Over the weekend, the quilt world lost a visionary, Yvonne Porcella. I do not remember when I first met Yvonne in person. I know her influence came into my life back in the early 1980s with her book Pieced Clothing. I came to quilting from a garment/sewing background and still dabbled in garments even though quilting had taken over my life. Her book was all about how to used patchwork and pieced techniques to construct garments. The garments were not fitted; all the pieces were cut from rectangles and had their roots in folk clothing. I went onto make vests and jackets for myself in this fashion. Eventually, this concept formed the basis for the commissioned garments I made for others. Over the years I followed what she created, both her own work and the Studio Art Quilt Associates that she founded. We chatted in Houston when we were both there. I learned that my pronunciation of almond did not match with hers, and she was, after all, an almond grower.

Fast forward to 2014. I remember having a conversation with Yvonne at the SAQA Conference in Alexandria, Va. I gave the keynote address and talked about how important it was to know your why. Yvonne came to share with me details of her upcoming book Defining Why. What struck me over this weekend as I looked at the tributes that poured in was the gifts she shared and received. It really was all about love.

Here is a shot of me with Iris Karp of Mistyfuse and Yvonne taken at Quilt Market in 2014.

To learn more about Yvonne, the Quilt Show has its legend show on Yvonne free for the rest of the month. To access it click here. In the meanwhile, maybe you have memories about Yvonne Porcella from the Quilt Show, or a  another tribute about the books she has written. Feel free to leave them on our on our ICAP Facebook or Google+ pages?

“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.” ~ Steve Jobs

I am getting ready to take some PT or “Pause Time.” While it is intentional that I am spending this week at our home on the Chesapeake Bay, I realize I need to fully honor that Pause Time in my calendar.

I have gone to two conferences this summer. They were different, and each had such positive value for me in my business and life. Yet, I have not really taken the time to pause and reflect on how to go forward with all the information I learned. I have been in a catch-up mode after I returned from each.

I am sure you have been in this space at some point. You have so much on your plate and you are just pushing through the day. Often you find that you are not really getting anywhere. Sure you are checking off the “to do” items and blocking them into the calendar, but are you making any real forward progress?

Part of the problem is that we are keeping our minds so active getting our work done or moving to the next task, that we are not taking truly inspired action. And, I think it is even worse in today’s tech environment. You just have to log onto social media and you get inundated with all kinds of posts.

What does pause time do for you? When you actually create the space, slow down and let go, you are able to see things with a different perspective. You are able to reflect on where you are and where you want to go. This is especially true for seeing those opportunities that are just outside your comfort zone. You often do not even see them, if you don’t take the time to pause.

I think we can use a little bit of pause time in each day — a time for stillness and reflection. Take some time to be still, whether that is in the garden or in a quiet room overlooking the garden. It might even be a formal meditation practice that you have. I suggest doing this in a space that is not your office, so you do not have distractions. Then in that space of quiet, take the time to just be and then reflect on where you are and where you are going.

Join me in Pause Time. Find inspired action.

Here is a quote I like. It reminds me that the stillness and reflection providing answers, or inspired actions.

“If you do follow your bliss …  doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.”  ~ Joseph Campbell

Who doesn’t wander into a quilt shop or go to a quilt show and not get tempted by the array of fat quarters or jelly rolls? I know they are hard to resist, as evidenced by my own stash. That was the impetus behind Smash Your Precut Stash by Kate Carlson Colleran and Elizabeth Veit Balderamma. Kate and Elizabeth knew many of us had a precut stash, just as they did. Offering a little bit of color theory and some nifty tips, Kate and Elizabeth have designed 11 patterns for you to smash that stash. Their designs could be called traditional with a twist, and I know you’ll find several you’ll want to make. I particularly liked “My Favorite Fat Quarter Runner” and “Plain Jane.” While the patterns are designed to use a specific type of precut, Kate and Elizabeth make suggestions on how to substitute other precuts. The book also includes a gallery with lots to inspire you to attack that stash!

You can look for the book at your favorite quilt shop or book retailer. Here is the link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

You know that idea that comes to you from who knows where? What are you doing with it? Do you cast it aside? Do you mull it over? Do you write it down so you don’t lose it? Do you take action because of it?

Some years back I read The Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale, and he wrote about inspired action. He said it was “any action that you take based on an inside nudge.” In a sense, it is acting on your intuition or that little voice inside that is talking to you. We all have those experiences.

So where do you find these inspired ideas? One of my sisters says she gets hers on her daily run. Another finds her ideas when she is wandering around a museum. I often come up with ideas – great and not so great – during my morning walk or when I am sitting on the deck at our home on the Chesapeake Bay or when I walk to the mailbox and back. (It is a very long driveway!) You might find yours soaking in the tub after a long day or hiking in the woods or gardening, in other words, someplace that is not your office or studio. I think Julia Cameron’s artist date can do this for you, too. It takes you outside your normal surroundings.

That is one key, getting away from your normal, i.e., comfortable surroundings.

Another idea is to try some of the same, but from a different perspective. For example, if your ideas often come on a walk in the woods, try a different route. Or change up the time so you walk in the morning when you usually walk in the afternoon. You will open yourself up to looking at things differently, and new ideas will come.

