One from the heart....

As the days grow longer and the sun shines more, my thoughts have turned to how much easier this winter has been for me. Mainly thanks to the crafting community and my No 4 Crochet hook.

I make no bones of the fact I have depression and I used to suffer terribly in the darker months. It's been my constant companion for most of my adult life and it is only with the discovery of my creative side that I have managed to cage that particular demon.  I am writing this post in the hopes that I may help someone else to help themselves too.

You see, back in my dark days, I would sit and do nothing but think and mope: then along came the crochet hook. Now, when I am feeling blue, I just pick up my hook and off I go. It doesn't matter what I'm hooking, even if its just a square. Its the smooth rhythmic repeating and the feel of the yarn in my hands that just makes me feel so darn good!

 I have googled it, and studies have been done. They have measured brainwaves and serotonin levels and all number of bibbidy bobs - but I don't need numbers to know that making something out of nothing makes you feel good! So, if you are feeling low - give it a go. It doesn't have to be crochet of course - that's just MY drug of choice.

As I mentioned earlier, there is the wonderful world of the crafting community too. If you have depression, I think one of the worst bits is the isolation it can cause. The great thing about crafty folk ( and I am sure it is true of other "communities" ) is the ability to share and be open and available. It doesn't matter if you are still in your PJ's and you haven't washed your hair in three days - when your are sat behind a laptop screen, literally the whole world is your oyster. There are forums, chat rooms, facebook sites and of course blogs.

I started my blog because of Self Stitched September and then I got ill. I couldn't complete SSS, but since then, my blog has grown and changed and developed into a window into my soul.  I blog like no one reads this, like my own personal diary. Some would say, blogging is "showing off" or ego boosting, and in many ways it is...but then it is also so much more. If it helps just one persons day be brighter, or give someone a great idea then it is certainly worth it in the end!

Crafting, especially crochet, or knitting, is also a tremendous icebreaker and conversation starter. Once you actually manage to wash your hair and get dressed ( or put a long coat on!) and need some real human contact...just trot on down to your local cafe/ coffee shop/ public place with your WIP and 9 times out of 10 someone will ask " whats that your making there?".  There's a prompt for some nice friendly chit chat with no pressure.

If, like me, you manage to control the "black dog" as Winston Churchill used to call it, then there is so much more out there for you....and when you stumble and fall again, lo and behold, you find it's not so far to fall when you have your crafty friends to catch you!!

A picture of 200 ducks...how can you not smile at that!

Being Productive....

A good friend of mine over at Gran Plumley recommended a book to me. It is called " The Happiness Project" and it is by an american lady called  Gretchen Rubin.  I must say it has been an eye opener. I'm up to "March" so far, but am still trying to put into action the principles of "January".  That is the decluttering bit!

It was, however, a bit that I read this morning that struck a chord. The author (Gretchen) says that whilst looking at how she spent her time, she realised that she " had to change the way she thought about her productive time"  Like me, Gretchen believed that she had to have at least a few hours to get something done, but found that even a small amount of work in a short time can be very productive.

The famous Flylady has similar thoughts on the subject too, with her " Just 15 minutes a day". Flylady uses this method to keep her house and life under control, and even encourages the reader to do a "2 minute hotspot declutter" : too keep on top of things with just two minutes.

I am going to try and implement these principles into my life as things have become a lot busier since taking on craft selling and forming craft groups!

I have enormous amount of crafting to do in the next 3 days. I have a stall at at local children's craft event and only have a small amount of stock. I'll need to snatch little bits of time to get bits and bobs done. I also have little J at home as its half term, and I need to keep him entertained too!


Fingers crossed for a produtive few days for you all too, and I will see you on the other side!

Here are the links to the Gretchens book/blog, and the Flylady site, if you would like a look see...

www.flylady.net
http://www.happiness-project.com/


Oh, and before I go, and just because...here is a picture of my little bundle of happiness!

I'm a happy bunny....

I am pleased to say that the lovely Bryony at The Craft Room will be stocking my flowers. :)
I was so worried that she wouldn't like them, but worry no more, I have now ventured into the world of commerce...

It is funny that I started my crafting life ( and this blog) as a sewist and have ended up as a felter! It all started off with a thank you gift for my little boys teachers, and now look what it has led too.

So, my advice if you are thinking of selling your craft? Give it a go, whats the worst that can happen??

Here's what shes stocking for me...

A Posy......

Time for their moment of glory...Here are the Poppies in their full splendour!

Just had to share.......

I went to a craft fayre today, mainly to scope out the venue, as I will be attending with my friend Clare in April.

I definitely had not intended to buy anything, but I was so impressed by this young lady's artwork that I just had to buy one!

Her etsy shop is indian blue, if you fancy one yourself!