Why do I blog?



Why do I give myself the challenge of regular blogging?  Especially as at the moment I am going through a phase of being rather blocked and un-creative?  And then I get a bit worried that I cannot even blog properly.

Well, it’s easy really.

1. I have a stimulus – I don’t belong to a regular group and I don’t do frequent classes.  Having a blog gives me a reason and a purpose to do stuff – without it I might just lapse into doing nothing which would then just add to my frustration.

2. I meet people – when I set out on this blog journey I had no idea how people would find me (or indeed if any ever would) but now I have regular followers and people who comment on my blog.  And I feel I am becoming part of a unique creative community (and not just one in the UK – Kit pops by regularly and she is in Canada)

3. I get feedback – I put something up and people give me a bit of feedback – and I really welcome the constructive criticism.  I don’t show regularly (I haven’t really been very brave) but this is a way of dipping my toe in the water of getting my work out there

4. If I have found a technique I want to share it – adult training is part of the ‘day job’ so I guess it is in my make up!

Just writing this down, makes me feel better.  Right Whippet X wants a walk and I have books to do for Son No1 (all reasons why I cannot be creative!  But valid ones – not housework).

But sadly I couldn't - not today.

MOSI has a conference venue, and that's where I was headed.  And I have to say it was a good day - but we talked about apprenticeships, the funding issue, QCF, functional skills etc. etc.

And frustratingly elsewhere in MOSI there is a whole textile industry history to explore.  Another time perhaps, but if you are in the area it might be worth popping in!

Explore MOSI | Explore MOSI Themes | Industry & Innovation | Textile Industry | MOSI

I have textile heroes and heroines (and more likely they will be heroines) all around the world.

But one such is pretty close to home - I am a real fan of the wonderful Annabel Rainbow and her life quilt series is stunning.  I have watched the development of 'Life 4 - Hello dear, what did you do today' through her blog.

As well as being one of the artists showing in the Orientation Exhibition at Redditch she is also arranging an exhibition  at the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum, from 18 October 2012 - 13 January 2013.

You can read more about the forthcoming exhibition here, and see a pic of Annabel and her wonderful quilt! 

Through Our Hands, an international quilting exhibition - Quilt Shows:

JUNKAHOLIQUE: DIY BABY - Part 7:

This lovely crafty lady has been charting the preparations for her (very vintage) baby.

Now, I am sure that many of you will not necessarily be into this, but she does take lovely pics and has some lovely things in her life.

The reason for sharing this little entry with you is just the sheer genius of using the inside of a kinda egg to hide a bell into stitched toy block!  It's definitely a  'why didn't I think of that' moment (not that I make many toys - since my babies are now bigger than me!)

Worth a peek if you are sewing for grand children etc.

Golly - but I am feeling blocked!

Maybe it's because I am having a grim time at work trying to get to grips with the joys and delights of Kitemarking (don't ask), or maybe it's because I am behind on my book keeping duties for Son No 1.

What ever it is, the creative juices just are not flowing at the moment.

However, all is not lost as I have, I think, managed to finish one of the velvet based garden pieces. (i started this little journey back in July with the wonderful Angie Hughes at the Bramble Patch)

I had stitched the organza onto the printed and painted velvet and blasted some of the organza away with a heat gun, but it still looked a bit, well, flat and drab.


So, I got out my inks! (not the brusho inks, but some acrylic inks I already had - honestly some of the girls in the office have a shoe addiction - I think I have an arts materials addiction.  This has to stop, but that is probably another story entirely!)


And I did a bit of touching up.  Very light and subtle - I don't want it to look painted.


I hope you can tell from this photo, but the arch way in the middle of the image and some of the leaves are brighter.

Better I think.  Now I just have to finish it's partner (started at the same time, but the stitching isn't finished yet).

Ok, so maybe not quite so blocked!