I am in a weary dumpy mood and cant seem to get interested in quilting or anything. All I do is sit on this computer and read the quilt board and play games. I recently lost a good friend and thought that maybe why I feel this way but somehow I dont think so. I had recently finshed around 12 placemats, now what to do with them. They were an unfinshed project and finally got them done but now feel wrung out, should be ready for new projects. I tryed cutting the other day and managed to cut out enough to do some blocks but couldnt seem to sit at machine and sew. Do any of you ever get this way and how do you fight it?

I understand what you are feeling. I get in a slump too and quilting isn't enjoyable when I feel that way. I just give myself a day or two to feel better. Sometimes a visit to the fabric store helps me.

I think that happens to most artists. Give yourself some time and surround yourself with visual inspiration. When I get in those slumps, I try some technique that is above and beyond my comfort level. Most of the time I learn something new or decide to change directions and make something I know I can handle!

Don't beat yourself up. Sometimes you just need a creative break. You'll get back in the swing soon.

Jane, Do you have quilt magazines or books handy? Looking through them may help you--especially if you go back to some ones you haven't opened in a while.
Just heard a radio talk show on how working with ones hands helps fight off depression better than drugs :lol: . Hey what do we quilters do? Do you have some hand work on some WIP's to do? Sometimes we need to finish what we started and then regain a feeling of accomplishment :lol:
And yes I think we've all been there.

You probably heard this before but it works! Get out and walk in the sunshine. Walk around your yard, sit in the sun for awhile. Find an ant and follow it! Just get outside and stay outside for a few hours. Pull some weeds, water the weeds, wash the car, the sidewalk, the driveway. Sit down in the grass and look for a 4 leaf clover or lay down and look at the sky. When I get the drags I make myself get outside and do something even if it is just sitting on the stoop watching and thinking.

I get the "blahs" as I call it, too. The computer or TV can really suck me in when I'm in one of those moods. I have to force myself to turn them off. Generally, I go outside if it's sunny. I like to walk off my moods but even if I don't walk, just being outside in the sunshine seems to help me. I think my brain needs real light instead of the light bulb stuff in the house.

Yes I have felt that way. I was in a depression and only going deeper. My friends and family finally talked me into getting help. I went to my doctor and she put me on anti-depressants. I've been on them a few times and always go off and end up depressed again. My brain just doesn't produce enough seritonin. Needless to say, I won't be going off them again. It's nice to have my life back. It's not a shameful thing to be on anti-depressants.

You're right Joey some folks need the assistance of anti depressants, just like I need my Synthroid for hypothyroidism. But if working with ones hands helps anyone fight off depression its worth a try :D

I totally agree. This quilt I called "Out of My Depression" is what helped me. The more I worked on it, the better I felt. When I finished it, I felt an actual release.

Wonderful :!:

I think working on a baby or child's quilt helps

We all hit slumps . I was in one last winter and I finally realized what it was . I LOVE to sew , quilt and create outside. Really I do.. I take my machine out on the front porch have two card tables set up and work like a crazy fool :roll: Sometimes you just have to take a break and realize it is "OK" to give yourself a break and know that the mojo will come back . And think about what , when or how you create the best and what has changed ? I already know this winter I will slump again, but I am trying to sign up for smaller swaps and keep myself busy . Use the board to think about future projects that you want to make when the urge hits :lol:

a big cry....
sometimes helps.....
you know your eyes get alittle red....
a big cry helps.



Darlene




(just don't cry too long)

I LOVE that quilt and I also agree. I was in the same position where I you were .. I didnt want to do anything even play with my kids!!!! I didnt even go on the computer I just wanted to sleep all day. My Ex husband said going to the dr for depression was being weak. I went to the dr and also found my brain did not produce enough seratonin and went on meds and I enjoy life again. Some people just need a good cry and a box of chocolates or ice cream but if nothing helps please consider the dr. It cant hurt and there is nothing wrong with needing help!! Lots of love and hugs coming your way!!!

