Craft Guilt: A Tale of Giveaways, Swaps, and Two Emilys
![Vintage Fabric Rainbow](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/1716127053_3b7e5991ac.jpg)
Ah, the craft guilt. Know what I'm talking about? Bitter Betty wrote about it and did something about it, too — she became pro-craftive and has been checking off craft chores left and right. Me? I'm just sitting around wondering when the hell I'm going to make good on my blogiversary gift for Emily. That was back in January for crying out loud. I'm stuck. I can't seem to hatch another chicken pincushion.
While I haven't been making Emily's gift (she's been so patient) I've signed up for swaps and worked on lots of personal projects, each time feeling at least a twinge of guilt, knowing I should be working on her project. Recently, I signed up for a patchwork & scrap swap set up by the lovely Linda P. I chose to swap with someone in Finland. Guess what her name is — Emily. I can't live with the guilt anymore — two Emilys overdue is too many. It's double or triple craft guilt at this point. Not only am I seeing another Emily, I'm late with my swap to her, too. ¡Ay, caramba! And, this, just before the big handmade holiday craft push. It must be resolved I tell you.
This sounds like I don't enjoy swaps and giveaways. I do, I do, but they torture me. I like to have deadlines, they usually kick my procrastinator butt into at least low gear — but, they do add an element of discomfort. Can you say craft masochist? Why put myself through this rigmarole when I could live in deadline-free luxury? It's the people. I love this silly craft community. Hi, my name is Michelle, and I have online friends. I enjoy sending a little handmade love into the world. It just takes me for friggin' ever!
So, Emily #1: is your heart set on a chicken pincushion? Can I make something else? Another style of pincushion? A mini quilt? A stack of vintage scraps, like the one in this photo — the one I'm sending to Emily #2? Oh, the guilt.
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Labels: fabric, swap, Vintage Fabric
12 Comments:
i think trying to make something you don't want is reallllly hard. so, i think you found a solution; make something else!
Oh no!!! I totally know that feeling. It is really hard to be creative under the pressure of "owing." And really-- it was a kick just to see my name picked! I don't want anything!
I hereby officially absolve you of any guilt or owing of anything. I just love reading your blog and want to continue to see you raise those beautiful kids and do your thing. Seriously! Peace out!
You just crack me up! I TOTALLY have that same guilt. One overdue wedding present, two birthday dresses.....but the delight of handmade stuff and the crazy procrastinator/creative surge thing is great. Worth all of the guilt I suppose.
"Hi, my name is Michelle, and I have online friends."
That is too funny!! No one in the real world understands that.
I am so very sorry for your guilt by the way. You just have such a great way of expressing it all.
I've have the swap guilt for nearly as long as you too.Mine started in february. Do you think we should start an online support group?
I'll sign up for the support group!
I think I love looking through my stash and participating in swaps more than I like actually *using* the stuff. I love to get packages in the mail of things chosen by other people that really meld seamlessly into my (ever-growing) stash.
So, what's your next swap? ;-)
oh gawd help us all! when was my redwork swap due? last April? and my paperbag swag group is ready to oust me i'm sure. i know I have a problem, yet, when i hear of another swap all i can think..."that sounds great! count me in! just what i need to give me a little push!" HA! right-o.
someone please call swap-junkie anonmyous........
I love love that photo.
cg
My Emilys are called Katrin, Isa, ... waiting for more than a year. I am not or almost never signing up for new swaps because I consider myself as not allowed to before I haven't got those other parcels done. My problem is I simply can't close the packages because I fear the content is not good enough... The girls have been telling me anything from me will be great, I should just send what I think is nice... which creates such a pressure because I don't do great stuff all the time... Really, I must send these parcels to get it over with and to be able to swap again.
Next week!!!
I'm terrible, terrible about swaps. And I take forever to get them done. The last one being over due by a year! I always feel so much pressure to make something worthy to swap and worry about whether the person will like it.
For God's sake, she should be happy with anything...you are doing Just Fine, Super Momma.
Glad to have a peek between downloading research and online discussions....hugs to you and the boyz...
PS I did that book color thing about ten years ago...v. satisfying
Ah! I know what it's like to be that way. You can't just force yourself.
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