Thursday, October 22, 2009

Five Long Weeks!

Hello - have you missed me as much as I've missed you?

It's definitely been a very long five weeks.

During this period I've gotten quite a few e-mails from so many of you to let me know that you've been missing me - thank you, thank you, thank you! I've visited a few blogs and left a comment here and there but sadly I have not done a good job. Forgive me!

I'd love to tell you that I've been super productive but sadly that's not been the case - huge sigh! The quilting mojo is still missing in action - although there is something in the works that will hopefully help jump start it.

I wasn't completely unproductive - I did do a little stitching! This is "Homespun Santa" by Bird Brain Designs. Definitely kept me smiling. :-)


A few weeks ago I had an overwhelming desire to do some x-stitching (it was a true passion for 20 years before the quilting bug bit) I did a little digging and discovered that I'd stitched three of the shown designs but hadn't stitched the one relating to Autumn. With a happy heart I visited a local x-stitch store to pick up the needed overdyed threads. These are designs by Homespun Elegance and are called "Delivering Winter", "Delivering Spring", "Delivering Summer" and "Delivering Autumn" (this is the one I worked on). Bear in mind that I still need to attach the wooden buttons (the wheels on the carts) and a charm or two on each.

I wish I could get back to quilting but sadly the desire is simply gone! I've asked myself over and over what it would take to get back on track but can't find the answer. So many have provided some terrific suggestions but nothing has worked. BIG, BIG Sigh!!!! My sweet, incredibly supportive hubby has assured me that it will return - we'll see - it's been gone for quite awhile now. Enough said! :-)

During this time I received a sweet package from a dear blogging friend - I'll be back very, very soon to show and share! You might recall that I had some RAK's to send to friends - well I did manage to mail one but the others are still waiting. I'll try very hard to get them in the mail in a day or two.

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit with me - are you willing to send some of your quilting MOJO? Please do! LOL

In Friendship!

43 comments:

Robin said...

Glad you're back! I think that the reason I sometimes get the equivalent of "writer's block" in the quilt world is because I push myself to finish things I'm no longer interested in and it becomes WORK instead of pleasure. It's important to finish up those UFO's but a little spontaneous creatvity in-between keeps things going.

I, too, was a busy cross stitcher before I found quilting. I think there's a lot of pleasure in finishing something that doesn't take six months to complete.

I enjoyed your cross stich carts, cute pattern.

Stina Blomgren said...

HELLO::::: :o)
glad to see a post by you.... started to think you took a trip to the moon and back..;o)
Darlene... dont you worry ...this time your Hubby is right.. It will return.. but it will take time... One day you will start a little and then add day by day.. fiddle with something else during the days... X stitch is wonderful... and so is crochet and knitting.. I know.. because that is what I do nowadays.. quilting stuff comes second... STRANGE ..I know.. but I also know.. that someday my mood will swing back again .. to the things I love ( and always will)... but its fun to make something else while waiting... Just enjoy your days!!! Big hug to you!!!
Loved your Santas!!! So cute!!!

Shakerwood said...

My heart leapt for joy when I saw that your blog had been updated. Send me your snail mail addy and I'll send you some quilting mojo (although I think yours is still hiding under the bathroom sink). Lovely cross-stitching. I have picked that back up again as well lately. Everything is cyclical!

May Britt said...

Glad to have you back.
Your santa is soooo cute. And now I blow some quilting mojo from Norway over to you.

paulette said...

Hi Darlene!!
So happy that you are back!! You were missed! Take a day at a time and when the urge hits, it will hit. In the meantime you can always visit other blogs for inspiration! You WILL see something that you REALLY want to make and before you know it you will be hauling out your stash....you'll see! Take care and make sure you stop by for a visit!
Paulette

Dresden Quilter said...

My heart leapt too when I saw you had posted. I love the stitchery you have done. The cross-stitch is amazing. I used to do a lot of it and have just started to get back into it. Take your time. We will be happy to see and read whatever you want to post.

Jocelyn said...

So happy to see you here today! I've really missed you. I've thought about you so many times. You know I agree with Robin. I do think you have the equivalent of "writers block". And sometimes writers have to step away from their work. Do what you enjoy whether it is cross stitching or cooking, gardening, whatever gives you some pleasure right now. Let it go. You may be worrying about this too much. It is no fun or pleasure to "work" at a hobby. I can see it on the face of some gals who work in quilt shops. The honeymoon is over, and they just don't enjoy it anymore. They need space. Give yourself some space Darlene. Just don't leave us out in the cold. I'd love to hear about your cross stitching. I even picked up a book at the thrift store with some very cute patterns. And I might take it up again too :-)

Enjoy your day, and do something that you love!

Jocelyn

Quilterbee said...

