Thursday Think Tank Obituary(?)

There have been some awesome loyal MRL followers who have asked "uh, so, no more Thursday Think Tank?"  To be honest I didn't really intend to go cold turkey on Thursdays.  However, no matter how much I plan ahead earlier in the week of blogging I can't seem to get my T.T.T. posts lined up - my life is just too busy!  Once it started being a chore instead of fun I couldn't really justify doing it.  I realize that I just have so little free time and if I am not using that free time to do what I want then why am is it really worth doing that thing?  Now - if anyone else who was into T.T.T. wants to take it up for awhile or guest post or whatever then I am all for it.  However, I'd direct your attention to Sew Thinky Thursdays on Mommy's Nap Time.  Clearly not exactly the same thing as she asks a question and yet it is probably much more sustainable because of that focus.  Shrug.

I have some other grandiose ideas I'd like to fool around with as a weekly thing.  But, again, grand ideas require time and I just haven't gotten my act together to do anything further.  Hahahahaa...that is why I started T.T.T. because I just get too many damn ideas in my head and needed to record them!

Thanks for your support in this.  Love to hear your thoughts, if you missed it then I'd love to know!

- rebecca lynne 

Sick Guilt

Sick guilt.  Have you ever had it?  It is when you are sick, so you stay home from work because you are feeling awful or are just courteous enough to not want to spread your germs, and yet while home recuperating you feel guilt.  Guilt that you aren't at work working.  Do you know what I mean?

Well I am home sick today and I have sick guilt.  What inevitably ends up happening is that I try to check email from home, listen to voicemails, and generally fret all day about what I should be doing at work instead of taking fever meds and using up boxes of tissues.

I hate sick guilt.

In the world of creativity - have you ever started out with this totally awesome design plan.  Pattern - check.  Fabric - check.  Dedication/Motivation/Time - check.  And then halfway or more through the project, after pressing, cutting, sewing, and re-sewing you throw that baby up on your design wall or spread it out on the floor only to go What the H?  Yeah, I had one of those moments this week...

I love my fabric choices, it goes well together, and yet the vibe I wanted to get from the pattern I chose (which is just a very simple basket weave) just completely sucked with my fabric choices.  The thing that I had seen in my head?  Well this was Not It.

However, as in all things art, and a hard lesson I have learned time and time again in school and beyond, I can give up and whine about this (which I clearly just did above) or I can move on and see it as a creative opportunity.  So creative opportunity...here I come...

In this case, my creative opportunity will be involving these which I am dubbing the *Purple People Pleasers*

And see?  I am keeping to my stash busting commitment...the Purple People Pleasers stack contains some of my favs, AMH, Jay Carroll, Tanya Whelan.

Linking up to Live a Colorful Life's Really Random Thursday (I love this week's post.)

And of course Thursday Think Tank.  What is your Think Tank this week?

HERE ARE THE RULES! 

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

Thursday Think Tank

You know what I am think tanking?  How utterly RIDICULOUS it is that I pay for the same service, at the same rate, just mere miles away from where I previously lived, for internet that for some reason DOESN'T WORK FOR CRAP! AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH. ***Experiencing Technical Difficulties***   Perhaps this will actually result in my accomplishing more than web surfing?  Eh, unlikely...

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK? 

HERE ARE THE RULES! 

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

- rebecca lynne

GIVEAWAY! Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Last Chance!

Things at work have been RIDICULOUS these past few weeks.  However, I had an important appearance in court this morning (my last one before Christmas...or actually 2013) and I am feeling So Much Better!

To top off my work stress I have had Low Volume Swap stress.  Would you believe that my local post office (remember I live in a rural area) ran out of International Customs Forms or whatever they call them.  First, they had me fill out the wrong papers.  Then they told me (the next time I stopped in, mind you, with a new load of packages) to fix the previous set of packages which someone had incorrectly advised me to fill out.  Then they ran out of the forms so only some packages were mailed in the first batch.  Then I went into the city to get MORE forms and send packages from there, then I had a last load which had issues with the package weight/size or some nonsense.  Dude, I had long lines to wait in Brooklyn but I never dealt with issues like this!  Agh, sometimes I miss city living!!!

SO.  If you are in the swap and got your package YAY!  If you are waiting on your package and are international then read above, you must be one of the handful of packages requiring certain forms which are MIA because a) I live in the middle of nowhere and apparently supplies are hard to come by and b) 'tis the season where they run out of everything anyway, so even if they HAD these forms there wouldn't be too many to begin with and I've used them all up.

This is really going to generate some bad karma in the mailing/swap area of my life.  Grrrr...

Between work, finishing up the swap, and living out of boxes...well I need a damn vacation.

Instead, let me take this opportunity to have a moment of zen.
 And share with you some makes that have been going on around here...

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER 
THURSDAY THINK TANK HOLIDAY HOP GIVEAWAY!

Also, take the opportunity to check out all these chances to link up your Think Tank ideas for a giveaway.  Winner to be drawn on December 27th.

1. November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

2. November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!

3. November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor

4. November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches or MRL free pillow cover pattern

5. November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

6. December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

7. December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up

8. December 20 - YOU!  DIY Christmas Party Link Up

Prizes?  

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

Also!  I have identified the MRL Stash I am going to send out...  Let's just say that a very awesome store accidentally sent me double what I paid for...identical fabrics from their Stash Stack Club and well hell, why shouldn't I share it with one of you!  Thanks Pink Castle Fabrics for indirectly contributing to this giveaway!!! (Don't worry, I asked if they wanted it back, they said I could keep it...aren't they amazingly nice?)

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK? 

HERE ARE THE RULES! 

