Life as an unfinished project

Unfinished projects.  I have a lot of them.  Some don't interest me anymore, others I feel guilty about letting languish. But they're all sitting here in my head (or in the closet) mocking me.

Bigger picture?  Life.  Life is one big...messy...unfinished project.  Which is good because well, let's face it, no one wants a finished life.  I like to think I'm only half way through this great adventure - at least that's my plan.  But time is rushing and there's still so much to do...not sure what I want to do with my life.  Which, considering that I used to "duck and cover" in grade school, could be problematic. 

Oh, I've dabbled in a lot of things - went to college and majored in theatre in the 70's (dropped out...bad idea), worked as an actress/singer in the 80's (no money...lots of great friends), took up quilting and embroidery (spent a lot of money...still haven't made any), got married and became a mom in the 90's (good idea...really hard work...costs a lot of money), went back to school for Interior Design in the 00's (discovered Charles and Ray Eames-WOW!... realized that designing interiors for rich people just wouldn't cut it), and have managed a scenic design office for many years (living wage, lots of interesting people, no real artistic satisfaction, and the annoying 9-5 routine).  Hmm...one big unfinished project. 

I used to be a glass half empty kind of girl.  I could find a dark cloud anywhere.  I thought the only things I could succeed at were the things I didn't care about.  Which was true.  Which is not true.  Which was only true because I let it be.

Need to shake things up a bit.   What to do?  Write a blog.  Put some ideas out there.  Get inspired to finish up old things and start new things.  Well, ok.  That's an idea.  It could work.  I guess.

So here's the deal.  A few weeks back I decided that it was time to make something.  I bought a couple of dvds about making whole cloth quilts by painting on fabric by Judy Coates Perez (http://judyperez.blogspot.com/).  You can buy the dvds at http://www.interweavestore.com/.

And I actually did something!  Here it is - just about finished.  I still have to add the binding (twisted and couched chenille thread, I think).  Considering that I've never painted on fabric before and that I haven't quilted in quite some time, I am pleased with the final product.  I didn't use the best piece of fabric in case I messed it up, I picked hearts because they are easy to draw freehand, and I had some issues with the free-motion quilting because I'm out of practice. 

But ok.  I did it.  And now I want to paint more and learn to draw better so that I can really put on cloth what's in my head.  Now, that's a project.  Better get started...