With all the creative drive I’ve had so far in 2024 I’ve been thinking I’ll probably see a dry spell coming before too long. I think I might be entering that dry spell.
I haven’t been in my sewing room the last two nights. I was going to get in there tonight and start sorting my Brandon leftover blocks and get them up on my design wall but I got busy with other stuff and lost my oomph.
So with what feels like a dry spell looming I have several quilts I’ve been thinking about making but I don’t have one that I’m itching to start next. So I’m making a list of things I SHOULD do while my creative juices are rebuilding. Plus some quilts I’ve been thinking about.
- I should finish the bags that will be made from the four panels I made from the strips trimmed away from my Aboriginal Libby quilt.
2. I should add the borders to the quilt for my guest room that has been in a state of incompleteness for far too long. I should also make the backing for this quilt and get ready to take it to my long arm quilter.
3. I should do something with all these blocks I made about a year ago. I had planned to go with a color wash approach but sort of lost interest in that. I had another idea recently and think I might go with that instead.
Thinking I might do a sashing treatment with the indigo batiks left over from my Wensleydale quilt. There a lot of left overs!
4. I’ve wanted to make a Gridlock quilt. It’s in one of the Kaffe Fassett books I have. This first photo is Kaffe Fassett during a critique of quilts in a Gridlock workshop. The second one is the quilt from the book.
I’ve been thinking it might be fun to make this out of a selection of batiks I’ve had set aside for some time.
5. I can choose to make the red version of my blue swirly quilt. Hmmm. Looking at that photo of the reds makes me think this is a good place to start!
6. I SHOULD finish this Australian Aboriginal scrappy trip quilt but I don’t have a lot of enthusiasm for it. It just feels so drab in the photos. It’s better in person when you can see all the detail in the fabrics.
I like the idea of finishing up some UFOs when I’m not feeling particularly creative. it’s a good time to dig in and be productive while I wait for my creative juices to start flowing again.
Our beautiful streak of weather is coming to an end as the rain approaches. I’ve really enjoyed the last few days of sun and warm temps. I took my good boys for a walk late this afternoon and the sun felt so good on my face and on my back. It was so wonderful.
And tonight these boys are worn out.
I played pickleball this morning indoors and had an absolute blast. It was me and nine men. I’m pretty sure that I was one of the top two players in that group. My coach had asked me to focus on controlling all my shots… being careful to place them where it made it difficult for my opponents to return them. I kept that in my mind as I played and felt so good about how I did! I think I won five out of the 8 games I played and two of the ones I didn’t win were still going on when the timer went off. Some really great games.
I’m scheduled to play pickleball tomorrow night outdoors and than Thursday morning indoors. It’s a good pickleball week!
check out Maria Shell…. She uses some awesome colors and designs and that might spark some new creativeness within you… never know…
Thanks for the recommend!
Anne
I think you just should all over yourself! Dry spells are there for a reason. On the other hand I just finished up all my WIPs and have sewing energy galore and you can sit on the couch in my sewing room.
Clearing out my unfinished projects is sort of like clearing out my brain to be prepared for something new.
Anne
Just the fact that you are still sewing during a dry spell is amazing! Right now I am half way through my “should” list. Feels great to get projects done, doesn’t it?
I do like the feeling of completing something that’s been sitting for too long. But I do have one UFO that I may never finish. I just lost interest in it. Might have to see if I can find someone that wants to finish it and keep it for themselves!
Anne
I found your Frankenbag the other day, and I am making my first panel now! Thank you from Norway!
Have fun with it!!! They make great gifts too.
Anne
What ever your favorite thing is, do that and rest. A new kind of project something you haven’t tried before. Pottery perhaps.
Sometimes just watching the sun rise or set reminds us how unique each one is.
all the best what ever you decide to do.
hugs,
Dianne
I actually used to do pottery… about 20 years ago. I loved it. I still have a few pieces left. I’m not sure my hands could take it now. I really liked making large bowls. it takes a lot of strength to make them! I miss my pottery days. I’ve also done welding, which was soooo amazingly fantastic! I still have some metal pieces I made and I love them.
Sometimes a I have never done this before like pottery or taking a nature class might be just what you need.
And, don’t forget those sunrises and sun sets. One big block…
all the best,
Dianne
I actually used to do pottery… about 20 years ago. I loved it. I still have a few pieces left. I’m not sure my hands could take it now. I really liked making large bowls. it takes a lot of strength to make them! I miss my pottery days. I’ve also done welding, which was soooo amazingly fantastic! I still have some metal pieces I made and I love them.
Anne
I am going to be walking a new stage in my life. My wonderful loving husband died on the 13th of April after 60 years of life together. An empty part of me needs filling.
But, we have to keep going, don’t we.
Dianne
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure it’s a challenging time. I hope you finds things that help you keep going!
Anne
Have you ever sewn garments? I do garments and quilts. When I get bored with one I switch to the other. The Sewing Workshop patterns are my favorite. I hate being a cookie cutter looking like everyone else. Debbie
I used to sew garments when I was younger. I made a number of dresses for work when I was first out of college. And I made all my own denim jeans when I was in high school! I’ve toyed with the idea of making myself some tops, but am not really interested in making stuff that actually needs to fit!!!
Maybe I could make some mumus or bath robes!
Anne
Now that takes talent to make your own jeans! It looks like you would be easy to fit-don’t let that stop you. Some pretty Summer tops would be fun.