A third tip to encourage inspired ideas is to be more mindful. Take time to notice and appreciate what is right in front of you. For me, a short meditation practice opens me up to being more present and that lets me see more ideas. It’s not surprising that if we pay more attention, we are open to more ideas. You never know, the inspired idea might just comes from a sign on a highway.

No matter where the inspiration comes from, if you are not in the position to take immediate action, you will need to keep a pad or a digital recorder handy. You might also use a notes app on your phone. I find I often need to make a quick note of the idea, in case I am distracted. I can’t count the numbers of great ideas that disappeared.

When I explained this idea to one of my clients, she asked how she could be more open to receiving opportunities for inspired action beyond the three tips? I said that you have to be clear on what your intentions are first, the clearer the better. Then when you get those nudges, pay attention, and look for coincidences.

When the idea comes to you, what do you do with it? Sometimes you just move forward, trusting it is the right the thing to do. Other times it is important to ask if the idea will move your toward your goal or vision or intention. If the answer is yes, then get to work – take inspired action.

As I said, we all have those “inside nudges” prompting us to take action. The problem is we can talk ourselves out of them – too little time, too little money, too little whatever. I call it self-sabotage. I think we need to learn to trust that inner voice a bit more.

When was the last time you took inspired action? Where did it come from? I would love to hear about your thoughts below or on the ICAP Facebook or Google+ pages.

How often do you reward yourself for your work? If you are like many creative entrepreneurs I know, it’s not very often. Sure you accomplish the items on your to-do list, you make progress towards your goals, and you may feel proud about what you are doing. Then, it’s on to the next thing on the list, the next goal.

Many of my clients take part in what I call a Success and Strategies Summit on a weekly basis. I had been taking time to look at what I accomplished and plan ahead on a weekly basis for years. When I started working with private clients and ICAP members, I shared this more formal practice with them.

A big part of this Summit is celebrating our successes. Did I mention how we often are on to the next thing and don’t do this?

Since most of us work in isolated environments, i.e., not an outside workplace with lots of co-workers, it’s up to us to reward ourselves. I like the idea of putting a reward on a piece of paper, putting it in the jar and then picking something out for yourself when it’s time to celebrate.

As for what kind of reward you create, you need to think about what motivates you. We all have different motivators. A bike ride through the park may be just what you need. For someone else that bike ride is a painful reminder of exercise. And, not everyone enjoys a hot bubble bath or a massage. For you, maybe it’s a trip to a nice restaurant, a visit to a new gallery, a game of toss with your dog or a shopping spree for a new pair of shoes. This past week I celebrated with three bunches of beautiful tulips.

How to figure out what really motivates you? It’s often that activity that brings a smile to your face. Spend some time making a list of those activities, write them on individual pieces of paper and collect them in a jar or even a fabric bowl. As you look back over your successes this week, don’t forget to reward yourself.

Please share your what’s in your reward jar below.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the United States. Since it is a holiday, we are not sending out our regular e-zine this week.

This is one of my favorite holidays, and not just because it could be termed our National Day of Eating! I am excited to be headed to Chicago where my husband and I will celebrate with three of my sisters, a brother-in-law and five nieces and nephews. I am looking forward to sharing family favorites — food and stories — at the dinner table.

Since Thanksgiving is often a time for reflection, I did want to take this opportunity to let you know how sincerely grateful I am for everyone who reads this e-zine, takes time to comment on our blog, has joined the International Association of Creative Arts Professionals, follows me and comments on Facebook and other forms of social media, has taken our classes, attended or is planning to attend our annual Creative Arts Business Summit or works with me on a private or group basis. I am truly honored that you have allowed me to contribute in some small way to your business growth. It is so rewarding for me that I can make a difference. Thank you!

If you are celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, I hope your day is filled with traditions and gratitude, as mine will be. I have had a gratitude practice for years now, writing down three to five gratitude items each day.

As I have done in the past, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite quotes about gratitude:

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

Marcel Proust

“Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually
attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.”

Christiane Northrup

What are you grateful for this year? Please share it below or on ICAP’s Facebook Fan page.

Hop, Skip, Jump: 75 Ways to Playfully Manifest a Meaningful Life
Marney Makridakis
New World Library; $16.95

Have you ever considered the impact play has in what you bring about in your life? Creativity expert Marney Makridakis explains that manifesting ultimately comes down to momentum, and play connects us to the power of momentum, without even realizing it. Her goal in writing this book is to give us tools to use at the intersection between play and productivity to manifest whatever we desire. She starts out with a quirky quiz so we can learn if we are hoppers, skippers or jumpers. That lets you know if you are more comfortable connecting with your vision and plans to see that your dreams are on solid ground; trying lots of different things and creating momentum as a result; or quickly taking action and moving things to completion, sometimes without thinking things through. Once you have got your core comfort level determined, she gives you 75 ready-to-use tools to push through the blocks in your way. And, you can just open the book to any tool and use it then; no need to start at the beginning of the book and work your way through. Here are just a few: Creating your imaginary board of directors and holding an imaginary meeting; creating your own permission slips; using Internet oracles to answer project questions; turning your doubts into dares. I also loved her quick fun facts and AcroWhims (ACTION = Answering Calls to Initiate Opportunities Now) and Manifestagrams (Manifest= “Amen” fits) at the end of the chapters. This book is downright fun and will get your creative, productive juices running.

Look for this book at your favorite quilt or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.