Welcome 2013 and Carry on Crafting

I always find making New Year resolutions difficult. I know what I would like to change or do I'm always full of good intentions but unfortunately they have a habit of not materialising. So this year I'm going to try to be more positive, to stop wasting time, I'm often grumbling that I don't have time for this or that and on reflection if I count the hours I just plonk myself in front of the TV doing nothing well ..... Also I would like to be more determined to scrap, I have let it slip, I blame my lost mojo, whilst that is possibly true it could also be me being lazy. I did find that when I was going to classes and meeting like minded people it helped, I suppose I'm a social scrapper, bouncing ideas off of other people, trying new techniques and sharing what I make to encourage others to have a go.

I had a conversation with a friend from Church the other day about the different artistic and crafty talents that people we know have, from photographers, painters, patchworkers, cross-stitchers, knitters, cake-makers, jewellery-makers and oh yes scrapbookers and papercrafters. We came to the conclusion that making things could be a generation thing, although we did contradict ourselves when she produced a patchwork cover made by her teenage daughter.

I believe that all of us has some creativity within us. So many people old and young think that they are unable to produce something hand-made because they "can't draw" or "I'd never be able to make that" unless you have a go you'd never find out.

I remember as a child my Great grandmother, my Nanny & my Mum trying to teach me how to knit I couldn't get the hang of it at all. My Nanny particular was a fantastic knitter, producing outfits for me that she made without a pattern. Mum loved embroidery and knitting fair-isle jumpers. (she was also good at interior design changes her soft decor according to the seasons) I did eventually master knitting and taught myself cable (I haven't produced anything for ages) but who knows I will go back to knitting at sometime.

I feel that making things for the home, gifts or for personal use will become popular once again. Man (and woman) is naturally creative, and although we have seen an phenomenal increase in the use of technology (which is a part of lives whether we like it or not, can also help with our creativity) our hands are never still, we have to be 'doing'.  You only have to look on the shelves in the newsagents to see the number of craft magazines that are there. Also with todays economic climate as it is, by producing something hand-made may end up saving you money. Although initially it can be expensive to start with, by asking around or scouring boot-fairs or charity shops you may find some equipment or material that is no longer needed, especially if another craft has replaced the one that you first tried out.

So apart from waffling on, I would like to say that in 2013 I will continue to scrapbook, and make things for friends and family and for sale, if I can find the time.

Oh and one last thing I may like to start that novel I promised myself I would write one day....