This is what a depressed quilter's stash looks like. I've been struggling, not as bad as other times, but struggling nonetheless.
This is what it looks like when you feel better. Yesterday I made myself go into my studio and organize, fold, and put things where they belong.
It's funny how a clean studio frees up creativity for me. I planned a new quilt for our bed; one made out of scraps which will be a first for me. I've been trying to decide on colors for this quilt forever and I could never make it work. So this one will be a scrappy one made from my favorite fabrics and the most non-offensive fabrics I can find for Steve's benefit. ;) I'm also going to mix in some dark solids to keep the quilt from being too busy.
And here's a sneak peak of the quilting on a beautiful vintage quilt for a friend of our family. It's an honor to be trusted with a piece of family history. I should be done by Thanksgiving and I plan on binding it after turkey and while watching football.
19 comments:
Thank you for this post. It is amazing what a little organizing can do for your creativity. You are not alone so many of us struggle from time to time...
Changing your light bulbs in your house to daylight or sunshine bulbs, and taking vitamin D will help with your depression this time of the year. Also try to go outside when the sun is shining too. I think you should add a few offensive fabrics in the quilt, it would make for an interesting conversation starter.
All the light comments are right, but please care of others. Take care of yourself and put yourself first for the next few months. I know it is tough, but you are your number one priority. If you don't take care of yourself you can't take of others. Share your love and hope you feel its reflection.
Look after yourself Jennifer, keep doing the things you know will make you happy.
I love a good clean up too - always gives me a boost of energy and my creativity a poke.
Thinking of you x x
Glad you were able to find your way into some creativity there. I cleaned and organised but there was still nothing happening until I forced myself to make an overdue bee block yesterday - think it's coming back...
I also find it easier to create in an organised space. My sewing room had become a dumping ground and it was a mess. I went in there last week to finish some deadline projects and just couldn't think so I dumped all the misplaced objects in a laundry basket and went on with my crafting in a clean space. Today I have one more deadline project to work on then it's time to sort out that laundry basket before moving on to the next crafting project!
I so agree with you about organizing spurring creativity. Your studio looks great and so does your quilting on the vintage quilt. Hope you're feeling more like yourself soon. Been where you are, and like you, when it does hit and it's not as bad as before, I'm thankful.
I must organize, too, in order to create. Thanks for the reminder that we are not alone in struggling this time of year. Sewing definitely helps me through it.
See there, what a blessing you are to others. We don't feel alone when we talk about this stuff !
"For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of Power and of love and of a SOUND MIND". Praise God, and thank heaven for antidepressants......including the people kind (you know what I mean,...other people who've been where you are and understand !)
My sewing room is a scene of mass destruction right now, too, and I'm overwhelmed with all that needs to be done to get my Hallowe'en stuff packed away, the house cleaned, and Christmas up. Wish I could take some time to sew, but I don't know even know where to start!
I am happy you are so open about how you're feeling. So many people can't talk about health issues and its important to create awareness. Good on you for making yourself do something in the sewing room. Restoring normality helps normal life become the norm again, if you can understand this! Look after yourself. Hugs from Australia xxx
Take care of yourself! I hope you have fun making your scrap quilt for your bed! I can't wait to see the progress on it!
I am glad that things are not as bad as they could be. Love your scraps. They look like they might pass muster with the husband. Take good care of yourself as the holiday season approaches.
I'm sorry you deal with depression. I deal with anxiety a lot and it is hard, too. I want to just snap myself out of it and I can't. It's chemical. Exercise, 5-htp and getting my rest seems to help a lot, since I hate taking the prescription drugs.
One another subject, do you use shoe cubbies to organize your fabrics? I was trying to figure out how big that shelf is. We just moved and I'm trying to figure out a system.
Have just worked today that I was one of those no reply bloggers! Have changed it now. Hope you're doing well. Happy Thanksgiving!
I knew you and I had a lot in common… :-)
If I can get myself to clean and organize, it does wonders for the rest of my attitude and mental well-being, like an emotional breath of fresh air. As far as management and coping mechanisms go, it's a really great one. And usually healthier than baking 14 kinds of cookies. And yes, I've done that, too, but I gave almost ALL of them away. I called it Cookie-palooza.
Hang in there. In all seriousness, have you seen a counselor/psychiatrist? The only thing that helped me was finally finding the right antidepressant and taking time for myself. I had to learn to say no to others. To take care of me. True, the drugs aren't something I want to take forever, but I just got tired of crying. Tired of feeling depressed all the time. Tired of feeling overwhelmed. It's hard to take that step to see someone- like you said, there is still a lot of stigma around getting treatment. Plus I was worried that my ex-husband would try to use it against me. But I am glad I did it. I did it for my son.
Btw, your stash is to de for!! I need to do the same thing-get organized.
Hang in there. In all seriousness, have you seen a counselor/psychiatrist? The only thing that helped me was finally finding the right antidepressant and taking time for myself. I had to learn to say no to others. To take care of me. True, the drugs aren't something I want to take forever, but I just got tired of crying. Tired of feeling depressed all the time. Tired of feeling overwhelmed. It's hard to take that step to see someone- like you said, there is still a lot of stigma around getting treatment. Plus I was worried that my ex-husband would try to use it against me. But I am glad I did it. I did it for my son.
Btw, your stash is to de for!! I need to do the same thing-get organized.
I am also suffering from depression pretty badly right now. I appreciate your thoughtful and honest post on this delicate subject. Not everyone's life is as perfect as most blogs project and I am so thankful to know that I am not alone! Plus, what can be better for the soul than a little fabricy-goodness?
Tricia
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