Yes, I've missed you and I've checked everyday to see if you have posted. It's good to know that you are okay.

Your embroidery and cross stitch are lovely. It's good to know you haven't given up needlework altogether. I think quite a few of us switch from knitting, quilting, cross stitching, embroidery from time to time. It's all good.

I think your husband is right. It's like trying to remember something the more you think about it the more the answer eludes you. Once you stop thinking about it the answer just pops into your head. The same thing will happen with your mojo. Maybe there hasn't been any fabric lines or new patterns that are calling to you.

Take care and thanks for posting and letting us know you are okay.

Quilterbee

Unknown said...

Glad you got something enjoyable done. The xstitch is lovely!

Terry said...

Welcome back! Love the Santa stitchery! :0)

Carol said...

YIPPEE! You're back...you have been very missed. I love your Santa, cute as he can be. And your cross stitch is beautiful. Oh I'm so glad you're back!

sewprimitive karen said...

I won't tell the little quilting lunchbox that you sent me what has (temporarily one hopes) happened to you; it would cry :-). I take it along with me when I'm doing applique out of the house and it's by my bed when I'm appliqueing at night and really always get a kick out of how cute it is. I think Robin has a good idea. Maybe you could pack away all of your UFOs if you don't want to throw them completely away. They might be weighing you down (I'm assuming you have UFOs, I understand there are some people who DON'T).

Kaaren said...

Welcome "home" Darlene. You will never know how much you were missed. When I saw that you had posted by the update on my sidebar, I was almost reluctant to open your message fearing the worst...that you were leaving blogland. Thank goodness you're not.

Your x-stitching projects are devine and so is your santa redwork project. Your hands are keeping busy and you seem to be happy. Stay with what makes you happy at the time. There are no rules as to what you have or don't have to do. It's all about you.

Nuf said. I'm over the moon that you're back. I missed you.

Janet said...

Welcome back,I love the adorable Santa. If you're enjoying the stitching, have needle and thread in hand,that's a good thing and don't worry about the quilting for now. I'll ask Santa to send you some quilting Mojo for Christmas.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Did you just feel some quilting mojo coming your way! Well, if not, it's on it's way!
Miss you!

Thimbleanna said...

So happy to see you back your stitcheries are beautiful Darlene! Sometimes it's good to just step back and take a break -- helps with the mojo!!!

Allie said...

Five weeks????? FIVE weeks? Oh my gosh time is going so fast anymore...I've thought of you so many times, wondering how you're doing, and something always interrupts my thought. I can't believe it's been that long...of course, I can't believe it's October, either. Let alone almost November.
I'll send you some quilting mojo. I seem to have too much lately. Too many projects going. I adore your santa stitchery, and your x-stitch! You don't HAVE to quilt, you know, work on whatever gives you pleasure. My favorite thing to do at the moment is relax in the evenings with my stitcheries. Stick with small projects.

No matter what you're doing Darlene, it's very very good to see you post!

Anonymous said...

I'm missing you...glad you stopped into blogland today to say hello and share your stitching. :-) I hope that little jump start will get you hopping! :-) WINK!!!!

Carol said...

Oh Darlene, we have missed you very much. I love your little cross stitch designs. I used to do a lot of cross stitch, I still like it but don't have the time to do it anymore. Like I told you in my email, baby steps. Cross stitching is just a hop skip and a jump away from getting back to quilting. Don't worry you'll be inspired again I just know it. Don't stay gone for five weeks again, okay?

PiecefulChaos said...

Welcome Back! I've missed you! I love your Santa and your cross stitch. I also did a lot of cross stitching before learning to quilt. I think many of us started out cross stitching. So if that is what makes you happy right now - do it! But please, blog about it! Don't stay away for so long. As for mojo here it comes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SMACK! Oops, sorry, hope that didn't hurt LOL!

Pam said...

Nice to see you back Darlene! Don't worry about quilting Mojo - just enjoy life and what ever it is you are doing. Life is too short to feel guilty about ANYTHING!

I have quilted so little this year that I am officially no longer calling myself a quilter - but I am now a "Fabric Collector" That feels so good!! Because I can buy fabric without the guilt of having to actually do something with it --- Gotta love that ---LOL

Nicole said...

Glad you were able to get back to blogging. Don't worry about the quilting mojo. At least you have stitching mojo!

Sweet P said...

I did miss you! Don't worry about your quilting mojo. My quilting mojo left me weeks ago. All I think about these days is crocheting and playing with yarn. Some day both of us will get our quilting mojo back.

Kelly@ Charming Chatter said...

