I can relate to you... as I am a single mom and I have a full time job (when I say full time job I mean 55 hours a week). I just finally decided heck with it. I keep the washer and dryer going while I quilt but I don't always get it put away as soon as I would like to. (at least we have clean clothes even if they are in the laundry baskets) I finally just put the quilting on my to do list... sometimes I do only get to work 45 minutes at a time, but I like getting in those 45 minutes... and my sewing room is not "orderly" I leave things out so when I do get back to them they are ready for me to pick up where I stopped. I have set a timer before too otherwise I forget the time and next thing you know its midnight (and my alarm goes off at 4 am) I think that when you have the right inspiration you will just do it - - the other things will drop in priority and you will just make time for your quilting...

SKRATchie quote "I don't think you WANT to quilt. I think you like the IDEA of quilting, but you aren't "there" right now. .[/QUOTE]

Actually I agree! If you really wanted to quilt then you would Take the time and quilt. Sometmes life gets in the way of quilting and other things we want/need to do more than quilt. Sometimes we are just not in the mood (as with cleaning) to quilt. Take a break and do not beat your self up about not quilting at this time. There are no rules as to how much time per day you should quilt. I have found that I will do household stuff in the morning and then spend the afternoon quilting. But I usually do not quilt every day since I have other things to do!!!

Start with something small like a mug rug or doll blanket. I find that I get inspired by completing projects. Table runners are quick too. Do several small projects to learn. A large quilt can be overwhelming, but small projects are doable. Pet quilts are good projects for beginners too. Later you will feel more able to start a larger quilt.

If cutting really is a barrier (and it is for a lot of quilters), the 10-minute timer helps. I have used it that way just to get started cutting on a project. However, I found learning to use the rotary cutter and ruler easy (after watching several people). If at all possible, take a beginner's class and get someone to watch your cutting; they will be able to spot exactly what you need to change and show you how to do it. Barring that, consider getting an Accuquilt Go! or Studio die cutter. People have *lots* of fun cutting up fabric with those machines.

When I am feeling the way you feel now, I search for a project that gets my engines running. It helps to make it for someone for a special occasion so you need to finish it on time. Don't worry if it's not perfect, after it's all done, the mistakes blend very well, the worst critic is you-yourself. No one else is looking at the quilt as closely as you have been looking at it, no one else knows where all the mistakes are like you do. I have never made anything without making a mistake, I doubt I am alone on this fact.

Cindi, this is absolutely great. How did you get your quarter inch from the seams so straight? What batting
did you use? Did you use a template/ruler for the scallops?
Also, the stitch in the ditch looks perfect. Tell us your secrets for doing so well.

I've been dealing with the fear/perfection goblins for the last year or so. I have to push myself out of my comfort zone to "just do it." I do find that working on practice projects makes a difference for me in getting over the fear speed bumps.

Cheers, K

Holy Cow ladies, you've given me a bunch to think about! :)

Tessagin, I spent most of my childhood being told could do anything, of course high school was somewhat contrary to that, kids can be cruel, then entered a very male dominated profession, where I had to prove myself constantly. So I know some of what you're talking about.

Most of my projects (only one quilt under my belt so far) have been small ones. Most of the ones I have on my list are small ones as well - a cat quilt for the trailer, a cover for the carrier they go to the vet in, pedal pouches for the machines, another featherweight case liner (I've made 2 already), SM covers... of course there are the larger projects too - the lap quilt for DH comes to mind. I missed his birthday, I guess maybe it'll be for Christmas. It's a lot of paper piecing, so it's a stretch for me at the moment.

Cindi, that quilt is simply gorgeous!! So far everything I've made has been for me or the household. I don't know if it's my age bracket, or our circle of friends, but few people we hang out with really "gets" quilting. The ones who would donate a handmade quilt to Goodwill? Those are our friends. So I'm totally with you, make it for yourself and gift it if you choose to.

CarolAug, you are completely right, I have very little work / life balance. I wonder how that came through in what I wrote! When I said I work part time, I don't know if that was accurate. I own my own business, which is slow. There's never a shortage of work, just a shortage of paying work.

