recharging your batteries

As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
to comment.

John

I often have to throw a quilt in a corner for a week or three or more just
to cope with that particular project. sometimes I can go on and do something
else but sometimes I find myself crocheting or more recently beading to take
the edge off the quilt. it's harder to not get back to a quilt when it's a
commissioned one but sometimes these projects end up in the UFO file and
will eventually get finished (well at least some do LOL) I find that it's
easier to get on and finish more smaller projects than it is to do a series
of larger ones.

--
Jessamy
Queen of Chocolate Squishies (and Occasional Liquorice Ones)
In The Netherlands
Take out: _I love the colour_ to reply.
www.geocities.com/jessamy_thompson
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jes...pson/my_photos
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
to comment.

John

That's why I always have several projects going at once. Some pieces just
whip together in a few days and require no deep thought (and as a result
they are mostly pretty boring). But most have areas of concentration that
can be exhausting. Frequently it's the free-motion quilting at the end,
which can also be physically tiring if it's a large piece. Some days I can't
manage more than a half hour of that!
Roberta in D

"John" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
oups.com...
As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
to comment.

John

I quite understand how you feel.
I had to leave my quilt because of Christmas holiday looming and a
thousand and one things to do.
Then Granddaughter dropped her bombshell that she is getting married in
September and wants me to do her cake and all her wedding stationery. I
have got the cake stand and the decorations sorted and cannot do anymore
with the actual cake until nearer the time.
The stationery consists of wedding and evening invites over 100. Menu
cards and order of service plus place name cards. All individually made
and my own design. So I keep doing a bit then leave off to do something
else.
Owing to my heart problems I have to work on things early, cannot leave
to the last minute because one never knows what is round the corner.

I had a break today to make one of My Tree of Life jewellery pendants
for a swap with a member of the group. I get fabric and she gets the
pendant. Fair swap.

I hope to get my quilt basted in the next two weeks. I have been told I
can use a large table in a room where I go for my computer classes. I
will be going to my Digital imaging class tomorrow so may find out when
the room is free.
They will allow me because I am their star pupil at the moment.
I started classes two years ago wanting to learn how to build my own
website. I was the only one who was successful in doing so and I also
got my CLAIT diploma last year. Not only that in December I was at top
position in UK's google with my website. I had more than 7000 visits in
5 days. I am way down the list at the moment. I did get to 13 on the
www. At the same time. So they are quite pleased with me.

Some days I do nothing at all to charge my batteries. It is natures way
of saying slow down, and I listen to it.
Right now I am back to the wedding invites.

So yes I do change activities.
Shirley





In message .com, John
writes
As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
to comment.

John


--
Shirley Shone

http://www.allcrafts.demon.co.uk

John wrote:

As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
to comment.

John

I do get the same with garment sewing, in the middle of a big project
like a wedding gown. Just half a day to do something silly and light,
or to play with an old sewing machine does wonders. As I puzzle out the
intricacies of the machine, and stuggle with grease fossilized in place
and rust and seized bearings, my mind chews over the major project in
the background, and I come back to it refreshed.

And sometimes I feel the urge to sew madly into the wee small hours, and
nothing can stop me! With quilts, especially when I get to the quilting
part, I try to devide it up into segments so it isn't all one huge task.
With garments I might think of it as a pattern altering task, then a
cutting task, and then tackle the body or sleeves or whatever, each as a
segment of the whole, rather than allowing the whole huge project to
swamp me.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

I just went thru this while making similar wall hangings for my 8
grandchildren. After finishing 4, I knew I couldn't get them done for
Christmas so I put the last 4 aside and worked on RWB blocks for Quilts of
Valor that the Carol Doak Yahoo group is making. I went back to the wall
hangings and finished them yesterday. Since I had black thread in the
machine, I worked on miniature blocks for a swap until the bobbin went dry.
Those will be put up now until I finish the RWB blocks.

