My response would be: do something that makes you smile quilty or not. Don't push yourself because that will not make you happy. Try to figure out if it's reading a book, having a cup of something or simply just look out the window to celebrate how far you have come. Then I'm pretty sure that some day you'll wake up and feel now it's time to sew.
I wish you good luck

It sounds to me as though you've begun. You want to get going. That's a start. You have been very, very ill. Be patient with yourself. It's hard to know where to begin. You'll begin to figure it out as you continue to recover. Start very, very small. Remember you couldn't walk and I bet when you began again it was one step at a time. You'll know what to do!

Here's what may help: find a cool pattern. Something that takes you step by step. Then, go to the quilt store and buy everything new. New fabric, notions, thread, whatever. Don't go hunting in your stash! You need a FRESH start. Buy a new rotary cutter, mat, whatever you need. My prescription to de-funk!

Hi Robin, I am sorry that you have been so ill - how traumatic that must have been for you. I do hope you continue to recover quickly. Sorting through your stash is much too onerous a task for you now. Why don't you think about doing something small to begin with - like a cushion cover. I was reading through your blog and it struck me that you could do a butterfly cushion in memory of your friend Nancey? Just a suggestion? Take care of yourself.

I wish I had some earth shaking answers... What usually works for me is doing a small project for someone else -- usually needy children. There are so many little ones who could use the comfort of a quilt -- nothing fancy, just something simple. It could be a small project, so you need not be too heavily invested in terms of time and materials, but you would produce something very precious to some little one. Perhaps you could donate it to Project Linus or some hospital or charitable organization in your area. All you need to do is take the first step and think of the child.

Just as an aside, my husband and I were watching TV yesterday about a quilter who got involved in doing something to honor the children killed in Conn. His observation was, "Gee, quilters are such nice people!" You bet!

Good wishes...

Robin, maybe you need to find a project that really makes you want to get back to the process? Try looking through the TQS Quilt Gallery link for inspiration : [url]see-quilts/quilt-gallery/[/url]

It changes every day if you just want to do it in little bits or you can grab a cuppa your favorite beverage and spend hours perusing! If you click on the "thumbnail" photo, you will see lots more detail!

You can also check out http://pinterest.com/ and do a search for "quilts". Again, click on the thumbnail once, then on the photo again and sometimes you will link back to a source for the quilt design or pattern.

Do you have a friend that you used to enjoy spending quilty time with? Maybe a trip to a quilt shop and lunch would be a good start?

Good luck!

Robin, I am so sorry you were so ill. I am happy you are recovering. I guess it will take time to get the quilting bug again. I suggest you keep reading the forum posts, and respond when you feel like it. Just relax and enjoy the conversations. I think gradually you will get in the swing of things. Start small, so you are not overwelmed. Prehaps a quilted valentine for yourself, or an Easter pot holder. Just know we are all here for you. If you don't feel like sewing, get a dry erase board and try designing some quilt blocks. Easy to erase and if there is something you really like, redraw on paper. My DGS has some kind of magnetic toy with a pen to draw with. I use it to practice my quilting patterns. I am wishing you a new year filled with health, happiness, and renewal of your love of quilting.
God Bless.

Nearly a year ago, I was critically ill. Basically I lost all strength & the use of my legs. I'm walking and gaining strength back but it's a very long recovery. I'm troubled because I have no desire to quilt. I just can't bring myself to pull out the machine, select fabrics, etc.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get going again? I did start sorting fabrics by color a couple of weeks ago but never finished. I'm just kind of blah about everything.

Anybody else have this problem? How did you overcome it?

Thanks,

Robin