Sunday, April 3, 2011

Embrace what you have

And love where you are in life.
I had a very wonderful day yesterday doing all sorts of things I love and as we drove home (singing along to the radio) I realized there's no place in the world I'd rather be than here, nothing else I need in my life than what I have around me.  I haven't felt so peaceful and satisfied in a long time. 

But there's more.  It's about embracing what you have.  Using the things and fabrics you love.
I had the chance to sew with Victoria for a few hours after our meeting yesterday and I limited myself by only bringing an armload (I was going to say "handful" but that's a lie) of fabrics and working from there.  I didn't know what I was making, I just pulled and cut from these fabrics that I had been hoarding.  fabrics that I feel capture my personality, express where I am now, and really represent me as a quilter.  Some of these precious fabrics have been holed up in the closet for years.. enough.  When I look at the quilts on our beds I think what I love about them is the fabrics.  So the quilts I want to be making have to be made of something I already treasure, treasure so much that I am willing to take time to transform it into something useful, something new to have and hold. 

I don't know where this piece is going, and it probably won't go anywhere for a while (I really need to buckle down with that school work..) but I'm glad I had a chance to spend time, sit and get to know another quilter a little better.  There's an awful lot behind the quilts, behind the blogs, that can't be gained without real interaction.  I have felt puzzled lately about the role the internet is playing in society these days, and on a personal level, the ways in which it has shaped my life over the last 10 years  (college reunion coming up.. is this why I'm all the sudden so reflective?).  Of course it is a way to connect with people-- new friends and old, but so many of those "connections" are just superficial.  It really takes effort to push beyond that, building friendship still takes time.  I think the internet, the sheer vastness of it, enables people to spread themselves too thin.  To try everything, to read every blog.. what are we left with?  To many ideas and a stiff neck.  I feel better since I've pulled back in the last 6 months, selectively reading and participating (in quilt blogland mainly, and other social networking as well).  Trying to find focus that makes my time online more meaningful to me.  It's nice when someone mentions drama in the online quilting community and I'm completely oblivious.  (Yay~ I didn't waste my time with that headache!) but I digress..
When you spend time with people and learn what is important to them, it gives you a lens through which you can take another glance at your own situation.  A guild meeting and a few hours spent with V, and I have gained a new appreciation for all the mundane things that my life is made up of.  Thanks guys.

13 comments:

  1. I think that's what quilting is all about! It's always been about community! I so enjoyed yesterday, the vast variety of people in our group, and spending one on one time with you.
    I started blogging as a way to find the connections and am pleasantly finding I have a SUPER group of talented people all within my reach/neighborhood/area RIGHT HERE!... YIPPEE! So glad our paths have crossed!

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  2. You are so right. When I first discovered blogland and Facebook, I went overboard. Now I have pared things down to a more manageable level. I personally need lots of relflection time. I don't plan to start a business or become the most popular blogger, but keep in touch with friends. However, the super group of quilters I now know are not in my neighborhood, but far away in the big city. Hope to become better acquainted, even if mostly thru email and blogging. Bonnie PS: I love 60 degree triangles and sll their variations!

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  3. I SO agree! Contentment is the key to happiness, I think. I feel so much lighter when I'm thankful for what I have now, not "needing" more--either more fabric or more information. "More" can be seductive, but it doesn't satisfy.

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  4. I am a Social Quilter.....okay, I'm out of the closet now.....my connections with other quilters are my top priority. I sometimes spread myself too thin, but I usually find myself most enjoying a face-to-face conversation with another quilt lover.....a heartfelt connection.

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  5. Wonderful post, Jessica...all so true! It's so easy to get sucked into the online quilting world at the expense of the real thing. Loved your line about too many ideas and a stiff neck. Been there! :-)

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  6. Yep. Speaking to my heart here too. Love it and want to write about it...and just may!

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  7. What a lovely post and what a lovely quilt you've begun! Thanks for sharing!

    Also, as an aside, I ran into the City last Monday just to see the Red-and-White quilts and met one of your fellow guild members there! His name is David. Very nice guy!

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  8. Beautifully put. I love the piece too. It's the start of something cool!

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  9. I CONCUR...wholeheartedly...and yes it is about the personal growing together that matters...one stitch at a time...That is why I love life...It is like a Quilt...Sometimes you are enthusiastic about it, sometimes you put it away, sometimes you miss it, sometimes you show it off, and other times you want to keep it alll to yourself...Lovely...and thank you for BEING YOU....

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  10. Hi! I arrived via Amanda Jean over at Crazy Mom Quilts and I have to say I LOVE your work! So happy to "meet" another quilter! I am loving the idea of a handwork project...and your star quilt is inspiring. I think I will put it in the To-Do list!

    Shanna

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  11. beautiful blog and marvellous stars quilt,I love it!!
    hugs from spain!

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  12. Mmm I know what you mean too, I feel overwhelmed sometimes with blogs etc, and feeling guilty for not commenting a lot.

    Thanks for your comment on my wadding post!

    I actually thought of you at the weekend, as I've used up the white stars that were part of the rediscovered project! I made a cushion cover with them, my Mum asked me to make one for family in Canada!!

    Will post about it shortly.

    ps getting readyish to quilt the biggy!!

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  13. great post...and remember, when its not fun anymore its not a hobby. ; )

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