Hello There.....hope you are all Fine and Dandy!
Now the title of this post is a positive one!
All summed up perfectly in how I feel about my crocheted cushion! (Well you all know how bonkers I am!) I have spent most of my life striving for perfection, being the perfect daughter, student, employee, employer, wife, mother, friend....Phew, NOONE can sustain that amount of perfection!
It took me quite a few years, but finally the penny dropped, I'm not perfect, I cannot be perfect....and you know something....ALL IS OK, NOT BEING PERFECT, IS PERFECTLY OK!
I'm not sure where the need for perfection came from.
Now I'm not totally against perfection. Perfectionism is a great quality in Olympic athletes and we all want the surgeon, who has our life in their hands, to be perfect. But maintaining a perfect life is an in my opinion, an impossibility!
My Dad always said to me "Just try your best" they never expected great things from me, my parents were too busy working hard, putting a roof over our heads, to put too much pressure on us anyway!
So I always 'try my best' never get anything perfect, but it's fine. My cushion is lovely but not perfect, I'm perfectly fine with this. It may have taken me a long, long time to reach this conclusion but I got there in the end!
Here's the back.....
And here it is on my settee (yes this is MY settee, it's ok my family know this...it's just the cat that keeps forgetting!)
Another thought! I always try my best, but sometimes that is hard too, what would happen if I only put 90% into something, or perhaps even 80%? We all have 80% days don't we?
My world won't collapse will it, if somedays I only put in 80%!!!!! I will give it a go and let you know!
Well while my life isn't perfect, I do have absolutely perfect moments....
Crocheting in the evening sun, listening to the birds, being glad I've found this lovely Bloggy world, that shares wonderful things! I love Perfect Moments.
It might not be perfect, but it's a great back support!
Thank you once again for stopping by and having a chat with me. I will ALWAYS think of this little blog of mine as a chat over the garden fence with a few friends. I looked at the blog stats the other day, it freaked my out a bit to be honest, lots of people stop by each day. At first I got a bit of 'blog fright' like stage fright, obviously without the stage!
However, I realised most of the people who stop by probably work in one of those spam call centres, they don't even read what I right but just use my blog address to send out spam comments!!! ( I find some of these comments hilarious, but they won't ever get on my blog as I delete them!)
So I shall just be glad I've got just a few Bloggy friends to chat with, you know over the garden fence, sharing a cuppa....or something a little stronger, depending on the time of day!
Wishing you many Perfect Moments.....have a lovely weekend!
Bye for now, Ada Bea- who has an amazing crochet cushion that supports her back PERFECTLY! :) xxx
p.s. don't forget there's 15% off in my Etsy shop until the end of June. Just type JUNE15 at checkout.
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I am a recovered perfectionist too... My eureka moment came when I started studying metal jewellery many moons ago... I realised that if I attain totally perfection something else was missing... it might as well have been made by a machine... the soul had gone... wish I'd got that when I was doing my Photography Degree... the hours I spent in the dark room with all those chemicals!! Cx
ReplyDeleteLove that "recovered perfectionist"! :) That's me...or maybe, 'recovering'.
Deleteps...all that crochet and patchwork goodness is such a pleasure to look at. I love the colours.
DeleteSpot on Cass, it's always those little 'imperfections' I look for when buying something crafted, after all it's been human made not by a machine! :) x
DeleteI say 'Keep Britain Wonky' it's far more interesting and proves we are not machines.
ReplyDeleteLovely cushion, looks quite perfect (only quite).
Eco Ethel xx
Here, here....the wonker the better! :) x
DeleteWell I love your perfectly imperfect cushion. It is lovely and bright. Just like your lovely sofa and love the chest of drawers next to you too!
ReplyDeleteMmm not sure I have always strived for perfection. That always seemed to be something that would elude me. But then again when I make something I want it to be the best I can do and am my worst critic. A bit frustrating really.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend.
P x
Your little cushion is just lovely, very pretty colours.
ReplyDeleteM x
I don't think I'll ever stop striving for perfection in all that I make and do to be honest. Whenever I finish making something I can't help but see where I went wrong and that bugs me. I guess it's part personality and part teacher syndrome as we have to continually reflect on our practice and question our approaches. After much nagging from my man I've managed to stop trying to do it all here aswell as work and now just sit in a mess to chat and laugh with everyone. I am a control freak though.
