Top five things that are making me happy right now:
Having a new studio space to play in (admittedly, the lifting and organising makes me less happy)
Watching someone crochet on the bus the other day
Listening to audiobooks and podcasts
Knitting a tiny emotional support chicken
Being outside in the sunshine 🌞
I’m interested in mixed media and journalling so I’m working on collage elements right now. Hopefully I’ll be able to share them with you soon. This is a stack of leaves I have finished – watercolour, crayon, acrylic – whatever.
Yesterday I began working on birds. I began with watercolour blobs, then added Brusho – they are my favourites. After I remembered what a bird looks like, I progressed to line drawings. I think I’d like to do some crows next.
It feels so deliciously indulgent to take over the Big Table! Felicity the Monstera seems to like it up here too – I think she gets more light.
Here’s the thing. Stuff happened and life became very busy.
The short story: I have decided to start again with my mailing list. Please sign up below, thanks.
The longer version: I refreshed the website, and went to email my people about it, because it had been a while since I emailed them. When I got there I found my account had gone due to inactivity (thanks, Monkey!). Apparently, if you don’t email your list often enough, it vanishes into a void.
At first I was gutted. The people there have been reading my emails since I started, since I was Carry Yarn Stitching. We’ve laughed together during crochet and knitting classes, and hung out on social media.
It’s not a failure though, it’s just a new beginning. My style has changed, I work in more mediums. This way, starting from scratch, with a different setup, and I know that the people who sign up are aligned with where I’m going, and want to be part of it. It’s slower, friendlier, less hustle, and more in tune with how I actually work.
I do hope you’ll decide to join me on this creative adventure. I’ll be sending out newsletters every 2-4 weeks, with links to downloadable treats, behind-the-scenes joy and little updates. If you’re interested, please pop your email in the box below. As a thank you gift, there’s a free set of creative prompts for you to enjoy.
Let’s put the stupid monkey in it’s place. I promise I won’t shout constantly. That’s not how I work.
I’m had a wobbly website for a while, so I thought this was a good time to fix it, seeing as I’m supposed to be resting. It turns out I’m not great at ‘rest’. at least sitting at the PC stops me from lifting and twisting.
Mailing List Madness
There I was, quietly revitalising my website, and I thought I would just pop in a little signup form for my email newsletter. Well, it didn’t go as planned. My account had been deactivated because I sent too few emails, and now I am rebuilding my mailing list from scratch. I’ll look on the bright side though – my style has changed, and my workshops, so at least this way I’ll know the people receiving my emails are super interested. Still… sigh.
Daily Doodle Challenge
I started very gently, with a colouring book, in fact, but I’m trying to complete a daily sketch or doodle every day when I have my first coffee. It doesn’t always happen, and some are better than others, but it’s nice to start the day with something creative. I could do with some accountability – want to play?
Cats and squirrel drawingsNightshift shawl (knitting)
On my Needles
I’ve been knitting again. I’ve finished one pair of socks, and have another on the go. They are so portable. For a slightly tangier project, I have casted on the Nightshift Shawl, which I first at Edinburgh Yarn Festival several years ago. It’s finally time to start.
Easter Bonnet Workshops
I’ve been really busy pulling everything together for the Easter Bonnet workshops Preston City Coucil asked me to run on Avenham Park. I’ve roped in friends, and it’s been slightly chaotic but fun, and I’m mostly sane, even if I do keep finding butterflies stuck to my clothes, my leg, the dog…
Other Things
I’ve done a little bit of pottering too. I’ve started a new sourdough (it needs a name), and managed to bake a few good, if small, loaves in the Ninja. I’ve done a tiny bit of pottering in the garden – mainly sowing seeds for later. I’ve been reading about permaculture again and thinking about how best to utilise my space. I’m still not 100%, but I know I need to make room for a courgette and some tomatoes very soon.
Looking Ahead
It feels like things are coming together now, and settling down. I’m healing well and looking forward to going back to work soon. I have a few bits to finish on the website, and my daily sketchbook challenge is becoming a bit of a habit I’d like to continue.
I’m also looking forward to running new workshops and working with new organisations this year. I can feel my practice evolving, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.
Thank you for sticking with me throughout the chaos.
