Not OT: What do you do when you've got the "blahs"

I don't have any answers for you Marueen, but I'm sure going to be watching this thread beacuse you have described my last several months. I do force myself to do the comissioned things, but can't get into anything else. I'm sure it is a form of depression, without a direct cause, though it is way too early for SAD. Glad to know I'm not the only one with burnout........ Mickie, blah

Take your kitchen timer to your sewing room. Set it for 15 minutes -- use that time to strictly straighten up.

Then set it for 30 minutes. Force yourself to sew something... anything. Even if a few 4 patches or 9 patches.

When the timer rings.... if you feel like continuing -- go right ahead. If not-- head out and do something else.

This works for me!

Good luck! Surely you'll come out of your "funk" soon!

Me, too!

After (mostly) finishing Birds of a Feather, I've had no enthusiasm whatsoever for quilting projects. Got the fabric, got the patterns, just don't care. I haven't seen anything recently that's really gotten my motor running. And believe me, I've been looking.

Someone on another forum referred to my condition as PPF (post-project fatigue).

So I've been knitting and long-stitching. I asked to do a store sample and I'm plugging along on that. I think I'm beginning to feel the stirrings of the old get up and go, but not quite there yet. It'll come.

joan

I play with my stash. I fondle, re-fold, re-wash, re-organize.... whatever. Usually I'll stumble across a fabric that I just *have* to start cutting and sewing- and then an inspiration will start to form in my feeble little mind.

But I have been sewing on those darn handbags until I can hardly face them. I have 48 of my Spunky Gal Pocket Pal wallets made (and another 8 cut out and ready to stitch up- changing thread colors takes up much of my time!)- note I didn't make That Other Person's little wallets but designed my own with my own construction method and it's MUCH easier than hers. I can make one in under 15 min. from cutting to gluing the Velcro on it.

Good luck in getting over the blahs- sometimes I can't even make myself start the fondling process above.....

Like others, Maureen, I have experienced this. Quite honestly, I just ignore it, and don't even think about doing anything new, until I feel more like it. I don't see why we should feel duty bound to feel like sewing or knitting or whatever. I am going to tidy and re-sort my sewing room. I have something which I should get on with and finish, and I will do short spells towards that, but I'm not going to start a new project until I'm ready. I am *done* with pressurising myself (now I have witnesses >ggjust quilty, but the cards/scrapbooking or knitting or crossstich, you get

Quilter's (and crafter's) Block? That happens to to most artists now and then, including Moi. Here are some activities I've done to Get Back in the Groove:

1. Sort the UFO and WIP; decide what to keep and what to pass along.

1. Sort fabric stash; tidy it up. Set aside whatever you will not use and donate to a charitable quilting group.

2. Same for your magazines, patterns, etc.

1. Take your orphan blocks and make a bunch of pot holders, or place mats. Start sewing ... just do it!

By now you should be ready to get back to your regular quilting fun. If not, try number 5.

1. Grab a FQ Set and make a bunch of four patch blocks; turn these into a crib or lap quilt for a charity.

By the way, during breaks, you should be leafing through the older magazines that you've sorted out. That will keep your brain in the quilting groove.

PAT, in Groovy Virginia!

Maureen Wozniak wrote:

Leslie, have you tried the fusible Velcro? It works great!

So I am not the only one! I have had depression problems for over 25 years, and fall and spring are the worst for some reason. Instead of just going back to bed, like I used to, I try to just keep moving, slowly. No pressure, just do one thing. Friday I decided to sew a little and then do a job (like putting clothes in wash) and repeat. It is amazing how much I have accomplished since then. For me, getting together with other people is therapeutic. So, even though I may not feel like it, I make sure to go to church and Bible study and quilt group, etc. I also spend a lot more time on the computer, looking at quilts and quilt sites and playing solataire. At least I know that "this too shall pass". Wishing you better days soon. Debra

I draw and doodle. After a while of just lettin' go (not drawin' anything in particular, just whatever comes to mind) usually something sparks. It's all about lettin' your mind go and do what IT wants to do. Lettin' the left side have a li'l bit of fun and lettin' the right side go pound sand for a bit.

Try playing "Squiggles" ... take some notebook paper and just draw a funny squiggle on it. No pressure on the squiggle - it doesn't have to be perfect. Now, take that squiggle and MAKE something out of it. Sometimes, you can make a face out of the squiggle, or an animal ... or just some weird freaky thing that you've never seen before. The purpose isn't to hone your drawin' skills, but your creativity and imagination. Get THOSE muscles stretched and limber.

But I think the "blahs" this time of year are normal ... think about it - the lovely green leaves and spring flowers that more'n likely inspired you a few months ago are replaced by trees sheddin' their leaves and the flower heads dyin'. The colors of the season are becomin' less bright and brilliant. And color, it's been long proved, really affects your sense of well-bein'. (I'm sure you've heard of the prison with the pink walls? They take the most vicious criminals and put them in the room with the pink/rose walls and they immediately calm down. 'Course, I've heard of other studies where they used the pink walls and the inmates nearly killed themselves tryin' to scratch off the paint!);. So for now, until March (or somewhere 'round there), you've got nothin' but drab colors for the most part ('less you're lucky enough to have the leaves be golds, oranges, and reds right now). So you're goin' to get a li'l blue.