ReplyDeleteWell done to you for stepping back and enjoying as your cushion is lovely as is Your sofa. Not being a perfect nut is best. I think only Stepford Wives achieve utter perfection and I doubt we want to go there.
X
I think I would still be a perfectionist, life's taught me quite a few lessons over the last few years and I realise I'm actually in control of very little really, so I try not to stress about the little imperfections around me! :) x
DeleteThe cushion is lovely! I can't crochet so it looks brilliant to me. Don't forget that life on earth began with imperfection, so here's to all that is imperfect!Flissx
ReplyDeleteIt's a very pretty cushion indeed! Who wants to be perfect anyway, it's our little flaws and quirks that make us so special :-) xx
ReplyDeleteHi Ada, oh I love Ethel s comment above,,keep britain wonky , just about sums me and my 'creations' up. Lol who wants perfection anyway?
ReplyDeleteI do however love your crochet cushion and think it looks perfect sat upon your sofa with your vintage lovlieness behind. Love the colours together.
Hope you have a lovely sunny weekend sat in your favourite chair :)
Xxxx
The cushion is lovely, the colours so cheerful.
ReplyDeleteWe have to accept that none of us will ever be perfect, although it is hard to accept less when making something and seeing all those other seemingly perfect makes out there.I say the same to my daughter as your Dad said to you, and its all we can humanly expect of ourselves.
Crocheting (or sewing )outdoors on a warm evening, surrounded by comfort (cushions!), prettiness (flowers!)and our loved ones, is pretty damn near perfect though!
Gill xx
Thanks Gill, I think the secret is to admire what others create without feeling what you make isn't good enough! I know that's easier said than done but it certainly takes away the pressure when you can! :) x
DeleteIt looks lovely to me!
ReplyDeleteLovely cushion - looks pretty fabulous to me! I have perfectionistic tendencies too, which is obviously a rather annoying trait to have with 5 kids running around so I have learnt to let things go, or rather the kids have cured me from this trait :-). I'm a lot harder on myself than anyone else, trying to work on that too! I love the concept of perfect moments though, hope you have plenty of them this weekend. Mel x
ReplyDeleteYes, 5 kids will cure you of lots of things!!! :) x
DeleteI strive to do my best in any situation - it might not (and usually isn't!) perfect, but I can still be proud. I try and teach my son this too - in such a competitive world, I think it is important to have strategies in place to be happy in your own skin. Not everyone can achieve and A*, but if you have done your best, what more could you have done?
ReplyDeleteLove the cushion by the way. I'm just trying to finish one off - I find the edging so tricky!
Being happy in your own skin.....a great place to be! :) x
DeleteAnother recovering perfectionist here ... I sometimes think I need a 12 step plan. I blame my mother, who could never tell you something was tasty/pretty/well made ... she always had to tell you how it could be better ... took me half my life to realise that 'in her opinion' needed adding to that sentence.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth my opinion is that your cushion is pretty perfect :D
Thank you Annie, yes sometimes we think we are being 'helpful' pointing out to others where improvements can be made, but as you know it can have the opposite affect! :) x
DeleteLuckily (for me) I'm not a perfectionist. I'm really one of those "oh that will do" people. I know. That doesn't mean though that I don't try to do my best. I do but I'm a bit impatient. Life's too short and all that and usually no-one else notices the wonky bits. Embrace the wonky bits is what I say. Your cushion is gorgeous - beautiful colours. Enjoy it! xx
ReplyDeleteYou're right others never notice the wonky bits! :) x
DeleteI love your cushion!!!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about perfection right this afternoon, while I was sewing some little things on my last project.....I was looking at it and saying to myself : am I daring to show this later on my blog? It's not perfect, you can see that it's really handmade.....but with all my heart and passion! So, I thought, why not???? I know that I will receive some kind critics from the perfectionists.....but as you say, I'm not perfect, so, as a consequence, even my work !!!!
love, xxxx Ale
You create lovely things Ale, show them to the world! :) x
DeleteIt came out great Ada! Really lovely! And on the whole perfection thing couldn't agree with you more! Just try your best! 💕
ReplyDeleteWise words as usual Ada. I have had to learn to relax about things, for my health's sake.
