A funny thing happens when you write a sewing book, you pour ever tiny bit of creative energy into the book's projects. This is a good and appropriate thing to do, but, what happens when you have nothing new for your business? For months I've been feeling like I'll never have another good idea for Modern June again. It's worrying to say the least.
Recently, a few little sneaky thoughts have started to seep out of my subconscious, during the my time between sleeping and waking. I'm relieved by this, to say the least. It would be sad for my creative mind to dry up and die! LOL!!
You know that I am all about the oilcloth, but this girl needs a tiny cotton break. Today I am going to sneak over to Quilting Adventures and grab up a few pre-cuts and see what I can come up with. I am thinking that a Jelly Roll of Amy Butler's Soul Blossom's and a few yards of Bari Ackerman's County Lane might be fun to play around with.
I am pretty sure that I'm not supposed to put this up on my blog, but I'm trapped in the place where I create and I couldn't resist the temptation. Why? Because as I sift through edits for my book, this is me, crazy hair, bathrobe (I did get dressed today, I promise!) and as much caffeine as a girl can handle! LOL!!!
I thought I would share a few pictures of my photographer, Meghan, taking the most gorgeous photo's for my upcoming book. I can't wait to show you more!!!!
My photographer, Meghan McSweeney and I are meeting up tomorrow to take some pictures for my upcoming book, "Sewing with Oilcloth." (August, 2011) Here's a little sneak peak at the behind the scenes...
My neighbors porch will be a great place to shoot, the evergreen will make a great backdrop.
The kids and I had a great time picking out greenery today. We're faking spring!
I stripped the dining room down to the basics so I could style it for a possible book cover shot.
Sweets for the sweet!
Every good sewing/craft book must have a cupcake in the pictures.
The weather outside is seriously dreadful and I am all about hanging out in my bed as much as possible. So, here I am, surrounded with a pile of my favorite craft books, in my favorite jammies, in my super comfy bed!
I've turned in all 20 projects for my book and now I have to write an introduction, with a dedication and acknowledgments. I've been stalling on this part--it kind of makes it all real, so I'm turning to my crafty-crushes to inspire me.
I've been a little funky lately. I don't have a strategic plan for 2011, and what's worse is that I don't even want to do anything. (Even if I did buy the poster!)
I've been thinking that I lack inspiration. Then yesterday, a friend mentioned that her father lacked ambition, and I realized that felt the same way. I told my husband this at bed time, and he said that I lacked motivation, that I was suffering from long term burn out. Whatever you want to call it, I must say I hate it. I don't do sluggish well. I'm a work-a-holic through and through. Laying around felling low is not my cup of tea.
This morning that same friend (Kathy our MJ shipping Junie-goddess-of-love) pointed out my Twitterscope for today. How funny and timely is this...
You are unable to suppress your enthusiasm now, yet you're not quite ready to swing into action. There's a lot at stake today and you may be overwhelmed by it all. Fortunately, you should be able to deliver on your commitments, so don't talk yourself out of participating. Ultimately, you will feel good about your contribution if you don't hold anything back.
We shall see. Will I get my mojo back today? I did wake up with an inkling of a plan, a glimmer of an idea, hopefully I'm back! Heck, even a little enthusiasm would be fine for today!
xoxox,
Kelly
Progress Report: Yesterday's Twitterscope was fulfilled! I wasn't ready to get back in the swing of things but I had a lot of commitments, I didn't let myself sulk away from the days challenges! My Junies showed up for work, we had a blast and got a ton of work done. And... (drum rolling in the distance) I made a plan for 2011!!! I went to bed happy, with my Mojo intack.
We've had a fun time getting back in the swing of homeschooling this week. Why? Games and lots of history. Our favorite math game has become Yahtzee. We've played it every day since my husband brought home this fun Oogie Boogie set. Don knew that Yahtzee was a game that my Grr and I played all the time. My DH also knows that we love the "Nightmare Before Christmas," so this made a great gift. And, the custom dice are totally cool.
My kids learn well when we take a multisensory approach, and this game is perfect for that. Leaning while you're having fun is always a plus, isn't it? The game works on skip counting, addition and multiplication. My kids have a hard time with memorizing details, so hopefully this game will help the information sink in. So far, so good!
Here in Richmond, VA we don't get a lot of snow, but lately that's changed and I love it. We've already have had a fair amount of snow this season, including a white Christmas. Here's a photo of my friend Tasha's festive front porch. I don't know what I like better, our Modern June party bunting hanging cheerfully in the snow, or the vintage bike!
We've got snow in the forecast again and I say let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Some days are just like this. You're just hanging out, looking for something to come along to "play" with. Our big kitty is not happy that we filled up the bin with Aidan's school books. I guess that I'll have to go back to Target and get him his own bin.
We've got a ton of new laminates to play with, and I can't wait to get started on our new 2011 Modern June Goods based on these great fabrics. So stick around and see what have to offer later this month.
I, like most of you, love clearing out and cleaning up during the cold winter months. Maybe its the newness of a new year, or the long evenings spent inside, but every January I go through a serious purging of stuff.
This January is no different, and for the 5th year in a row I will be hosting the Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap! ~Dawn
Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap presented by the FOUND Collective
The Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap is an opportunity for artists, crafters, creators and makers of all types to get together in a fun, social environment and trade unwanted craft supplies. You bring in stuff you no longer use and trade up for stuff you want. We provide work tables at the event so you are welcome to sit, chat and make all day. The event is my way of helping the creative community in RVA to recycle and to help give back to area non-profits who use art/craft in their mission. Financial proceeds from the event go to benefit Art 180 and all leftover supplies are free to local non-profits after the event. Please check out the event website for details.
So, while you are cleaning and organizing your space this month, why not start a bag for the swap?
We've got snow in the forecast again and I say let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.