Through my blog posts, you've watched me flit from project to project - hand appliqué to crochet to diamond painting to knitting to scrappy Sashiko and then to quiltmaking. While making, I often battle a temptation to work on something other than what is in my hands at the moment. My mind works ahead, to ask myself, "What can I accomplish in the moment that will allow me to "reward" myself and move on to the next thing that attracts my interest?"
It seems the older I get, the more I think and act this way - sort of like, if I don't hurry and get this done, I'll run out of time and not get that done. It feels like a functional craze. But as a maker/creator, I'm not alone in thinking this way.
You all know I enjoy responding to every comment made on one of my blog posts. As it sometimes happens, I end up swapping more than one email with the commenter, thus getting to know that person a little better, share information, and ultimately make a friend. This is one of several reasons I've continued to blog regularly for 17+ years.
Observations About Inspiration
A recent email exchange with my friend Anne @springleafstudio in Colorado (we met in person once, 11 years ago! Picture below) generated conversation about following inspirational flow for making.
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| Photo taken at QuiltCon 2015, Austin, Texas L-R: René (Florida), me, Anne (Colorado), Cindy (California) in front of my Bias Tape Challenge quilt, Shapes |
With Anne's permission, I'm sharing what she had to say about inspiration.
I’ve learned over the years that when I feel inspiration out of the blue for one of my projects it’s best to go with the moment. When I do that I get things done. But the list of projects I want to do is always growing so there’s always something new to do. Go with what ever is striking you in the moment. It all adds up to accomplishment one way or another.
Don't ya appreciate a friend who validates how you create? Anne sure did that for me! Her statement to "Go with whatever is striking you in the moment." and that it "adds up to accomplishment" are words to live by. Thank you for your profound thoughts, Anne!
Observations about Kawandi
In late February I presented a program, and taught Kawandi to members of South Florida MQG in Boca Raton.
Recently my friend Marie @marie4nier (standing in the back center in the pink top) emailed a picture and thoughts about her recent, first Kawandi finish.
I loved the Kawandi project! It took me a while to complete it because I needed to find a quiet time. And I finally did.
My response to Marie:
I like the authenticity of Kawandi. It tells me about you - the fabrics (colors and prints) you like to use. Your personality is in every stitch. Simply wonderful! I hope you choose to make another one. I bet it will be different from this one, and give a different perspective about you.
Marie's reply to me:
I noticed the same thing you did when I took the time to look at my project: the fabric is mine, and every piece of fabric has a story and is associated to a project in my "collection." I added some flowers. Flowers are my "signature."
I so appreciate insightful thoughts and conversations such as these because they reveal how deeply we care and value our creations, and how much each make reveals about us. Thank you, Marie!
A Little Caring From Me: Tiny Dolls
Many of you know I round loom knit Tiny Dolls (I follow this Tiny Dolls YouTube tutorial by Denise of Loomahat). After making 20 dolls (more than shown in this basket) I promised myself I would donate them to the local police department.
Well the dolls have sat for many weeks, stored in an empty Cluster Stuff zipper bag (the filler brand I use inside each doll) while I tried to connect with the police department's community outreach liaison and make an appointment to drop off the dolls.
That finally happened this week.
Chelsey and Captain Kinder met me in the police station lobby to thank me and take pictures. I was told the police like items like this because they're small enough to carry in a patrol car. They'll be given away to comfort a scared or hurting child. That makes me feel really good.
A Little Share To Me
On Friday, after spending a couple hours diamond painting with friends, I returned to my golf cart parked in the lot outside the rec center to see this.
Some kind person decided to share a little happy, and make me smile by leaving this squeaky rubber duck on my cart seat.
Life is about love - sharing and caring, isn't it? Whether it's in a long-distance friendship, a nearby friendship, or sharing in an unexpected way, how we love and how we pass it around is a good indicator of how well we're living.
We can see the Lord's love all around when we open our hearts and eyes to appreciate it. Just in my own neighborhood, looking skyward to admire creation fills my heart.
Love to you, Linda
Your post has touched me. My daughter had a car accident when she first started driving. Fortunately no one was hurt but my daughter was distraught. The policeman that responded gave her a small hand made bear that she was clutching for dear life when we arrived at the scene so I know your little dolls will provide comfort.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading this post. Amazing how you run across some inspiration just when it’s needed!
