Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Quilting The Blues Away


I'd love to show you all the fun quilty stuff I've gotten into over the past week, but what you see above is just about it.  I've forced myself to emerge from a several day pitty party and it wasn't the type of party that involved my cute little pibbles.  Yes, sometimes quilters get the blues.  So what did I do??  After kicking myself in the pants, I forced myself off the couch and decided to quilt something.  Actually I decided to quilt absolutely nothing, rather, just quilt.

I grabbed two fat quarters from the shelf and sandwiched them together.  I sat down at my HQ Sweet 16 and started moving the fabric (I knew I had an almost a full bobbin of Aurifil 2610 Light Blue Gray left from quilting MOD Bear Paw).  Slowly pebbles formed and they morphed into swirls.  A few curves later and I had a cute little feather.  So, I just quilted until the words "Be Happy" appeared.  Happiness is a choice and sometimes it's a rather hard choice.

I ran out of bobbin in the middle of the stipples.  I didn't feel the need to wind another and keep going.  It was almost 8:30 and what had been on the bobbin had done the trick.  I felt better, I was able to choose to be happy.

What was I unhappy about??  Nothing big really.  Just small little things all combined together was enough to make me feel blah.  Maybe it was the weather.



David ended up having to be away from home this past weekend and even his cat, J.R. Puffin Stuff aka Junior, was feeling the blues too.  These are his "I want my daddy" faces.

But everyone seems to be back to their normal selves and life is chugging right along.  Hopefully, I can get started on my long list of quilting this evening.  Or who knows, maybe I'll get bitten by a squirrel.  Which reminds me, Sandra's DrEAMi Linky Party, dedicated to out favorite quilting distractions, is going on right now over at mmm!quilts.  Have you ever had one of those Drop Everything And Make it moments?  If so, link up a post about your moment and let us know we aren't alone.

 
So what do you do when you have a case of the quilting blues?  Or the creepy cruds?  Or the blahs?  How do you pick yourself up out of that mess?


12 comments:

Jen said...

I think we all get those blues every so often. You made a fantastic choice to battle yours. I love the way your freestyle quilting turned out. Even the negative space left when your bobbin quit adds to the beauty of it. I think you should bind this and hang it up. It is lovely and inspiring!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I definitely can get the blues on occasion. Quilting absolutely helps, as does taking a break with a nap or warm bath and book reading. Sometimes I can just sleep it off, other times I make a commitment to start ignoring Facebook more (yup, I can't deal right now). I'm so glad the quilting was just the therapy you needed and I hope things continue to feel better. <3

Stitchin At Home said...

Any quilting helps me get rid of the blues or sometimes just reading. Your lovely piece that helped you get rid of the blues, would look lovely finished as a pillow if you are so inclined.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Winter is dreary and dark...it's easy to get down....but spring is coming!!!! I've been working late most nights, so haven't had time to do much quilting, but hoping to rectify that on the weekend. Glad you're back to your usual self.

KaHolly said...

If I don't nap, I make blocks that I've tucked away to try later. Usually this distracts me and gets me motivated to sew again. Eventually, I find a block that's fun to make and I can't stop! Spring is just around the corner! XO

Lisa J. said...

Hi Tish: I feel your blues. I get the blues every winter and it's always a struggle getting through them. This winter has been really hard because we've had less sunny days than normal where I live. This year I am immersing myself in Murder Mysteries written by Peter Rovinson and doing lots of Sudokus. I took a bit of a break from reading blogs but I'm trying to get back into reading the blogs and making comments because my online friends do help me through. I've also been sorting the stash and figuring out ways to use it up in charity quilts etc.

Jayne said...

Those days happen to most everyone Tish! I find it difficult to pick myself up and begin anything related to quilting, but it all comes back and we get back on track. Winter might be the worse time. I'm longing for spring!! Wrapping myself in a quilt and chilling...helps. A big glass of wine perhaps...a bucket of ice-cream?! Glad you got back in the saddle!

Jasmine said...

I love crossing things off of lists, so I usually sew to finish/accomplish something. I forget how much fun it is to just sit and play. I love your "be happy" piece.

Lorna McMahon said...

This time of the year is always hard for me, too, Tish. I think it's because the sun isn't able to warm us up, or brighten our drab grey sky. I have had enough of winter so I headed to the beach to beat my blues. So glad to see that you and your Sweet 16 were able to turn that frown upside down!

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Tish I'm so sorry to hear you were sad. We all get that way sometimes I guess, when things press in upon us. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

I can definitely empathise on that one Tish, so many things have gone wrong in my life recently none of which ere in my control, do you think that makes me sound like a control freak? The thing that has got me through it is remembering that EVERYTHING in life is transient, the good and the bad, they are all just events and even the most wonderful events pass, as do the dark times. I get more 'flat' than depressed though. Another thing that makes me flat is not enough sewing, I need 'me time', time on my own, I really feel it if I don't. Don't know what I will do if my husband ever retires.

Preeti said...

I am very familiar with the blues. Fighting with Paul is the worst type of blue. Rearranging fabric/tidying up the work area while listening to Bollywood music achieves multiple benefits - kill the blues and get a cleaner work area. Baking chocolate cookies and then sharing some with my neighbors brings joy to more than just me. Try chicken and mushrooms in red wine sauce - highly recommended. It kills the blues and feeds the family too :-)
Sending lots of hugs and feel good wishes,
Preeti.

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