Thanks Guys, all of your comments are great and do seem to help some what. I am very familiar with depression as my husband suffers from it and is on meds for it but mine is a short term thing and it will get better but i am worried about how I feel about quilting. I had just spent several months making my GD a quilt, doll quilt, two pillows and two prarie dolls and as she is only 4 loved them but my DIL did not seem to notice or care about them and how much time I put into them. Before I left to come to florida they were wadded up and thrown about the childs room and it ddnt seem to faze them at all. I put my love blood sweat and tears into it and no one except my dear hubby cared. As I am living in such a small trailer I dont have room to keep things so need to give them away when finshed, is everything I do not going to be appreciated? It makes me not want to do it anymore.

Thanks again for all your comments.

Peace and Love

don't worry over how you feel about quilting. that isn't the issue.

the issue is how you feel about the way your gifts have been treated.

the solution is to never give again to those you know are ungrateful.

there are bazillions of charity organizations who will help you put your quilts into the hands of many who will be deeply touched and forever appreciate your gifts.

tell your DIL what you feel and why you feel that way. then give all your future work to the friends, family and charities you know will treat you and your quilts with the proper respect.

Patrice is right. There are so many charities out there that could get your gifts into the hands of people who would really appreciate them and treat your gifts with the respect and love that you have put into them. Don't let what has happened deterr you. You will get back to it....if you love quilting it won't go away, it will be there waiting for you.

Quilts,dolls, stuffed animals, etc donated to a Crisis Center are always appreciated by the ones receiving them. I know growing up we didn't appreciate our quilts from our grandmother until we started making things ourselves, now we are repairing those same quilts so we can have the memories preserved.
If your granddaughter liked them she will hopefully start to use them and be happy with anything you give her. Does wadded up mean that your granddaughter was wrapping the babies up to keep them warm.
Hopefully the Florida sunshine gives you the boost you need to get out of the slump. I have been at the same place you have and a change is sometimes what is needed.
Good luck and I hope you are feeling energized soon. Have you made anything for you and your husband?

Hi Denise thanks for the encouragement. Florida right now is brutal. It isnt fit for man or beast. It feels like 100 when you go out so I havent. Maybe part of the problem. What I havent said is that I am disabled and dont walk to well so dont exercise or walk much. I am lucky to go and get my groceries and do my laundry. Money is tight so cant do to much, hubby is also disabled and gets depressed real easy so that doesnt help bring me up any. Long story and wont bore everyone. As far as my lovely grandaughter, she loved the items when I gave them to her and played with them but soon lost interest as many 4 year olds will but mom just didnt care that they were thrown haphazardly in the closet and forgot about. I cherish my quilts my mother made me and saw how much work she put into them. She made some beautiful quilts all hand embroidered and hand quilted. She has some nice ribbons of every color from the quilt shows and I have them also. I have one quilt that she made me one of last ones before she died with my favorite color and it is king size and I have never used because my bed is only a queen and it is too big. She made my son and his my DIL a beautiful one for their wedding it was queen size and I have never seen it since. Never saw it on the bed. Anyway will try some of you alls suggestions and hope things get better.

Peace and Love

I know everything is easier said then done. When I would visit our daughter (she lived in Miami) I would take pictures of some of the bathroom tile floors. I don't think I will ever get a chance to quilt them but some are awesome. I do a lot of sketches of quilts and ideas. I know some people the same as you DIL and Son, they have their own ideas and if what you make doesn't fit it doesn't go in their house. Have you made anything that is their style, it may be out of your comfort zone but more to their liking. I know some people like ultra modern, I know from working with my DD and DIL that we have very different taste even though we like what each other does.

To be honest, I dont think she really cared one way or the other. She is a little self centered and it shows. I gave her my grandmothers sewing machine so that she could sew, the bobbin case had a problem and instead of trying to fix a 10 dollar part bought at joanns, she went out and bought a new machine and now it just sits in a box. She doesnt use any of them. My son will always side with her so I dont talk to him about it. I dont want to start a family feud it isnt worth it. I live in Florida and they live in PA so I guess it is better that way. I worry about my grandchildren and hope they dont turn out like her. So hopefully I will get over this and start sewing again.

BellaBoo has recommended exactly what I would have. Get outside. If walking isn't something you can do, if the weather makes it miserable outside, then at least get out of your place and visit with other people.

As for your quilting efforts being unappreciated, try to put that in perspective. Not everyone is into quilts or quilted things. Don't hold that against them, just don't waste your time quilting for them. Realize that they probably do appreciate you in many other ways!

The little one loved what you made for her. Be glad of that.

