So, here I am. We’ve been home for the fall for a few weeks now, and it’s lovely to be back. But ever since we got here, I’ve just felt swamped. With good things mostly, and some of the best kind of quality time with family, but still swamped. I have great ideas for posts. I even have pictures for a lot of them, but I just haven’t been able to put together the time to edit and put in the words.
As I’m sure you know if you’ve been reading for a while, I’ve been shifting more towards posting when I have something I really want to share, and away from a set schedule. I hope this gives me more time to work on each post, so that each post is better. Goodness knows we all have enough arriving in our email every day, and I don’t want to be contributing to that just to make something appear in this space, unless it’s something I’m proud of.
And yet, sometimes (like right now) I really do want to connect with my online community, I want to put something out there, and it doesn’t have to be complicated to be worth reading, right? Sometimes the simplest things are the best.
Like this potholder. I know, I mended a potholder, it’s not exactly Earth-shattering news. In fact, I didn’t even like this potholder. Bryan had it when we met (goodness knows where he got it) and I always thought it looked so cheesy—definitely not my favorite kitchen object. But, the back fabric wore out. (It was yellow plaid. I had so little intention of posting about this that it never occurred to me to take a “before” picture.) The front was still fine, even the binding was in good shape, and I have this stubborn genetic defect which makes me refuse to throw out anything useful, so I just sewed a patch of sturdy black knit over the back. After I sewed around the edge, I thought it needed a bit more, and I decided to outline the tacky shapes on the front.
Then, the stupidest thing happened: I suddenly loved this potholder. It’s now cheeky, it’s a little edgy, it’s visibly mended, it’s mine. Every time I see it I smile. Sigh …
What about you, ever fixed something and then fallen in love with it? (The more I think about it, the more I think this happens to me all the time.) If you blog, how do you balance the number and quality of your posts?
Tasha Miller Griffith 
I feel the same about Taylor’s potholders! I put them in the back of the drawer! Maybe I should try fixing them up! And yes, I love to add to things because it always makes them more special! I once felted a heart stick shift cover for my subbie! As for blogging… I’m with you. I wait until I’ve got something interesting to report… But I do feel like sometimes I just want to reach out. I love your posts… Always something thoughtful or useful. If anything, it causes me to remember my own projects!
Enjoy Flag for me! I’m busy trying to find a little place for myself here in Salida! Thanks for your post!
Hi Sara! Thanks for your thoughts. I guess you’ll never know unless you try it … Wishing you all the best in your move and your new home!!
Oh Tasha….yes, I agree on all these points. I have mended stuff that I love more after the stitching. My dear friend Primm, who was part of my knitting circle and really helped me get to be the knitter I am today- which is fairly intrepid, died a short while ago. At the estate sale at her home, I looked and looked for a piece of her work. I found a sweater she knit after we took an intarsia knitting class together. It was a perfect example of her fearless technique and glorious color sense. And full of holes. I have reknit and mended and tightened up joins and now, it is completely wearable. She knit it for her husband, who preceded her in death…and we both loved them as a couple. So when my husband wears the sweater, it brings on a whole lot of sweetness.
In terms of posting…I believe that if it doesn’t bring you pleasure than it will do nothing for your readers. The numbers about posting, predictions and indications make me tired… and that is not pleasurable. I post what I post when I post and that is enough.
I love what you did to the potholder!
Well said.
xxooxS
Hi Suzi! What a sweet story! I love that you brought the sweater back to life, and that it brings sweetness to your life. And I agree, if we are not enjoying blogging then what is the point exactly?
Thanks for sharing! xoxo
Hehe, that’s a lovely little story and it made me smile. 🙂 I admit I’m notoriously bad at mending stuff, if it’s any more complicated than re-sewing a straight seam. I’m with you about the blogging, though. Sometimes I feel inspired and can write three posts in one week. Then it’s a busy month and there’s no blogging for a few weeks. That’s life. We don’t blog for a living, we blog for fun, and about stuff that we care about. No reason to put it on a schedule, I think. 🙂
Hi Alessa! I know what you mean about blogging. Although I do try to have something of a schedule/goal for posting (to keep from having huge gaps) some of the blogs I admire most of all will have nothing a month or more, and then pop up with something great. I find that I appreciate those post a lot more when they do come up, and usually take time to read them.
Sewing makes me happy, so looking at something I’ve mended makes me happy, even if it’s ratty old clothing that I stitched up a hole in with mis-matched thread. Plus there’s the satisfaction of feeling thrifty and clever, since you got more use out of it.
Yeah, I like feeling thrifty and clever! I think my favorite part is that mending gives me the satisfaction of feeling self-sufficient.