I’ve always been a crafty person. Of the creative variety! I stumble upon crafts and attack them with passion before burning out and losing my mojo. But one year on I’m still quilting, and only becoming more ravenously so. Scrapbooking has kinda hung on for the longest, surviving beading, card making and more, although it’s pitiously behind and I didn’t bring a skerrick of it with me to Japan. I knew better than that and luggage space was at a premium! So the whole quilting as a creative outlet thing is most definitely one of the main reasons I quilt.
Then I read this post by My Life In Binding about the link between quilting and goals. It suddenly clicked! Why do I quilt other than justfying the not-cheap setup and ongoing costs and the creative outlet? Because I need the achievements.
I’m a stay at home mum and love it. To throw a cliche in the mix – I am so blessed to be able to stay home with my beautiful babies. Who drive me mad regularly especially on the extra poopy days (literally – when I change 10 nappies in one day I get a little cranky). I recognise the blessing in my situation, but I’m not going to deny the fact that sometimes I get bored. Sometimes I feel unfulfilled when I see my husband out there working and making money and forging a career for himself. I’m a trained teacher, studying my Masters part-time externally. I’m not some super mum who makes fantastic play stations for my kids, I dread the thought of letting them get all dirty and muddy or painting because of the mess to clean up. I look forward to nap times each afternoon as my sanity time.
Quilting provides me with ongoing achievement fulfillments. I can create and design with fabric and see my ideas take shape in front of me. I celebrate each small finish – even if it is just some paper-pieced blocks or the latest BOM block. Because I made it. I did it. I finished it. And then my husband approves of my work, I blog it and get some more validation, and I feel proud. A mummy is who I am, quilting is what I do.
Why do you quilt and create?
Cherie says
Love your post! Being creative is such an amazing thing. Loving what you do is even better. Have you thought about an Etsy shop? =D
Kristy QP says
Love it Alyce! I pretty much agree with everything you said! Love being a stay at home mum (despite the madness at times) but definitely need that creative outlet too. Plus – it’s so nice to be able to say “Look what I accomplished”. You can’t do that about cleaning the house with kids about, not when 5 seconds later you can’t tell you even did anything!!
Ginette says
I agree with everything you have said but I would like to add one more thing: I quilt as a means to relax and unwind. It helps me get my mind off of things all while being creative. I love the feel of fabric and seeing my creations unfold.