First, getting into the routine was tough. Am I publishing on Wednesday and on Sunday or am I publishing somewhere between Wednesday and Friday and between Sunday and Tuesday? In the beginning, it was more the later rather than the former. This month, I'm finding my rhythm and feeling like I'm living my new normal.
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| This is a clothing store in London with all these machines in the window. Sadly, the machines are decorative only; but, it is a great photo to demonstrate repetition which can result in a routine. |
My perception is that it would be boring reading; but, with all the projects that I have "in process," I need to figure out what is holding me up to move forward. While I've been stitching the president's blocks, I've been thinking about my Sweetness to the Soul project.
I questioned myself, "When are you getting that Sweetness project back out?"
My answer, "When I finish the president's blocks."
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| Beginnings of Sweetness to the Soul |
My answers were:
-- I could ask for help with my design composition
-- I could try to stitch something with the felting foot that arrived to add to the current composition
-- I could piece the background to give it more interest
-- I could add some words to the composition
Hmmm. . .I'm not sure where I'm going to start; but, at least I feel like I have some options.
8 comments:
Every artist or quilter gets into a slow period from time to time. I like the answers to what you could do to get over your stall, but I also have found that sometimes I just have to put something aside for a while. I think my most successful quilt so far was one I stalled out on and actually put away in my closet for several months. Every step seemed difficult. I was about to abandon it altogether, and then I took it out and tried "one more time" to get it right and was extremely happy with the way it ended up. This very week it will be shown at AQS Chattanooga. So sometimes, you have to let a project "marinate". Anyway, however you solve it, I am very much enjoying reading your blogs. Best wishes.
Or... you could think about the feeling you want for the quilt, and then find the thing that expresses the feeling. Or take out the things that don't! I think if you are clear on the feeling and purpose of the quilt, the details will become clearer too. Good luck!
Your blogs are so insightful and the feelings are shared by so many creative souls. I have a quilt that has been put away for a year and I've decided that I just don't want to tackle it again, so it's going to charity.
I always feel that if I'm stalling on a project, it's because I'm not ready to work on it yet. But its time will come. Unless I have a deadline, I try not to push it. Of course, sometimes pushing it is what I need to do. That's when it's my lack of confidence rather than my lack of inspiration that is causing the stalling. We're each different so we each have to find our own path. I look forward to following where you go next!
BJ, Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Sometimes putting the project away or at the least working on another project helps with the stall. How wonderful that "marinating" was a successful method for you! I look forward to hearing how it does at Chattanooga. This particular project has been "marinating" while I've quilted the president's blocks. It is time, I try to tackle it again!--Terry
Monica, Good thought about going with a particular "feeling" for a quilt! With Sweetness, I wanted to convey dry, dust and and expanse of it. I'll think about what you wrote and see if that helps!--Terry
Joanne, I have had a few projects that I felt had taught me all I wanted/needed and "recycled" them before they became a top. That is a good idea too. I appreciate your comment about this post as I often wonder if I am one of a few that struggles with getting from an inspiration to a finished quilt!--Terry
Nancy, Good point! I actually have a top that I haven't quilted for the reason that I'm not ready to work on it . . .yet! (But, the time for working on it is getting much closer!) True, about how a lack of confidence can thwart progress. Sometimes, I find that I need "experience" in a particular technique; but, most likely if I scraped it down to the simplest form, it isn't experience but, confidence that is the culprit. Thank you for your thoughtful comment!--Terry
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