Phrase of the year... how am I doing?

Monday, June 2, 2014
So, I don't know if you remember but... way back in January I told you all that instead of having a word of the year I was going to have a phrase of the year. That phrase was/is "Live what you love". Since it is June I have decided it is time to check in with myself and see how I am doing.

The truth is I am not there yet, but I am making strides to get there. Did you know that I started sewing when I was six? I hate to tell you how long ago that was but the number has a 4 and a 2 in it. I sewed doll clothes, I sewed all of my own clothes in High School. Most of my friends thought I was crazy because they certainly weren't Southern Oregon standard fare. Thanks to Sara Lawson from Sew Sweetness I remembered how much I like sewing for myself. She offered some advance yardage for me to make something to wear to Market. So I made this adorable blouse.. which I have been wearing a lot because it is so comfy and cool for summer.

Made for me! From my own pattern. Kind of proud of that. Wish you could see the details. @sewsweetness  Jungle Ave fabric.... Can't wait for @quiltmarket

I also made a dress. I designed them (they are simple) and made them to fit me. I have been thinking a lot about offering garment sewing classes at the shop and so this was a good brush up on my skills. More about that later.

I also starting piecing a quilt just for me, not one that I need for a sample for the shop, or to show a certain collection ... just because I want to make it. The Aviatrix Medallion by Elizabeth Hartman. Here is my progress so far on that one:


Dear #aviatrixmedallion , You're crazy! Not that there is anything wrong with that. Love, Me

This pic was taken at midnight in the shop so ... it is a little brighter than this shows. After all I am using Wasabi as the background :)

My next task is figuring out how I can cut back a little bit to spend more time with my family. The hard thing for me is that I am driven. I constantly want to be the best, work the hardest, and please everyone. It is very hard for me to say "That's enough". I have been struggling with whether I want to expand the business or keep it as it is. Common sense, at least to me, says that I should want to expand and make it bigger and add more and keep doing that. I think I want to go outside the box and say "This is enough" we are busy enough, we have enough, I work hard enough. It goes against everything I have ever done or thought to say "I am content right here". No need to expand more, spend more, grab more of the pie. I will belabor the point a little more and say that I thought this yesterday morning "I am done expanding" then by last night I was already working out funding to expand.... I literally had to remind myself what I was thinking a few hours earlier.

Hugs to all... have a great week!
16 comments on "Phrase of the year... how am I doing?"
  1. I know what you mean. A shop here is up for sale.

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  2. You describe me just a few years ago. I had an entirely different business but your same personality and the dilemma you are facing. I chose to stay as I was and not expand into larger space. My business expanded anyway and I was able to avoid the overhead. I would have had to double my clientele to cover that overhead. You are fairly new to your location anyway. You did not ask for advice, but my experience taught me that sometimes waiting a year can make all the difference and keep you sane.

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  3. You described me from several years ago. I thought my career was my life and then I lost my son in 2009 and I realized my career was nothing compared with the time I could spend with my family. Good luck in your future endeavors.

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  4. It is a much harder choice to STOP than it is to keep growing! Good luck!

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  5. Cute top!!! Looks perfect for Summer. I hope you'll be happy w/ your decision - I always love shopping w/ you (online).

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  6. Cute top!!! Looks perfect for Summer. I hope you'll be happy w/ your decision - I always love shopping w/ you (online).

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  7. I know exactly how you feel. It gets hard to say "no" when you love what you do and love to help people! You can do it! Start small!

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  8. Admit it Julie, you just wanted to let us know that you're 30 :))) I can totally understand your dilemma, hope you'll be able to make a decision that's the best for you and your family!

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  9. Hugs back and enjoy what you have for a bit.. you always have me to drive you nuts.. xo

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  10. It's hard, isn't it? I watched a Tedx talk with Shawn Achor that reminded me that achieving goals after setting them is a very fleeting way of making myself happy. It's not like I am an overachiever (anymore) but it's still nice to be reminded that it's okay to be happy with what I have. :)

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  11. Cute blouse....do you sell the pattern. I have lots of stash fabrics that I could use to make blouses for my school teacher daughter!!!! XXX

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  12. The blouse is super cute. The quilt looks amazing(got my pattern last week for this one...and the fox).
    Your shop is wonderful and I don't know how you manage to get done all that you do. Expansion or no expansion I will continue to LOVE your shop and tell everyone how much I love it.

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  13. The medallion is looking fab, and great top! I'm e-mailing you something my dad sent me today, good advice...

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  14. I understand where you're coming from. I think we are often surrounded by this idea (especially in silicon valley!!) to be driven for more more more. But I think you are incredibly wise to think about what you have, and to enjoy it and be content. It's something not enough of us do. :) You are always inspiring, Julie!

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  15. Love the top and that quilt is really cool

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  16. Hi Julie ... it was so great meeting you and visiting your fabulous shop today. I still love how you're doing your Aviatrix Medallion. I'll have to go back and pick out some fun fabrics for it. And I really hope that you add some ladies garment patterns in addition to all those awesome little girl ones. Cheers! :-)

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