Friday 25 September 2009

Merry-Go-Round

Each month, a group of craftswomen from around the world join together and give their responses to the same question...this month, our little poser is:
'What's Your Next Chapter...?'

I've been clearing out kitchen cupboards today - they really needed it - and much as it is a dull and tedious job, sometimes, it simply has to be done, doesn't it? All that stuff...clutter...dust...disorganisation...it can all get a bit too much, I think. The time has arrived for me to take stock, clear out and clear up. And I feel better for it.
This is a perfect way to describe my life at the moment, as it happens. So much is going on around me; lots of jobs keep calling to me; new skills need to be learned and I just have to bite the bullet and get on with it. But it is hard sometimes to make changes...necessary changes.


De-cluttering: throwing out the old and making way for the new.


So what does the future hold for me? What will be new, and what will be cast out? Well, the woodcutter's empire is growing. That's a good thing! A really, really good thing. Our future's looking eco-friendly, rustic and wooden.
The Log Basket is exceeding all expectations and our energies have to be channelled. I need to develop a sanders' hands and lumberjacks' muscles. I also have to don a secretary's head and get stuck-in to that lurking headache called paperwork. What do they say? A cluttered house is a cluttered mind? I'm taking steps already...

As for de-cluttering, I think really I mean 'paring down'. Stitchery is very important to me - it is something that is truly 'mine'. Stitchery gives me time to think; it provides that creative outlet that I love; it really becomes an extension of 'me'. I hope that I won't have to leave it behind. I hope that there is room in my life for logs, paperwork, taking pictures and textile explorations. I think a work timetable will evolve and some things will give whilst others take my time. And it will be okay....

Thank you for reading! Please take a few minutes now to read about what the future may hold for my fellow merry-go-rounders - just click on their links in the sidebar, but do remember that we are all in different time zones so posts will appear at differing times.

7 comments:

Ruth said...

Yes. I hope you can find a balance. Always tricky, but important not to lose that bit of "me". The story line develops, but the characters don't have to change totally....

meherio68 said...

And I thought I was the only one with a clttered hame / mind problem...

I do look forward to a tipi holiday at some point. I'll start looking for partners in crime right now!

Easterya said...

You'll never totally leave it behind, even if it takes a step back, I'm sure it will creep back up! At least I hope so with all my heart... coz I am SUCH a fan of your BEAUTIES!!

Mariana said...

It must be frustrating to put it aside, but the log enterprise seems to be in that stage in which it needs all hands pulling for it... maybe with some time, things get on track adn you can relax a bit... or the girls learn to sand and you can leave your hands for stitching!
Either way, congrats on the log basket and good luck with finding a balance. It's always hard for all of us!

Jenny said...

We seem to be a few that feel the need for de-cluttering both around us, but most of all out minds. Change is an important thing for me, be it just a small thing. It makes you go forward - whether you like it or not. But afterwards you see what you have learned through it and it was worth it all.
I am sending a big bucket of energy your way!
- Might come in handy. :D

Wendren said...

Wow, sounds like you are having to split yourself into quite a few pieces. I hope you manage to declutter and find some 'space' for 'you time' too. :)

Sara Millis said...

It's so hard isn't it... I remember when I was making handmade as well as supplying fibre. I loved the handmade, that was truely mime. Customers prefered buying fibre to make their own versions of though and I had to run with it. At first this torn away at me, but now I'm fine with it. In fact it turned out to be more of a calling! I've learnt a lot and when I get the time I make handmade just for me and friends. This allows me to be much more expolratory... that balance works for me.

I wish you all the luck in finding your balance! And thank you for being so inspirational.

Sara x