Lydia's Treasures :: by Lisa Donaldson

 

My name is Lisa. I love to be creative.

I have many stories I could tell you of my life but that one that came to mind when reading of the healing qualities of art was regarding my healing after a breakdown with Post Natal Depression 5 years ago.

I have always loved to draw, paint and do embroidery. I started doing these things from a very young age. I sewed my own clothes and loved to knit also in my yearly teens. I found great comfort sitting at my sewing machine or stitching in the afternoons when my children were young. After baby number six I had severe Post Natal Depression. I lost all ability to look after myself, drive, cook, look after my family. I would look at a piece of meat and not know where to start to create a meal.

I had a respite nurse take care of me for 3 months. During this time I had a Occupational Therapist visit me. She had to write up a plan for me to try to adhere to each day, this was a rather difficult fete'. As the weeks went by I slowly started to make a meal and be able to organise myself to get dressed etc each day. After around 2 months of recuperation she suggested I start a quilt. This was a mammoth task for me to consider but I was so determined to get better. I had to choose the pattern and the fabric from my stash. Then I had to make time each day to stitch. I completed my quilt in 4 weeks. I love embellishing my work so I added on my own little extras along the way. I wasn't over happy with the colour combo's but I had finished a work or art in my eyes.

This was an amazing accomplishment after being so mentally unwell. I was so proud of myself and this helped me immensley on my road to recovery.

I still have down days. I wouldn't say that I am 100% recovered but I am 90%.I find when Im down creating is very hard to do. When Im feeling good my creativity is unleashed and my head is full of ideas.

Thank you for allowing me share my story.Ly

Here is the link for you to see the quilt on my blog:
http://lydiastreasures.blogspot.co.nz/2009/12/my-christmas-quilts.html