Just surround yourself with color - your favorite colors. You have a favorite color, right? And I'll bet that it's the most common, most prevalent color in your stash (I know mine is!). Pull it out and make a pillow for your livin' room. Once you begin sheddin' the drabs and addin' the fabs, you should feel a lot better.

Now I know that most people decorate their homes with their favorite colors ... heck, I did. But when we decorate, we usually stick to the "safer side" of the tints and values (dusty rose instead of hot pink, f'r'instance). Get a li'l crazy. Maybe even use a color (other than your fave) that will make your fave color in the room POP! Give yourself a li'l more visual stimulation. That usually works for me ...

But even if mother nature is windin' down, it doesn't mean you have to, too!!!

(Yeesh, sorry to have written so much ... damn I'm a talker, aren't I???!!)

Anywho, here's sincerely wishin' that you get over the blahs real quick!! :)

Hugs!! Connie :)

Maureen, I think you just answered your own question.

I had been feeling the same way for over a year. I was sure it was for "this reason" or "that reason" or fall would inspire me or as soon as winter gets here I will get back to my sewing. Nah, nothing worked. I started cleaning out some things I just didn't use like my embroidery machine and 3 other sewing machines (I have more) they were taking up too much room in the closet. I rearranged my sewing room so it was more functional and I put away some projects I knew I just wasn't going to finished because I had no interest. I feel so much more inspired. I don't have to work around so much clutter, I don't have old projects "yelling" at me. I don't have to search for things like I did before (a little searching maybe).

I bought another machine that had some features I need for embellishing. I am looking forward to working on a Thinking Outside the Block quilting I like.

I think I was so caught up in the wonderful "things" that come with the hobby I forgot about the fun I had DOING the projects.

This is just what has worked for me, you will find your own path....

Peace,

Marsha in nw, Ohio

When I have the 'blahs', I do blah stuff. Yesterday afternoon, there was time to create but that side of my brain was truly uninspired. I cleaned the SMs, ran bobbins for well over an hour, inventoried staples, searched for the best price on Aurifil, and had 'tidy time' for the sewing room. None of that prompted me to get back to stitching but the tools are ready when I am . . . and that, at least, is a good thing. Polly

So................Polly....................where is the best price on Aurifil. I'm feeling inspired!!

Marsha :-)

I didn't really find a great price.

"Meandering"

Eye candy. Sometimes you need to let your mind wander while you look at pictures in magazines and books, fondle your fabric while claiming to re-organize your stash, and visiting others with the same hobby to see what they have done lately.

Block swap. Nothing works to get you moving like a deadline with someone else counting on you to meet it. Debra in VA See my quilts at

sorts > >and can't really afford to buy fabric right now anyway.

Oooh!! Good one.

Speakin' of which, I have a few preemie quilts to finish!! ;)

Hugs!! Connie :)

Howdy!

You could have a party, Maureen, a Finish It party. Your guests each choose one of your UFOs or WIPs and Finishes it to take home. Or you could trade UFOs & WIPS, Finish for each other, trade back to take home what they brought. Mix up some of your WIPS & UFOs. Instead of Finishing according to the pattern(s), mix 'em up and put a few together that weren't supposed to be together and call it Original Design. Start a stash swap, have everyone promise to use what's already in their stash, no buying new; take names & pair them up (cheaper on the postage). Go out & take a walk/cruise around the countryside. It's pretty in Illinois right now, lots of colors changing. Or come down here where the colors have just begun to change, trees in orange, scarlet & gold, perfect temps w/ another cool front coming in tonight. Visit some quilt shop web pages for all the new ideas they picked up in Houston. You don't have to buy, just be inspired. Go to the library for more inspiration (there's a new branch opened just 2 miles from here: Hooray!). ;-) Eat a crisp, fresh apple; buy a half-dozen different kinds and enjoy an apple sampler. Then pick some apple-inspired fabrics from your stash and make a quick table runner or lap quilt, Finished. ;-D

Cheers! R/Sandy

Howdy!

Of course it's gorgeous, Joan, as your work is. ;-)

However, it's is very neutral, isn't it? I associate these neutrals w/ "blah". I'd have to surround it with Color. See how it blends into your carpet? Time for something bright, bold, vibrant. ?

I love autumn (summer gets me down); our autumn shows up pretty late in the year (last week ). We have a mix of the browns fading into tan & beige, the trees putting on their fall spectacular just now, the late-season flora and the still-green lawns & shrubbery. The eye keeps moving from the dulling, deadening tones to the vivid shades of mums & holly berries and red oaks & asparagus fern (lime green). I'd enjoy seeing your latest quilt sitting next to some brilliant, dazzling Not-Neutral COLOR. ;-)

Cheers! R/Sandy