So, I am kind of sad that I don't have any "quilting" friends around here. I mean I have friends that I talk to about quilting (and you are always so nice to engage in this conversation with me) but it dawned on me the other night that the art is dying! I went to a really fabulous Alpine Quilt Guild Meeting on Tuesday night and there were about 50 people there. All but about 3 of us were probably between the ages of 40 -60 years old (I'm guessing. Most were probably in their 40's or 50's.) The quilts were amazing and beautiful. So I thought, I need to be better about inviting my friends along or else there will be nothing like this when I'm 40 - 60 years old! It will just be me and those other two girls there! So two of my dear friends are going to come with me in February to check it out, but I just want to make a shout out for fabric lovers, ladies who appreciate art and beauty and ladies who just plain need a night out with a friend. If you want to look at darling, inspiring, unique pieces of art (made out of fabric) that can be passed down from generation to generation, then come to the Alpine Quilt Guild! I know it's not for everyone. But, it's really fun and it's not just for old ladies anymore:)! The fabrics these days are amazing! I'm just putting out a call for anyone that is in the slightest bit interested in quilts or fabric to come with me (even if it's just once) to this new quilt guild I've found. It's like a free art show in textiles. It was really fun and I know you will go away from it feeling creatively inspired. Maybe you will decide you want to learn a new skill. Or, maybe you wont. But, at the least it will still be fun. So let me know if you are ever interested in coming - I would always love more quilting friends.
Also, below are some words from President Uchdorf on Creativity. Check it out.
The Work of Creation
The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.
Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.
Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—and I am not talking about the process of cleaning the rooms of your teenage children.
You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop.”
If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.
But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fullness of joy.4 Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.
If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.
You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us.5 The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.
What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.
If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it.
Nearly a century and a half ago, President Brigham Young spoke to the Saints of his day. “There is a great work for the Saints to do,” he said. “Progress, and improve upon and make beautiful everything around you. Cultivate the earth, and cultivate your minds. Build cities, adorn your habitations, make gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and render the earth so pleasant that when you look upon your labors you may do so with pleasure, and that angels may delight to come and visit your beautiful locations. In the mean time continually seek to adorn your minds with all the graces of the Spirit of Christ.”6
The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.
The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.
Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.
Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—and I am not talking about the process of cleaning the rooms of your teenage children.
You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop.”
If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.
But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fullness of joy.4 Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.
If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.
You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us.5 The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.
What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.
If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it.
Nearly a century and a half ago, President Brigham Young spoke to the Saints of his day. “There is a great work for the Saints to do,” he said. “Progress, and improve upon and make beautiful everything around you. Cultivate the earth, and cultivate your minds. Build cities, adorn your habitations, make gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and render the earth so pleasant that when you look upon your labors you may do so with pleasure, and that angels may delight to come and visit your beautiful locations. In the mean time continually seek to adorn your minds with all the graces of the Spirit of Christ.”6
The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.
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Ambs, I'm glad you asked me to come. It'll be a fun night out!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! If I lived in Utah, I would love to come. I just started a new quilt this week and I've been a little consumed by it. I love it!
ReplyDeleteBritney Schetselaar Rule
(My mom gave me this link because she said I'd enjoy seeing all of your fun quilts! I have!)
Hey Amber-
ReplyDeleteIt's Linda from Bunko. I loved that talk too. Emily and I have talked about wanting to learn to quilt because we have been inspired by you, so if our lives ever get a little less busy, maybe you can show us the art. You also inspired me to walk into a fabric store the other day and holy cow have they come a long way. I hate to sew and it made me want to learn. Keep up the great quilting I love to look at your creations!
You know I'd be there in a heart beat if I lived closer, or if I had a ton of airline miles to get there :) I think of you all the time as I'm sewing by myself or wandering around the fabric store, sure would be nice to do it together!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I wish you were here too Megs, or I was there:)
ReplyDeleteAmber, I found this great site and thought you might like it. If you go to the "how to" area on the top R you'll find all sorts of great ideas and tutorials. I think I might make the valentines banners. http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/
ReplyDelete