If you are visiting my blog, chances are pretty good that you are a quilter. Why do you quilt? Is it because you

For most of us, the first three choices all fit (although you are stressed when someone calls a quilt a “blanket”!)

Stress can do terrible things to your body. Here’s a good article to learn what stress does and how your body handles it.

When are you most stressed? What do you do? I do two things: eat and quilt. If I don’t have something to stitch by hand, I go nuts. Absolutely nuts! In the cold months, that means I need to have a quilt in the process of being quilted. In the warm months, that means that at any point in time that I want to stitch something by hand, I need something portable that I can take with me to the deck, in the car, to the lake, etc. This week I am in the process of preparing a quilt for quilting for those cold fall days in Michigan.

Are you ever stressed WHILE you sew or quilt? I have learned that not all stitching is stress-free. Sometimes things go wrong. Pieces do not always line up. My brain does not always function the right way, and sometimes I do stupid things and realize them as soon as they are done. I’m good for two problems in a sewing session. I’ve had to learn that after correcting two problems that I have caused, it’s best if I turn out the light and walk away. By telling myself that the sewing gods are busy working with someone else and not me, the stress is removed and I go on to something else. It used to really bother me. Now, I just sigh, say “OK, now is not the time,” and stop.

How do you handle stress? Talk to me. It’s a good outlet for your frustrations. Click on comments below and release your tension.