I love the internet. No, really. I do. It has brought us Pinterest, Instagram, Skype and Facebook. It makes it possible to shop without any judgy salespeople, with their more than skeptical looks when I plop down size 8 pants on the counter. So maybe I AM a size 8 - or at least I WANT to be a size 8, and MAYBE these are my "motivation pants", did you think of that, miss "I'm a size 2 all day long"? Oh, I digress....sorry.
I enjoy scrolling through pages of eye candy and inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram. Seeing all those beautifully staged shots of quilts, hand embroidery, quilting, and mixed media projects inspires me and sparks new ideas.
And partially thanks to the internet, and partially thanks to quilting, I have wonderful, beautiful, kind, generous uber talented friends that are also quilt designers. We stay connected through Facebook and email, through blogging and phone calls. And when I say these gals are talented - they are SUPER talented. And they are friends - I'm still amazed.
See what I mean? Gorgeous, right? But wait....there's more!
I know, right? Ah-may-zing......yep. Ok, two more, just in case you're not already at the diabetic coma, OMG these are so terrific and such SWEEETTT eye candy point.
And yes, of course I've linked the pics back to the stupendous designers the quilts belong to. Sigh....of course I did. Please take a moment to click on each of the pictures and explore their inspiring galleries. Wait....pour yourself a cup of coffee or hot tea, and then sit back and enjoy the show.
But are you seeing what I mean? Do you ever feel the same way? That "wow that's amazing....and I can NEVER do anything as awesome as that" feeling? Or is it just me?
I'm just keeping it real here. Just being honest. I struggle. But don't we all? Maybe???? That feeling of inadequacy, that sense of never quite good enough. Fair? Probably not. I am a FIRM - did I mention FIRM? - believer that we all have creativity within us, and that beauty is more than just one ideal, one aesthetic. And yet....I know, such a contradiction. How can I believe that we are all creatives and yet feel untalented. I don't know. But I do. Sometimes.
I love going to quilt shows. (Ok, I realize I've thrown the "L" word around a LOT - but I genuinely do derive great joy and fulfillment from those things - and isn't that a love of a sort?) It is awe-inspiring to see all the fabulous versions of quilts, the variety of treatment and quilting. And I walk away with my head brimming with color combos, stitch inspirations, and fun "what if I did this" ideas. And a deep seated resolve to NEVER - I mean NEVER EVER - submit a quilt of mine into a show. No ma'am. Not me. Not ever. Did I mention never never ever?
So what started this long, wandering ramble? This fortune from our last Chinese night. A reminder to admire rather than turn green with jealousy. Easier said than done, sometimes. Oh - and a passage from Amy Schumer's book. No it wasn't about quilters. It was about her circle of friends, fellow comics who are competitors in the field, yes, but also an encouraging and supportive presence in her life.
Which made me think of my own circle of friends. I am lucky. So VERY lucky. Yes, these ladies are technically competitors in the field of designing. But they are first and foremost friends. Supportive, encouraging, uplifting. And I think that is the most important thing - to support and encourage those around you.
The purpose of this slightly pity part rant? Not to wade in self pity. No - that is totally unproductive. Tempting sometimes - certainly! But to remind myself - and perhaps you, dear reader - to find motivation and inspiration in the successes of those around us. So I lift my needle to you, my talented friends, in tribute to your hard won contracts, awards, sales, teaching engagements, speaking engagements, and general overall success. May you continue to succeed and inspire the rest of us!
Thanks for sharing the quilting passion with me. Happy stitching!
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