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

- rebecca lynne

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop at Rainbow Hare Quilts

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Rainbow Hare Quilts

Welcome to Week 6 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!

Hop on over to Rainbow Hare Quilts where Janine has provided a FABULOUS review of some very cool very crafty wrapping options!  

Wrapping is one of my favorite things about the holidays, I love trying to get creative in my wrapping.  This year I have bought different types of craft paper and a bunch of different ribbons to switch it up.  It is very country chic - heh heh...  In fact, I have to go wrap some presents RIGHT NOW!

Side note: I've really missed blogging lately.  I have so much to catch you all up on.  My first WNYMQG meeting (whew hew!), the updates in the house, cookie baking going on by the little girls, finding my stash again.  I will overcome the mountain at work and I'll be back better than ever.  Thanks for hanging in and being so supportive.  xoxo!

Don't forget to link up at Janine's!!!

Also, take the opportunity to check out all these chances to link up your Think Tank ideas for a giveaway.  Winner to be drawn on December 27th.

1. November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

2. November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!

3. November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor

4. November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches or MRL free pillow cover pattern

5. November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

6. December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

7. December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up

8. December 20 - YOU!  DIY Christmas Party Link Up

Prizes?  

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK? 

HERE ARE THE RULES! 

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

Go link up over at Janine's for your chance to win!

- rebecca lynne

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Missy Mac Creations

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Missy Mac Creations

Welcome to Week 5 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!

Head on over to the amazing Miss Erin herself at Missy Mac Creations to link up for this week's Thursday Think Tank!  See below for prize details...

I literally had a Holy S***! moment today when I realized how close we are to Christmas.  Expletive expletive bleep bleep bleep...I have nothing ready and my house is still a shelter for moving boxes...BLEEP.

I am trying not to stress but the crap keeps piling on.  I'm sick, the Mr. is having minor surgery tomorrow, work is like this place I have to go to only to feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I cannot seem to complete, and then I come home to more uncompleted stuff.  AGH!

PERSPECTIVE

- I have the greatest family

- we have our health

- eventually my house will rock, and in the meantime it already feels like home

- work I can address, I just need to focus

- Christmas is not Tomorrow - I'll get on top of it before the man in red arrives

- of course I'm feeling under the weather, I need to give myself a break

- LV Swap packages are leaving me this week

- tomorrow is Friday

I am going to post my Christmas Tree Pillow design to share with you all.  This is the time to give right?  I think it is exactly the project I need to de-stress...  

While I work that out go visit Erin and link up to this week's TTT!

Don't forget to check out all these chances to link up your Think Tank ideas for a giveaway.  Winner to be drawn on December 27th.

1. November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

2. November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!

3. November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor

4. November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches or MRL free pillow cover pattern

5. November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

6. December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

7. December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up

8. December 20 - YOU!  DIY Christmas Party Link Up

Prizes?  

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK? 

HERE ARE THE RULES! 

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

Go link up over at Erin's for your chance to win!

- rebecca lynne

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - She Can Quilt

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - She Can Quilt

Welcome to Week 4 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!

Head on over to She Can Quilt to link up for this week's Thursday Think Tank!  See below for prize details...

A lot of this going on in my house

and a little of this...

AND come back here tomorrow when I host TGIFF!!!

Don't forget to check out all these chances to link up your Think Tank ideas for a giveaway.  Winner to be drawn on December 27th.

1. November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

2. November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!

3. November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor

4. November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches or MRL free pillow cover pattern

5. November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

6. December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

7. December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up

8. December 20 - YOU!  DIY Christmas Party Link Up

Prizes?  

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK? 

HERE ARE THE RULES! 

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

Go link up over at Leanne's for your chance to win!

- rebecca lynne

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches

Welcome to Week 3 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!

Ooooh I am quite a bit tardy for this Thursday Think Tank!  Luckily I knew I could rely on Kelli to do a kickass post...and she did!  So don't forget to link up over at Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches and enter into the TTT Holiday Hop Giveaway.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Even though our house is inundated with unpacked boxes I have somehow managed to create Thanksgiving dinner using one large pot, one small oven, and one mixing bowl.  Don't know about you but I'm impressed and I have only had one sip of wine thus far!  [For those of you who don't recall, my cooking at any time of the year is impressive let alone on a major holiday with these kinds of limitations.  ;)]

{No joke Miss O, who is "writing" with me, just pulled the plug on our archaic laptop and the whole thing crashed.  Awesome.}

Although I am using every spare moment of my free time to clean areas of the house bit by bit while unpacking  the appropriate items that will be living in the now clean areas, which explains why I only have portions of my kitchen available to me at the moment, I still can't help dreaming about Christmas decorations.  I am already extremely bummed that I couldn't decorate for Thanksgiving (wanted to make a give thanks banner and also quickly sew up a table runner...next year I suppose) so I have already warned the Mr. that there is no way in H that I am missing out on Christmas.  He has already agreed to 2 Christmas Trees.  Ha!

In the spirit of Kelli's post I, coincidentally, have decided I want to make a tapioca wood flower wreath.  I love this because I think it will go really nicely with our house which has a large wood presence plus I think it is extremely versatile and can be used year round.

The Mr. even said he isn't opposed.  (!!!)  So, wreath making supplies, here I come!

Don't forget to check out all these chances to link up your Think Tank ideas for a giveaway.  Winner to be drawn on December 27th.

1. November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

2. November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!)

3. November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor
4. November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches or MRL free pillow cover pattern

5. November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

6. December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

7. December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up
8. December 20 - YOU!  DIY Christmas Party Link Up

Prizes?  

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?  

HERE ARE THE RULES! 

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments?

Go link up over at Susan's for your chance to win!

- rebecca lynne