Help , inspiration please !
 

Please can any of you help. After years of patchwork,a lot of them passing on ideas and inspiration, I now find myself in the wilderness. We have moved to a differant part of the country, in time I'm sure I will make new friends.I love it here, near to our son and family but can't seem to get my creative juices going. My husband has bought a classic car, a 41 year old Triumph Herald as a new interest---with my blessing. I thought I would make a lap quilt to put in it,to use when he goes to shows. I am still unsure what design to use though.I thought maybe log cabin with either alternative applique blocks of a car. For weeks now I have had fabric and books spread out on the dining room table, with no luck. I am begining to think perhaps it's time to get a new hobby and that maybe I'm just empty of ideas.I visit the site often, with no inspiration, hard to imagine I know, there are so many wonderful ideas here.Oh dear I sound such a sad case don't I, sorry.I have so much to be grateful for in my life, I guess it's the strain of moving, I'm 72 years old, and leaving friends, so many of whom I've taught to do patchwork and quilting, in fact they all keep in touch and ask advice too. RIGHT ---- I now sound a moaning Minnie, forgive me, if anyone has an idea or so I would be happy to see them however. Love to all, Letty

Lettie, Have you found & visited all the LQS in your new area? Almost every time I visit my LQS I am so inspired looking at all the quilts on display & new products. Also found that most of the staff & other shoppers are friendly. Have made several friends chatting in the shops. Hope this suggestion helps.

I'm sure that someone on this board lives somewhere near you. There are so many countries and states represented. Moving is so disrupting -- it can be discouraging. This last move of mine I was 77 and it was the third in 2 years -- now we move back and forth -- but at least now we have everything in both places.

What styles did you love most. Maybe choose a color and make a charity quilt for the local fire/police depts.

Email has been wonderful staying in touch and I look at a weather webcam every morning near where I live in the summer so I still feel "local"

I sound like such a Pollyanna -- but I guess I am. Bad things happen -- but life is good
Mim

Moving to a new area always presents a challenge, especially when you've been in your former area 'forever'. As a retired military wife I've done the moving thing dozens of times, and for some reason some areas were easier to make new friends in than others. Not sure why that was either.

The two main ways I met people was at church and at my kids school functions.

The suggestion to locate fabric and quilt shops in your area is definitely a winner! Also visit with the other wives at the car shows. Once you get to know some people you'll feel much better...or at least I always did.

Find the LQS, offer to teach, check our their classes to meet people and ask about Local Guilds. Just start the log cabin and it will help. Sometimes just getting started is the hardest. Good Luck

your idea of alternate log blocks sounds good. i'd use his car colors as the theme. hope you start feeling at home soon.

Keep on quilting! My mom is 90 and she'd say you are young:thumbup:. Go find the most beautiful fabric you can and put together a new lap quilt for that car of your hubby's!! Best Wishes!!

You give no idea of where you are or where you came from. Is there a big difference in the two?
Have you joined a church? volunteer group? made any local friends? Are you healthy? tired? Lonely?

Why not go basic on your lap robe - a block pattern with a car accessory in each block - something a man would really relate to- tire, jack, steering wheel, gas can, Triumph logo, etc. Do a simple black and brown color scheme with the accessories in colors. Something the men at car meets can say, "I like this, nothing feminine about it. Goes with the car." Maybe tie it instead of quilt. After that is done perhaps you'll feel like making some very pretty.

don't be so hard on yourself---this time of year it is quite common to be (un-inspired) maybe make yourself some new curtains, or a table topper/placemats for the new home- sometimes a small project is just what a person needs to get the *juices* flowing again. if that doesn't appeal to you just enjoy settling into your new home- when the time is right the perfect project will simply hit you- or you will see something that is (just what you've been looking for)
and remember- even the most prolific artists go through times when nothing appeals to them...

So, what color is his NEW toy? What do your fabrics look like, what colors? That would help give us an idea what type inspiration to send your way. BUT... maybe FIRST you should do something for YOU! A new lap quilt for you! Maybe one to remind you of all the friends you have an many different places. Or perhaps try a new STYLE of quilting. Something you haven't attempted before. Maybe something with a theme of something you loved as child? I say whatever you do, it should be something to make YOU HAPPY! THEN, you can make him a quilt for the car shows!
Good luck in your New Adventures!