If you'd like some appreciation, consider posting pictures of your quilts here. We'd all love to see them!

And since money's tight, consider selling your work online or to gift shops or at farmer's markets. (potholders, chair cushions, tote bags, keychain fobs, bookmarks, little wall hangings...)

Jane, Sorry you DIL didn't appreciate all the love you poured into your granddaughter's quilt and things. Been there too.

My recipe for you is:
1. Have a big portion of chocolate or cake, or both,
2. Grab all your scraps and sew some string or crumb blocks, always works for me. Blocks look pretty ugly when they get big, but when I trim them they look great. There's usually a big mess all over but when I clean the mess up I feel great - like the mess in my mind has been cleared up.

Try it, might be just what you need to get your spirit up and running again. May in Jersey

I find when I feel this way, the TV and computer take over my life. I need someone or something to get up and do. Much of my depression blues come from a lack of sunlight. Especially at the beginning of October when the daylight is noticeably less. I guess I sort of adjust, because my late October I have adjusted. But if Spring doesn't come in March/April, I get really ugly.

I am looking for a lamp that will imitate sunshine to help me this fall. So far, they have all been too expensive. I've heard people sware that these lamps will work.

You have such a wonderful husband, perhaps a weekend away together, even at a Motel 6 on the other side of town, might just do the trick too. Gwyn

I am sitting here reading all your comments and know that what your saying sounds and is good and I will try and do a few of them and hope they help. This board has a great big crowd of people that are truly caring and giving and I thank you so much for listening. As for my hubby he is the best, he just handed me a nice cup of tea.

Peace and love

I've been reading this - it will probably get moved to the PDA section in a bit -

1) Are you being treated for depression? Many of us have no qualms about treating conditions like diabetes or thyroid conditions with medications, but when it involves mental or emotional issues - which in many cases have underlying physiological conditions - we balk at taking medications.

So - are your hormones in adjustment?

2) Being cash poor is trying. And frustrating.

3) I think the biggest issue is your DIL's apparent lack of interest and appreciation in the gifts that you made for your granddaughter. I can definitely relate to that.

On a charitable note - your DIL may be totally clueless as to how much is involved in making a quilt - I know that at 68 I value some things MUCH more than I did at 20 and 25.

So I would not make any more major items for them - only items that would not break my heart if they weren't used or appreciated - examples: pillowcases or pot holders.

There is a program called "Sit and Be Fit" that's on some of the PBS stations - that might be an option for getting some exercise.

It is more challenging when DH is also down in the dumps.

Good luck - hope things look better for you soon.

Glad you brought this up, I am taking some of the suggestions also. Had a death in the family that knocked the wind out of my sails, so I needed this reminder! Thanks!

Jane...We all have been there! At times like a good slump like that, espec one when we lose those that are precious to us, we have a good stump to step up and over! The best advice I could give anyone at a time like this is to reach out and help someone that really needs it!! I made walker bags in a good slump such as yours..there are free patterns online too! I took them to a nursing home w/an oval center so they could write whoever's name on them....something so simple is such a treasure to those that need it and have no way of getting it...espec holiday themes....like fall leaves!! Just make sure if you do something like this...do straps on the bottom sides to button on so they dont swing as they walk. Guess what I am saying is to reach out and help someone that needs it....it helps to take not only a void feeling away but, can really make someone's life rich in so many way!! Most of all....give yourself a big hug....you are a very special person!! Skeat

And, have you thought of making a memory quilt of your friend? I just sat thru an awesome crazy quilt class...awesome what they put in them!! Just another idea!! Skeat

Thanks everyone, I know I will get thru this and even spent a half hour today talking to my neighbor. We discussed her current quilt she is making. I spent so much time working on my projects that when I dont I feel lost and alone but as of right now just dont have the push to do it. I am some what of a beginner so dont think I am quite up to charity quilts just yet. I did look at some BOM's that look interesting but not sure if it is too much for me. Anyone have much experience with them and could tell me the good and bad about them?

