Hello again...

Hello again... don't the months roll by? We were having this beautiful soft autumn and now there are only the last few leaves remaining, and it's cold, cold, cold. Winter is here. It felt quick didn't it? I've put grit on my drive-way and come eight in the evening I'm wondering whether it's bedtime.

I just wish I could remember what it was I wanted to say....I was so caught up in the photos.

Oh yes. I read a piece of good advice lately, from Tammy of Rowdy Kittens, Tammy wrote a 40 things to do before 40, and number 40 was 'stay in my lane'. To me that means, don't get too caught up in what everyone else is doing, trust in your own path. Sometimes, though, I'm not sure what is happening in my own lane.

I know I love to take photos and I've got a few things to say. I continue to look around me and wonder which part of my life needs my attention next. I like to be creative. I still harbour handmade dreams. I feel like I am beginning to come out of the fog of motherhood. Sometimes I think years may have gone by and nothing changed. I find myself trying to think backwards to try and remind myself of how I got to now. What were the things, that took up those chunks of time? Could I have done more? I tell myself to just be happy I landed here, now, somehow. It doesn't matter how I got here, only that I am here in one piece. Albeit, still a work in progress.

I stepped away from instagram a few days ago. I don't know how long for. I found myself trying to explain myself in increasing long posts, some changes I was trying to make with my shop and eventually I realised that I just needed to blog.

My teenager had been away several weekends ago and I had time to gather my thoughts enough to decide, that a name change or two, was imminent, a new shop name was happening, new/old ideas were about to fall perfectly into place. It all seemed so good.

I felt driven by the whole thing, then I felt uncertain. My self-care practices slipped away. I lost the alignment I had felt that weekend. Some kind of fierce momentum took over. Only instagram felt important. How does this happen? I think I may be someone who can't use social media, I'm not active on facebook either. Everything else falls away. What my own personal aims are. Whatever else I'm doing. The time to just look around me and see where I'm at. All gone.

So for now I closed the boxes. I will only use my phone for contact. A few days on and my mind is starting to feel expansive again, but I can feel it's pull. My awareness of what's happening around me is beginning to open up. I have some more time to think. I'm more available.

Perhaps it's just me, but I kept noticing how exhausted and driven some seemed as they felt compelled to post everyday. Some days ecstatic, and others vulnerable as they held on. A story of mulitiple accounts and scrolling at night while their family slept. It reminds me of one of those films where the hamster spins faster and faster on the wheel and you wonder if they're loving it or they just can't get off.....It's an addiction for sure. It's also a distraction.

I just need to remember that most creativity happens off-line, and if you are never off-line, it might not happen!

So we'll see what I will do about it. I yearn for simpler, for my own thoughts again. Also many people do have a website or blog, or newsletter so I can follow them in other ways.

So friends, be kindly, kindly, kind to yourself. Put down your phone. Take a deep breath. Do something else :-)

Heather

    ♥      

hello autumn world....

Oh here I am...back again, and it's Autumn :-)

How lovely. I've had a bit of time to reflect and review. 

To work out what I'm doing and how I want to carry on.

I have two pages of notes, but I think I just need to sum it up instead and say,

I still want to be here.

Three and a half years on. 

Two hundred and twenty three posts later. 

A few strange what an earth was I thinking of posts, (all still there!)

I like it here.

But I can't step back into it in the way that I was.

I can't step back into the spiral of blog reading.

I find myself spending much less time on-line. 

It's been a bit of a habit to break.

I feel like I'm getting to know me again.

Discovering blogs and blogging came at a time when I really needed it.

I always wanted to create a little business,

and I really want to put my energy there.

Which I guess means making things and doing shop things :-)

So this is what I plan to do.

I hope you understand.

I think there will be more tales to tell,

but it's definitely important to step back and watch the world go by now and again.

Blogging has helped define who I am, 

helped me to see what was already there, with new eyes.

Helped me to see what I want to move towards, 

and brought untold amounts of inspiration.

and I know that whatever that may be, 

it will contain a little bit of everyone I've ever met and enjoyed something of.

And that's the beautiful thing about creative glimmers and life evolving.

Thanks for reading and commenting along the way.

♥

fragrant

A calm and fragrant moment this morning. I kicked my heels in and spent a slow morning just pottering. I tipped some cinnamen and orange oil on my candle wax. They were the most christmassey oils I could find in my collection. I pulled a Goddess Oracle card, from my long forgotten pack. I knew any of the cards would have a message for me, but I was pleased to discover it was Ix Chel, goddess of creativity.

I think we can creatively imagine our lives. Choose to focus on where we are moving towards, how it would feel and be. I must confess, today I have struggled a bit with this. And chosen to focus on how it has been and what I don't want. It feels kind of acute. Maybe it's necessary. I don't want to fixate on impossible things, because I don't think it's helpful. I'm considering making some kind of mood board over the holidays. Just for everything, because it feels like it needs to be for everything!

