Doodle Days

It is extremely frustrating not to be able to do something you love to do. Especially when it's been so hard to explain why I've found it so difficult to craft over the past few months. A few weeks ago I had a bit of an "aha moment" when I realised that I associate crafting with illness, with not being very mobile, and maybe even as a way of fending off the insanity of insomnia. In essence, I used to craft when I was at my lowest, and I think somewhere in the back of my mind I still associate the two. My life is so different since having surgery and moving back to Wales last winter - I am well, I'm healthy, I'm physically active, I sing, I'm sociable, I'm rarely at home, I'm happy - everything that I wasn't last year. And I think my avoidance of crafting is because I don't want to revert back to the way I was.

I'm being silly. Crafting is not going to make me ill again. And the sooner I break that association the better, because quite frankly (beware of the forthcoming blowing your own trumpet moment!) it's something that I'm good at. I shouldn't let my strange brain hold me back.

So, get to the point Nel. You're quite right I am rambling somewhat. I have been missing crafting. A lot. I've been craving that feeling of accomplishment when you see ideas plucked from your brain materialise into something real, touchable, beautiful. So to give myself a creative quick fix (and a little to save on funds, but mostly to satisfy a making itch), I doodled a couple of friends some Birthday cards:

My sister's fella now has an excuse to be grumpy and cantankerous!


Again, apologies for the crappy photography.

I think I'm really developing a liking for doodling. It's taming my symmetrical brain, things don't need to be even, seams don't need to match up, anything you imagine is fine and nothing is wrong. Happy days! And more importantly it's easing me into my old creative ways. I think all in all, it's gearing up to be a handmade Christmas after all!

Inspiration

It's October. October! Is it really October?? I decided that the best way to deal with my lack of sewing inspiration was to do nothing. Just let it come in it's own time. But that seems to have backfired somewhat because it's October. (Is it really October??)

But never fear my fellow craftsters, a recent addition to Jemima HQ has turned my uninspired-ness on it's head. Look!

I have been given, yes given, a 1947 fully functioning electric singer sewing machine. With detatchable hand crank no less. It is hands down the best present I've ever had.

Very annoyingly I've been having some camera trouble but I had to take this quick snap on my phone to show you the paintwork - it's pristine!!

Isn't it the most beatiful thing you've ever seen? I am officially in love. And I can't wait to give her a good workout. Watch this space for lots of crafty goings on! :)

In the Garden

Folksy Friday

Good morrow. How are we all on this fine day? Well fine day is pushing it a little but it's not raining so I'm happy. Unfortunately I'm no closer to finding my sewing mojo. I'd allocated today to sewing and crafty goodness, and so far I've done the washing up, tidied the flat, and baked a loaf of bread. I suppose it's no help that my rotary cutter seems to have grown a pair of legs and sneaked away. Grrrr where has it got to?!

Anyway, I've been looking at my stash and thought I'd try and make myself some cushion covers with some of the fabrics. As it happens my flat seems to have acquired a rainbow colour scheme so I've got free rain really. We'll see what I come up with.

But for your viewing pleasure, here's my Folksy Friday cushion selection:

The Language of Love by Betsy Jarvis.

Hand printed lampost cushion by Joanna Corney.

Screen printed flora cushion by Astrid Weigel.

Rue de Champs-Elysees screen printed cushion by Do Come Again!

Custard Cream screen printed cushion by Nikki Made.

So I seem to be back on top of the blogging malarkey - happy days! I'm hoping to get a few books reviewed for you over the weekend. For once I don't have many plans so I might hermit away in my garden (gray concreted yard more like!) with some yarn and enjoy the sunshine. Fun times! :)

Wishlist Wednesday

Oh look, a second blog post in a week. Might I actually be keeping my promise? I think so!

Now today's Wishlist Wednesday is a bit different. This is something for my immediate wish list, rather than my grown up one. You see I seem to have lost my sewing mojo. Boo! So far this year I've been all about the knitting, I've crocheted myself a throw and more recently I've been bitten by the growing bug, but I look at my sewing machine and I don't get that thrill of excitement I usually do. Anyone else gone through uninspired spells like this?? I'd appreciate some tips if you've got any!

Anyways I'll leave you with these pretty pics - maybe if I stare at them long enough I'll leap forth light bulb moment style and fire up the machine. Fingers crossed! :)

source

source

source

source

source

Bad Blogger

I have officially become an atrocious blogger. Slap my wrists someone. I can but apologize. I do however think that I'm settling in to a bit of a routine so things should be getting back to normal in the blogosphere. I've got a few crafty goings on to share with you this week, but as I've spent the past couple of days pottering around the garden I'll leave you with some spring flowers to enjoy in the mean time.

WIP Wednesday

Help! I have been lost under a pile of granny squares!

I decided that I'd make myself a housewarming prezzie so I thought I'd make me a throw for my sofa (yes I do now actually have a sofa - no more floor for me!). I've crocheted 81 of these purple and cream squares and I've joined two thirds of them but have sadly run out of yarn! So this project is being put on hold whilst I scour t'internet for a match.

Maybe I'll pick up the dreaded shawl and give that another go in the mean time!

Happy St. David's Day

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus i chi gyd! I spent our patron saint's day in our capitol city, marching through the streets of Cardiff in full Welsh costume. Pipes and drums and dancing - what better way is there to spend an afternoon??

Anyways I'm absolutely shattered now, so I'll love you and leave you in favor of a big bowl of cawl and a welshcake. Nos Da!