Summer gives me space to try new things.
Maybe it's the age I'm at or the career change, but lately I've been re-examining all kinds of my own assumptions. I've even been doing this in quilting. For years I've said I don't like doing applique, but I realized lately I really do like quilting it. I've also designed an applique Row by Row, so clearly I like the design aspects somewhere.
I had to dig deep to question my own knee jerk responses of "not for me" and it turns out the real issue is my eyes are bad and my hands are developing arthritis. If I make some adaptations - raw edge instead of needle turn for example - then it can be something I can occasionally actually enjoy, instead of something I discounted completely.
I'm a member of the Keswick Guild, and they had a Round Robin this year with members showing off their work at our end of year meeting. Members were provided with a list of things to do, in any order they wanted, but to make sure everyone had a chance to do more than just add more straight borders. The work showcased was so creative.
I also spoke to a few members of the Elm City Guild who had a Mystery Quilt this year, and I've had a chance to even quilt a completed one. Over 40 members participated and every single one was different. I know they cleaned me out of tone on tone and I got to help a few people choose alternates. I love how some people dived in and just trusted the process.
It's good to stretch ourselves, isn't it?
|
