Maybe you need to have more people around you that love to do what we all do. Quilting! I have been in a slump and just call my friends to come over and sew with me. This puts me back in the mood!

I believe this happens to all of us - I feel that sometimes when I have to much going on - I don't know where to begin so absolutely nothing gets done. Just take a deep breathe, have a cup of coffee and enjoy for awhile. The slump will be over before you know it.

Spring fever.......this too shall pass!

Things that have helped me get my creativity and/or productivity back on track:
1. focus...usually I get bogged down because I have too much to do. When I focus on one or two things that I can get done today, it narrows down the list and then crossing them off is motivation in itself.
2. exercise...go for a walk, putter in the garden, play catch with the kids, shovel snow, mow the lawn. It clears your mind and invigorates the body.
3. get out...go see a friend, change your surroundings, go shopping for some little treat.
4. stop planning...I am often guilty of spending so much time planning that I never get to the actual doing part. Not everything has to be planned to distraction and learning to allow yourself the freedom to fail is a big part of that realization.
5. remember the passion...think about why you love what you do, forget any negative thoughts and concentrate on the positive. Think about the benefits, not the difficulties.

Slumps are part of the normal cycle of things. They come around from time to time, sure, but they always go away again. :D

David,you just got your wonderful new machine, come out and play. Put a picture of the person you are making the quilt for and remember you want to gift them. Also as much sun shine as you can get. If that doesn't work, I'll let the others come and and kick your butt.

Prayers on the Wind.
Wendy

You need to take a break once in a while. I rotate my energy and interest by shifting every few months between quilting and genealogy research! Somehow this helps, as I feel like they are two related hobbies because my grandmas made quilts. By the way, did you know quilting was done as early as the Roman Empire?

Spring Fever!!!!

spring fever???? Just go with the flow and you'll catch the bug again.....let us know

Personally, I think it's because you never sent your blankie for me to repair for you and I never heard another word after you said it was coming my way. I figured you saw I was going to be a little busy and did not send it. So is it still coming or what. Inquiring minds want to know. YOu can wait a few weeks too and then I'll be ready. It was for free and for a friend, no excuses, David. And I agree with the swift kick in the a$$. ROFL. Hope your days this week are full of quilting. Sometimes, you just start back and everything just comes together. Happens to me all the time. HUGS♥♥

Hope some sunshine works its way to you. You've had a long hard winter :cry: Don't worry we all go through slumps even when the projects are piled up waiting to go. Hang in there :lol:

I get inspired by looking at all the beautiful finished quilts here, by looking at quilting magazines, and surfing quilting sites.

David, you have taken the first step by writing on the Board. We are here to help you out of your slump.

When I get there I open the curtains wide, put on some really great music and sit down and finish the project on my sewing machine. Sometimes it is just that I didn't feel like working on the one on the machine. Make something super fast like a mug rug and you will get excited again.

It's called spring fever and we can't wait to 'unhibernate'. Is that a word?????

Sunlight... get some sun. There is a type of depression associated with the lack of sunlight. If the sun is'nt shining, go to Lowes, Home Depot, maybe even Walmart and get a full spectrum light bulb. Sit under it for several days and see if that helps. Music gets me out of the duldrums..crank 'er up and dance!
Mikki

I have just started to come out of a two month slump. After watching the four patch vidio posted on this sight, I just grabed some 5 inch squares cut from scrap and started making four patches. Now am picking away at the four working projects started prior to the slump.

How about a fabric road trip? Works for me.

don't force yourself...try another craft...you'll return to your projects in now time! :-)

How about make a committment to a project with a deadline?

I'm there too for no reason. I am guessing the urge will come back sooner or later.

How about going to see a speaker or taking a class somewhere. That always gets me motivated. I also like the idea of doing one little sewing task each day. Just an hour will make you feel like you've accomplished something. My dad used to love telling me to 'just get a round tuit' This was a pre Nike, 'just do it' slogan. He even gave me a round sticker with the word 'tuit' printed on it. When I'm having trouble getting started I think of that round tuit, laugh and get moving!!!

To quote Sgt.Carter MOVE IT- MOVE IT- MOVE IT

May your slump be unslumped soon!

David, Emotions.......................................... ........ follow............................................ ......... behavior,......................................... ...... get moving, sometimes working on a project with some friends help to get you going. Looks like you got plenty of friends. grab a few and do a small swap. Maybe a self portrait mug rug. Something really outside your comfort zone not what you normally put together. Post pics showing progress. A lot of people on the board want to see stuff in progress. Sounds like fun to me. Everybody need a buddy to help them along. If none of this works get some meds.

That's the ticket, call up a quilting buddy and get together and sew. Sometimes you just need a buddy.

I just go with it...watch TV...read a whole book without stopping...go through all me magazines and books and look at the ones I have put a sticky one. Usually I see something I have forgotten about and that gets the juice flowing. Also as has been suggested opening all the doors and windows helps, if it's not snowing where you are. It was 84 here today.

too much winter - you need a dose of Spring!

David, if the sun EVER decides to come out you will start feeling better. It's been tough inN.E. this year. Judy

I couldn't wait to come home from being a snowbird in FL to sew and I, too, have not even had the urge to get started. Yet I missed it so much. I can empathize with you. It seems the dark, dreary days would be perfect for sewing. Just gonna get in my sewing room tomorrow and begin something. Hope you find what it takes soon.

Hope there's a quilt show somewhere close to you. I've been to a couple lately and I drool over the lovely work there. It also inspires me to try a new pattern or dream over my pattern books. Honestly spring is coming.

You broke your arm cleaning your sewing room??!! Darn, girl! Hope you feel better soon. Don't do any more cleaning!!

Go to a bookstore and pull up a chair to the quilt book section.

When this happens I just pick up a good book or spend the time on something else. Inspiration will come back and you will be quilting again. Enjoy the respite.

My heart goes out to you and I would like to send you some fabric. Please PM me and we can arrange it.

When this happens to me........I go do something nice for someone else. Usually puts me back where I need to be :-D

Since your having a party. (@&& kicking ) Sit down with the popcorn and watch a good movie. Read a good book.
Have a good day doing something fun!!!
It will still be there when you are ready.
Hugs. Don't be hard on your self.

I also think a little bit of sunshine might help and maybe a break. It will come back to you before you know it. :)

When I get in a slump - I make soup. That gets my creative juices going again. I just throw everything and anything in the pot and wait to see how delightful it turns out. Same as quilting. Call it Scrappy Quilt Soup!

Do you know somebody or more than one somebody who can come and work on one of your projects with you? even for only a short time? It is likely to change your perspective, and hopefully give you enough of a new viwpoint to renew your interest.

I am in a slump now caused by a baby quilt for my unborn grand daughter. I did a lot of machine embroidery on it and used a quilt as you go method so it is stiff and heavy. I put many many hours on it and I feel like I can't send it as it is so bad. Maybe I will just go buy one!!!