Wednesday 26 October 2011

Why?

So I thought I would explain why the need to craft and why the need to blog, because really I don't have loads of time anymore but I feel like this is something I just need to do. So a wee yarn for you, if you have time for my ramblings... 

About 4 years ago I bought a sewing machine, just a wee one from Tesco to get me started, and it sat in the box for at least a year, I was too afraid and too 'busy'  to use it (ha if only I knew how busy I would be when I had a baby!). Then I had a bout of illness which kept me off work for a while so the sewing machine was freed from the box. My mum showed me a few basics like threading the needle (a big deal for a sewing machine novice like me) and winding the bobbin and getting started. I started slowly and made a pincushion cover and a few cushions and some bunting and then I left it for a while. 

My very first sewing project

Then I got a bit more adventurous and made myself a skirt. This was much more exciting - I love skirts and having something a wee bit unique is always good. This is how it turned out...  

My very first handmade skirt


A close up of the lovely fabric


I was bitten by the crafting bug and made a dress for my husbands niece, followed by another skirt. I think it's just making something with your own hands and having something unique that I love about crafting. Looking at something and saying "I made that" just fills me with joy! I made the baby quilt for my friends baby and then I stopped for a while... I was busy with other things, mainly work, piano lessons (my teacher expected hours of practise!!), I sang in a band called The Corncrakes (more on that later if you are interested?) and then a got pregnant (hurray)!! These things took up all my time... no time for precious crafting. But then baby R came along and boy did I realise that when I thought I had no time beforehand I was sooooo wrong and I soon learned what having NO time was really like!! But crafting, and piano and the band, were replaced with a gorgeous baby who, while keeping me busy, gives me hours of delight and happiness. And this is where my addiction to crochet comes in. My little dandelion (baby R) didn't like to sleep much (night or day) and the only way I could get him to sleep during the day was to lay him on my bed and sit beside him while he drifted off to sleep. So I thought this was the perfect opportunity to begin some crafting again and so with inspiration from Mollie Makes and tutorials from Youtube I learned how to crochet. And this was my first creation..


Apple Cosie from Mollie Makes

Many people poured scornballs on these cute apple cosies, missing the point of these entirely (really they are just for fun) and this leads me to why I wanted to blog. I guess I don't really have many friends that are into crafting (just a few) and my family definitely are not, so I was starting to feel a little misunderstood. My husband was (and is) a complete star and listens to my ramblings about yarn, picking colours of yarn (hours can be spent here!!), natural versus acrylic debate, lusting over fabric and which project to start next. But in order to preserve his sanity (and our relationship) I thought it would be fun to start a blog and with his help and encouragement here I am. It has taken ages to complete this post as every spare minute I have is spent working on a crocheted blanket for me for the winter nights and a quilt for my wee dandelion. So here it is, the reason why I craft and blog. Thanks for reading. 

Sweet dreams and goodnight xx


3 comments:

  1. I love this post! I totally get why you want to blog... I have, up until very recently, had no family or friends who were remotely interested in any aspect of crafting and that is why I started blogging... to be 'around' other like minded crafty types! I have to say though in the last two weeks I have two friends who have had the urge to take up wool crafts and are now learning the basics of knitting and crochet... YAY!! I might try and get them hooked on 'Mollie Makes' magazine too...haha!!
    I adore your skirt by the way, the fabric is gorgeous!

    Louise xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. PS- Great new header, lovin' the polks dots and basket of yarn... yummy!!

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Hellie, just found you via Attic24, names just sometimes 'speak' to me, I'm glad I took notice. Lovely start to your blogging journey, hope you have many happy times ahead.
    xx Sandi

    ReplyDelete