I was the same way a few years back I moved from all friends and family from wisconsin to az and didnt know any body.I got involved in a quilt shop that makes cancer quilts.The ladys are fun to be with and I have learned a lot.You have a lot of knowledge to share and there are many young girls wanting to learn how to quilt.Check out your church and see if there is a need there to help.Maybe there are others who would like a new challenge in your ladys group.It is always nice to be needed.God Bless and will keep you in prayer to help along the way.Dawn

I had a thought -- when I first moved to Maine -- many moons ago -- I called the adult Ed program at the school and asked if they wanted a quilting or cake decorating class -- It was a great way to meet new people. I also volunteered at the local library and the little theater to meet people
Mim

Hey Letty!
I have times when I just don't feel like doing anything (even quilting, which I love =), and it's usually when I'm feeling worn out or stressed out (which moving can definitely do to anyone!)....anyways, I've found that it's helpful to just give myself permission to not do anything unless I feel like it, even telling myself 'you know what, if you don't ever want to make another quilt again, then don't!' Sometimes, I think we can just get so worn out (maybe physically, maybe mentally or emotionally) that we just need a break, and need to not put any more pressure on ourselves....so, long story short, don't be too hard on yourself; you're definitely not alone..we all have times where we just need a break =)

Keep in mind that moving is almost as many stress points as having a death in the family. It takes time to recover from that. Be good to yourself. All the reccommendations above about places to meet people are good. Do what you feel like doing for a while.

I think i would feel the same way as you do, Lettie. Big changes -- no matter your age! Good luck in finding a new group of quilting buddies. We quilters seem to live in every part of the country. In the meantime, you might consider an applique block as the center of you quilt. You could applique a simple rendition of the car. Another idea would be to have a photo of your husband and his car transferred to fabric of a center block. Either center could be surrounded by your log cabin blocks! My husband would love an Austin Healy Sprite, same vintage!

Moving can be very stressful, even when it is a welcome one. The suggestions from the members who have already written are very good, and would work for anyone who is in a slump. Don't give up quilting, but take a short break if it feels like the right thing to do. You will always return to your quilting, it sounds as if you have a lot of yourself invested in it. Good luck with your new home.

Carie
 

Letty, My husband recently bought a 1926 Ford, 4 dr with a top that we 're replacing- It's not a bad top but needed to be changed. So, now we have it in the box waiting for spring or at least some warmer weather to replace it.Since the windows are opened, I purchased some flannel and am going to quilt it in diagional fashion, then sew a SILOWET (?) OF the car on them--They are actually a large "lap" size. I am making two of these and hope they turn out okay. When I get them done, I'll send a picture for you. This car business is a new one for me!!! Take care....it's when we stop sewing, we give up - so let's live while we can. I just turned 73 this past Nov. and am plannihng to go a lot more years before my final goodbye!

Do you live near me? I would love to get together!

Moving is so hard. Sometimes it just takes time to get settled. Maybe you could make something small to sort of get you started? My husband does cars too, and I made some tote bags with car fabric that I really liked. Our car club asked for donations for a charity auction and I made six of those and one quilt, but I kept one tote for me. Maybe making yourself a car tote bag could help?

At any rate, my thoughts are with you. It isn't easy being in a new place. Maybe there is a quilt guild you could enjoy or a workshop you could take?

Dina

Thank you all
 

Thank you all so much for your encouraging messages,reading the replies made me see what a sad sack I sounded!Yes we have found a nearby church, just not sure yet if it's the right one,although everyone was very welcoming.I no longer drive -- walk with crutches and pretty most of the time in pain. My husband is always very willing to drive me everywhere I want to go,he is a real treasure. I will go to a local quilt shop, in fact my son always goes in there to buy gifts for me and is always telling me to go in and join classes there.I will do that now,we are settled in to our new home,In Ryton, Newcastle U.K by the way. I am also going to explore the local U.3.A. It's time to count my blessings for sure and I will start today on that quilt for my love. You have made me feel less alone, Letty.

Not everyone has to stay with a particular set of interests. But before you abandon ship, you might see if there is a quilters' group near you. Around here, they are guilds, although in some areas, I understand they are church women's groups.
It just might be amusing to take pix of the DH's car from different angles, including the dashboard and have the pix printed on fabric for a quilt, or maybe a bunch of classic cars. You might intersperse those with Mariner's compasses, or make a steering wheel block.
It is very likely you can find a quilt show or guild in a community near you if you use the net for that.