Jane: hang in there. You've gotten some good advice from everyone here. I think at one time or another we all go to that "dark place" and need time and love to get out of it. I go there from October to March. My
dil and yours sound alike. I searched for months for the right color fabric for a table runner for her BD ande invited them to dinner. She couldn't come-was out with girlfriends so I sent the runner home with my son. Did she like it? Who the hell knows--that was in June and she hasn't mentioned it one way or the other. I did what someone suggested and posted a pic here and got lots of positive feedback (thanks, guys!) Just know we're here and pulling for you.
Peace-Jan

Jane you made those quilts with love and thats what counts if they are not appreciated then make them ones who do appreciate the time and love put into them. The loss of someone you love is always hard I recently lost my brother and found myself in no mood to sew I felt lost. give yourself time to grieve then make something for yourself that will remind you of your friend that you can hang above your sewing machine. We will hold you up with lots of hugs.

Jane, i'm so sorry how you're feeling. I think i know how you are feeling. You gave a gift from your heart to your grandaughter, because you want to be remembered as a very special person in her life. I think we get to an age in life, me too, where we want to start creating memories that people will remember us by. We want to know that what we did here on earth was good and has a lasting memory. I do understand. My daughter is like that too, about gifts that we give to her daughter. What i have finally realized is, it's not about how they care for the quilt, or whatever the "item" may be. I told somebody i am scared to make a quilt for my daughter, because i'm scared she wont like it. So my friend told me, don't care if she likes it or not, or what she does with it. This is a lasting memory that you want to do, so just do it. Don't even worry bout if she likes it or throws it out is what my friend said. He told me, this is what i want to do, so just do it. He said my memory will be in the making and giving of the gift, not what happens to it after it's out of my hands. He told me to draw a line, after giving it to her, draw a line, smile, know i did my thing, and it's no longer mine after i've given it away. So he was trying to tell me, if i give something away, don't hang on to it, but keep the memory of what i did, and that i did what i wanted to do. So that is what i am going to do, she is getting a quilt, and i will do it my way. And if she likes it or not, i dont care, i need to do this for me, because it's important to me, see what i mean? You asked about BOM's. When i first came to the forum here, i started doing the blocks of the month. They are so quick and easy, no pressure, just one little block. And they are so much fun. You will love how everyone talks about their block, then puts up pictures, there is a lot of chitchat in the bom section, that is really fun and inspiring. I think you would really love that, and would be something just fun and simple for you to do. I havent been doing the bom's lately, only because i have too many projects i'm working on, but i really think you would love doing this. I'm so sorry how you're feeling, but know that you will feel better soon.

For me personally, BOM's are a 'good thing'...I did a sampler (plus others I should not confess!LOL) and picked up actually 2 a month from a shop for this....it taught me much and kept me on my toes...for if I finished them, brought them in the next month I had a discount on my next blocks...etc. You will learn much from these!! Some will even deliver in the mail...but, if you can get out and go pick them up...I recommend it! The one shop here on BOM saturday does a small program early doing a show and tell in a sense of what is new and what is happening...much fun!

You guys are so wonderful-----this is the greatest board. I just signed up for a BOM at one of the shops on FabShopHop. Its the Pennsylvania Dutch One cause I am PA Dutch and loved the colors and the design looks ok. I hope they give me instructions on how to put it together.

As for going to the shops to pick them up we have only one and I have yet to go and see it. I know that the local shops are too expensive for me so dont want to temp my self. Cause I just love to shop for fabric. I did find last month a Walmart who is an hour away has a really good fabric department and according to the manager of that department plans on keeping it. She has a large assostment of fabric and states that she buys 2000 bolts a month. She carries the quilt of the month and you can find them shown at AEnathanfabrics.com. I bought the one for September when I was home for the month of August. I fell in the love with the October one called fudge ripple but have not had the money to buy it. When I do she will probably be out of it, she told me that it was half gone already and that was a week ago. So we will see next week when we go for our monthly trip to walmart. Thanks everyone for trying to cheer me up.

Glad you jumped aboard to the BOM's! You won't be sorry!! Best part is they are not overwhelming...for you have a month to get it done...which for me was always in the first week! I couldn't stand to wait!!:)They always come w/the instructions and you will learn since you are not in a rush how to perfect your cutting and sewing! It's a great way to do so too! Then at the end of the story...you have some blocks to put together for a whole quilt(minus the borders)! I'd take mine out and put them on my flannel design wall....just to see how great they were looking as they grew in numbers:)You will love it too! Skeat

i think it's time for this conversation to move over to a PDA.

jane ... i'm glad to see you're starting to cheer up. please start a PDA to keep everybody posted.