Inspiration – part 3
I’ve managed a little crafting these past two Easter weeks, a top for me and a new necklace idea thats turned out fab – I’ll post some pictures this next week. So I thought I carry on with my Inspiration series and share some of the blogs I like and why. To be fair there are so many so I thought I’d start at the beginning, original I know, and save some for future posts.
I know it sounds dramatic but it had to start somewhere and that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for a blog called quilt while your ahead.
About 4 years ago we’d moved from Blackpool to South Wales, then my youngest started school full time, I started helping out at school and Age Concern for a few days a week but essentially I was bored, I needed something to occupy my mind and hands. I’d started exploring the Internet, excited at the possibilities when I found this blog. It was a revelation; a blog? It was like being back at college, sharing in these discussions about what we were working on, ideas we had, though it did feel a little voyeuristic at first – I was reading this persons journal! I saw that people commented and I thought I could never do that, I don’t know her, but the strange thing about the Internet is the intimacy it portrays. I didn’t feel alone anymore (and by that I mean someone who shared my love of craft/art/textiles). I checked in on her blog every week (and still do) and it started to inspire me to do something again.
Through her blogroll (yes, even more people like me!!) I found Moonstitches. Words cannot sufficiently describe her skill with crochet, knitting, sewing. And her writing is so poetic, her photography simple and beautiful.
These blogs really did inspire me to Do Something. I’d always sewn, patchworked, embroidered but I’d never crocheted before, I’d tried when I was young but being left handed and my mum and nan being right handed it was all just too confusing for everyone! But reading these blogs and seeing these amazing creations with just a hook and ball of wool (and a lot of skill!)among lots of others I was finding now, and having the time, I decided to try again.
As you may have guessed I figured it out this time and absolutely loved it! The repetitive motion of the hook, the wool gently feeding through your fingers; it is such a beautifully tactile thing to do with your hands.
I stumbled upon the Ravelry community which was wonderful, but the best thing? On one of their forums someone suggested I join one called Crafteroo, I can’t remember who it was now, but I had a look. As I don’t want this post to be a rambling history of my life its suffice to say that I owe everything from that moment on to them really - doing craft fairs, selling stuff, this blog and the confidence to actually do it!
So there you go; quilt while your ahead, Moonstitches and Crafteroo. There are lots of others, but that’s for another post, if you don’t know them check them out, inspirational, well written and great!
Moonstitches was one of the first blogs i found too – i love crochet blogs even though i don’t work in that medium – it’s something about the colours i think.
aww i’m glad you found Crafter…oo – it wouldn’t be the same without you x
Housework sluts unit vV!
Thank you for telling us about your inspiritation history. It is very interesting.
I have always had an interest in crafts but done little. I accidently stumbled across a craft blog just a few months ago which has led to me following half a dozen now and has also led to me learning to crochet and i am totally ‘hooked’ even though a complete beginner. Like you, i am left handed and it does make it a bit more of a challenge.
Recently I discovered your lovely blog. So now YOU are inspiring a newcomer! Thank you!
I read Monica’s blog too, but the one that got me hooked was Yarnstorm, which I looked up after reading Jane Brockets lovely book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity. Once I discovered all these amazing blogs (Soule Mama, Treefall, Wisecraft etc) I knew that I wanted to join in the party! I’m so glad that I did!
R x