ReplyDeleteHowever, no one could accuse me of being a perfectionist when it comes to sewing. I am a proud bodger!
Oh Ada Bea that cushion is perfectly lovely. I have a constant battle with the perfectionist inside me, tis a terrible Virgo trait and a constant battle. But if I waited until I could do everything perfectly I would do nothing. Have a happy and not at all to perfect weekend ~ Sarah x
ReplyDeleteI am awful for getting frustrated with myself when things don't go to plan. I beat myself up about it, seeing others handle the same thing so easily. Thank you for helping me to waken up and realise that we can't be perfect. Noone can do everything, but we all have our own little talents :)
ReplyDeleteNever beat yourself up, there's always someone else who wants to do that! (And if they do, just close your ears!) :) x
Deleteeverything about this post is perfection! so glad our garden fences sit next to each other! shall i go put the kettle on my lovely? xxxx
ReplyDeleteI'll make a coffee, we can use my new coffee pot! :) x
Deleteoh and that cushion!!!!x
ReplyDeletePah to perfectionism Ada, I am definitely not a perfectionist, the world would be so uniform and boring if everything was perfect! Wonderful crochet cushion, you are a clever gal xxx hope you enjoyed making this lovely x happy days to you and yours this weekend x Penny ps. You are so naughty to have sent me such pretties, thank you so much, totally unexpected and wonderfully generous x thank you gorgeous lady xxx
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! :) x
DeleteCushion is fab,love your blog
ReplyDeleteThank you Jabbott! :) x
DeleteIt is a lovely, cheerful cushion. That "perfection botheration" is very difficult to deal with. I have never made a quilt in my life and finally sewed up some squares last week. Guess what...they are in the trash basket because, you guessed it, they were not perfect.
ReplyDeleteOh no.....don't worry too much, just try again. But next time, just be a bit easier on yourself, it really doesn't have to be perfect! :) x
DeleteA marvellous conclusion - imperfect is far more interesting - nothing worse than feeling paralysed by the fear of failure...we all just need to have a go and enjoy it! And I adore your cushion - you should be very proud of that. I think it looks fab on your sofa! xx
ReplyDeleteOoh I love your blog Ada, and I'm sure lots of ther people do too ... The volume of your comments speaks volumes! If everything's perfect, life would be rather boring, especially as I often find, mistakes can turn into masterpieces!
ReplyDeleteLove the cushion, you've inspired me once more.
Love Claire xxx
You make me giggle and I am very sure those blog stats as just right and that everyone reads your blog because it is so very lovely and enjoyable and inspiring and dare I say it PERFECT!!!!!!!! Yes my dead Ada no more Striving as you my dear are more than perfect enough for all of us. I know what you mean and I definitely suffer from the same OCD perfection syndrome, and yea it does take age to learn that things can be ok at 80%! Your cushion looks a perfect 100 to me and it looks rather lovely on the sofa. Well done for making something so beautiful. I too see this lovely little blogging community as my little chat over the fence and I just love it, largely because you as all (yes you included) perfect in my eyes!!! Lol to you lovely lady and a very enjoyable weekend xoxo
ReplyDelete~ LOVE your post and words, Wise words indeed!..and of course your wonderful cushion...My parents taught me also to 'Try your best'and I taught mine the same... and their best has always been good!I found this quote in my 'bible' ( simple abundance book) recently...."Upon completing the universe, the great creator pronounced it Very good ." Not perfect"! Hope you don't mind me sharing it with you...~ Happy Summer Solstice, lovely blog friend..Hugs Maria x
ReplyDeleteLove that! :) x
DeleteI know exactly what you mean by the struggle for everything to be perfect, and I'm glad you've found the golden mean. Still, I am trying to be happy with the 90%, but it's hard...
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend!
