sandytn wrote:

Ditto to every one of your points. I was thinking of putting a tablet in the dining room/kitchen to write myself out of snacking on food I just don't need to eat........do you think that would work?

Oh Judy, I laughed out loud, and I've found that starting to write down the comments is the hardest part for sure.......and Sandy is right, when those negative things start to come, they really come....and we all have them. Sandy, I think being willing to write them down and actually have them before you is a great start to seeing how to change them. I am plodding along doing TAW as well....it is a challenge for me but just after three days, I can see where I'm going to become more aware of so much about myself. I think everybody realizes what holds them back, but we don't dare stop daily life and responsibilites long enough to think about it, much less act on it. I see this as a wonderful tool to not only be more aware, but to also become more willing to change.

Anytime we can find a way to replace a negative with a positive, it can only have one outcome........and that is that we become a better person bit by bit. Sandy, we can figure this out together and we will all be so excited in the end.

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

Sandy, I am not doing the Artist thing, but your comments would have been my comments. I agree with you on everything. I can't even create my own comments, yours will do just fine. Judy in AZ where it is going to be 112 again today

I've read Week 1 and I don't do Morning Pages everyday but I'm trying.

At first I could not think of any ‘blurts of negativity’ but when they start they don’t stop:
I’m don’t think of myself as creative because I use someone else’s pattern whether it is for appliqué or traditional blocks
I don’t plan a quilting design but most of the time I quilt in a grid pattern
I am afraid to experiment with color and tend to stick with the colors in the pattern picture
I have no style that says this quilt is me and can’t even settle on one appliqué technique
I honestly don’t believe that I can be a quilt artist
I don’t refer to quilting as an art to my family and friends. I was raised that quilts were practical and not artistic
I don’t enter quilt shows because I don’t think my quilt making skills are good enough
I don’t try hard enough to improve my sewing skills
……so is this the type of things the blurts are meant to be. I'm focusing on quilting creativity but hopefully there are some other creative genes just waiting to be let loose.

I've begun my Morning pages and I've read week one. I even did an artist date last night, if going to Michaels and buying a few fun items is a date. I do that all the time. I do believe these exercises will help me with my quilting creativity as well as my child care projects that I prepare and create for the children I care for. I did realize with the first chapter that I don't have negative feelings about artists. I have always thought that you can be an artist and what ever else you want to be. I try to encourage children to be artistic, they all are.

I've finished reading week 1 and am now going to concentrate on the tasks.
Just take it slow and easy-I think we'll all come out better on the other side.
Ann,
I am sending you good wishes and prayers for your blood test.
(((((((((Hug!!)))))))))))))))))))))))))
Eileen

snowplow3840 wrote:
Congratulations, Ann, on the September La Veta retreat!!!! I am going in late July, and part of why I didn't jump in to The Artist Way right now is I am trying to get ready for the retreat! I have been to a innovation ground school, which sound very similar to some of the journalling that you are all doing. You will be amazed at what your brain is capable of, by using some of the journalling and mind mapping techniques. I am enjoying watching from the sidelines all of you jumping into the Artist's Way!

Thanks all of you for your comments and support. I agree that this is an inner critic moment and I have to just push past it. I have started a new small project today, put some things I am stuck on away and have been watching Ricky's grand finale (especially the section on piped binding because I am determined to conquer that technique.)

I go tomorrow for blood tests again and think possibly some of my creative funk is due to my chronic anemia. If that is the case, a blood transfusion or an iron infusion will put me back on track. So cross your fingers for me. I am hoping that I do not need the transfusion or infusion but if that is the problem because I have big plans for this fall.

Didn't say anything until I had gotten my confirmation from Justin but we are going to La Veta for quilt retreat in September. Dh is grousing about costs but on the other hand bragging to anyone who will listen so I am really excited and DETERMINED TO MAKE THIS ARTISTS WAY JOURNEY HELP ME PREPARE FOR WHAT DANA HAS CALLED A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE. WHOO HOO LA VETA HERE I COME

(AND a couple of well behaved companions for Skippy the kangaroo are coming along. Justin told me they are welcome. )

Ann HOME IS WHERE WE PARK IT (and September it will be La Veta)- now just have to write the check. LOL

Good advice Eileen. Ann- wonder why she would pick this particular week to contact you after so long??? maybe so she could be part of this weeks tasks and you can let her go for good???
Linda

Ann,
This person, who I wouldn't even designate as a friend, was trying to communicate with your Inner Critic to make you feel bad. Just rise above it. Write it all out and then release it.
Eileen

I am doing my morning pages but not everyday. It is not yet an automatic thing to do. I try to write whatever pops into my head and not think about it and it is weird where some strings of thoughts end up. I have no trouble filling 3 pages of ramblings but not yet sure where they are leading. I haven't done the exercises yet but hope to start on them tonight. I have been hand quilting ever free minute I have but that project is almost finished and I can move on. Why is it so difficult to do an Artist Date? I have one planned for this week though and we'll see how it goes.

Ann your friend reminds me of a few people I know. They want you to feel inferior so they feel superior. My favorite quote. Eleanor Roosevelt, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent "

Eileen not sure how you want to start the discussions of the Artist's Way and how we are doing etc. along the way but want to share an experience I had this week. Then you or anybody else can chime in unless you want to establish some guidelines. (I won't say rules sounds too much like those creation/quilt police I am trying to banish)

Any way here goes. Thursday night I was trying to keep up with the Justin featured guest chat (wow what a fun chat) when the phone rang and it was a woman I haven't seen or heard from in over 45 yrs. A school mate who I have recognized now as a serious contributor to some of my poor self esteen issues in high school etc. Couldn't imagine why she called (still am not sure) but all those awful down putting feelings came rushing back. So after she hung up and I read the chat transcript so I found out what I missed, I drew a cartoon of her and put big slash marks over her. It helped. I am still not quite over the rush of bad feelings and have been stuck for a couple of days but am working as hard as I can to conquer that nemesis and the time travel ideas have helped. So onward and upwards and DAB you are out of my life.

Ann (she couldn't even call me or my husband by the names we use now so boo on her ) HOME IS WHERE WE PARK IT

That would be great, Margo but the book states we're supposed to be alone for our dates. That's hard when you think that quilting can be a very social hobby-we come together to share our love of quilting. A good example-look at how TQS has grown.
Eileen