Robin, I just want you to know that what you are feeling is a really common thing. It sometimes happens to us when we have been through something traumatic. In 2003 one of my children was in a car accident that left him brain injured. I spent a full year in hospitals with him and going through out patient therapy. I had spurts of wanting to quilt during those years. In fact, we even moved to a new house and for the first time ever, I had my own dedicated sewing space. I rarely used it. I made a few baby quilts and two wedding quilts during that time and even made embroidered (Marie Osmond) lace napkin rings for 250 tables for my daughter's wedding, but I just couldn't get back 'that feeling'. The PASSION was missing.
While I was in outpatient therapy I met another quilter whose daughter had been hit by a drunk driver. She was a couple years out from her daughters injury and maybe in the last two years she has become very involved with quilting again. She is an amazing artist and quilter and teaches in my area.

I am not at all saying that it will take you this long to get your mojo back. Just don't get discouraged. Try a little bit at a time and try to find places that inspire you. One day you will just wake up and it will be back and will sound so very good again. God bless you in your recovery and your journey. Hang in there and don't give up!

Robin, I'm glad you're on the mend and getting healthier every day. Is a great thing you're reaching out for help and support. Everybody is giving you great advice. Just be good to your self and take one step at a time. Before you know it, you'll be enjoying quilting and many other activities. Craftsy is offering a free block of the month from Laura Nownes http://www.craftsy.com/class/craftsy-block-of-the-month-2013/183 You can sign up for free and have access to the materials for this month' s block to see the quilt. It's a beautiful sampler quilt and besides the instructions you'll have access to how to videos to complete each block. She did a small sampler quilt here on TQS, you can find it in the classrooms section. It was a block a week but, you can work on it at your own pace.

Robin, the Craftsy classes are offered by another web site: http://www.craftsy.com/classes

Each December here is a TQS Legend show available to Star members.
Here are some early ones: [url]watch/[/url]

Gosh, I think I've been out of it so long, I don't even know what the Legends Show or the Craftsy classes are. Can they both be found on The Quilt Show website? I'll search for them. Thanks for the suggestions!

Robin

Robin, I'm glad you are getting better. I bet lots of quilters have phases where almost nothing is exciting or stimulating enough to do. I guess our brains and bodies need those periods of calm. It hit me for several months when my mother died. In my case caring friends dragged my out of the black hole. They just kept talking, even if I didn't respond. Then, suddenly, one day I was ready to dive in again.

Just one little idea: Why don't you treat yourself to one of the Craftsy classes. The one with Laura Wasilowski included some handwork. The size of the project is manageable, and the design is very cheerful.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck, and stay in touch!

Robin,
I think just coming here to the site, going through the new messages, maybe reading some of the blogs would be a way to ease back into quilting. I know that, sometimes, sitting with friends and a cup of tea brings me out of the blahs. I just watched the 2012 Legend show for the 2nd time. There is so much out there about quilting that we don't know. Take it slow and easy; it'll come.
I'm not equating what you've gone through to the "blahs", but I'm sure you understand what I'm trying to say.

Rita, that is a great idea about the grandmother's flower garden quilt. Just look at each flower as a separate small project. It's just all in the perspective of things, isn't it?

Thanks!
Robin

Me too Lois! Robin, hand piecing a grandmothers flower garden is a great idea because you can work on individual flowers. I love doing those hexies. I am working on one too (3/4" hexies) and it is so good to be able to break it down into the smaller components. At the moment I am working on 12 large flowers after which I have lots of diamonds to do. It's my take-along project for travelling or waiting around for the kids to come out of school etc. Take care of yourself.

Yes, do keep us posted. When you've been sick that long recovery takes a long time. Be patient. When I am too tired to quilt or if I don't feel well for one reason or another I like to watch old TQS episodes.

I want to thank everyone for your responses and great ideas! I'm inspired by all of you and so touched by your thoughtfulness.

After a month in the hospital, I spent a month with my aunt. While there I started working on a hand quilting project I had started last year. It's a grandmother's flower garden. When I came home in April, I set it aside and haven't picked it up again. I got it out and am looking at it. As some of you said, I shouldn't overwhelm myself with a big project.

I'll keep you all posted and again, many thanks!

Robin

Ann I'm so sorry life has been so tough for you, but you are truly an inspiration.

So sorry that you have been ill. Happy to hear you are doing better and will pray for that path to continue. Life is not always fair and sometimes the "fair" moved on before we get to attend.

Nine years ago, I was supposed to die or be paralyzed from the waist on down. I recovered. I am walking with a cane but walking and quilting and doing many other activities that were never supposed to be possible for me again. I had always been an avid reader, but after my illness, I could not seem to concentrate on a book. I started small, magazine articles, short stories, innocuous simple fiction, simple mysteries etc. in order and eventually I became an avid reader again. My quilting followed a similar path. I fell in love with Ricky's Convergences and did many of them, one after another and in increasingly more difficult steps. Then I moved back into doing other patterns and raw edge applique. After time, I went to one of Ricky's retreats and did a Rhapsody. Now I sort of follow my dreams and my passion is back.

Being serious ill and then having to learn to walk again and gain stamina etc. is not an easy road. Take your time, give yourself a pat on the back and a big Whoo Hoo every time you make a small step. Do a happy dance when you accomplish a slightly bigger step and eventually you can work your way back. It is possible and life can get better. Hugs to you, keep the faith, and take baby steps. Ann

Robin, I'm so sorry to hear about your illness. What you need now is to be very, very good to yourself. Maybe take some time to view past shows from TQS—they might inspire you. Or try working through one of the classes TQS offers—maybe something like Lauren Vicek's embellishment class. But above all, don't feel you have to push yourself. Be good to yourself. We're happy to see you back! Best wishes, Robin

robin, i am glad to hear that you are recovering! all of the above are great answers that if you write them as bullets you have a very complex and full answer. i hope to see your quilt soon