Wednesday, November 16, 2011

why is making quilts...just for fun?

Have you heard people say...
"I need to get all my "work" done before...

This may not be the best way to get
rid of the housework... lol

... I can sew on quilts"? ...or "before I can
make that certain something"
Okay, if you have a job that requires you to
be at a certain place for a certain length of time or
you would get fired...it's important the you DO
get your work done.

But, what if there was a different point of view to
quilting/sewing or crafting? 
Have you ever been given something that someone
 made for you?  How did you feel
when you received that gift?
Has a special sewn/crafted item been handed down
 to you that was made by a family
 member that has passed on?  How do you feel
about that item?  Do you feel
 a special connection to the maker of that item?

~~Here is a point of view that might be worth looking at.~~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Your time is valuable...TIME, itself is VERY valuable,
actually imho, it's worth a lot more than money. 
When you are making...creating something for someone,
you are giving them more than just the
gift itself.
 You give your valuable time...and your heart,
your hands go into it too.
Another thing... 
Your time, your heart, your hands work can...in a sense
... "time travel".
An example of this is...
I have things made by my grandmother's hands.
...a few things were left unfinished, but, nonetheless
they are all of great value to me.
I only knew her until I was 12 years old.  I'm 59 now.
 But, I can "feel" things about her by touching, seeing,
and enjoying the items she "worked" on.
Even my own children, who never knew my
grandmother, might get a little glimpse of who she was
by the items created by her hands and heart.

So, next time you think that creating something
is JUST playing, or wasting time, that you should
wait until all the chores are done,
 ...maybe, you should think again? 
Instead, realize how important the time is that
you spend to making/creating things. It's...well,
like giving part of your heart, part of yourself to those
that you love. 
The gift you give could be...NO, it IS
far more important than making sure there
are no "dusty bunnies" on the furniture, under the beds
or around the floors...
(I wish!...my dust bunnies were this cute!)

=======

What things keep you from your
crafty-ness? 
 If you have a special
handmade item from someone special...please,
share?  Maybe you have something from generations
before?  Or maybe you are planning to go forward
and have your handmade left in the hands of your
posterity?

12 comments:

Kimberlee, The Spunky Diva said...

What a great post. I haven't quilted/crafted in days. I keep thinking I have to get other stuff done first. I hate putting it on the back shelf as it certainly helps keep me sane. Love the dust bunnies!
~Kimberlee

Kimberlee, The Spunky Diva said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Twilight Quilters Coven said...

Awesome post with great perspective!

I have people that are "mad" at me because I don't quilt enough. I "owe" quite a few people quilts. I need to get busy....

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I always quilt/craft for fun - everyday, even if just a few stitches. I have many handmade items from gr.grans (my grans weren't crafters - musician and a baker - but have some of their treasures) - and I make things just because, not necessarily a must do - and gift them when I feel someone needs a hug!

Melissa said...

I try to find some time to sew a little each day - but what really holds me back is feeling like I do need to make sure that my house and chores are in order before having the me time. I have an unfinished Tahitian quilt from my great grandmother - with great plans to one day learn the applique technique and finish it!

Pat V. said...

I agree it seems that quilting is last on my list -- it needs to move up several priority levels! I definitely like the approach to housework.

Olga said...

Now this is just a great perspective. Something handmade will last and last (unless it is edible!) but a clean house...just never going to last.

Sarah Craig said...

Where oh where did you get a picture of my dust bunnies? And who is trying to scoop them up? Not me, for sure! House cleaning is almost always last on my list - much to my husband's chagrin sometimes - but he's learned to live with it! And fortunately with our church's quilt ministry, I can say that quilting is my full time job!

Thanks for an awesome post!!

Sheila said...

I love to made quilts for people I love and to donate. My grandmothers made quilts so maybe it's in my DNA. haha
Love this post!!!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

If my dust bunnies looked like that, my dogs (who create the furry dust bunnies in my house) would be chasing them all over.

Miss Hillbilly said...

Sometimes I wish to sell my things, but that is only to help out with the family needs. I keep going back and forth because I think that giving my creations away is so much better. It is hard when you find your items aren't loved though. That bursts your bubble. But then when you sell something it makes you feel better. It's kind of a vicious cycle that I am always unsettled on what to do!

On the other hand, thanks for giving me permission to create before I wash the dishes every once in a while!

April D said...

These are very valuable THOUGHTS! I have several things that were made by both of my grandmothers, one who I lost when I was only 12 too. She was such a treasure to me, and I'm sure her influence is why I love "old" things and crafting...and cooking. :)
Thanks for sharing such meaningful words. We DO need to be sure we're using our creativity to bless others, rather than letting the ongoing JOBS of life keep us down!
Thank you thank you!