‘Don’t think too much’ is a pretty good philosophy.
Just finished “The Art of Fielding” where the story follows an incredibly gifted athlete who learns the hard way about how thinking too much can intercept and poison talent. Thought can interfere with one’s craft as well. Studying, plodding along, reworking, while essential components of completing work, are often not enough to resolve a project in a satisfactory way.
Which is why I pin works-in-progress to quilts that are already on the wall — so that I can look at them while doing the dishes, or talking on the phone, or while exiting the house in a mad dash. You get different ideas and solutions at those times, and they seem to come without trying.
This woven cloth is going to become an apron. Why? Because last night, after pausing in my stitching, I laid it in my lap. K. and I were watching a VERY long movie (“Henry Fool”), waiting for it to end, honestly, and I noticed that I really liked having the cloth there. In my lap. It seemed to belong there.
So, even though I never would have set out to turn this rectangle of linen into an apron HAD I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, I think it’ll be a really nice one. And a keeper.
Have you made any surprise decisions with a work-in-progress lately?
P.S. “Don’t think too much” happens to be a good mantra for the days following dropping a first born at college! In service of not thinking too much, my house is probably going to get pretty clean this week. A tiny compensation for C’s absence.
..and this not thinking too much is of course also an excellent advice when commenting (sophisticated or not)
and yes the not thinking often happens, like in ‘the narrow cloth’ which started life as a wall-hanging and evolved into a single person quilt or wrap.
yes…. evolution speaks to letting things have their way, doesn’t it? which is another way of not-over-thinking
wonderful post! thank you for reminding me to turn the old brain off!
Yes Mam! This is just what I need to do and not think, not OVER think…then I may get something done for once. At least when it comes to art, some things require more thought and planning…just not overly done!
Hi Nancy! to actually finish work requires a real dedicated act of will (I am much better at starting things!)
A mantra perfect for me!
Over from Nancy
Beautiful blog
Dee~ I’m great at starting things!! haha
BTW~ I linked to this post of yours on my post yesterday 🙂
another starter, eh? I’ll check out your blog for the link!
Nancy – thanks for that link — your rambling, picture-less post (not counting The Stones, that is) was provocative and funny!
good advice – sometimes a cloth just develops by laying on the table or hanging on the pinwall. Without constantly watching it something seems to happen. If only there wasn´t my own impatience.. I will keep it in my mind what you said …