Originally Posted by AliKat
I love to do so many things:
I love to sing - but do it in the shower, when home alone, or in the car. With groups too. But, I am not the next American Idol. and that is OK because I love to sing.
I love to read - almost anything without too much gore or explicit and detailed sex. I love the feel of the books ... and the ease of my Nook. But, I am not an editor or critic, and that is OK because I love to read.
I love to go to the theater. Again, I have my favorites. But, I know I am a ham actor. But I am not a professional actor, playwright, or a director, and that is OK because I love to see others perform.
I love to sew. I make shirts and other clothing. I make comfortable clothes. But I am not a couture designer or model, and that is OK because I feel great in what I make.
I love to quilt. It lets me be free with color and design. I make comfortable quilts and maybe a few artistic wall quilts. But I am not a worldknown quilt designer or artist, and that is OK because it gives me another opportunity to be me, quilt for others, and have a great community surround me.
It is more than OK to do what we love and not be at the peak of that realm. It is more to give us peace and joy. Those who are at the peak inspire me to be better and I am thankful for them.
ali
VERY well-said! :-D
I can find inspiration in all quilts both art and traditional, even those that are at this stage beyond my abilities - though I always aspire to do better and push myself further. There are always little ideas in the design, colours, quilting motifs etc that I can use. I incline more towards what would be called 'art quilts' at this stage of my quilting journey. These quilts give me more scope for creativity, I don't like to work to patterns or traditional block designs where once I've chosen the fabric, I know exactly how they'll turn out. To me, that's boring. I want to enjoy the process not just charge as quickly as possible towards the finished piece.
I don't 'look down on' other quilters who are not the same as me though and I DO feel that there is some kind of 'inverted snobbery' on the Quilting Board from time to time that art quilts are not 'real quilts'. They ARE, just as much as a 'blankie' is. Perhaps it stems from this 'intimidation' you speak of.
I'm sorry I just don't understand the attitude of not going to these shows due to feeling intimidated. There are generally (at least at UK shows) sections for traditional quilts too so if you don't like the 'art quilts', don't go and look at them :?