Lettie, went through something similar. My advice to you would be to focus on something else you love to do. Leave your quilting alone. Have you ever made something that you thought was awful and then a week later, when looking at it you could see the beauty. Your move and leaving all your friends had to be somewhat traumatic so just stop worrying about the motivation. It will come back! Hope this helps you.

Well, you are a long, long, long way from Indiana! Just pick yourself up by your boot straps and persevere! You will come around once you have adjusted to your moving. Keep reading this board, it will always give you encouragement and more than enough ideas to keep you busy forever!!!

I just looked at where you live -- the web site is filled with a wonderful series of pix and comments of walking pathways and scenes. Well worth a look. They took me back to when I walked many paths in the UK. Lovely area. I hope you will find a lot of lovely people.

When my son and family moved to a new home (every 3 or 4 years) They visited every church in the area and chose the one that was the friendliest. It is hard to make new friends.
newcastlephotos.blogspot.com/2011/04/ryton.htmlCached

Mim

Moving is hard....and so is getting inspired when you are dead tired from the stress of moving! We just moved this summer...(was so much easier at 40!) Give yourself time to adjust. I have been here 4 months, and just last week began to unpack my fabric...Start with something small, like a table runner to give away for Christmas...the rest will follow.

So many encouraging comments and ideas, just want to add one more. You are not a "sad sack"! What you are experiencing is perfectly normal, and not limited to an age group. I have a close friend who is a psychologist with a large counseling practice. We and our spouses have been in the same connection group at church for many years. He has shared with us that often people get scared thinking they are becoming depressed when they experience what you are when going through a big change in their lives, even very happy ones like marriage, the birth of a child-or moving closer to adult children. What we have to realize is we are emotionally "grieving" the changes in our lives. It doesn't mean we are unhappy about the new, but change is still change. It takes time to adjust to the new normal, to feel comfortable, to begin new friendships, trust new doctors, know the layout of our new regular shopping places or even find them! You will get there, but it takes time. Keep your long friendships alive, thank God for email, Facebook, FaceTime, Skype-whatever ways you're comfortable keeping in touch-make this a priority-and ease in to the new. It won't always be the new. On the plus side navigating through all this is great for your brain!! Feel the love of your many friends on the board-this is one place that is always in the same location, cyberspace! Our own little "Homeworld" LOL!

Lettie-Please don't feel sad or alone. I was in your situation some time ago when we moved about 2 1/2 hrs away from where we lived for 30 yrs and raised our children. I felt so alone and had no interest in anything. I didn't want to move as I had worked my way up in the medical field and was enjoying a job I loved so much but---daughter was going thru a terrible marriage with 3 little girls and we had to move near her to help out. She introduced me to a lady from her church that was a quilter and the rest is history. She has become my very best friend and has introduced me to her friends and now we have a little sewing group that meets once a week. So please pick yourself up and and I think things will work out for you soon. Keep a smile on your face and think positive. Best of luck and maybe if you start sewing a small project the sun will shine for you.

I hope you are settled in and happy in your new home. Moving is no fun. We change places twice a year -- summer and winter -- but this year was worst. Our winter condo bat bathrooms were flooded with sewer stuff while we wee gone and everything had to be removed and stored or the cleanup and reconstruction. Now we have to unpack and sort out. Lots too much so we will give a lot to Goodwill and resale shops.

Then in a few weeks, I hope to get back to quilting. Something small There is a new baby next door, so maybe a quilt for him. I have some truck fabric.

Mim

Awww, Letty. I'm 64 and can't imagine moving far away from Houston. I don't have that many friends here, but things are familiar and known. When I was younger I moved many times and it can be very disconcerting and isolating. Is there a quilt guild in the area you could join to help you get going again? Or maybe LQS that has some classes or UFO get togethers? Being around others with the same interests always helps me to adjust.

Hi Letty,

Can I suggest that you contact the Quilters Guild of the U.K. to ask about local groups... They keep a list which is available on their website too. I also know that the Beamish Museum in conjunction with the Quilters Guild often hosts quilting classes for young people and they would always welcome you to come and sit with them which should help to Make some new friends locally. I am not near you in the UK, I am in Suffolk, but I would always be happy to email, PM or have a quilty chat on the phone. PM me if you would like.

hugs

Caroline

Just so you are aware, this thread is from 2012. Letty was last posted on QB in 2015, so I am not sure if she will see any new comments.