Anyone, have you ever "hit a blank wall"? Not interested in taking on another quilt at the moment...want to make blocks of flowers, but why? don't want to finish pillows, already started? no fabric seems to go together...yet I buy more with no idea in mind how to use it? Help, cause I need something to work on...

Nothing.

That's when I start going thru my stash to straighten it all out. By the time I get to the bottom of the first plastic container, I notice this little pile growing next to me of fabrics. Or, go theu your patterns and organize them.. Something always jumps out to get me going. Good Luck! A new bag for vacation or 4th of July maybe.

If you feel like making blocks of flowers go for it... I bet they will blossom into a beautiful quilt :D:D:D

I set down with my magazines & pattern books to get ideas. I may take a day or two to do this with my drafting paper beside me in case I see something I REALLY like and what it'll look like int the colors I have in mind. Step back and take a day off and it'll come to you.

I have a sampler quilt in progress that is a no pressure project for me. I have the coordinating fabrics stacked on a tray and when I want to do "something" I will take it out and play around with it and maybe sew another block. I have 4 blocks and they are inspirational in themselves.

You mentioned unfinished pillows. Find the strength inside you to finish just one. It will be easier than you think!

Make a miniature quilt from your flower blocks and hang it in your sewing area for inspiration. Or swap it in the doll quilt swap! ;)

I'm getting to where you are. I'm handquilting a quilt right now and it will take awhile, but I am not starting anything new. So I am cleaning my sewing space, looking through containers, and trying to remain open to matching fabric with ideas. It has worked for me in the past. A newly cleaned sewing space is an inspiration.

I go for a UFO, never run out of those LOL

I come to the QB and see what everyone else is doing...so much inspiration and creativity that I can always find a new idea.

I try to think of someone in the family that I want to make something for. I do better when there is a deadline. Birthday, Christmas, etc. When I am making something for me, it has a tendency to sit there a while. I have a blue one in the frame and a brown one in the hoop and they are still sitting there. And I do not have the excuse of a cat sleeping on them either.

And remember it is OK to take a break and work on "nothing " :wink: :lol:

Clean your refrigerator.

Yes you can definately get some inspiration there. Some of those ufo things hiding in the back can have some nice colours and patterns in them. :lol:

Mysteries to be solved! What is/was it? Who put it in there? How long has it been there? Is it old enough to throw away?

LOL at Bearisgary: Clean your refrigerator!

Well, I would not do that!

I like Staples 1/4th inch block graph paper comes in a notebook and I draw new designs or try other colors in old ones.

I keep a box of Drunkard Path blocks in a plastic box so I can hand sew the curved pieces.

I have a little pile of fat quarters with dog patterns on one side, batting, plain color for backing and hand quilt for my dog, friend's dogs, baby changing pads, and guest bedroom end tables. Draw quilting pattern on top and hand quilt.

Same fat quarter set up and I practice machine quilting.

I call a quilting buddy and ask what she's doing.

I take the dog for a walk.

Jois

I was suggesting that for someone ELSE to do!

how about wildflower pincushions, if not for u some friends save for gifts for later.............potholders i find are great fun too I do just simple kind. small projects can be stimulatiing and fun. :lol:

http://tipnut.com/wild-flower-pincushion-pattern/ try this link for fun pincushion , can do for yourself or do some and save for later. good use of scraps and also oven mitts, pot holders I like doing those for small projects and as gifts. :lol:

Blocks of flowers sounds like a great idea! You could do several different kinds to change it up alittle. I was tired of trying to make mine like nature itself, and ended up making one that had (what I call) crazy flowers! My GD loved it. Admittedly it was alittle off the wall. lol But then so am I!

oldhag :thumbup: :-D :lol: :-P You made me LOL. bearis idea "sucks", but thanks, everyone for all the suggestions. I really appreciate every one. Thanks for being there/here? :thumbup:

UUUGGGHHHHHH, pull weeds in my garden. Then I WISH I was sewing....really, its so quiet, I just think of new things to make!

Me too!

i was going through a bit of a slump - found a pattern for a bag - thought it'd be a neat 'quick fix' - I've now made about 15 bags!! :)

You know what to do.... Make those flowers, they are calling to you.

I check out pics and posts here. That usually inspires me.

thequilterslink...thank you for your insightful words. If the flowers weren't calling before, they surely are now whenever I am reminded of your reply. You sound like a very caring person and the quilting board is fortunate to have you read/respond to its members. Thanks again!

Personally, I"m taking a break. Not on the board much the past couple of months. Only sewing the things I need to get done, like a project for another lady I feel obligated to finish, plus finishing the round robin tops. (Sorry, my group, I"m really late). I just don't have the sewing spirit right now. I've located a wonderful quilt book that I'm waiting excitedly to come, but I"m letting life just happen now. I've had an enexpected trip out of town on business, plus a death in the family, so I just can't get my mind wrapped around a new project right now. Perhaps when summer yard work is under control better, I"ll sew. But I feel that taking a break is healthy.

Take the break.
Before you know it, there will three projects crying to be done with a too-tight deadline.

SaraSewing, I'm sorry about your loss. What is the name of the book you're looking forward to receiving? I'm sending good thoughts your way ;)

I take my box of scraps and start stitching fabric together to make new fabric which can later be used for purses, etc. I also use up old (but not dead) spools of thread in this process. or I stitch strips of selvedge to a muslin backing...etc.

I go sit on my back deck and meditate. Have a good talk with the Maker and sit and rest with nothing on my mind. Usually works really well to get me going again no matter what the problem.

Right. Sometimes you just can't force things...I have been sewing steadily for at least a couple of years and now I find that I am running low on UFOs...nothing new coming up...So I just keep handquilting on the one quilt I have sandwiched and will sandwich the one remaining top in a couple of weeks and start working on it. By then I may have an inkling as to what to do next.

It's called scrap quilts by Judy Martin. It has a couple of fantastic patterns in it that I've drooled over. (Especially "Star of the Orient") Once I get the book, paw through the stash on a hot evening (the stash is in the cool basement), I'll be ready to jump in after the summer work is done.

When in doubt, do nothing---------make a purse!
----------------practice quilting a block------------------
----------------design a new block or quilt----------------
----------------have a banana split------------------------
----------------run some errands---------------------------
----------------organize your stash---------------------------

I google it if I don't know what to do.. Or look for patterns

You go to Batesville, Ar to Marshall Dry Goods and stay at Pinewood Cabins (with jacuzzi) for a few days and you'll come back motivated........or wanting to go right back! :lol:

I haven't quilted in a week because #1 I don't have a project that I'm really interested in and #2 my room is such a mess that I need to organize the clutter before I can start something. Today is the start of a new week and the organization has to come first. Maybe by the end of the week I'm be back at the sewing machine.

Me too. I hit that point last week and started going through my stash, patterns and the internet. I found a pattern for something (not a quilt) and started on it and it's almost finished so maybe you need to change gears for awhile! Worked for me!

Try cooking or baking. When you are finished, put it in the freezer. lol