Christmassy Thoughts

19 December 2018|BOATLIFE, WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS

We are now well into the darkness of Winter and life afloat does allow it to be a time for slowing down, quiet restfullness and introspection. I can mostly avoid the bright lights and bustle of Christmas. Maybe it's the long(ish) walk from the car (and civilisation) to and from the boat that aids this process. This morning I saw a Barn owl glide past as we exited for the school run, and on the return I spent a few moments watching a cormorant sunning itself high up in a tree. 

But it is still very easy to get caught up in the frantic-ness of Christmas. Dashing about, mostly shopping, to the soundtrack of This is Christmas in EVERY.....SINGLE.....SHOP !  And as each year passes I am feeling less and less inclined to join in with that. Thankfully my children are grown and I'm past the stage of needing to make it magical. Now we can appreciate our time together, eat and drink together, and generally slob about, and for that I'm very thankful.  Love and appreciation can be shown in the currency of homeade mince pies and all the nice things.

As the shortest day approaches I wish you all a time of restfullness. Have naps, go days without getting dressed. Go out for walks but also don't underestimate the power of NOT going out for a walk. 

Christmas is a time for indulgence so I urge you all to indulge in Rest.

Seasons Greetings and Happy Solstice Everyone :-)

The Eight of Pentacles

31 October 2018

The woman decides to express her artistry by painting a golden pentacle upon a silk canvas. As she works, she loses herself in creativity's flow; she feels blessed as she draws upon the talents given to her by the Divine Feminine. Symbolising the golden circle of contentment the woman has created through her focused and honorable labour, an arc of seven pentacles appears over her head, like a golden rainbow depicting the material rewards of Lakshmi.

 (The Goddess Tarot - Kris Waldherr)

It is the time to bring my creative work to the market place.

I shall be at the Bath Artisan Market this Saturday where I hope my endeavours will be positively received.

I am a little nervous so have spent my Half Term week preparing and crafting and resting. Tonight I shall light a little Samhain candle and hope for fair weather. Dry and cold enough to make people yearn for my delectable Winter Woolies.  Do come and say Hi if you're out and about.

Bath Artisan market on Facebook

TTFN xx

One More Trip Around the Sun.

14 October 2018|PHOTOS, WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS, WOOL & YARN

This weekend I have been celebrating another trip around the Sun. That's 47 now.  I did all of my faviourite things...Family, Fluff & Films...

I started off with a day of inspiring, sharing and alchemising, through laughter and tears with my Soul Soul sisters...what can be a better tonic? I am grateful for my friends :-)

I then spent a morning of blending and carding with my niece. We created a soft and rainbow coloured Birthday blend full of sparkles. I spent the day spinning it into a stunning yarn...I am grateful for my skills that bring joy and comfort, and that can shared with others.

The day was topped off with visits from family and mother daughter bonding over Avengers: Infinity War (such a guilty pleasure). And all from the comfort of my little floating home...I am so very grateful for my home, my safe haven full of wool and crafts.

I quite like getting older :-)

So here's wishing for another year of growth, of gaining wisdom and of doing more of what I like doing best.

Cheers xx

Capes for Everyday Heroes.

27 September 2018|PHOTOS

After much procrastination and a little self doubt I am ready to present to the world my creations....The Cape Collection from Woollycraft.

As a life long crafter and creator I have been through many different crafting obsessions but none have been as soothing and as beneficial to my sense of well being than Spinning. Everything about it appeals to me, from the initial blending to the final yarn and I am so grateful to the Universe that I have found my 'thing'. 

In return I have made things to wrap you in warmth, a wearable hug.  Superhero Capes for Everyday Heroes.  Using yarns made from a blend of alpaca, silk and merino these capes have become my way of showcasing my yarn. 

Just lately when I've been a bit unsure of how to achieve something I have put a little shout out for help and then waited to see what comes up. Many thanks to my helpers Teff and Bing for answering that call and making this happen. I am very grateful for the encouragement. Great job guys :-)

Check out them here.

If you would like to own one of these Magical capes they will be available to buy on Etsy.  Or if you would like to commission your own personally designed cape or yarn to make your own I would be more than happy to help. Message me :-)

How do you measure Wellness?

8 September 2018|WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS

I've been a bit unwell. It only lasted a few days but it was a proper splurgy gross unwell that can't been denied!  Since then I definitely feel like I'm getting over something, run down, tired, perhaps even a bit emotional at times.  All this has had me pondering...How do you know how Well you are? How do you measure Wellness?

Here's how I measure my Wellness....

When Tip top 100%  I am making and creating. I have great ideas about what I want to create and they work out. I motivated to get my kit out and start carding, spinning, weaving. I viewing the world through eyes looking for inspiration.  I am in the zone and in my flow.

When I'm not feeling great I struggle to be creative. When I try new things they don't work out or look ugly to me.  It feels like too much effort to drag all my kit out. This is a good time for comfort crafts. Knitting a simple stitch, something repetative and not demanding too much attention or thought. And if I'm not crafting at all....then that is BAD NEWS!!  I'm pretty much out of action if I'm not able to even pick up a hook or needle!

So I guess I measure my Wellness on my creative output!

At the moment I still feel like I'm getting over the bug and have just gone back to work. I'm lacking energy and enthusiasm for anything too complicated and don't feel like getting any equipment out, but I still want to make (a postive sign).  I've got some nice simple wrist warmers on my needles, a simple repetative pattern, four purls and four knits, but a new design so a bit more thought and planning is needed too. I guess I'm doing OK.

How do you measure your Wellness...drop me a line and let me know. Am I the only one that use knitting as a measuring device?!

I'm hoping I'm on an upward swing now as I have plans in the pipeline....but they can wait a little bit longer. Now it's ok to get back to my guilty pleasure of Netflix and knitting.

TTFN x x