Monday 29 September 2008

Sew hard



If I were still at school I could imagine the words on my school report right now, those dreaded "needs to concentrate more", "too easily distracted", "must remain focussed". That's right I've been too much of a butterfly of late, flitting around from one thing to another, being drawn to the pretty and ignoring the nitty gritty.



I have found it really difficult to get myself into any kind of routine over the past few weeks. I have a notebook full of ideas, wishes and "things to do" and haven't been able to settle at any of them. I know the dentist has been looming and making me feel uneasy but now that's out of the way for a while I really need to get on with things.



If I were at school I think I would have to sit on my hands to stop me fidgeting and fiddling. Too many things going on in the brain and not enough to show for them. I thought I'd get back behind the sewing machine last week but decided to sort out my sewing cupboard first.



As a result I spent two hours playing with bits of fabric and looking at all my old bits and bobs.



Packets of old needles - if you're going to make needles, could you want for a better name than "Mr Prickle" I wonder.



Along with Mr Bun the baker, Mr Bone the butcher perhaps there could be a haberdashery family ... there you see I'm going off on a tangent yet again!



So an afternoon past with very little to show for it. I wonder if I'm just a little afraid to start sewing again? I wonder if I need to leave it for a while or just get on with it? The lack of time over the summer to get on with any crafting has resulted in a slight lack of confidence and enthusiasm.



I don't think this unexpectedly beautiful weather has helped. As soon as the sun hits the kitchen window I'm off into the garden it does seem too good to waste. We spent Saturday on the beach, who would have thought that on the last weekend in September Big and Little Sister would be swimming in the chillingly blue sea whilst we lay reading the newspapers and eating our lunch. No need to focus here, for the first time in ages I felt really relaxed, really enjoying the moment. Knowing that the sunshine was bound not to last made us appreciate it even the more.



Temptation came my way the other day too.



I won this US copy of Country Living from a giveaway held by the lovelyDeborah. Thank you! I sat and read it the other afternoon after the dentist and it did the trick!



I have also been lucky enough to win two other giveaways recently. Do you see this lovely little cup and saucer with the butterflies on it? It is from the very kind Catherine. I seem to have a growing collection of all things "Nature related" on my fireplace and this cup and saucer fits in so well, I love it. I guess it's a sort of nature table next to the computer. Thanks so much Catherine, my mother use to collect little cups and saucers like this, I'm not sure what happened to all of them so it's really good to have one again.



And that's not all - a while ago I won this lovely spotty Cath Kidston shopping bag from Tesco from Sian in another giveaway. Thank you too! It looks lovely in my kitchen and makes a trip to the shops a little less dreary.



So it is now 3.30pm and I started to write this post at 9.30am ... In between I have helped at school, done the food shopping, two loads of washing and some ironing, but still no sewing! This evening I am planning to start some ragrugging - we'll see...

34 comments:

Betty said...

I've had days like that too where I think more about what I want to do than actually do it. I suppose you could just make yourself sit down and create something. Just doing it would get you back in the mood, I think....

Berber said...

Wasn't it a beautiful weekend? We enjoyed the sun as much as we could as well, unfortunately not at the beach, but it was good in our garden too!

Anonymous said...

I so know what you mean about not being able to settle to do anythingbut we do have to take advantage of these last warm days don't we?

Sal said...

I think us mums spend our lives juggling everything around and often it makes us feel guilty when we don't achieve as much as we'd like..when in fact we ought to be giving ourselves a damn good pat on the back for what we do achieve in a day!!
Now and again, I 'flit' and can't settle to one thing! So I know how you feel ;-)

A Thrifty Mrs said...

I have become somewhat of a butterfly too. I want to cement myself down for a while and get at least one job done!

Gorgeous photos by the way.

tess said...

well it seems like even without sewing you've had a lovely time looking at all your things - I often get everything out, look at it, and then put it away, somewhere I've packed away my ability to focus and I just can't find it............

dottycookie said...

Your day sounds a lot like mine! I have the PTA coming round later but instead of getting on with bedtime and tidying up, what am I doing? Reading blogs. Humph. Hope we both get back into our groove soon!

MelMel said...

I'm meant to be starting my ragrug....but now discovered my CV is rubbish and need to do that!
I feel as tho i have amillion and one things to do yet i can't think what they are!
Not good!
i feel slightly anxious!
Your post is lovely tho and thats a job done well!
xxxxxxx

Elizabethd said...

What lovely things you have won recently.
It is hard to get back into sewing after a time away, I am finding that I almost have to force myself to open up the cross stitch box.....but once started I'm fine!

Here, There, Elsewhere... and more said...

Beautiful post - I can soo relate to this post - I came across this article not long ago in The Guardian, that's more or less on the same theme - loved it, sooo true:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/aug/13/7
Have a great week..:)

Thimbleanna said...

Love that Mr. Prickles! I sounds like you had a beautiful weekend. and you certainly shouldn't have a confidence problem -- I've seen your work and it's fabulous!!!

Summer by the sea said...

I always seem to have a head full of ideas and lots of different projects on the go - Im currently in the middle of a crochet granny blanket (30 squares done, 26 to go), a bunny that I have been commissioned to make for a new baby and somehow I got sidetracked, and started making some robin christmas decorations, 3 things I need to get on with, all half done! - Natalie x

Anonymous said...

Some days the time seems to go really fast, doesn't it without getting much done?
Love all your pretty things. I've a few bits of old sewing stuff, but not as lovely as these.
Margaret and Noreen

Anonymous said...

I feel like a butterfly myself at time going to one thing then the next and not settling on any one thing for very long.
But like you say when the weather is nice the mice will play!
Winter is coming then we will get more done!
Diane

{oc cottage} said...

