News that Inspires Imagination by Mad About Molds!
Making Art Just for Me!
Hello Crafter,
August is near and that means Fall! And boy do we have new molds and casting samples to show you! We think you will LOVE them, so read on! We are excited to show you what we have been doing!
So are you feeling over-whelmed with your to-do list? If so this month’s article may be just for you! “Are You Whelmed?” Continue reading to learn how to take control of your day.
As always, we thank you for your time, you’re wonderful comments and your generous support! We enjoy sharing what we do and we love to hear what you think!
Please take the time to sit back and enjoy this issue of My Molds!
Until next time,
Marjorie with Mad About Molds
Be Colorful!
Being colorful is what makes you YOU!
Owls for Everyone!
Owls for everyone!
With all the owls we are suddenly seeing at every turn, we were inspired to add a few more to our site. We can see why they are so popular as they seem to have personalities of their own. What a HOOT!
Samples made from Molds #207, 522, 149 & 164.
And if owls aren't your thing, remember we have a selection of 1,000 molds on our website. If you don’t see what you are looking for, it’s likely that you will find it and much more at www.MadAboutMolds.com.
Just for Fun!
Don’t you just love new ideas? Many of you may already own these molds, so these new projects may inspire you to get them out again. If not, we are including the mold numbers below for you to add them to your collection. Shown is just a random selection of castings that we had on hand in our office, but we painted them all in muted colors to create a beautiful collection. The end result is a collection that would be suitable for all kinds of projects! Let us know if you come up with any ideas that could be used on our website. We would love to see them!
Samples made from Molds # 098, 184, 365, 435, 919, 923 & 962.
Are You Whelmed?
Are you overwhelmed? My husband once worked with a client who created what he termed the “whelmed” model, that space between underwhelmed and overwhelmed, where you are in “the zone.” People who are whelmed are clear about what they do and are determined to get it done. I can always tell when I’m in the whelmed zone. I feel really productive, energized and thrilled at what I’ve accomplished at the end of the day.
Just like all of you, I do feel overwhelmed at times. It can happen when I’m trying to meet deadlines or getting ready for my next next class. Here are six tips to help you move out of overwhelm and into whelm:
1. Learn how to recognize when you are getting into overwhelm. If you can tell you are on the verge – or already there - then you take action. First thing I like to do is take a breath, or as I’ve been know to tell myself, “Get a grip.”
2. Remember to look at the facts. Sometimes we confuse our impressions of what needs to be done with the truth. Write down everything that needs to be done.
3. Focus is key. You need to be clear about what your goals are. Is everything on your “to-do” list really necessary? Take a look at the list you created above and follow the “four Ds.” If something is not a priority, see if you can Delete it from the list. Next, look for those items you can Delegate to someone else. Third, what can you Defer until sometime later without creating problems? And, for those items you can defer, again consider if they are really necessary.
4. OK, you’ve probably winnowed down your list to something that might be a bit more manageable. Now, what are the three top priorities on your list? Put a time for them in your calendar. And, allow more time than you think. This is one of the reasons I can get into overwhelm, trying to do more than I physically can in the allotted time.
5. Now get going with the list. This is the fourth “D” – Do - and let go of perfection as you work on your list. I have a sign in my office that says, “Progress, not Perfection.” Some people use the term Imperfect Action here.
6. And remember at the end of the day, if something doesn’t get done, you are probably the only one who knows it. I learned that one from my mother, who told me as I was stressed out about some little something that wasn’t what I expected for my wedding day. She reminded me that the only one who knew that the color on my wedding cake didn’t exactly match the color on the bridesmaid’s dresses was me.
Here’s a favorite quote that sums up for me the feeling of being “whelmed”:
“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you
lounge around doing nothing; it’s when you’ve had everything to do, and you’ve done it.” Margaret Thatcher.
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