The cushion looks pretty fantastic to me. Anyway, perfection is boring. So glad your blog is a success because you are lovely and deserve every single reader. xx
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on the perfectionist front! We need to relax and enjoy the process - and I truly believe that sharing crafts, via our bloggy friendships and our local crafty group get togethers, help us stay balanced and save us going over the edge of perfection-induced madness! I love love love the cushion, well done you for learning crochet well enough to achieve granny squares! And I bet you had a lot of fun making them... Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteit looks like a nice colourful, chunky cushion! so proud of you!! very much, good enough you!! Heather x
ReplyDeletePerfectly peachy post, lovely Ada ... enjoy your weekend ... Bee xxx
ReplyDeleteIt looks perfectly perfect to me, sarah x
ReplyDeleteApparently according to my therapist I have "underlying" perfectionism......???
ReplyDeleteLol.....but it does pop up in the most unexpected places and a good friend is the one who allows you to see his /her messy side.
How many times do we rush around the house cleaning up if we have visitors, giving the impression we live in this spotless home? No! A great friend allows you to see the mess and the bestest friends don't even notice.
As you say so well perfectionism in it's right place is good, but it must never be allowed to control us or make us unhappy.
That's right, true friends don't mind the mess, and mores the point, you don't mind them seeing it! :) x
DeleteI like to correct things (knitting mistakes, crooked pictures on the wall, my parking angle), but I wouldn't consider myself a perfectionist in the least. Your cushion actually does look perfect to me, so you must have tried more than just "your best"!! Have a great weekend, and enjoy your tea on the patio ... I would correct that iron bench with a lot more cushions ;) Wendy
ReplyDeleteOoooh yes, more cushions needed! :) x
Deletecushion has turned out beautifully. Your Dad said the same as my parents, just do your best and this I have passed onto my girls and grandchild. Must hold my hand up and sometimes I have done less than my best but that is part of not being perfect!!well that is my excuse anyway
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how many comments you have for each post - there is no question that your readers definitely connect with you :) I know I do :)
ReplyDeleteWe have a saying in our house - 'we are perfectly imperfect' - and I live up to it every day :) xoL
Hey Ada, your cushion looks great, nice cheery, summery colours.......I'm thinking raspberry gelato, yum.
ReplyDeleteI think perfection is overated and if you did everything perfectly there would be no room to grow and learn. Perfect people would be boring, so here's to character flaws and faults. It makes the world a more interesting place.......
Claire x
I'm growing and learning all the time! :) x
DeleteGreeting Ada. Happy first day of Summer. I have not been around much but have been thinking of you. Did you have an blogaversary celebration? You started last year in June if I remember correctly.
ReplyDeletePersonally I try to subscribe to the 80/20 rule. 80% is considered excellent in most cases, and is good enough for most projects. When I need to get lots done, in a restricted amount of time, it keeps me focused on progress with out getting mire in the piddly details that tend to bog me down.
Not quite a Bloggy birthday but almost....must organise a little celebration! :) x
DeleteLove the title and content of this post today as I am feeling far from perfect at the moment. And you've made me feel a lot better about that. As for your cushion, well that looks pretty perfect to me a non crocheter. Love thinking of having a chat over the garden fence by the way. Sounds lovely. Fiona x
ReplyDeleteThank you For your visit Fiona, you're welcome for a chat anytime! :) x
DeleteI agree life is too short for perfection but your cushion does look perfect to me!
ReplyDeleteSarah x
I think with handmade things perfection is in the imperfection! Beautiful cushion xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Maggie! :) x
DeleteHi Ada, Im just catching up on you recent posts. Love your granny cushion esp the joining colour. As for me I think I am alergic to perfection, I just love the crooked and quirky tho I can appreciate the perfection attained by some folks. I also find picking up the crochet is great for meditating and therapy. Love the coffee set. You are blessed with so many lovely caring friends. Id love to buy some of your wallpaper and fabrics but how do I do it from down under. blessings, Trills..xx
ReplyDeleteHi Trills, thanks for popping in! Yes I'm very blessed, I have fantastic friends, in real life as well as in the virtual! You can find my little shop on Etsy, links on the sidebar of my blog. I'm under the name Vintagesheetaddict, for some reason, when I set up my shop I couldn't split up the name into individual words! Thanks, hope that helps :) x
DeleteBut Ada Bea don't you know?!!!!You are PERFECT!!!!And now you have a PERFECT back too, thanks to your PERFECT little cushion!!!Have a PERFECTLY happy fun filled week!!!
ReplyDeleteLove
AMarie
Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments! :) x
ReplyDelete