GannyRosie, you wouldn't be the first person to make the OCD reference about me. ;) I will sincerely try to do what you're suggesting. I know that clutter makes me crazy and unfinished business... well, I'll probably be one of -those- ghosts down the road ;) DH read this and said - "Isn't that what I said? Break it into part, tasks that you can accomplish!" LOL!

my-ty - classes tend to work for me, deadlines don't so much anymore. Back in Corporate, it was always deadlines, usually assigned to me after they were passed. These days I miss a number of deadlines. Never for my clients, but my own, I miss a lot.

mom-6, I read the board a lot too, as you can tell from my post count vs join date, but sometimes I think it's more distraction than it is creativity on my part. Of course, I still spend more time in the vintage and antique area, so maybe out here I would be more inspired. ;)

nanna up north and GailG, great suggestions! Yes, relatively young, I'm 38 and still sort of in that "go go go" phase of my life, but it's more exhausting than it used to be.

Skratchie and bigsister63 - Boy, you sure made me sit up and think today. I -think- I'm there, but now I wonder. What I'm thinking I'm going to do tomorrow is sit down, plan and prep a project (yes, actually cutting it!) and see after the part I dislike is done how I feel about the project. I believe that will tell me a lot about whether I'm in the right space to quilt, or if I'm still "not feeling it". One thing I find interesting though is with what you mentioned here, I realized I'm not making time lately for a lot of things I enjoy or think I enjoy. This might be a good time for some reflection (while I keep my hands busy)

ghostrider, "I don't get hung up on perfection, but I am majorly committed to excellence" I love it! I tell people I'm a recovering perfectionist. :) I typically love learning, I wonder why I haven't been approaching quilting the same way... yes, I've had a lot of those "don't do that again" learning moments too. :)

Willferg, it sounds like you had a very wise boss, if sometimes frustrating ;) DH tells me that this quilting thing is supposed to be relaxing, and that I dearly need some sort of relaxation, so I think you're probably right. I was a lot more creative as a "youngster", I used to draw, sing in a band, do all sorts of things. I've lost that, due to "time constraints", and I think you're right, I feel it in many parts of my life.

ktbb - the dog's bed is worn out. It's coming apart from use, and it was the first thing I ever made with my treadle machine (2 years ago), so this is a good project. I have little to no scraps but I'm sure I can stuff some of DH's old shirts and undies in there.. ;) Also, there's a shelter not far from us who I've been meaning to call and ask what size pads they can use.

Cybrarian - I don't think that I've felt like my contribution is less worthy than others as far as my work. All of the clients that I've kept (yes, I learned that I can fire them too) all appreciate what I do for them. I often feel that I've always got so much to do that it's hard to unplug though. When I find myself working through dinner (or dessert!) and while we watch TV in the evenings, it's probably a problem. No. It IS a problem.

You're right, I do better with tasks that can be broken into steps, so I can have a "result" at the end of what I'm doing, even if the job isn't finished. For some reason, string blocks don't seem to speak to me, but I can completely see them as a learning tool and they don't have to be wasted, so I will try them. :)

Prism99 - My biggest frustration with cutting is the same as using a 1/4" foot, I tell people it's an "up to 1/4" foot". I can sew straight sometimes, other times the foot just ensures that I have seams from 1/16" to 1/4" as I wobble all over the place. The rotary cutter is the same. I wobble and end up off course sometimes ruining what I'm working on which tends to make me disappointed with myself. A friend saw me cut something else with a utility knife and said that I needed to not pull my arm in so close to my body. (Spread the wings!!) I've been working on the same with the rotary cutter. I also find that really good light makes a difference, apparently I'm reaching that point in my life too so no more cutting at night. ;)

Quiltngolfer, A table runner is what I've been thinking, I like this one: http://www.fonsandporter.com/article...squares_quilts and there's a great video on doing it as well, so I can learn with guidance. :)

When I started this thread, I was looking at surface things to change, but you've all given me so much more to think about. I do humbly thank you all.

Me, too! I seem to put off everything else except sewing and quilting, and eating and sleeping. ;)

If you don't feel like sewing/quilting, don't. Find another hobby. You may come back to sewing/quilting, and then again you might not. Go with the flow. Your "free" time should really be "free."