I am very happy to report that the wayward Mr. Mojo and Mrs. Muse have at long last returned from their naughty holiday abroad and decided to grace me with their presence again, and yesterday afternoon I was actually back in the studio and this time not just to tidy up, but to MAKE ART!!!
It’s as if I have broken through a barrier that was holding me back, even though I’ve been doing the odd bit of drawing and painting, and some knitting. The room no longer holds any horrors for me and I am feeling how I always felt before – it’s my favourite room in the house and I can’t wait to get back in there to get creating again!
All that I went through last year has made me think that life is precious and short, and this year, maybe I need to concentrate on doing what I want to do and not just what I think I ought to be doing – I’ve got a nice lot of cards in my stash now that I’ve had a good blitz on the Card Factory last year, and I can continue with that with no pressure, but I’ve had so little time and opportunity simply to “play,” but have always been making things for other people as the need arose. I do have those commitments still, of course, but my main aim must be to let my creativity flow in the way of “pure research” rather than with a definite end in view. Each year that passes leaves me with the thought that yet again I have not done the things I really wanted to do – art journaling, exploring more mixed media, textile art, messing about with materials just to see what happens!
Here is my desk as I left it last night.
This is a mock-up of a work in progress that I actually started a couple of years ago with the background being painted. It’s teabag art, and will also incorporate some real tea! The page is called “The Cup that Cheers” and you can read about it in my previous post. Watch this space for further progress!
At the bottom of the page you can see a piece of the chicken packaging I mentioned last time – it’s not stuck down yet and I have yet to decide whether to shape it further, and how I’m going to colour it, but it will end up with some gilding wax on it. Still a lot of work to do on this page but I am really enjoying it, and so enjoying having got over the hump and at last having a respectable desk to share with my fellow desk-hoppers!
A happy WOYWW and a happy and creative week to follow.
As I've been sorting and reorganising I've been making a "possibilities" book where I'm putting all bits and pieces that I think I can do something with or just appeal to me for some reason or other
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back on form
Lynn 18 xx
It's fantastic to see you in full flow again. When I saw your stash of teabags waiting to be used a couple of years ago you inspired me to get into teabag art and I'm so pleased you did - I had no idea there was so much of it out there (especially on Pinterest!), and I've enjoyed working on that tiny scale so much - I owe you a big thank you! I love what you've done so far and am looking forward to seeing how it all progresses.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit earlier - I have no idea why it didn't occur to me to mention details of the stamp set! Anyway I've amended the blog but the info is: Heartfelt Creations - Botanical Rose stamp set and Botanical Wings die - I've just checked and it looks like they are still available in some places.
Have a lovely week and keep drinking tea!
Diana xx
Love the philosophy of the third paragraph. Life should be about the journey and not about an end product. If you enjoy something surely that is just as good (if not better) as a fabulous end product. I enjoy journalling and that is what I should be doing right now.
ReplyDeleteSadly for some reason I cannot sleep (it's just turned 1 am here) and I have to be up early in the morning for a tradesman to arrive. Sleep needed not journalling right now.
Hugs, Neet xx 2
Fascinating! I think I have an inner Puritan...I'm loathe to sit down and just play, I seem to need an end result (and a good one) each time. Maybe if ever get a hag of time management that will change! I love the tea texts you've made, and lovely scripts you've fashioned!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are getting your mojo back. Happy WOYWW!
ReplyDeleteI find Christmas is a mojo stealer, I have to really get my brain into gear to start crafting again in the new year, I do that by inviting friends over.
ReplyDeleteBridget #1
I believe the artistic journey is often much more fun than the destination. I'm so glad to hear your mojo is back, as you work on your creative piece. Blessings, my dear friend!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you have your Mojo back, awful when you can't get ideas.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing how your page progresses
Happy WOYWW Jan no 39
Yay, for Shoshi! That looks like a very promising page! I immediately recognized the chicken packaging, but only because I remembered from last week, otherwise I would be scratching my head about it! Create with abandon! Looking forward to seeing your completed page! zsuzsa #38
ReplyDeleteWhoo hoo for you! I'm so glad that mojo and the muse have returned home. It sounds like you are raring to go and visit your favorite room of the house! Enjoy! PJ #57
ReplyDeleteAhh, just the idea of tea bag art makes me so happy! There is another WOYWWer who has embroidered on tea bags--so awesome. Have a good week. Sandy Leigh #39
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you've got your crafty mojo back - long may it stay. I'm on a bit of a roll myself, at last - so I know how you feel. Happy WOYWW Helen #1
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you have your mojo back Shoshi. Your tea bag project is looking good and I look forward to seeing what you come up with now you are back. Have lots of fun doing what makes you happy. Barbxx #54
ReplyDeleteSo happy that mojo and muse are back in your life. I know what you mean. I haven't been an active WOYWWer for quite some time. Luv the tea bags. It's on my list of future experiments. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy, Pat #61
Glad your mojo and muse is back! Love the teabag work.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week
Bishopsmate #27
Hi Shoshi, it's great to be crafting again, I agree. I think part of the problem, maybe for us both, is that they say after the sort of diagnosis and surgery we have had, you easily slip into a depression, without ever realising it, and it's only afterwards that you come to understand what happened.So I would say we are both clawing our way upwards now. Love & hugs to you both, Shaz xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW. Great to see you back and playing. Never seen so many tea bags! Ali x #37
ReplyDeletePleased to hear you're more in the mood now for some crafting. Look forward to your progress with the Teabgs. Have a great woyww and happy crafing, Angela x 29
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you back to being creative and finding that 'mojo'. Just go with the flow and do only what you want. It takes a while to get back into things!
ReplyDeleteTake care
Sharon K #49
Your journal looks gorgeous and a cuppa is always a good topic.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the visit Shoshi - I think the stringy stuff is called sisal, but as I decant it from the original bag I don't have a label - I buy it from Hobbycraft in the floristry area. I've seen it in other colours in the past but I ink mine with distress ink or paint if I want another colour - anything to save a few pennies!!
ReplyDeleteDiana x