Milmompreneur Maker: Wherever we go, I quilt, teach & sew!

Gearing Up for the 4x7 Sewing Challenge: Prizes!

1/28/2015

@berrybarndesigns http://instagram.com/berrybarndesigns

My sister visited from NC... it snowed!

I had a "helper" in the studio.

Blizzard fun! 24" with 6-10" on the way!

The girls longarmed their first quilts <3

Back at the start of the year I mentioned that I'd been reading a lot of books (yay for quiet baby feeding time!), and one of them has been quite timely for the transition taking place in my life. I bought Hands Free Mama this time last year after reading a review of it on another blog (Imagine Gnats perhaps?). I remember skimming the first few chapters sitting in the bleachers at swimming lessons last winter, but then life got hectic and I never picked it back up.

In the past few weeks, I finally have, and while some of the content wasn't quite my situation (I have had a smart phone for less than a year, so while it has certainly become useful, I wasn't feeling addicted per se), much of the book was a good reminder that I needed to have repeated chapter by chapter. Namely, to slow down and appreciate the moment more. Make time with my family paramount to other commitments because the years go fast and I should enjoy my kids now. And with a little baby - our last baby! - and a long separation from my husband on the horizon - the joys of military life! - I really don't want to look back and feel like I was too distracted to enjoy it all when it was right here before me. My goal for the year is focus, and I'm starting with focusing on my family.

So I hadn't blogged in months when I picked back up at the start of the year, and I was feeling uncertain about how to approach it going forward. I do love to write, and I created a detailed plan for January and February, mapping out three posts a week - mainly because I wanted to host the 4x7 Sewing Challenge and felt I needed to get a lot of posts pumped out to get viewership back up beforehand. But as a quick scroll will show, I haven't come close to hitting that posting frequency. And it's ok! (Says the book ; ) I'm trying a new schedule to allow myself more sleep, more exercise, more energy and enjoyment, and more dedicated time to work. For the most part, it's going well so far. But I'm noticing that every time my planner says, "Write blog post," it seems I'd rather keep sewing or bake blueberry muffins, or call a friend to meet for sledding with the kids. And now that I've really had time to absorb the book, I'm feeling fine with that. I did do a little snowed-in sewing earlier this week thanks to the blizzard, but I also made sure I had time for sledding!

4x7 Sewing Challenge weekly prizes | Berry Barn Designs

I haven't been completely slacking in preparation for the 4x7 Sewing Challenge, however! I have chosen prizes, and I want to share those today. (Also, I decided two drawings wasn't enough - so I'm doing four! One for each week.)

On Sunday, I'll post a little kick off explaining what my goal is for the month of "selfish sewing." I encourage everyone to post about their goal(s) this weekend, too, whether on your blog or in a snapshot #4x7sewingchallenge. Our first link up will be Saturday, February 7th, when you can show us how the first week went for you!

~ Sarah

Jo link

1/29/2015 23:13:26

I don't know if it's something you considered, but what I've been trying to do with my blog posting is writing a bunch in an afternoon, or over two days - say the weekend and scheduling them periodically. So instead of trying to work in multiple times per week to write a post, I'll spend an afternoon, getting a few posts written. For me anyway (and I don't have kids, so it's probably easier lol) I find it less time consuming because I'll have everything ready and be "in the zone". I can then change the dates of posts and publish them earlier or later to squeeze in other things that come up (a few times I've extended the postings if I've had nothing else lined up so there's at least a weekly post to spread them out over a month over stressing about having 4 in a week and nothing for a few weeks).

I used to write blog posts on the spot or write one at a time multiple times a week and I just found altogether it sucked out a lot of time going back and forth from sewing to posting andI find doing it in bulk frees up time so I can actually read blogs and comment on other ones instead of constantly writing my own posts during 'computer time'!

You've picked some great prizes! I think I'm going to have to participate ;)

Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl link

1/30/2015 03:42:00

I applaud your search for balance in your life. :)

Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge link

1/30/2015 07:22:45

I recently stumbled onto the Hands Free Mama blog and have been thinking about picking up the book. As a new parent, I'm really trying to figure out how to still be me while being a mom to 11 week old twins. I spent a lot of time with technology because it lets me stay in touch with the outside world (I don't spend a lot of time there these days!), but I don't want it to interfere with my connection to the kiddos. Balance... so tricky. Thanks for organizing the 4by7... I'm looking forward to the selfish sewing! :)

Chelsea Huckins link

1/31/2015 00:53:55

I get the whole selfish sewing. With things always on the verge of crazy with plans and trying to get everything done, I love the idea of this challenge. I have been mentally thinking how I can plan 30 minutes of sewing each day, but I am working on it. It will be fun to see everyone's journey through the challenge.

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Gearing Up for the 4x7 Sewing Challenge: Prizes!

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