Happy Summer, friends!
Quilts: I have been collecting antique quilts all my life, from having family heirloom quilts on my bed as a small child---and have been myself quilting as a hobby and artistic expression for the past 15 years. But now I am again assessing my love of sewing and quilting. I love the quilts I make, I put hours of time and quite a bit of money into them. And again, lots of attention, intent, and love. Through some difficult years it has been a blessing to wake up each morning and have that special project to focus on. Years of sadness and pain and the loneliness of the pandemic year[s].
Recently though I felt to the need to pass on a few quilts to friends, but no! Yesterday my friend looked over the four quilts I offered her to choose from, and she sneered dubiously. She called them blankets and wanted to be sure they could be used as sleep under bedding and washed often. She texted her husband! [who asks husbands?] who hated them. I admit I was very hurt. Are my quilts THAT unattractive? [don't answer that ,lol.]. Couldn't she have chosen one to adopt, just to be polite, be a friend?
edit to say: I didn't just surprise the person with the quilts on offer, I had asked previously if she'd like one, and she said yes until she actually saw them.
After she left I sat here and cried for hours.
Yep I can't give them away. I was again tearful now as I wrestled also with a quilt once gifted and returned, how to make it better and useable, how to remove personalization. Wondering why it was not loved or wanted. Along with the t-shirt quilt that never got a word of thanks, the quilt used as a drop cloth, the quilt that the recipient never even bothered to take out of the gift bag before stowing it in a cupboard....so much rejection, even my thick hide feels dented.
My quilts are FAILS, which is hurtful. I have a few options and PLEASE do not suggest charity donations, if I want to do charity I will donate money or fleece blankets to animal rescue and foster care.
Options: I can quit quilting. [Unlikely. It gives me something to look forward to each day.]
Or I can renew my focus to please myself, enjoy myself and just go on. Maybe only make tops as finishing is so expensive? That is a good plan but takes away the joy of seeing one's work , one's creation, finished.
Time for a change?
...
Before the giveaway fiasco my friend and I went thrifting. Only thing of interest was this sweet party dress, looks like one my blog friend Kit's [My Montana Life] darling daughter would recycle for her fabulous style.
Today:
Now I plan to brave today's gale wind and as the Thunderbirds roar overhead, practicing for the weekend, I will walk out and smell the beach roses in early bloom.
Welcome summer!
love
lizzy
gone to the beach....
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