I did enjoy seeing all the bit & bobs!!!!

M ^..^

Pondside said...

I thought of you when I went to the dentist this morning - thank heavens, just for the routine every-six-months check-up.
I keep on planning for a day to spend in the boxes of fabric, bits of lace, patterns and 'stuff' that are in the guest room closet. I haven't got around to it yet - but this was an inspiration.

Fancy Elastic said...

Ah, forgive yourself. It'll come back, just enjoy doing some other bits and bobs for a while.

x

Niki Fretwell said...

I think drifting along is fine Kim - you should be creative when you feel like being so.
I struggle to work to dealines and then end up unhappy with the results, I would always prefer to sew when I am in the mood.... trouble is, that's usually when the dinner needs cooking or some other chore that I can't really get out of!

Love the collection of needle packets that you have - they just aren't wrapped like that any more - such a shame.

Hope you find your crafting spirit soon,
Niki x

Gone to Earth said...

I think I'd be distracted by all those bit and bobs. What are 'blond' needles? The weather has been so dreadful through the summer that I think it'd be a crime to waste beautiful days when they come along. I'm sure you'll get back to sewing soon enough. There's something for you on my blog.

Tracy said...

Hi, Kim! Your vintage sewing paraphernalia, bits & bobs are very pretty...and must inspire! ;o) But I do know what you mean...It is hard to get back into the swing of things after the distractions and treats of summer! I hope your find your way again..But do be kind to yourself in the meantime...Wings are meant to fly and discover, after all :o) Happy Days ((HUGS)) Oh, stop by if you get a chance--I'm having a fun giveaway this week!

Heidi said...

You are too hard on yourself Kim. I think it is the time of year. We all seem to be in a dreamy state as summer has ended. We are all preparing for a creative autumn, winter and spring season and that creates a moment of wondering in our minds. I do think that decluttering your sewing cupboard is definately doing something. Mine needs done again. Want to help? :) I am sure your juices will start to flow and lots of wonderful things will result. Congratulations on your recent wins. I never win any giveaways and cannot imagine winning three in a row like that. Enjoy everything!

Hugs ~
Heidi

Sea Angels said...

Hello Kim, I would just like to say I can really empathise with your teeth.....I live in fear of the dentist finding something that needs attention in my mouth, and I have too few teeth to keep him occupied so I think he looks closer....I hope you are ok nowxxx
Why should we work when the sun shines!!!don't ever feel bad about that..Heck!! I've not seen hardly any sun, so to read about your girls swimming is fabulous, no everything else can wait. Same with the sewing...when the time is right you will come up with a super new projet and there will be no stopping you, not with that gorgeous collection of sewing items, they are lovely. Have a super week...OH look it's raining again.....
Love and hugs Lynn xx

julia said...

I'm the world's greatest procrastinator, I've worked out that I need a deadline to work towards or I just fanny about and achieve absolutely nothing. So I know exactly where you're coming from, but I doubt I'll ever change! You'll probably find that when you start that first project again it'll all come flooding back and you won't be able to put that sewing down.
Julia xx
Julia xx

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Not enough hours in a day!
We used to have a doctor here named Dr. Cuthoff (pronounced Cut-off!)

This Vintage Life... said...

I'm not so much a butterfly as the queen of procrastination. "Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow!" I get up every single day with a long list of things to achieve and do they all get done?
I think we're actually made to feel guilty if we're not 'multi-tasking' (horrible term) all the time. Who's that organised for heavens sake and I say enjoy that beautiful beach while you can. There'll be plenty of rainy days to come for sewing and the like.
Deb x

Pam said...

I wish I had the time to footer about. But anyway, we enjoyed the fruits of your footering.

Teena Vallerine said...

Oh just love Mr Prickles needls. I have lots of 'flora Mcdonald' needles - why was flora so into her needles I onder- perhaps she could have married Mr Prickles! t.x

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

What with the uneasiness with the dentist on the one hand, and the outdoor beauty on the other, I think it's natural you'd be unable to concentrate on anything much. Just let yourself absorb all the beauty to counteract the other... it will all come right soon enough and you'll sew because you want to again.

Anonymous said...

Now this sounds all too familiar to me! I think I have led myself to believe that all good things come to those that wait.. and that includes inspiration and motivation and finally a belated comment from Dottie x

Lucy Bloom said...

Oh dear, we all have days like that Kim, I have so many jobs on the go I don't know where to start and end up doing nothing except panic! Looking at your comments, it's not so uncommon. I wish someone had the answer...
Lucy x

Country Bliss said...

I love Mr Prickles needles,how apt!
I spend many days dithering about and on others I get loads done. I blame the weather it's been too nice, I did a post in a similar vein yesterday!
Yvonne

Mary Poppins said...

We are who we are and i applaud all you do, We need time to enjoy our families and friends, we all have tonnes to do but sometimes can't squeeze it all in :) I am very much a butterfly and you know what i like being a butterfly, I enjoy flittering from one thing to another and my School report always spoke of me being easily distracted :)
Lots Of Love Mary X

Cape Cod Washashore said...

I have those days CONSTANTLY! I've been taking an enameling class, which is diverting my attention even more! Then I read in your post about laundry, and it reminded me that I have three loads' worth waiting for me in the cellar, which I didn't finish this morning! heehee =)

mountainear said...

With a treasure trove like your sewing cupboard I would be away with the fairies for weeks. I thought of you at our local car boot on Sunday - there are always rather sad little baskets of shabby things from a once essential sewing basket. Can't imagine how necessary knicker elastic once was can you?