-- I wrote this blog entry a week ago, and then wasn't sure I wanted to publish it. I hedge about "serious" topics, knowing most people would rather read a blog with upbeat, fun, happy tones instead of anything that might hint at other flavours. That being said, I greatly admire bloggers and posters who can channel any of their feelings into eloquent and articulate posts, and reading Kate Davies' blog post this morning about vulnerability (and then watching her TedX talk, which was amazing) reminded me that there is always room to put down what you want to, and share what you want to, in your own space, so that people who follow your content can get a sense of who you are in your own words. This is why we share ANYthing, really; following along with talented designers and crafters is about inspiration in all things, not just fibre craft. --
So it's only taken me five days to actually put down some words in this blog window. Good grief.
When I talk about summer hours, I don't mean less work. I mean WAY MORE work. Knitting and yarncraft has been simmering on the backburner as I bounce between the library (my day job) and my yard, trying to keep up with the produce and the weeds in turn. And while I've been trying to find time to pick up my knitting, I've been feeling a definite apathy toward it all, even though I've loved my projects. The heat? The long to-do lists? Whatever it's been, I've been knitting the least since I picked it up five years ago.
But.
The weather finally broke a little while ago after a long hot stretch, and the cooler weather turned my thoughts to autumn and Manitoba Fibre Fest, where I'll be setting up shop September 14-15 (the full Metalstitch team out in force, in fact!! :D). With the cooler weather, and dare I say, better sleep, my yarncraft enthusiasm has flowed back and I've been able to budget my time a bit better. I've been back in the dye pots and generating some beauties that I can't wait to showcase next month, and I'm finally working on a pattern that's been sitting idle for AGES.
So what do we do as crafters when the desire to craft ebbs, and we look at our projects with a decided lack of enthusiasm? It's always alright to just step away from our crafts - after all, you're supposed to enjoy your hobbies, and what's the point if it's not enjoyable?! I don't seem to have a great strategy; has anyone else come up with a tried-and-true method of getting back to projects with excitement and interest in a hurry, instead of just waiting?
Now that's not to say I'd fallen out of love with yarncraft! There's been so much good stuff going on in the last few months, and my single project was another test-knit for Tin Can Knits that's a beautiful FO I can't wait to share once the pattern is out. I've been surrounded by amazing inspiration and I love that our community is so talented and willing to share their talents with others. Sometimes the best encouragement for me is just looking at everyone else's projects and creativity. And now I'm ready to pick up the needles again, and get going :)
