Letty

Please can any of you help. After years of patchwork,a lot of them passing on ideas and inspiration, I now find myself in the wilderness. We have moved to a differant part of the country, in time I'm sure I will make new friends.I love it here, near to our son and family but can't seem to get my creative juices going. My husband has bought a classic car, a 41 year old Triumph Herald as a new interest---with my blessing. I thought I would make a lap quilt to put in it,to use when he goes to shows. I am still unsure what design to use though.I thought maybe log cabin with either alternative applique blocks of a car. For weeks now I have had fabric and books spread out on the dining room table, with no luck. I am begining to think perhaps it's time to get a new hobby and that maybe I'm just empty of ideas.I visit the site often, with no inspiration, hard to imagine I know, there are so many wonderful ideas here.Oh dear I sound such a sad case don't I, sorry.I have so much to be grateful for in my life, I guess it's the strain of moving, I'm 72 years old, and leaving friends, so many of whom I've taught to do patchwork and quilting, in fact they all keep in touch and ask advice too. RIGHT ---- I now sound a moaning Minnie, forgive me, if anyone has an idea or so I would be happy to see them however. Love to all, Letty

merry

Lettie, Have you found & visited all the LQS in your new area? Almost every time I visit my LQS I am so inspired looking at all the quilts on display & new products. Also found that most of the staff & other shoppers are friendly. Have made several friends chatting in the shops. Hope this suggestion helps.

mim

I'm sure that someone on this board lives somewhere near you. There are so many countries and states represented. Moving is so disrupting -- it can be discouraging. This last move of mine I was 77 and it was the third in 2 years -- now we move back and forth -- but at least now we have everything in both places.

What styles did you love most. Maybe choose a color and make a charity quilt for the local fire/police depts.

Email has been wonderful staying in touch and I look at a weather webcam every morning near where I live in the summer so I still feel "local"

I sound like such a Pollyanna -- but I guess I am. Bad things happen -- but life is good
Mim

Tartan

Change is hard and it can throw you for a loop. The old creative juices will get flowing once you settle in and make a few new friends. Since you have taught before, why not go into one of local quilt stores and see if they need a teacher for a class? Bring a few of your samples so they can see your work and at the very least, you will have a nice visit. Since you have moved from a different area, you might have some fresh, intriguing concepts.

mom-6

Moving to a new area always presents a challenge, especially when you've been in your former area 'forever'. As a retired military wife I've done the moving thing dozens of times, and for some reason some areas were easier to make new friends in than others. Not sure why that was either.

The two main ways I met people was at church and at my kids school functions.

The suggestion to locate fabric and quilt shops in your area is definitely a winner! Also visit with the other wives at the car shows. Once you get to know some people you'll feel much better...or at least I always did.

DonnaR

Find the LQS, offer to teach, check our their classes to meet people and ask about Local Guilds. Just start the log cabin and it will help. Sometimes just getting started is the hardest. Good Luck

QuiltnNan

your idea of alternate log blocks sounds good. i'd use his car colors as the theme. hope you start feeling at home soon.

jillnjo

Keep on quilting! My mom is 90 and she'd say you are young. Go find the most beautiful fabric you can and put together a new lap quilt for that car of your hubby's!! Best Wishes!!

TanyaL

You give no idea of where you are or where you came from. Is there a big difference in the two?
Have you joined a church? volunteer group? made any local friends? Are you healthy? tired? Lonely?

Why not go basic on your lap robe - a block pattern with a car accessory in each block - something a man would really relate to- tire, jack, steering wheel, gas can, Triumph logo, etc. Do a simple black and brown color scheme with the accessories in colors. Something the men at car meets can say, "I like this, nothing feminine about it. Goes with the car." Maybe tie it instead of quilt. After that is done perhaps you'll feel like making some very pretty.

ckcowl

don't be so hard on yourself---this time of year it is quite common to be (un-inspired) maybe make yourself some new curtains, or a table topper/placemats for the new home- sometimes a small project is just what a person needs to get the *juices* flowing again. if that doesn't appeal to you just enjoy settling into your new home- when the time is right the perfect project will simply hit you- or you will see something that is (just what you've been looking for)
and remember- even the most prolific artists go through times when nothing appeals to them...