--
Mary
http://community.webshots.com/user/mardor1948
"John" wrote in message
oups.com...
: As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
: with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
: sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
: need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
: right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
: against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
: Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
: overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
: the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
: of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
: to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
: someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
: until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
: think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
: to comment.
:
: John
:

I think in my case the burn out at previous endeavors, revolved around
the fact that I was working for somebody at whatever I was doing. When
it was for "business" there was the added dimension of the money
involved. I seldom felt that when doing something for myself. It is
probably the case with quilting, that I am still in the learning phase
and needing to correct mistakes as they occur. Added pressure in that
regard. At least that is my thoughts on the matter. I am also somebody
who likes to do one thing at a time. My wife has 2-3 books going when
she reads. Not me. One book start to finish. Obsessive compulsive, I
know. I have been approach by someone to see if I would be willing to
quilt something for them of their design. This is one of the reasons
that I retired. I got tired of doing other peoples things. I have made
the decision not to turn this into a commercial thing.
Keep it for me only. Maybe, if I get good enough; quilt competition, or
charity work, but that's it. That way the pressure stays off.

John

John wrote:
As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
to comment.

John

I usually have "at least" 2 or 3 quilty things going at one time. If I am
working on something that is causing me lots of problems, I will put it to
one side, and work on something else. I try to keep one handwork project
that I can do while watching television or take on a trip. Sometimes I am
tired of all of it, and might go a month without touching any of it.

Sherry Starr

"John" wrote in message
oups.com...
As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
to comment.

John

Howdy!

I loved reading this, Shirley.
Understanding the medical situation you're in, still, I find nothing
wrong with your Heart.
Good luck on that wedding, and all your other projects.

Encouraged and warmed by Shirley's Heart, attitude, spirit,
Ragmop/Sandy-- handquilter and quilt Finisher ;-)


On 1/17/07 9:44 AM, in article ,
"Shirley Shone" wrote:

I quite understand how you feel.
I had to leave my quilt because of Christmas holiday looming and a
thousand and one things to do.
Then Granddaughter dropped her bombshell that she is getting married in
September and wants me to do her cake and all her wedding stationery. I
have got the cake stand and the decorations sorted and cannot do anymore
with the actual cake until nearer the time.
The stationery consists of wedding and evening invites over 100. Menu
cards and order of service plus place name cards. All individually made
and my own design. So I keep doing a bit then leave off to do something
else.
Owing to my heart problems I have to work on things early, cannot leave
to the last minute because one never knows what is round the corner.

I had a break today to make one of My Tree of Life jewellery pendants
for a swap with a member of the group. I get fabric and she gets the
pendant. Fair swap.

I hope to get my quilt basted in the next two weeks. I have been told I
can use a large table in a room where I go for my computer classes. I
will be going to my Digital imaging class tomorrow so may find out when
the room is free.
They will allow me because I am their star pupil at the moment.
I started classes two years ago wanting to learn how to build my own
website. I was the only one who was successful in doing so and I also
got my CLAIT diploma last year. Not only that in December I was at top
position in UK's google with my website. I had more than 7000 visits in
5 days. I am way down the list at the moment. I did get to 13 on the
www. At the same time. So they are quite pleased with me.

Some days I do nothing at all to charge my batteries. It is natures way
of saying slow down, and I listen to it.
Right now I am back to the wedding invites.

So yes I do change activities.
Shirley





In message .com, John
writes
As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
to comment.

John

I find I do need a break after a stretch of concentrated P & Q. I've
done a few tiny things in the past 2.5 months, after a long stint of
hard working; but my mind is getting attuned again! and I am going to be
designing 6 quilts (already in my mind for ages) during the AQW and
putting together the RCTQ BOM I did with 3" blocks instead of 12" g.
Now I'm able to really look forward to it again; and that is a great
feeling.
..
In message .com, John
writes
As I mentioned in another post, after a long stretch working on a quilt
with manic intensity, I felt the need to do something else. When I have
sewn clothing the process has not been of such duration that I felt the
need to change activities and would start on another clothing project
right away. This quilting thing is somewhat akin to what I have come up
against when doing an involved and long running woodworking project.
Sometime during the midst of a remodeling project I would feel
overwhelmed and need to take a day off to recharge. Do any of you have
the same sort of issues? I imagine if the projects one undertakes are
of a smaller nature, it would not be a problem. It may be that I am new
to the "game" and just that there is a steep learning curve. I am
someone who hates to leave something unfinished and will keep at it
until it is done. But this quilting thing is something else again. I
think it is the fact that it demands intense concentration. Feel free
to comment.

John


--
Best Regards
pat on the hill