more interested in dollar store items, than handmade anything. It was a sad reality for me, and something I remember each time I see this quilt. Not really a memory I love, but it's in there. I take the good with the not-so-good.

I made some Matroyshka dolls, which are now part of our Christmas decorating, during our summer camping trips. I can't look at them without remembering the fun we had swimming, hiking, roasting marshmallows. I even remember the nasty bee stings too!

So while I think there is definitely room in my life for quick projects, I'd rather spend most of my time on slow projects. Even if it's just a felt doll. The fact that I recall so much about the time I made it, makes it that much more meaningful to me. 

In the next few weeks I'll have something fun to share with you. Something that's all about sharing, spreading the handwork love, slow projects and really getting into what you're doing. I hope you'll join me!