Sunday, July 1, 2012

No I haven't fallen off the twig-----

I have my face in the naughty corner--truely--I have been absent for three weeks mainly because I have had nothing to show you or tell you either.
After the excitement of our anniversary celebrations I was left feeling flat and nothing that I did could change the feeling.
My crafting room was like a black hole that enveloped me--no matter what I tried to do there was nothing.
Last week I realised that this cluttered mess which is where I am supposed to be creative was the reason for how I was feeling.
How can one have a creative mind when one is surrounded by all this STUFF.
I have heard it said before that a cluttered room leads to a cluttered mind and I believe that now.
I have spent all week sorting out and boxing up all this stuff.
I have 12 archival boxes of stuff (what a great word) which I have taken out to the garage and I will go through them and sort out what I will keep and what I will get rid of.
Some things I have brought and never used--make that lots of things-and I will never use them because I no longer am interested in what I got them for in the first place.
I have to make the decision as to what I want to do in the future--I know that hand embroidery is one of them and also felting as well.
I am not doing free machine embroidery anymore so I don't need all those hundreds of machine embroidery threads--just some of them will do.
I am not using my stamping gear anymore because the cards that I make are mainly fabric collaged ones-so a lot of stamps are out.
I have enough books to fill a library-some of them I haven't even read-they must be sorted out as well.
So to cut a long story short I am feeling a lot better about everything and that black cloud of discontent is slowly lifting and I am sure that I will be back stitching and creating very soon.
Thanks to everyone for caring and I will try to be a better blogger ----soon.

17 comments:

Sharon said...

Yes I was wondering what had happened to you - I am a regular lurker on your blog... I can appreciate how you are feeling - we moved into our present home nearly 12 months ago and we are still sorting 'stuff'... It sounds as though you are making headway with your 'stuff' and once you have a clear mind space then those creative juices will start happening again... Take care...

Jen xo said...

welcome doreen, it is very freeing and i would love to live with even less but being a crafter you need stuff... youre lucky you have a room, mines piled up everywhere and it is getting me down...

Hilary Metcalf said...

Goodness Doreen, sounds like you mean business! I know what it is like - I had a huge declutter of 'stuff' before we moved down here - in fact, if I remember correctly, some of my stuff ended up in your stash! LOL. What goes around comes around. I hope it all finds a good new home where it will be welcomed with open arms -it must be sad to be unloved stuff!

shirley said...

I know just how you feel Doreen, I have not been able to settle to stitching since I came home, maybe I should take a leaf out of your book and get rid of some more "stuff" I dont and wont use. Hope you get your mojo back soon.

Heather said...

Sorry to hear you've had that awful flat feeling, but it's good that you have found an effective remedy - I should follow suit and sort my stuff out but I do quite a bit of mixed media and need some of everything.
Looking forward to seeing what you decide to work on first.

Gina E. said...

Doreen, take heart knowing you are not alone! I think most of us crafty people go through some form of despair over the accumulation of 'stuff' at some time. I am 'over' eBay these days, so I take my excess stuff to our Guild's Paddy's Market days every year, and generally come home about $100 richer, having sold it to unsuspecting crafty ladies!
Now when you come down here later this month, if you can find room in your case, you can always offload some of your stash with me...you know what I like, lol!

Jenny said...

I hear you Doreen... did the exact same thing recently... when all my 'stuff' began taking over my craft room... it made me feel so much better to be clutter free... I gave a lot away... and it is always nice to know that things that are no longer needed by us... can be loved by someone else...

Hugs
Jenny x

Sandy said...

I'm glad sorting is helping you feel better. I, too, have too much stuff and have been going through things.

Linda’s Textiles said...

Well done Doreen! I'm in the process of a big tidy and sort, mainly because I'm having 2 groups visiting soon & they couldn't get in at the moment.
Congrats on your 50th too.

Mosaic Magpie said...

Hey girlie, glad to have you back! We all go through those phases of "Why do I have all this stuff!" You and I are alike in we like to do various things. Our tastes change and what was once fun and challenging, is now boring. You could have a big yard sale on your blog and maybe sell some of those items to others that are just now finding the fun in stamping and machine embroidery...did you say craft books....
Deb

Linda said...

Only thinking about you this morning Doreen, and glad to see a post. A good re-shuffle never hurts anyone, and it sounds like your mind is in a more positive space. Don't apologize for having 'stuff', we all have it, and you are quite right, too much does cloud one's thinking. I've almost finished the 'every life' thing [another great word]...........LOL.... Take care, and can't wait to see what you create next. Cheers.

Penny said...

Glad you are back on deck. I know about 'stuff' but still seem to add more! very naughty but I just might need it again so good on you for doing a purge.

Stitching Lady said...

Goodness, Doreen, never give anything away. You will need it some day, I know of what I am speaking. You will pull your hair to give away the threads (for instance) you can use them in different ways. Even for stitching by hand. Think twenty times before acting. You might change your opinion about things to create three years from now!!!!
Love

Maggi said...

Glad to have you back Doreen. Sometimes having a good sort-out does wonders for creativity.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Naughty corner? You? I don't believe it for a moment. Know what you mean about mess breeding dis-interest in creativity. When we moved into this apartment I made the decision to try (key word - try) to limit myself to only a couple of areas of interest and let go of the rest. I am happy with that and really haven't been sad over anything I disposed of. Having said that, my normal working mode is to haul things out and in the throes of creation not put it away again until the studio reaches a degree of chaos that I can't stand it anymore and have to clean it.

Dot said...

Great to see you back my friend. Would never put you in a naughty corner though! Sometimes we need a break and I can understand you feeling a bit low after the excitement of renewing your wedding vows. Good luck clearing out your craft goodies. Its funny I am getting into machine embroidery and you are not doing it anymore:). Sending much love your way. Dot xx

Kekoa Pika said...

Great to see you back and hearing your wonderful posts again. Thanks for not letting us down. Keep up the good work!

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