Yeah! So happy to hear from you again -- we've missed ya, Darlene! Sending a big does of quilting mojo via cyberspace!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Good to see you here again. Recently I decided that I was not in the mood to quilt - just couldn't get going on anything - so I packed up all my projects and ideas into plastic boxes and then it just seeped back into me - have no idea how - but I began picking up projects and I was at it again. So maybe something will seep in and you will just start quilting - if not - enjoy the vacation and have fun - that is the most important thing.

Nancy in WI said...

Hey, it's OK with you don't have your quilting mojo back. I somewhat lost mine too and I started cross stitching again. I discovered the Attic Needleworks when I was visiting in Chandler but is there a shop closer? Doing stitchery is a good thing and some day you'll just be all excited about quilting again! Nancy in WI

Carrie P. said...

Well, hello there! I have been checking your blog off and on but today I went over to Carol's at Brown Quilts and had a link to yours so I thought I would check again and yeah! you are back.
I love Bird Brain designs. So cute! Very nice cross stitch too.
Quilting mojo headed your way!

Sherri said...

Welcome back! Your stitching projects are so fun!

Quilter Kathy said...

So happy to see your post today...I have been checking almost every day to see if you're back yet!
Lovely stitchery and cross stitch...glad to see your hands are keeping you out of trouble! LOL
Maybe your blog will be called "Stitching Daze"?!?

Wendy said...

I was very excited to see you had posted something. Don't worry a little quilting break is okay. I'm first love was x-stitch as well. I still yearn for doing some but it doesn't happen. I love the cat and pumpkins. You can post all about x-stitch if you like, I'd love to see more.

Deb said...

Darlene.. sometimes you need a change and your crosstitching is lovely!! Love your RW santa too...I think that you need a pattern that can really turn you on.. and I think I have it..it looks like you need some slow and enjoyable hand work such as applique..not to hurry just enjoy. I just started with a group that is working on the Civil War Bride you can see the quilt on my blog go look and then once you caught your breath dig in your stash and get the pattern.. I know you need some slow dream hand work and that is just the ticket!!
Glad to see that you are thinking of us and you know we are all thinking of you...its okay don't force yourself that makes your mojo hide more.. you will find a pattern that will turn you on...you just need to enjoy your other hand work..

Candace said...

Hi Darlene! So very nice to see you! Your quilting mojo will return and I'd be glad for you to take mine right now - I SO want to quilt but we have a buyer for our house and all mojo is turned to packing these days! I love your redwork - and I'm so glad to hear you're taking up x-stitch for now - you have a creative heart, mind and spirit, and it deserves to be seen!
Cheers!

Ginger Patches said...

Yay you're back!!! Your cross stitches are beautiful and the Santa is adorable. Your mojo will return, mine has been gone for months at a time and usually it just means I need to focus on other things for awhile, I think when I have worried about it and tried to force it back it has just driven it further away. Maybe you'll just have to come visit some Ca. shops to get it going again :) Quilting or not I'm so happy to see you back big sis!!

Maria said...

I just started a cross stitch project after lots of years away from it. I also visited an unbelievable cross stitch store. I had no idea there was such amazing new stuff out! You're the boss of your creative endeavors. Do what you want to do!!!

antique quilter said...

nice to see a post from you
I know quilters who took six months off
did other crafts and came back to quilting with the desire they had before.
Don't worry when your ready to start quilting again, you will.
just enjoy your life and don't worry about it.
the stitching looks great
Kathie

Kim Brackett said...

Yaaaayyyy!!! You're back! I'm sorry your quilting mojo is still missing, but you've done a wonderful job on your Santa redwork project and your counted cross-stitch. You're multi-talented! It's good to hear from you!

Lori said...

Good Morning! I love your redwork stitchery! You have been keeping your hands busy. The cross stitch is *too* cute! Don't worry about the quilting. Do what you are loving right now and if that is stitching, then we we will enjoy seeing it.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Nice to see a blog post from you again! I've starting stitching recently too. I love it!

Karen said...

Your cross stitch pictures are wonderful! Prim style and right up my alley. Cross stitch is needlework, same as quilting. Your mojo has just gone in a different direction. You could put your four cross stitch pictures into a quilt.

Tamara said...

Nice to see you back. I too was an avid cross stitcher until I found quilting. I still have a huge project left to finish and I know one day the bug will bite to X-stitch again. The Santa is so cute glad it made you smile ;)

Lynn said...

Glad to see you post again! And if the quilting mojo is taking a vacation, you can always pick up some xs and roll with that hobby for awhile. That's what's so great abt having different hobbies, we can move to another one for awhile.

Kim said...

It's always nice for you to post a note from time to time to let us hear from you...whatever it is that you may be up to. :-)

Salem Stitcher said...

I've been out of town and just now getting to check up on blogs and I'm so glad to see you back! I love the Santa - too sweet! And, the cross stitch - you're inspiring me to go finish one I have waiting out there in the wings.

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