Debbie Eide
I kind of moan a little when I see beautiful quilts not finished. You do make gorgeous quilts. I sure wish I had started playing pickleball when I was younger, I think it would be fun. Spring rains are here in the Midwest too and everything is blooming. Time to plant more flowers.
I wish I had started playing pickleball when I was younger too! My body is my biggest challenge!
I’m loving that spring is finally here!
Anne
Sorry to hear you’re entering a dry spell! I’m sure you’ll find a way out, but to be selfish I’m disappointed not to see the Brandon Mably blocks on the design wall – I’d rather see that one finished than some of the others…
However, I know whatever you make will be stunning so do whatever takes your fancy to get your sewjo back!
Rachel
Well, it’s on the design wall as I type! Now to muster the enthusiasm to start sewing the blocks to gather! It will go together quickly!
Anne
Dry spell? Or is it burn out? You’ve been extraordinarily productive the last many months — all while working outside your home, caring for your active pups, being a good friend and sister, dealing with the winter storms. You have LOTS on your plate.
I noticed you and a couple commenters used the word “should” quite a few times about yourselves. Perhaps your feelings of obligation are not so helpful. Quilting is your hobby, your art, your creativity, and your joy. Don’t let the should-monster sap your energy. You’re entitled to ups and downs, working at your own pace, dry spells, breaks. Our energy and creativity wax and wane. Step back if you need to. Your studio (and we) will be here when you turn the lights back on.
You share so much with all of us and we DO appreciate you. We’re not only consumers f your content; we’re also your cheering section! Take good care of yourself!
I think you may be right about the burn out. I needed a break to let my brain rest a little. Having my friend here was just what I needed! It was a week out of the ordinary and just what I needed.
And that word “should.” It’s so hard to break the habit of obligation we were raised with! I need to remember your words on this!
Anne
I don’t think it is a dry spell, Ann, it is a housekeeping spell! Years ago an art instructor told me that she allows her studio to get as messy as possible during the creation phase, but between projects she completely cleans it up. That not only clears the mind, but I think interacting with your materials in that different way allows space for creative regeneration and redirection…gets your creative juices flowing again.
I find dry spells are over once I take a pause to tidy fabric piles, or like you, go through the works in progress making a to-do list. Something will spark my interest, and I follow that…
good points. And my brain sometimes get as messy as my sewing room. it’s good to take time to clean them both out!!!
The week with my friend here was great. I think I needed it and it was good to do some other stuff.
Anne
Amazing list of choices
What a dream list of choices
I’d love to be able to have 1/4 of that accomplished one day there will be …
take a little time to enjoy your “break” then decide you cannot rush genius. 👌🌻
I’m getting some interest again. That week of with my friend here and lots of other stuff to do was the perfect break!
Anne
Good morning,
I love receiving your newsletters. They are always so inspiring. I would like to change my email address but am not sure how. Do I need to unsubscribe and then resubscribe?
Just in case, here is my new email:
denisejs1209@gmail.comDenisejs1209@gmail.com
Thank you for all your inspiration!
Denise
I was able to subscribe your new email address but can’t unsubscribe your old one. You can unsubscribe the old one by going to the very bottom of one of my emails to that address and you’ll find an unsubscribe button.
Anne
when nice weather is around the corner I seem to lose some of my oomph….girls just want to have fun…
After our long dreary winters it’s tough to spend too much time indoors when it finally gets nice. spring is so wonderful here!
Anne
Will there be a tutorial for the Brandon Mably quilt, or did I miss it?
It’s basically the same as my blue swirly quilt with a small variation or two. I will write up the variations and refer to the blue swirly tutorial when I have it done.
Anne
Thanks so much for responding. I came across the previous post about the blue quilt yesterday. Just love them both!
have you seen the Escher quilt? It is amazing in Kaffe fabrics. I would love to see you tackle that.
Oh, I’ve seen a lot of them. A friend of mine made one as well. they are fascinating to look at but I have no interest in making one. It’s way too fussy for me! Not my kind of project at all. YOU should make one!!!
Anne
Framing and naming are so important to one’s thinking about an issue. Perhaps it would be more supportive of your artist’s spirit to think of the phase between active execution of ideas as “Reflective Refreshment Interim” rather than as a dry spell. The energy and inspiration you derive from pickle ball and lambing, walking in the woods and smelling the flowers are as important a part of your artistry as sewing. You’re a great inspiration to all of us! Rocky Speedwell
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Great way to look at it. Thanks!
Anne
The red version of the swirly quilt inspired me enough to order some of the sharks teeth fabric, my quilt needed a little something,
Although with all the colour you wouldn’t think It needed it, but that’s what I love.
I love all the color! It’s unusual for me to use calmer, more neutral colors. But I did enjoy that green quilt with all the low volume fabrics.
Anne
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Bags are a good small project between larger projects. And I have those panels I just made…
Anne
or,,, you could go back to the farm and squeeze the puppies and baby lambs !!!
I got to see the puppies and lambs this weekend! It was so good to get out there again!
Anne
I have a hexie project in Indigenous fabrics on the go, and what I struggle with is how much detail is kind of lost by using small pieces of the Indigenous fabrics. I find that I have to be very careful that it doesn’t become a ‘meh’ of medium value. It’s quite difficult to source light Indigenous fabrics. So, mine is now 3 or 4 years in the making! I want to finish it this year.
It seems like most of the lighter Indigenous fabrics are either yellow or beige… and not much else. And I agree… when cut up too small and combined they can be a little muddy. I just love them in large pieces in blocks.
Anne