Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Well, hello there!

Judi Madsen Quilting 
I don't even know where to start with this post.  It has been so long since I have even looked at my blog.  It seems that every time I thought to blog - I just didn't have anything to say. Weird, eh? 

I feel like most of my attention is on Facebook and Instagram.  I am sad that I haven't been on here for so long, but hopefully that will change. If not, follow me on Facebook and Instagram - I post there. ;-)

So, why has it taken me so long to post?  Well, truthfully - I haven't had a project I could share.  I have been working on quilts for my next book and I have had to keep the sneak peeks to a minimum.  The above picture is a reflection of how the book process is going.  Looks great, right?  Well, that's because you haven't seen the entire quilt.  It's probably not what people would consider a bad quilt, but for me - it wasn't good enough.  I just can't justify sharing a quilt in my book that isn't my version of perfect.  It's tough though, because it's a quilt that took over 40 hours of quilting.  So, committing to redo the quilt is going to be hard.  

On top of that, I have just been in a creative funk.  Seriously.  I spent the spring time traveling to teach and being gone, too much.  So, I have really, really enjoyed my time with my family this summer. 

No worries though, I am back in the studio - trying to get projects finished and I am fighting through the burnout I have felt this past 6 months. I have a teaching event coming up in October in Minnesota and that should be really fun. It just seems that time moves too quickly and trying to keep up with deadlines and schedules can be a little tricky, but I am doing the best I can.  

Thank you to all of you for your patience with me on this blog.  I look forward to sharing projects as I complete them, I have some customer quilts coming up so I will be able to share those as I finish. We'll talk soon.       

14 comments:

Neli Hakkert said...

Feeling swamped.. it happens to all of us at times, especially when you have young children and a busy job. I would just like to thank you for your beautiful quilting and love each picture you post. Can't wait for your new book to come out. And that is enthusiasm, not pressure ��. You do have beautiful sunsets where you live!
Kind regards from The Hague, The Netherlands!

Marji said...

It's funny, I just posted my first post in over a year, and looked at my blogroll for the first time also, and this popped up.
I want you to know that your bunny quilt is one of my alltime favorites, that I ended up purchasing that book of bunnies on Amazon, and that I hope to make a quilt like that for my newest (3 weeks old) granddaughter. I first saw your bunny quilt on Pinterest.
so I hope you come out of your creative funk - you will. And do enjoy your family. Balance, it really is all about balance.
Looking forward to your book!

Andrea R said...

OH I feel ya. I have limited time to quilt and some days it seems like I can quilt or I can blog about it, not both.

Amy @ Amy's FMQ Adventures said...

Sad truth. Quilt vs blog

Amy @ Amy's FMQ Adventures said...

Sad truth. Quilt vs blog

quilting/fitness said...

I too are awaiting your next book haven't had time to quilt for a few weeks have been making my granddaughter a quilt every year this week was 4 and when her mother rolled her eyes and said not another blanket we live in Florida I was devastated first it's not a blanket
It makes me question why I do it
then I see your beautiful work and remember why.... I love it thanks soo much
Diana .young

Gloria C said...

Having been through burn-out myself I do sympathize! Too much busy-ness seems to be the undoing agent for me. I need to process emotionally as I go and when I don't have time for that I get soul-tired. The only remedy is some concentrated pea and quiet. I sincerely hope you can get that! Your quilts are exquisite, even this one you say is not up to your usual standard. Thanks for sharing!

Lynette said...

Hey, we'll take you at the blog when we can get you. :) We all go through seasons that require varying priorities, and family definitely is up there. I do prefer blogs much more than Instagrams, because they're more informative and personal. But they do take lots more time! :D

Jennifer said...

Where and when will you be teaching in Minnesota? I would love to come see you!

Being burnt out is ok - it happens to all of us!

Anonymous said...

Family must always come first but creativity is part of who you are, also, and the "mojo" will return........Looking forward to seeing you in Minnesota (Spring Valley) for one of your classes!!!! Sometimes I feel the same way as you about the blogging vs. Fb 'thing' but remind myself that there are 2 different groups of friends waiting to say 'Hi!'..........

the zen quilter said...

Hey, creative funks happen, and really it may be good for us to take a breather from our obsession and renew ourselves every once in a while. Hope you enjoyed your hiatus. I have to say, I like that phrase "my version of perfect." That is a spectacular phrase, because it's all about when the creator feels the job is done - and only the creator can know. I may use that, if I may. That said, your work is so amazing; can't wait to see your book!

Maggie said...

Dear Judi

A complete change of scenery is just what the doctor calls for. Just remember you don't need to leave home to do it. I wish I could send you my nemesis to quilt, sometimes we need to work on something that has no emotional pull, just to give us a breather. Sounds crazy, over the years all of us hit a creative no man's land. We know it is a bind, the frustration is enough to make us loopy. My youngest, who is now an adult, chirped me the other day: Hey Mom, don't get your knickers in a twist! My mouth dropped open, he never says anything like this. He had a silly grin on his face afterwards, they grow so quickly.
Thank you for all the beautiful sunsets, clouds you get and share with all of us. I miss the sunsets which I grew up with in Africa.
God Bless.

QuiltShopGal said...

You have your priorities right. I'm looking forward to your new book. Do remember to take time for yourself. Life is not a sprint.

QuiltShopGal
www.quiltshopgal.com

Rebecca Grace said...

Hi, Judi. I'm glad to hear that you're working on another book! As far as creative burnout goes: I know it's hard when you are juggling your business with your own quilting and with your family responsibilities. Been there, done that! But creativity is like a baby that won't thrive and grow unless you feed it. When it comes to art and inspiration, everything is connected to everything else. So I suggest that you schedule time to feed that Creativity baby by doing non-quilting things that inspire you. Visit an art museum and take pictures of the designs carved into the frames. Tour some historic homes or other buildings and take pictures of trim work, iron railings, all of the patterns that pop out at you and scream "I want to be part of a quilt!" Travel is great for getting the creative juices going again, but if you can't get away right now, go through your old pictures from previous travel. I think that it's especially easy for those of us in creative businesses to hyperfocus on just that one type of art to the extent that we burn out and the ideas just dry up. For me, at least, the antidote to that is to do some kind of artsy creative stuff OTHER than the kind of creative work I do for a living. And I almost always find that I stumble across new ideas and inspiration when I'm out goofing off, much more so than when I'm at my desk very deliberately trying to think of something good. These dry spells pass. I'm looking forward to seeing your next book!