I'm finding these daily posts really helpful. It's almost like a mediation. It keeps bringing me back to myself. I'm kind of checking back in. Helpful for letting the strong impressions of the day dissolve back into nothing. Just letting it pass. A breathing out.

♥

The very lovely wool felt art snowman card was made by my friend Lucy, you can see more of her artwork here.

oh ladies of the friday flea.....

vintage linens

Oh ladies of the friday flea, we do love you so, especially when you say 20p an item!

Please excuse the random photos in this post. I managed to lose all my holiday photos, before I could even look at them.....which can only mean I will need to go back there one day. I was looking forward to showing you the lovely beach at Durdles Door and reliving the lovely heatwave dip in the sea..... But not the treacherous climb to the beach!.....I think I'm okay with it, I have to let them go, although I'm trying to persuade the teen to get some of his instagram photos printed.

It's just another sign that I need a new camera and to try and hustle that up to the top of the list. Sometimes we just have to work with what we've got.

vintage hangers - I know what I'm going to do with these!

So I am back, and hello again. I didn't plan on it being such a long break, but somehow the loss of the photos seemed to leave my blog at the last post about the seven mile peace scarf for several weeks. Somehow I feel like it was the least I could do. I wish I had supported Jaine of Beeswax and Broomsticks more in her Wool against weapons quest.

The last 18 months or so for her must have been hugely challenging. I'm sure she would have felt as though her life had been taken over by this scarf. I confess when she told me about it I felt that it was just too much to make happen..... But she did it..... I can only look on in awe at the level of commitment that must have taken. How do you get 6,000 pieces of one metre length scarf made and sent to you?!.... You can see a 5 minute film of the day the scarf was rolled out here. Didn't they do well.

vintage embroidery brooch

Before my holiday I made a few embroidery brooches. I have decided it's all together easier to chop up napkins, rather than large table cloths, and that it would probably be fun to learn to embroider a few myself. Brooches that is not tablecloths.

vintage letter stamps

I'm looking forward to using these again. I'm still very much hoping to put more energy into my shop. For me this summer has been more about shuffling things around at home, fixing broken things (or finding someone who can!) summer jobs. The eternal quest to de-clutter. Making home, it's so very important to me.

blue bird toffees

So I'm glad I managed the summer holiday mission with the teen. He agreed to come. We both tried. It's hard to please a nearly 16 year old who wants to hang out and a Mum who wants to gallavant around the countryside having little coastal adventures! compromises were made. Maybe a little bit of new ground was found too. A bit of a space from the uncertainty that has surrounded us. I can see this newly growing up teenager now another year older and pretty grown up sometimes, becoming more ready to step into some new possibilties in a stronger way. The ground is feeling pretty solid beneath our feet right. I am so thankful really. Sometimes life can seem a little quiet. But I think quiet and steady is what we need right now.

It's great to say hi again. Thanks for coming by. Hope to catch up more soon. X

summery makes part 1

After last nights three hour deluge of rain, thunder and lightning, following an extremely hot day, I think we can officially declare British summertime is here.

Not that anyone is complaining, it really was rather spendid and all that water on the plants after all that heat can only be a good thing.

So it's time for me to show the first of my new summer makes. I found a couple of vintage curtains to transform. The dark blue floral fabric is some lovely Sanderson fabric. A pretty table cloth and a serviette! I based the size on a bag I already have, made some lining, added a flap and a little pocket. I feel like the bag is a cross between Cath kidston and the lovely granny chic of dottie angel. I'm not sure how either of them would actually feel about that!

Lest that sound too easy, I can assure you I had a good wrestle with the lining fabric and strap! But it somehow all found it's place.

All I need now is a dusting of granny chic bravery as I step out wearing my transformed curtains, table cloth and serviette. What's that?......oh of course, that is the whole granny chic point!

Well I do love it so I shall be brave, and today's the day.

It was so nice to use up some of this fabric, I have been collecting madly. The cross stitch on the little handy pocket, inspired some more around the flap. This is a secret pocket/label for hiding secret lists in. Lists of adventurous and brave things. And maybe a shopping list too. So wish me luck as I step out with some hopeful granny chic bravery.

Oh and Miss Trissie was very happy about it too!

Have a lovely summery weekend.

a pretty fabric covered notice board

I have been having fun with vintage fabric and cork boards.

This has been on my so easy craft list for ages!

how to prettify a corner of your life.

I used the cork boards available from here. It's a smallish size which can easily be covered by less than a fat quarter of fabric, so take your pick from the vast array of pretty fabrics out there. It can easily be changed, which is also nice. I like these boards because the fabric can tuck right over the edge without a frame to deal with.

Cut the fabric to fit the board. I used an extra layer of white cotton underneath. Now just smooth the fabric over as if you were making up a bed! Tuck in the corners like a parcel. Best not to leave them too bulky. I fixed my fabric on with drawing pins also from the same place. If you have a staple gun you could use that.

