and she’s back
January 9th, 2012
Wow, sorry. I didn’t mean to be gone for two weeks. After the craziness of Christmas, the littlest got a horrible stomach bug. Then this past week I came down with a crappy case of strep throat. Remind me to be extra nice to my kids when they have a fever, because it is super sucky. I am finally on the mend and I know it’s a little late for a 2011 retrospective, but I was sick so indulge me. Here is my favorite project from each month of last year:
1. beach bracelet 2. sledding party 3. balance board 4. the awesome bag 5. crazy pants 6. may day crown 7. flock top 8. wiksten tank 9. toy boxes on wheels 10. giant glittery 6! 11. waxed leaves 12. cloud bed
It’s nice to look back and see what I made–see what I liked making. Every January my creative energy goes out the window. All through December when I’m making things for everyone else, part of me is dreaming of January when I can make whatever the hell I want. But then January comes and I’m overwhelmed with all the choices: I could make clothes for me, clothes for my kids, start that huge embroidery project, crochet an afghan, or a hat, or a sweater, tackle the mending pile, the list goes on and on. On top of everything, my studio is a disaster. I hate that feeling when I can’t get a project started. Do you know what I mean? What do you do?
Oh and Happy New Year!
I claim that I need “alone time” to organize the sewing area. Then I clean, am reminded of something I forgot about because of the mess, and start making.
Happy New Year!
I am in the process of moving my sewing and other crafty things into an actual dedicated space (well, shared with toys, but more dedicated than any space I’ve ever had before). Of course I can’t find anything right now, but it’s already so much better than ever before! I’m hoping that having things organized will mean I’ll be able to see my supplies and work on my projects. In the meantime I have about eight thousand knitting projects going – they’re portable!
i feel the EXACT same way in january. i want to work on something, but cannot make a decision. and all i want to do is clean out every room in my house!
Yeah dude. I get WAY more done when I just stop and clean the whole room up. Sometimes I even set a timer for myself so I won’t get distracted and start working on something. Somehow when the room is empty I get way more done.
I am completely mired in the January-ness of January. I even bought awesome patterns to try and fabric to use but I can’t seem to work up the energy.
Actually, my new years resolution is to ‘do more projects’, i never want to start them for a number of reasons (not enough time, messy studio, too much to clean up afterwards, etc.). So this year im going to follow through and start AND finish my projects! So far so good, two pillows, one garland, some weaving, and knitting down so far!
So glad you’re back!
I usually just give into it and do nothing. Sometimes it helps to spend some time cleaning my studio though and getting everything organized–just being around all those supplies can often dig up some sort of motivation. My studio is a disaster at present, especially after the crazy crafting over the holidays (and there a handful of projects still unfinished–maybe next year?)
Strep throat is awful! I felt the same way after I had it last year or the year before…more compassion for my sick kiddos. Glad you are better now.
I am with everyone else…cleaning everything up (and purging) really makes me feel like making again. I am cleaning our bedroom (slash sewing room) today and keep getting rid of “inspiration” thrifted clothing that I no longer feel like repurposing into a scarf/mittens/whatever. love that. happy sigh.
I feel you on the post holiday craft burn out. I have turned my attention to home projects. And I keep planning to clean my studio space but …
I always clean up my sewing area first. If I start trying to sew in the middle of a mess, I just get frustrated and it’s not enjoyable. Once it’s all cleaned up, and I still don’t feel like making anything, I start tracing pattern pieces and cutting out already-planned projects like a mad woman until I finally happen upon the thing I feel like making.
Oww, strep throat is awful you poor thing. I had it last year and felt terrible.
I agree with others about organizing sewing space to get motivated, and I start with something for myself as a little treat after the Xmas chaos ;-)
January is for purging. The rest works itself out.
My craft room is a disaster at the moment. I keep going in there, getting overwhelmed and walking back out. My girl desperately needs a new sleep sack though, so I managed to clean up just enough space to start making it (although I still keep losing things in the mess). I guess I just needed to find the right priority to get me started.
Yes I feel the same…a bit burnt out from Christmas sewing and in need of a break but at the same time want to sew some cool stuff for me but I have lost my sew-jo…my studio was also an insane mess so I have JUST finished a big clean out and set it up for the new year: http://amelieandatticus.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/2012.html
But I still haven’t make that leap yet…I will force myself tomorrow to start on the machine and I am hoping it will snowball…because I have some awesome fabric and fun things to make!!
Good luck and I am glad you are feeling better…sick sucks!
I’m so glad to hear that you guys are feeling better! We all came down with a nasty stomach bug too over the holidays! Yuck!
And I hear you on not wanting to start anything…usually it’s because my work space is such a mess. Perhaps if you find a spare second (as if such a thing exists) to put somethings away, inspiration will strike…
I am exactly in the same crafty boat! My work area is a disaster, and I have no idea which project I want to start with anyway, so I give up in overwhemdom just sit back and watch a little more Dr. Who. ; ) Maybe February will be a lovely, creative month for both of us!
YAY! You’re back. :) We had the same. First strep then stomach bug. It flew all the way from OR to you..how nice.
[…] this post is exactly how i’m feeling about being creative at the moment. by the end of december i […]
So glad you’re feeling better, Meg! I’d definitely try to give the ol’ sewing space a good cleaning. That always helps…BTW, I’d probably be having a lazy January too, if I could… ;)
Oh, I have plans. Plans. And I fear that’s all they will ever be!
PS – I have a plan to learn how to spell my own name…
Know the feeling and my sewing space BIG mess at moment , just have to make a few Jan birthday gifts then a big clean up. Planning on having a little craft break – read a book , watch some movies and get back into after that. Thought I might do something new – paper cutting rather than my sewing to get some crafty mojo back.
Totally.
Of all things I fear most, strep throat and poison oak are on the top of my list (zombies, too, but that is another issue entirely).
I have somehow stopped sewing entirely for two years. I meant only to take a few months off when kiddo was born, but here I am, closing in on her second birthday. My space is set up in our new home (which added to the creative delay), but I am having such difficulty beginning again. My plan is to ease in slowly. Make a few items from kits and other’s pattern, before I jump in again to attempt decipher my own patterns and notes. I wish I had some sort of a deadline though…I think that would truly nudge me into activity.
its funny (not ha-ha funny) we had a stomach virus before Christmas and strep after. I think my brain gets zapped too, even if I have an idea I don’t have the energy to do it when I’m sick.