A couple of weeks ago, I went to my first quilting retreat, which was everything I’d hoped and dreamed for, and more! But when I came back home, after the dramatic ending, “real life” hit hard. I had a couple of deadlines to meet, my kids have had a busy couple of weeks at school, I’ve had meetings and picked up a new role. And it’s ok, because that’s life. Life happens. But what suffers when life gets busy like that, is my creativity takes a dive. That and “retreat-hangover” where sewing by yourself is not at all attractive! I genuinely only touched my sewing machine once in the 9 days following retreat, and only again for the second time on that ninth day because I had a social sewing group that afternoon!
And boy was I in a funk (PMS may have also been playing a role…). We all know how much of a release being creative is for our emotional health and well-being, and I just couldn’t release myself to do anything! So I decided to challenge myself. Something random, inspired by a pic I saw on Facebook, I think. Post a colour-themed photo on Instagram every day so that over the next week, I’d have a pretty rainbow to break up all the Tula Blue blocks! Which, may I say, is the only reason why I was posting on Instagram for a few days there. Yep, creative funk was bad.
And you know what? That simple task of curating a few little bits and pieces to create a pretty, monochromatic photo, had my creativity excited once again. It wasn’t deadline related, it wasn’t “work”, it wasn’t committing myself to a whole new project, it was quick, it was pretty, and it got done. As for what things I chose and how, I would walk around my house each day, and pick up things lying around that worked. When you’ve just recently moved overseas, you cull everything non-essential and not well-loved. My love of stationery is well-represented, as is my love of fabric and planning and family time, with a sprinkling of food and favourite sewing notions.
Between this and picking up a little bit of crochet, I can feel my creativity beginning to relax a little after the intense year I’ve had. Moving countries, living with in-laws and no husband for 3 months, moving states… it’s a lot to process, and I feel like my creativity is starting to be able to breath again. I’m finding I’m able to “allow” myself to experiment and play more, and not just with fabric. Yes I love quilting, yes it’s my job, but it is ok to be creative in other ways too. I mean, the other night I was inspired by the number of times I pulled out my Stabilo markers for the challenge and grabbed them plus my Secret Japan colouring book to relax while watching Survivor! I haven’t touched it in months!
It’s great to just create again. To enjoy playing. I tried to do that while in Cairns (those 3 months between Japan and Melbourne) but I just couldn’t. I had enough other things to remember and do and deal with that I just couldn’t. But now? It seems it’s starting to come back. And I’m going to enjoy it!
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Daniela O'Connell says
Sometimes we just need to step back and do something completely different. Creativity is not something we can turn on and off like pushing a button. You did exactly the right thing! Your little creative colour schemes are great!
Alyce says
Thanks Daniela! Yes, that’s so true, it’s just hard to realise it sometimes 🙂
Annette says
Hi Alyce,
I love the pics!! In your newsletter, you mentioned that you were going to try spray basting for the first time. Please let me know how it goes…I’ve debated trying it as well. Thanks!!
Alyce says
I LOVED it! Oh my goodness, it is amazing. A little different to get used to doing it, but easy enough considering it was my first time. And quilting it? Like a dream! No pins to remove so I just swept across the quilt top and it was done so quickly. Definitely a convert!
Beth LaMotte says
I really like spray basting. I have had no problems with it and makes my machine quilting so much easier!
Alyce says
A friend called me just before I was going to do it, and it turns out she’s a sprayer too. She gave me a few tips and wished me luck. I messaged her after I’d finished the quilt in ALL CAPS exclaiming at the wonders of it, haha!
Cocopatch says
I love your monochromatic pics!
Alyce says
Thank you! I had so much fun doing it.
Ioleen says
Welcome back!!!!!! I’ve enjoyed your Instagram pictures. I spray baste and have had no problems.
Carla says
I am glad to hear that breathing space is opening up again. There are periods in life (family crises, illnesses, moving) when all we can do is focus on our to-do lists and churn through each day, but (thankfully) these usually pass and we also have times that are less exhausting.
Alyce says
Ironically the next month and a half is quite busy, after a relatively quiet month or two, but in that good, life-is-settled kind of way. Classes, guild events and meetings, exciting projects, getting ready for Christmas… Good times!
Diana @ Red Delicious Life says
For me, creativity can take a nose-dive when I have too many creative thoughts in my brain. It’s like I become paralyzed and I don’t know where to start. Maybe I’ll try making a color collage next time this happens and see if it helps.
Alyce says
Ooh yes, absolutely, which one to choose?!
Pale Blue Corner says
Those monochromatic photos are gorgeous!
Cheers,
Emese
Alyce says
Thanks, Emese!
Louise says
I’m so happy for you! Your creativity is divine. X
Alyce says
Aw thanks Buzz!