Aim for a nice smooth finish.

Stand back and admire your new notice board!

Photo taken at Glastonbury about 1995!

Attach momentos. The board are thin, so best for display rather than changing every day.

Pop a nail in the wall and bobs your uncle!

The notice board is soon covered, but looking a whole lot prettier.

De-clutter your work space.

My new corner!

That feels much better.

Onto another lovely screen saver from here.

  

Enjoying my Earth Pathways diary from here. The cup is cute. It belonged to my Mum. I love the mouse handle.

Of course I didn't just stop at one!

Oh no.

This one is for my jewellery.

I stitched on vintage buttons to some ribbons, and attached these with drawing pins, in the same way as before. Very simple. With hindsight you are probably best to stagger the buttons, so you can hang necklaces, bracelets and earings quite easily.

Amazingly this board was exactly the right size to fit an old frame I have been holding on to! I painted it first with some left over paint.

Did a clever trick with some small nails around the edge to hold the board to the frame. I used the string already on the frame to hang the board and et viola!

I'm enjoying this in my room. It's nice to hang keepsakes that might otherwise be away in a box and enjoy seeing them.

The 'love who you are' garland will be available in my shop just as soon as I've listed it.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. I enjoyed making them. I hope you do too.

♥♥♥

So said I

So I started a new cushion........a chance question led to a spontaneous burst of new cushion!

Just a little cushion it was going to be......

16 circles, which suddenly grew to 25.......and why not!

Just a little join-as-you-go, and then the border.

And anyone who's ever made a cushion knows it doesn't stop there......!

a certain amount of commitment takes it to the next stage.

darning in those ends! has to be done, nice and neat. Only a hundred plus!

time to machine sew a cushion cover now and over-lock the seams. Then the final mission is to hand stitch the crochet to the cover. Totally not the best the bit!! That's what thimbles are for right!

So not quite finished yet. It's a lot of work. I think they look fab, but it's a lot of work!

And although I've been sizing this one up for my couch, it will be going in my shop! :-)

and so said I.

three wishes

On the morning of boxing day I awoke from a dream where I had been granted three wishes by the christmas fairy. Isn't that lovely. Three special wishes for my life. It couldn't be more simpler. For all my aims and thoughts and shoulds and wants and hopes. When you break it down it's really very clear. I think she helped show me that.

From where I have been sleeping on a couch bed underneath the window sill, she has been next to me all through christmas. 

When I awoke I remembered straight away what my wishes were while I was sleeping. I don't believe if I tell you these that it means that they won't happen. I can tell you that my first wish wasn't for world peace, as it may have been had I been awake.

No these were instinctive, for me, for my life, for my love, my personal wishes.

My first wish was that my son would find his way to an education which works for him. I'm open to anything which works. It doesn't have to be the normal way of things, and I understand that it's not everything. A whole load of doors will still open for a boy who is smart, articulate and kind. I just want to help him find his way. I want to help him step into whatever that may be.

My second wish for our health and happiness. We aren't dealing with anything too major. I just feel that we could both be feeling better, healthier. I want us to be bursting with feel good vitamins and happy endorphins. Living life with good energy levels. When I go for my yearly health check ups I want all the numbers in the right places. I want to have confidence in my health for years to come.

My third wish is really all mine. I wish for my creative dreams, for my inspirations, for my ability and know how to find it's way here. I want to be brimming over in ideas, in creativity, loving the process, building something. I want to find the possibilities, the story, the magic. It's a biggy. I know.

And I'm prepared to work for this. I'm prepared to show up for it all. I'm ready to commit. I want to be able to say, this is my life, this is what I do, this is what I'm here for. All of it.

finding my way back to colour

I've finally found my way back to working with lots of colour! These colourful crochet circles are edged in a off-white colour with a silver thread running through. I'm not sure how easily you can see the silver here. It has been a fun and sparkly project to work in the evenings.

The idea was sparked by Ale's christmas tree project and the need to wip up a few christmas presents.

I used Debi at hooks and yarn's pattern for her squircle using the pattern for the first two rounds of trebles. Then I added a further round of single crochet and then a border of alternating single crochet and a chain. Does that make sense?!

I think you can see the sparkle here and i'm having fun with the photos. So as it's christmas I'll get them all out!

of course I wanted to keep them all!

but knew i wasn't going to......they were destined to become 'happy garlands of colour and sparkle' and on their way to add some cheer in other folks homes!

  

and it was so hard to see them go that I had to make myself a little one too!

It's looking quite festive here now. The tree is up. I just love the smell of tinsel! and my woollies tree. It has a very definite christmas smell! 

Tonight I will look for some greenery and a lovely candle to burn as today is the winter solstice. It's nice to mark the return of the light and longer days in a peaceful and warm way, thinking of hopes and wishes for the future. 

wishing you a happy solstice,

Heather

X