So as most of your know i started a new job a few months back. Well i was required to do a week of 2nd shifts (2-10pm) and a week of 3rd (9pm-7am) I am coming of my 3rd's of he!! and went right back to my normal schedule of 1st (6:30am - when ever i get out of there normally around 5) Now work is a 45 min drive each way. By the time i am done with the kids, hubby, and work i'm not motivated to do any type of sewing/quilting. I have so much that needs to be done, and now i am overwhelmed because my swap for the month of May is quickly going to be due. I guess i just need a little encouragement to get back that spark i felt when i first started quilting. Has anyone else gone through these slumps? How did you get back into the swig of things?

My advice is to get the swap done asap. Then set aside time for you to quilt. Things can wait you need some "me" time too. I was a working mom so I know the stress you are under. It can be done and you can do it:)

Actually, I had a similar situation but add to my responsibilities farm chores and critters to feed and water. I HAD to find some ME time to keep going so sewing in the late evening, even if only for a half hour or hour was something I just could not wait for. I needed that little bit of silent time to think my thoughts and so something that made me feel relaxed.

I hope this feeling passes quickly for you so you can get back on track!

Rotating shifts will wear you down. Try to make sure you get enough sleep with any of the shifts. For me the only time I felt rested enough to sew was when I was working days. It would just frustrate me if I tried with the other times. Retired now!

spend time in the evenings, watching tv...doing hand stitching- take projects to work with you for break times...on the weekends - schedule (me time) for the sewing room

They r right- eat right. Get plenty of rest! Then make time for quilting u have to take care of yourself first so u can take care of everyThing else rotating shifts r hard! Don't know y they do it!!
Good luck. Hope u find a rhythm !
God bless

Hon, I think the rotating shifts have messed you up. The only time I did them was in my 20's and even then I was a bit out of whack.
I hope you feel better soon! HUGS,
Sue

Thank you all! I will be sitting down tonight to do some sewing. I did take some me time...went and had my nails and eyebrows done. While my DH doesn't understand why i would pay some one for something that can be done at home. It was nice to have some one take care of me =) yall are the best. <hugs>

I have been quilting for a little over a year now, and the quilting bug bit me hard. I was single and lived alone with my 4-legged quilt inspectors when I began quilting, and had no problems spitting out 3 quilts last year. Then I moved in with my fiance this past February, and I have only finished one quilt, and it was a baby quilt. My project backlog is longer than my arm! And now that I'm playing wifee, my "me-time" has diminished quite a bit too! Seriously men, can you do ANYTHING without us women?

I would start with something small, like the swap, so it is not hanging over you. (But remember that we've all been there, so being late is not fatal!)

Then, clean off that list of "needs to get done" to items that you will like to do. Prioritize to your own priorities, not someone else's.

Spend some time with your fabric stash! I just love the feel of fabric, almost as much as I love to be surrounded by books. You will get excited again.

Finally, remember that sewing is a lifelong skill. If you don't do much this year, you will do it another year, and it will all be good.

I had always done shift work while Nursing, so I know how you feel. I used to get my most quilting done during the morning before I went in for a split shift. I always liked to sew for an hour or two while the laundry was doing it's own thing, and that way I was basically relaxing before I went to work. By the time I got home...forget it... I was too wound up from work and had too many other things to do.