My friend asked me to make a queen size quilt for her oldest daughter (32) who is finally getting married. She said she thought that would be a really nice gift. I was very surprised by this as I haven't seen her daughter for over 20 years. I know I have told her numerous times how much the fabric costs and how expensive it is to have a quilt machine quilted. She didn't offer to buy the fabric or even pay to have the machine quilting done. It was really hard for me, but when she asked the second time if I was going to do it, I got up my nerve and told her no. I am so relieved.

I could dare to dream... She is so excited about it my head wants to explode when I have to discuss something with her relating to it.

The reward system works really well for me. Maybe you could think of something you really want or want to do, and it will be the reward you get when you are finally finished.

Maybe all of our positive thoughts sent you way will work too.

I really hate doing things for others, which makes me sound selfish, but they never actually appreciate how much of ourselves goes into it (or how long the list is of things I want to do!)

If I choose to do something for someone that is different!

Small things. I do practice projects to learn new techniques. Right now is a perfect example. I HATE hand stitching and I have to finish the binding on the back of the quilt then hand stitch the hanging sleeve on, then the label. I have to have it done by Oct 15 so I can catch a plane to deliver it Oct 16. Plenty of time.

So .... I joined a swap for quilted postcards, got those two done (two new techniques!), then I started a paper pieced mini lonestar and I have 2 "arms" of the star done. I worked on a third tonight but when I finished it and opened it I discovered I goofed somewhere so I have to either pick it out or make the whole thing over. Not sure which ... depends on how much scraps I have left as everything was from scrap!

tomorrow I will probably pick up the hand work again.

Maybe it would help to focus on what your friend means to you rather than the quilt itself, and that you are doing it for her. I would probably schedule at least a minumum amount of time to work on it, and have some type of reward for myself, time on this board, special treat, or earn yourself a FQ for each hour you work on it. (Maybe no fabric unless you have worked on it-more of a negative motivation than the reward.)

And don't think having a whole passel of kids would keep people from asking you to do things--there are lots of people with the philosophy that if you want something done ask a busy person. It seems counter-intuitive to me but they exist.

I just tell people I do not mend..I quilt.

I take a different approach. I work on something I like to lift my spirits. Then I go back to the project I don't like. Doing something fun first seems to take the drudgery out of it.

Like I would tell my son when he was a teenager get the trash out and then you can do what you want and it would take him an hour to carry it out. When he grew up he said mother I wished that had listened

My heart goes out to you. There's nothing worse than working on something that your heart is not into. Set the timer, put on the music or a movie or audio book and go for it. We are sending you good fibes. Let us know when you are done!