When life gives you lemons....make something....

Ok...it has been a while since I posted and I promise I have a good excuse...really.  I have had numerous stressful and unfortunate events happen within a short period of time and I have not had time to recover.  My mother in the hospital and my father now has a staph infection along with cancer.  I feel like things are crashing down.  So, with my inability to sleep I am contemplating why I am not feverishly crocheting or sewing.....I think I hit a point where I don't have any desire to create.  That is very frightening to me because I have always looked at crafting as a source of calm and now with perhaps a bit too much happening I am feeling a bit down. 

On a nice note someone on Etsy has featured my Bubblebee legwarmers in their treasury.  That kind of lifted my spirits a bit.   Sitting here in the weeee morning hours looking at my daughter sleeping on my footside makes me appreciate the here and now and the beauty in innocence.

So future goals is to find my motivation and get excited to create something.  As long as I am busy and creating something I am proud of.  I am my own worst enemy and critic when it comes to anything I do...which is why I delay my own productivity if things are just not working the way they should.

So, I ask for prayers...if you believe and if you dont just a good thought coming my way for some patience to make it through this...no matter what the outcome.

Crafting....therapy or cause to get therapy?

I have always been a bit scattered brained when it comes to creative persuits.  One day I would want to sew and one day paint and then the next some other interesting craft.  Creativity is who I am.  At least I know that much about myself. 

Lately I have been a bit yarn obsessed.  When I visit my local craft store I am the loon feeling all the fibers.  People have given me looks and probably think I am off my rocker and perhaps I am a bit.  You kind of have to be if you are as obsessed as I am about crafting.  I think about it all the time...especially when going through any kind of change or struggle.  Even now with my father sick and my own concern for my family's well-being and our own personal financial situation.  I know its not uncommon to anyone else in this world but I have a tendency to downward spiral when things get to me.  Luckily because of my fiber obsession and my children and neices I am able to rebound pretty quickly.  One reason is out of necessity and one is because it is so nice to emmerse myself into a project.  I wonder if I am the only crazy nut who does this.

Next on the website I am creating hand made washcloths out of Lion Brand Cotton Ease.  This is a wonderful fiber both soft and easy to work with.  Unlike 100% cotton which can be rather stiff to the touch when working with it it is a soft combinaiton of cotton and other fibers.  It washes wonderfully as well.

Onward.....to create and re-create....

The Sewing Experience.

So I am thinking about what to create next.  Sometimes it has to come from a basic idea.  For now I am at a loss.

I have been sitting and looking at this serger my dear husband got for me X-mastime and I am admiring how it is gathering dust.  I am afraid to break it....I must overcome this fear.  My first sewing experience was the same way.  I read the instructions, I started sewing happily on my first machine..a Singer.  It did the trick.  Then, technology took over and I got greedy.....I wanted more.  Next, the Brother SE-370? the combination sewing and embroidery machine with dreams of embroidering everything in site.  My dreams are very often larger than my reality so I finally tried it after a while..set the pattern, the emboidery hoop, the upper thread set with embroidery thread.  Then I set the hoop in with the stablilized material.  Turned it on and it ran for a few stitches...then.....BRAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPP all ceased.

Long story short (I know tooo late) and $240.00 later the machine was returned and working.  I did not touch it for a while.  Then one day at one of my local craft stores a salesperson told me not only did I have to use embroidery thread for the top, but I had to use embroidery thread for the bobbin.  I felt both relieved and embarrassed at the same time.

Now that I learned from my mistakes I must be brave and undertake the SERGER.....

One Day At A Time

As time goes on and the initial excitement of starting a shop goes away then reality sets in....oh ok now I have to get people to look at my work and want to purchase my stuff.  I don't consider myself and artist, just someone who enjoys making things.  I have always been that way since I can remember.  My mom always encouraged me to try anything creative and supported me in these endeavors.  My only problem was chosing one and perfecting my skills.  It wasn't until I was older with a family of my own that it does take practice to master any skill. 

I hope that in time things will get moving.  Some things cannot be rushed and I need to stay hopeful and not give up.  I hope anyone else that reads this who is struggling with anything new that giving up is never knowing what may happen.  The sayings about it is the journey not the destination must have been written by someone with great knowlege and patience.

I hope to get new items in my shop soon.  I am currently working on more accessories like change purses to go with the pocketbook which I am proud of creating and able to accomplish. 

I welcome any suggestions, comments, advise or anything you want to add.

More on the journey as things progress...