A look inside

I promised a look at my sketch for a quilt. I ALWAYS have something to sketch on and with. All three of these are quilt ideas. The top will be a baby quilt inspired by one at Pink Chalk Studio. The lower left will be an art quilt and the lower right will be a full sized quilt and could be adapted for a baby or art quilt.

When will I make these? I do not have a clue. Maybe never. Maybe tomorrow. These sketch books / journals / picture books are for inspiration and notes. They are a conglomeration of my thoughts, quotes, mag pullouts, pictures I have printed, fortune cookie fortunes, notes, phone numbers, addresses. You name it - if I found inspiration - if it was something I needed to remember - if I found it worthy of writing down (even a shopping list) - it could be in these.

They are a lot of fun to go back through too. The most amazing thing about the older ones, I can still look at the sketches and immediately "see" what I was trying to catch at that moment. I can refer to these much like an Illustrated Discovery Journal referenced many times by Sarah ban Breathnach in her Simple Abundance writings.

There are creations, decorating ideas, gift ideas referenced. The RED RECLINER that I sit in everyday is one of the things that has appeared over and over in the books. I clipped photos of red leather chairs and kept them for years. So when I found that recliner and it was sucha great deal - I knew without a doubt that this was IT. No indecision - no fears - no regrets.

What is not in these books. My dream career. Not in that format. I can see the direction my life has taken by looking at these, but there is not actual reference to my "DREAMS". I think having recognized that fact, I will focus some energy on defining that path. I have spent years slaying demons and now am ready for that serious look forward to plan my future. Pity you have to get to be 40 before you can decide what you want to be when you grow up.

Really - I want to take an active role in planning my future. I want a comfortable retirement. I want to be able to travel. I want to be able to help my children with their children when needed. I want my house to be the place all the grandkids remember spending time at. I want time to be creative and a place to work on that stuff. I want the people around me to encourage me wholly. I want to help others get on this nurturing path earlier than I did. I want a better life for all my loved ones.

I may not get all the things I want from my life. But I can identify the steps to take to try and accomplish things. Then I can blame no one but myself - that's the scary part - when you take control of your life, you have no one to blame.

So what are your dreams for the future? What do you want to be when you grow up? Are you in control of the plan? Are you ready to take that control?

Have a wonderful day.