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous Friend! I'm glad you enjoyed reading this. Deep thoughts, right?! Smile... And yes, inspiration is all around us. We only need to pay attention, and be open to it. I hope you've had an inspirational day!
DeleteEach and every one of your donated tiny dolls will be giving comfort to a child, such a lovely thought. That really is sharing and caring. And it is so nice to have conversations with bloggers from all over. We will probably never meet, but sometimes those words shared are just what we need when we are feeling low.
ReplyDeleteHonored to be mentioned in your blog😊
ReplyDeleteThanks for your guidance on the kawandi project. I appreciate you Linda!
You are so inspiring Linda! You also must have the energy of a 20 year old! I swear. I’m so impressed at what all you accomplish and proud of you!
ReplyDeleteI have been slower and slower on getting things done, have lost my desire it seems.
The dolls will be much loved and appreciated 🥰
Oh Pamela. You say the nicest things. “Inspiring?” I’m not so sure about. “Energy?” That’s funny. Though I admit I see some tendencies I observed in my Grandma. She was a farm wife. As the oldest grandchild, I spent a week each summer on the farm with both grandparents, and a bachelor uncle. I probably did that only two or three years, but my memories of Grandma are vivid. She arose with the chickens and was always scurrying. I don’t remember ever seeing her just walk normally. Rather, she briskly went from place to place - the garden to the house, to the chicken coop, to the stoop to clean eggs, to the kitchen to cook. Nothing happened at a regular pace. After dinner she’d land on the sofa to braid rugs from her rag basket… and would fall asleep as she sat, by about 8 or 8:30. I might have picked up some of her quick-to-the-task approach to things. :-)
DeleteThankfully, I haven’t slowed down a lot, but my interests have certainly changed! I keep reminding myself of how few years I have left to live, and all the things I want to do - and materials to use-up - before I go. Even a Tiny Doll is unfinished in my yarn basket. Need to make arms and a hat for it! I’m sure I’ll eventually make and donate more dolls. They’re just so darned cute!
Thank you for commenting! I always enjoy hearing from you. Linda
How nice that these dolls will bring comfort to a small child. nicely done!
ReplyDeleteDear Linda. Your post is so positive, so full of kindness. Your energy is amazing and so generous. Do you notice the name of the captain? Kinder is children in German. Thank you
ReplyDeletefor the joy which is so strong that she has flown above the Ocean😉.😘😘
I just love those little dolls, and I'm sure the police will make good use of them. And how nice that someone left you a ducky!
ReplyDeleteOhh, I love this post of yours, Linda! Yes, what Anne said is encouraging for all of us, so I'm glad you shared it. Your sweet dolls! Great job getting them out there where they will be appreciated. As for the duck, well, I drive a Jeep and that is definitely a Jeep thing, where ducking started! I'm always thrilled when I receive one, usually anonymously and left on my door handle. My favorite though is a giant duck that I found on my car hood when I came out of church quite late one Sunday! I have some that I give out, also. Ducking is a fun, happy thing for this world.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my words hit home for you. When I look back on my finishes I can honestly say many of them came about because I went with the sudden inspiration when it struck. I continue to work this way and feel a great deal of satisfaction in the process. On another note, your dolls are simply adorable and will surely be a comfort just when a child needs it.
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous, darling!, as you handed over your sweet little dolls to help someone else--which is so like you. And yes, sometimes the correspondence goes on and on and it's fun because we get to know each other and the lives behind the comments. What a fun post to read today!
ReplyDeleteOnly just now in catch up mode Linda and so good to read this post. Thank you so much for sharing the words from Anne - I need to follow her example instead of deciding, not deciding, try another pattern and so on! Strangely enough now just trying a little sewing following cardiac procedure I did just what Anne suggests, went with my first thought when I saw a few blocks in my left over box and it has worked nout well! I followed Anne when she had her blog, I loved her use of colour when I first began blogging and my grandaughter has a quilt made using a pattern by Anne, made many years ago!
ReplyDeleteAlso must say I love the dolls and sure they bring some comfort to children in trauma.