I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Or at the very least, whelmed. I came home from Hornby with great intentions of working on one or two things at a time, but by the end of today, I had the following projects covering my walls, my chair, my tables, and filling my mind to overflowing. There's a fabric combination I'm considering using to make a sample, to feature the marvellous Amafu fabric I import from South Africa. There's a scrap quilt with half-square triangles in the centre, and strips of black and white and African fabrics (the triangles are leftovers from my It Takes a Village and African Journey patterns) being designed. There's an under-
construction guinea fowl quilt, which will become a pattern and a kit in time for Quilt Canada. And there's a colourful quilt being made for someone special who has one of those very important birthdays coming up in April. Oh, yes, and there's the fabrics for me to make a block for the Hornby Island Community Quilt - the theme is water. And it's due on April 15th. I know, I know. I should finish one thing and then move onto the next. But I'm back in my familiar milieu, and the ideas outpace my ability to do them something awful. I've taken to writing down other possibilities on little stickies and putting them up on the wall. Those are things I haven't even begun to do. And I have a sketchbook nearby in which to draw other quilt ideas that leap across my mind as I'm working. Does anybody else feel like this at times? And what do you do about it? Sometimes I just climb into bed for a nap! Or snuggle up with a good book or a Sudoku. I know there must be some tried and true methods of coping out there. Any thoughts you'd care to share would be most welcome!
I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Or at the very least, whelmed. I came home from Hornby with great intentions of working on one or two things at a time, but by the end of today, I had the following projects covering my walls, my chair, my tables, and filling my mind to overflowing. There's a fabric combination I'm considering using to make a sample, to feature the marvellous Amafu fabric I import from South Africa. There's a scrap quilt with half-square triangles in the centre, and strips of black and white and African fabrics (the triangles are leftovers from my It Takes a Village and African Journey patterns) being designed. There's an under-
construction guinea fowl quilt, which will become a pattern and a kit in time for Quilt Canada. And there's a colourful quilt being made for someone special who has one of those very important birthdays coming up in April. Oh, yes, and there's the fabrics for me to make a block for the Hornby Island Community Quilt - the theme is water. And it's due on April 15th. I know, I know. I should finish one thing and then move onto the next. But I'm back in my familiar milieu, and the ideas outpace my ability to do them something awful. I've taken to writing down other possibilities on little stickies and putting them up on the wall. Those are things I haven't even begun to do. And I have a sketchbook nearby in which to draw other quilt ideas that leap across my mind as I'm working. Does anybody else feel like this at times? And what do you do about it? Sometimes I just climb into bed for a nap! Or snuggle up with a good book or a Sudoku. I know there must be some tried and true methods of coping out there. Any thoughts you'd care to share would be most welcome!
First, feel blessed that creative ideas are flowing. Second, use a system - like your journal or an idea binder - to quickly capture the creative ideas worth a second thought so you can clear your brain for what you are doing. Third, acknowledge the fact that not every creative idea is a gem and weed some out of the idea garden. Fourth, accept the fact that you don't have enough years left to accomplish the brilliance your brain could produce. Then, focus on the things you absolutely love or feel driven to finish. Lastly, let yourself off the hook for the things you don't get done and let them go. Balance is as important as output!
ReplyDeleteNow, time to take my own advice...
Oh Lee, you have your feet planted so firmly on the ground. I feel like a bumble bee buzzing around an enclosed space, in comparison. Thank you for your wise advice. The third is a winner - that not every creative idea is a winner - that doing a little weeding would be a good thing. And your point about balance, too. I will attempt to keep all of this in mind.
DeleteLove it! I'm not alone! All the projects are so bright and colourful, but yes, having it all on the go, with a hundred more racing through the brain does get overwhelming! No suggestions on how to manage it, I've never been one for jotting things down or keeping a journal, I just try to turn my focus back to one of them and make some progress with it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your well wishes. Focus. Yes, I'll try to focus. Right now I'm cutting up kits for the class I'm teaching next week, and after that I'll attempt to return to the birthday quilt. One thing at a time. Right?
DeleteYou've described my life perfectly! I like Lee's advice above, but as she says, following it is a trick. Joan even got me journalling but that's even more to add to my day! So nice to know there's lots of us out there! Your overwhelming projects are beautiful tho!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gladys. I think, from the responses, that I'm in good company.
Delete