The show was certainly a success. Between us, we managed to get 12 rosettes which I think is quite impressive. It was great to see the crafts from other people and see all the hard work and time that had been put into each individual exhibit. I must say that I prefer the show when it is by the river in Wick (this year it was in Thurso). It was also the first year we've had our dog, Orlando, so we had to rush back to see to him which meant that we didn't get the 'full experience' as in other years. That being said, we have got the industrial section schedule for next year's show and we're already planning our exhibits.
As I am writing this, we are having dinner on our knees (something that is very rare for us) as we have commandeered the kitchen table. Judith is painting terracotta plant pots ready for entering into Bower Show (yes, there is another show coming up!) and I was busy writing my story.
August was meant to be my month of crafting but I am finding that I can't settle to anything. I'm pretty sure everyone else has this problem at some point and I am really happy for any advice concerning this!! In fact, I am desperate for advice!
At the moment, there are three things that I can suggest to anyone else who might be experiencing a similar problem.
Firstly, take a look at other people's ideas, develop and change them in your head and give them a go. In my case, they invariably come out very different from what was intended but this is a great way of finding new craft ideas. Some of the crafts I've been most pleased with have been mistakes!
Secondly, I keep a scrapbook of things that might inspire me. I got the idea off some of the craft books that I read cover to cover, though I now can't remember which ones! My scrapbook is my inspiration haven. Many of the designs and ideas I come up with stem from flicking through the pictures. I keep postcards that I've bought or been sent, nicely designed invoices from craft suppliers, business cards... I even flicked through a geology magazine that was free with a purchase I made a while ago and found some lovely pictures of semi precious stones, and one of the night sky which I find really inspiring! You can put anything in the scrapbook - anything you think might inspire you! I also have things on my wall which can be inspirational - postcards of where I've been, photos (of places and people!), my rosettes, even a decorated wooden spoon I painted for the county show!
Finally, if I know I really should be crafting, I sit myself down at my desk and make whatever comes into my head. Admittedly, this does not always work for me and I'm very careful that crafting does not become a chore.
That's how I deal with the lack of inspiration - and it doesn't always work as I've found out recently!! Any advice on the subject would be very gratefully received! I suppose if authors get 'writer's block', then crafters call it 'crafter's block'?
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