{"id":2145,"date":"2018-05-29T04:50:26","date_gmt":"2018-05-28T18:50:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/?p=25585"},"modified":"2019-02-05T10:44:44","modified_gmt":"2019-02-05T00:44:44","slug":"sew-your-stress-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/sew-your-stress-away\/","title":{"rendered":"Sew your stress away!!!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have to admit… even though I am a very happy and upbeat person, just like everyone else I struggle sometimes with too much on my plate and the stress that comes from it. <\/b><\/p>\n

 TOTAL over-load gets me down!<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Pauline<\/center><\/p>\n

In those situations,
\nI turn to my sewing machine!<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/h1>\n

Sewing soft toys works like magic to snap me out of it!<\/span> <\/b><\/h2>\n

I get totally focussed choosing and cutting up gorgeous fabrics, carefully pinning the pieces together with a gazillion pins so the pieces don\u2019t slip as I sew, then making sure the seams meet up perfectly. Then I turn the toy right-sides-out and it looks so cute it makes me smile!!! \ud83d\ude00 I can\u2019t wait to stuff it…<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"toy-stuffing<\/p>\n

Then reality hits and I HAVE to stop because it\u2019s got dark outside
\nand I need to eat dinner!<\/p>\n

It sounds a bit dramatic but there have been times in my life when sewing has been a lifesaver for me. <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Like when I moved to Australia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not only was I dealing with the challenges of living in a new country, I also had to go back and re-sit my qualifying exams all over again if I wanted to work as an Optometrist (even though I had 4 years of training and 10 years experience!) The thought of sitting exams all over again totally freaked me out. It was so long since I\u2019d studied and every time I picked up a textbook my brain just \u2018went to sleep.\u2019 After a few months of trying really hard to study, lots of tears and some serious soul-searching, I eventually decided NOT to do the exams, which meant I would NEVER work as an optometrist again.<\/p>\n

Leaving the career I worked for my whole life was a major decision for me and I had to work out a new career path!<\/span> <\/b><\/h2>\n

I decided if I couldn’t work AS an optometrist, I would work IN an optometry shop instead and try and do something \u201ccrafty\u201d that I really enjoyed on the side.  That job wasn\u2019t stressful… but I was bored out of my mind –  which for me is actually also stressful!<\/p>\n

It would drive me crazy, sitting there waiting till closing time, because no one came in most afternoons. S0 I kept my mind active (and myself awake!) by taking my patterns to work so that I could pass time in the afternoons. Once I\u2019d finished my work for the day, I could cut out fabric pieces to sew together when I got home.<\/p>\n

\"sewing<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I had so much fun sewing soft toys for my friends, family members and co-workers!<\/p>\n

But most importantly, sewing was a wonderful escape for me! <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Sewing helped me through a very stressful time. Focusing on something creative that I really loved helped me to relax and stop worry that I was ‘wasting my life away’ in a mind-numbing job!<\/p>\n

I could actually enjoy going my boring job knowing I\u2019d be able to keep my sanity doing something really meaningful to ME. <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

What a difference it made! I was in a good place (mentally, if not physically!) which made everything WAY more tolerable and I was definitely more patient and compassionate towards others. I even made it my mission to make getting spectacles a stress-free, even exciting experience for every customer!!!<\/p>\n

I felt energised instead of<\/h3>\n

totally drained!<\/h3>\n

\"Pauline<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I realized sewing soft-toys made me HAPPY and I could create that same feeling and experience for other people!<\/span> <\/b><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

And that\u2019s what I have been focusing on for almost 2 decades with the Funky Friends Factory, which has grown into something way bigger than I could ever have imagined and has touched so many lives besides mine…<\/p>\n

It\u2019s still quite mind-boggling for me! \ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year I challenged myself to think about what I can do to make sewing soft toys even more FUN which has led me to my biggest project to date – The Sew Many Funky Friends Club<\/strong> – an online Club specifically for people who want to have FUN sewing soft toys!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"SEW<\/p>\n

The feedback I have had so far has convinced me that people are finding this is a wonderful group to hangout in and escape from the daily stress of our lives and bond over our shared passion for sewing plush toys! \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n

The Club will be opening again soon, for a <\/b>short period of time<\/i><\/b>, for the next intake of new Club Members. I will be having LOTS of fun sew-along activities to celebrate so you can come and check out the fun and be a part of our group of fun-loving softie-sewers!!!<\/b><\/h3>\n
 <\/pre>\n
Stay tuned by subscribing to the newsletter!<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span> If you are on my email newsletter list, you will receive all the announcements coming soon as well as ALL the fun sew-along activities!<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n
 <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, as we wait for the reopening, I want to hear from you!  What have YOU been doing lately to de-stress that’s ‘JUST for YOU’<\/strong> to keep you sane when things get crazy?<\/p>\n
How long has it been since you focussed on doing something fun that you really enjoy – TOO LONG?<\/h2>\n
\"Pauline
\n. .<\/strong><\/span>
\nTill next time\u2026
\nHappy Sewing, <\/strong><\/p>\n
 Pauline<\/strong><\/h2>\n
xxx<\/strong> \"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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