I've been looking back on my last two years of blogging (it's my blog birthday today) I did write several posts some months before on another blog which I transferred to this one. It took a while for me to be 'found' by other bloggers and didn't think I had the wherewithal or the confidence to carry on. So it was January that it all kicked off so to speak. Anyway I digress. What I've realised is that in the early days I was so awe inspired with the loveliness of other bloggers' wonderful crafting projects that I leapt straight in at the deep end and tried to emulate them. You know me I cannot resist a glossy magazine with all those wonderful makes on the front and found plenty of ideas.
Bearing in mind that I've never really crafted in my life - in actual fact I really didn't enjoy it - I found myself quietly in the background crocheting granny squares (which quite often ended up in some very odd shapes indeed) although I did make a rather nice pram blanket for my newest grand daughter even though I do say so myself; quilting (didn't really get on with this at all), paper crafts and all manner of things. I was actually kitting myself out (at some expense I may add) with all the paraphernalia that goes with said crafts - quilting tools, cutting mats, jelly rolls, crochet hooks, yarn (although back in the day we called it wool and now I'm really showing my age). Then there was the fabric (material) for making bunting and various knick knacks and of course the card and paper for the paper crafting, not forgetting the variety of embellishments needed to complete the cards, decorations etc.
It didn't stop there! OH NO - I was then on a mission to search out vintage (old) bone china tea sets and pieces of furniture to "do up" from the thrift (junk) shops and charity shops and looking out for books and bargains that I'd seen others doing. I mean just how many tea sets can a girl keep in her already jam packed, bulging cupboards? I was on a roll. What was I doing?
Not any more though! I've decided to be just me. What you see is what you get. Don't get me wrong I LOVE seeing others' makes and am very envious of their patience and the hard work they put into their projects. Quite frankly I did quite enjoy doing some of the things I made. BUT enough is enough. Apart from getting stressed out with all the crafting I was wasn't actually doing very well, I simply didn't have room to put my stash anywhere, let alone those magazines. John would see me looking at them in the supermarket and groan "what are you making now?" he'd say.
So, when I say its a new me - that's what I mean. I'm just going to stick to what I know best and continue with my love of photography, a bit of sketching, a bit of baking and maybe a couple of other things I have up my sleeve.
I'll leave you with a breath of Spring - these beautiful Hyacinths were given to me ten days ago and were just an inch high. I've had to tie them up with string now as they keep falling over!
See you all again soon and have a great weekend
xx
Good for you, well done! Happy bloggy birthday and happy new year too. I'm loving the pretty new floaty clouds . .
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Oh Patricia, I love your post. And I know how you feel, I love my crossstitching, but that's it, no quilting,crochet or knitting for me. You are so right, just be yourself ...I love your photos and your historical stories....
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Birthday ....
Hugs
Erna x
I like the new you! the old you was lovely too but this new you is…well you xx keep up the good work and happy bloggy birthday xx
ReplyDeleteHappy blog birthday, Patricia! I think this is a good plan. When I started crocheting in earnest (I knew how already but didn't do it often) a couple of years ago, I was making everything to look just like certain famous crochet bloggers' things. I realized after awhile that it wasn't really my taste at all and I've been much happier making things that suit my own tastes. It was the colors, mainly, I'm just not a bright, bold colors kind of gal. A little goes a long way, I think. Anyway, when I figured that out, I felt more like me. :)
ReplyDeleteDo you know Patricia I could have written that post - in fact I was going to! I think you have to have crafting in your genes or something because I'm rubbish at it. Like you I am just going to enjoy being me and do what I enjoy doing regardless of what the in-thing is on other blogs. Like the new look and happy blogaversary.
ReplyDeleteDear Patricia - I like your new blue sky with fluffy clouds - it feels fresh and spring like, but, I must admit I liked your William Morris willow too.
ReplyDeleteYou are right to just be yourself - it is so much more relaxing don't you think?
Congratulations on your two year birthday blog.
Happy blog birthday:) much better to just be yourself. I realised a good while ago that I can knit and cross stitch but I don't have the time or the talent for any other crafts. Your hyacinths are lovely , I love the scent but DH can't cope with it because of asthma so I can't have them indoors.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogiversary, I like the new look, nice and fresh for the new year.
