Jeana’s Journal

Over the years I have learned that the creative process cannot be controlled. New ideas cannot be called up at will. In fact, they often appear at the most inopportune times. Worse still, if a great idea is ignored, or pushed aside to be developed late, it will disappear altogether into the recesses of the mind.

Many years ago a wise friend gave me a bit of advise that still echos in my ears when a new quilt design appears and I begin the debate inside my head about ignoring yet another quilt or adding it to my list of unfinished ideas.

At the time I was on a deadline for a new book and the idea for one more quilt that fit perfectly into the book came to me. I was agonizing between comfortably coasting the end of an easily completed book or adding one more quilt and over-extending myself to meet a looming deadline.

My friend, Marion, very kindly and wisely said, “To ignore an idea is to deny the art that is within you.”

I took her advise and rushed into one last quilt for the book. The process was painful and a couple of “all night” working sessions resulted from that decision. Interestingly enough, the quilt that I had considered ignoring turned out to be the most popular quilt included in my Backyard Garden book.

I learned a great lesson from my friend and since then I have rarely ignored a new idea. If nothing else, I write it down and sketch out the design. Sometimes quilts stay exactly there—on paper–and are never taken any further. Sometimes I go as far as pulling fabric and beginning to stitch only to be pulled away by more pressing responsibilities. There are many good quilts/ideas half developed and carefully stored in my basement until I find time to return.

For the past two weeks I have been arguing with myself again. A patriotic pieced quilt with an applique border is on my mind.

I have more than enough ideas that I am actively thinking about and working on these days—five to be exact. Adding to my dilemma is the fact that seasonal quilts are just that…..seasonal. Is it worth my time to make a quilt that will be hung for just one month out of a year?

Finally, yesterday, due to the persistence of the thoughts about this quilt, I gave in and have pulled the fabric. Red, white and blue.

Blue, as many know is my least favorite color, and here I am considering a quilt with blue as a major player. Am I nuts or am I simply honoring a idea that has been given to me?

Time will tell.