Hello readers, as you may have noticed, I’ve been away from blogging land for a while. No excuses – my blogging / stitching mojo just seemed to pop off somewhere – I guess everyday life just took over!
I haven’t managed to immersed myself in a new project. I keep thinking about starting something new and then become a bit lost and stuck on what to make. Either that, or the phone rings and before I know it I haven’t even found a pattern let alone cast on or started a foundation chain!
Do you ever get patches like that?
To try to kick-start the crafty drive, I’ve been dabbling in a few creative things like….
…adding a bias band to the bodice of a poor eBay buy to create a vintage style dress. “Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing” was a great inspiration and help!
….crocheting a new yellow edge onto an old picnic blanket;
….spraying the garden furniture (much to my husbands dislike!) the same colour as our hydrangea.
…..crocheting a silver necklace from a beautiful shimmery fibre.
…popping up to West Deans Design and Craft Fair with one of my daughters to take in the beautiful gardens….
…. and having a go at making an indian ink “expressive stroke” concertina book in one of the workshops. Considering Art is not my strong point, I was really amazed at what you could create in 1.5 hours!
So, what have you been up to this summer?
What gets you “back in the zone” when you have lost your blogging / crafty mojo?
Send me your comments – I would love to know!
thestitchsharer 
You’ve done a lot really!!! Love the book. I find that the old saying “necessity is the mother of invention” is what gets me going. When I need something I get inspired and get on and do it. Like recently needing some cool cotton tops before a weekend trip which I knew would be very hot, and knowing I couldn’t just take my old stuff I wear at home – ! – I very quickly made two in the few days before we went. Also, I cycle a lot, and having just got a new bike, I need a different size bag to go on the rack at the back, so I’m thinking up a design for that. So maybe just wait for necessity!
Thank you for your lovely comment. My daughter wants me to make her some panniers for her bike too, have you found any good patterns or how to guides for making them?
Well, I’ve already got a good pair of panniers that work well on my new bike, but on my old bike I had a bag on top of the rack too, which was useful if I didn’t want the panniers on. But as my new bike has a higher cross bar (old one was easy to step through) I now swing my leg over the saddle, and this old bag (sounds like me!!) is too high and gets in the way. So I’ve measured up and am going to make up my
own pattern for one that is not so high. I intend to make it so that I can remove it
from the bike and carry it as a shoulder bag. I’ve made lots of bags in the past with my own patterns so hopefully I can do this too!
Are you going to use clips to attach it or ties?
Will probably try straps that go right round the rack and fix with either clips or velcro or a combination of the two! If I ever get round to actually doing it I’ll send you a pic! Sewing jobs and making preserves (they earn me money….) plus riding the bike, are taking over at the moment!
Oh yes please, Would love to see a photo when they are made. X
Ah yes, I’ve been struggling with blogging regularly since moving house. I have a million and one projects on the go but can’t seem to settle down to work on just one, I flit from this to that to t’other. I blame the sunshine, it makes us too snoozy! Don’t worry, you are a lovely talented lady, your mojo will return when you least expect it and we’ll all be here when it does 🙂
Thank you for your lovely words. We were thinking of moving house too, although it was really exciting, it was a complete energy zapper too! Wishing you every happiness in your new home. X
I’ve been having a patch like that too. Everyday life got really busy and I got tired and didn’t touch anything crafty for a while. Like Jill said, given time it passes. Things have calmed down a bit now and I’m slowly getting back into it. I have picked up my long term projects again and am beginning to get ideas. The desire to create is back 🙂
That’s really encouraging to hear. What’s the long term project your working on atm?
wow – what fun things you have been doing instead! When one craft leaves me cold, I try to switch to something new. Classes, craft fairs, roaming the internet all help me come up with new ideas, but mostly, I like magazines and catalogs. I always get ideas how I can do things prettier/cheaper/differently, but the inspiration starts with the pretty picture. 🙂
That’s a great tip, magazine shelf here I come! X
🙂
I find it quite hard to motivate myself when the sun is shining, I love to sit in the sun and read! I am currently devouring the Game of Thrones books!
Absolutely, nothing better! I’ve heard how good the Games of a Thrones is, must pop it onto my ‘must read’ list. X
That’s inspiring Bella. Good to see you back.
Thank you, I can’t wait to get creative again! X
Ooh lovely projects, I love the vintage dress especially! Looks like you’ve been quite busy and creative to me! Hope this spurs you on to more making and sharing, your stuff is so pretty!
Thank you, I’m thinking of starting a blanket, something I can pick up and put down when I’m too tired to think! X
You sound like you’ve been quite busy craftwise despite the trough!
It happens. Happens to me sometimes. I’ve found there is absolutely nothing to do, just live through it and it’ll come back when it’s ready. Something you see or read will spark it off again 🙂
That sounds like great words of wisdom. Thank you 🙂