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Congratulations on the 2nd anniversary of your blog Patricia and may there be many more :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Birthday and Happy New Year. I must admit that last year I took on too much all at once, and like you, I've decided this year to concentrate on my photography. I shall still knit or crochet evenings while watching TV, and maybe make another quilt for my younger granddaughter, but all things in moderation. Love the new look blog,
ReplyDeleteJoy x x x
Happy New Year and Happy Blog Birthday! Best Wishes for all your 2014 projects. Jx
ReplyDeleteLife is all about being true to oneself and no-one else. In the same way we can't all be domestic goddesses (Nigella Lawson has a lot to answer for), we can't all be great craftworker's, master baker's, fantastic gardeners etc. Enjoy being you, looking forward to getting to know you again...
ReplyDeleteA great new look Patricia. I like it. Its good to have a change. I must confess , while doing it. I was really worried that i might loose my blog. Alas, i am here. I still have a couple of things i want to add..but will do that over the coming days.
ReplyDeleteYou will see how you will enjoy just doing the things that are really you. Your lovely photography.. your art journal, family
(I have one) but dont paint in it all the time or write.. you have inspired me again there.
Happy journaling.. and take your camera everywhere.. I do that now.
Super post.
hugs val x x x
I like your new look, Patricia! Like you I'm not a craft person, can only do basic knitting and sew a button on - I've made the odd lavender bag here and there but nothing I'd dare give anyone. I love reading and photography and family history and tend to blog about places we visit. I love your hyacinths, we have some pink ones just coming through. Happy New Year to you:)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Patricia, and I endorse every word of it! Some of us came to blogging with years of stitching/knitting/whatever behind us so it is no sweat to photograph what we are up to. If you haven't got that background - then just blog about what pleases you! I have had weeks and weeks when noting creative has struck me, then I stitch away like mad for a few weeks and on it goes. It is the writing and the personality if the blogger which either interests you - or not! Carry on and I love to read your posts. Happy New Year! (I think I am Two as well I must check the date! Ooooh how remiss of me!!) Lxx
ReplyDeleteHappy bloggy birthday! Love the new look.. and you can't beat being yourself.. be unique, be you :o) xx
ReplyDeleteHow I laughed out loud at your blog post! I've never seen your blog before and have no idea which circuitis route brought me to it today but I did laugh at your description of the craft gathering of materials which I do endlessly myself! I can and do craft but I think if you can craft at all you tend to think you can therefore do any craft so when you see something pretty (and blogs are ridiculously enabling) you immediately think 'I could do that' and go off for the stuff. Of course if like me you then get the stuff and don't do it right away, you forget what the stuff is for and it gathers dust with all the other stuff! I think being yourself is the best person to be and I'm certain you will excell at it! Happy New Year/You. x
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Birthday! I'm glad you have a blog that is what you want it to be, and not what other blogs you might admire are like. This is your personal space, and it should reflect who you are. I love coming here and reading about whatever you might decide to write about!
ReplyDeleteThis post left me jumping for joy! Good for you! Because blogging and life... for that matter, should never be a chore! I look forward to sitting back and seeing where you find beauty through the lens!
ReplyDeleteI Hope you have an amazing new year!
Much love to you,
Tammy x
Dear Patricia, your blog is refreshing and lovely just as you are. I had a laugh about trying to do crafts etc inspired by blogs - the first blog I followed was Martha Stewart!! It made me feel highly inadequate about almost everything :) Moved onto other decorating blogs and had to change the house decor, as inspired by blogs. Eventually I reached the same position as you - be yourself, do what you love, and the blog will take care of itself and be happy too!! xx
ReplyDeleteOh good for you Patricia, happy blog birthday & happy new year! I always enjoy your posts & look for to reading whatever you choose to write!
ReplyDeleteHappy blog birthday- I love the new look and the sentiments behind the post- best wishes for 2014
ReplyDeleteHappy blogaversary to you Patricia!! Thanks for popping over to me - I have replied in the comments, as I always do! Just wanted to say Hi here though. Looks as though you and I were on the same wavelength today with our posts! xx
ReplyDeleteHappy blog birthday, Patricia, and congratulations on recognising what is and isn't right for you. I look forward to reading about the things you truly enjoy.
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