I'm late, I'm late ...
When the delightful Sandra from
Cherry Heart asked me some time ago if I'd join the Blog Hop, I thought "why not?" Now that I am actually sitting down in front of my laptop, I've gone a little blank.
You see, we've had a tottering time with relatives over the last couple of weeks or so. I'm not going to go into detail because I'm sure you have your own troubles but, honestly, it's been one thing after another and I'm worn out. Sorry to sound a bit downbeat and like I'm making excuses but, hey, I guess we can't all be sparkly all of the time can we?
Anyway, back to the Blog Hop. I was extremely flattered to be tagged by Sandra. I admire her hugely and her blog is genuinely one of my all time favourites. It's not just her wonderful crochet creations (I've told her to insure those magic hands of hers) but her self discipline and generosity of spirit too. She is one of the most prolific bloggers in Blogland and yet I can't think of one single occasion when she hasn't made time to respond to an email or comment I've left on her blog. She puts a lot of us bloggers to shame *hangs head*.
I've had quite a few new followers as a result of Sandra's kind words so, to each one of you, a big squeezy hug "hello" and a promise that I'm not always such a grumpalump!
In accordance with the Blog Hop 'rules', I am to answer the following questions:-
What am I working on?
At this very moment, not a lot! My hook has lain idle for a few days. I haven't felt emotionally serene enough to crochet which is silly really because we all know that …
(How cool is that badge? I received it as part of my recent giveaway win from
Kate - proper 'thank you' post to follow.)
Waiting patiently in my 'works in progress' basket is my Spring Stripes blanket.
(Oldish photo - it's actually slightly bigger and slightly dustier now!)
I am also part way through making a cross stitch on single crochet cushion. What can I say? I absolutely love embellishing crochet with cross stitch and embroidery.
However, (and I'm quite excited about this bit) I haven't been totally idle, I've been pretty busy starting to write my own patterns. Some are at the sketchy coloured pencil stage and have yet to be properly translated into crochet and some are at the prototype stage, needing just a few tweaks. I plan to release them towards the end of summer. I think they're very 'me' so they may or may not be your cup of tea but I'm super proud of them.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Eep! This question gave me the dithers when I first read it. I'm finding it quite hard to say something that doesn't sound like I have delusions of grandeur. I think it's very hard to be different these days - almost everything has been done before. I suppose I like to think that I've adapted my craft to suit me. I rarely follow patterns; I crochet the things I visualise, the things I like.
I learnt to crochet four years ago. This was my first creation.
If I had to cite something that makes me ever so slightly different from the majority of others in my genre, I guess it would have to be the fact that I'm not a granny square crocheter. I'm not the biggest fan of holey crochet. Don't hate me! I much prefer the fluidity and neatness of a 'close knit' look. Does that make sense?
Why do I create what I do?
Ummmm, because I enjoy it. As I said before, I get an enormous sense of satisfaction and pleasure when I manage to create something that closely resembles the idea or vision that I originally had in my head. If I'm being completely honest, I also get a huge thrill when you say nice things about something I've made too! I'm only human! ;-)
If I've made a scarf and I wear it out shopping and a stranger compliments me on it, to say "I made it" is the best feeling ever! Priceless.
I also get terribly inspired by you imaginative lot. Really I do. Sometimes I feel my head is about to burst with little bits of ideas, each gleaned from a picture here, or a description there.
How does my writing process work?
Sometimes I wish I was a little more structured in my writing process and style. I should love each post to take you on a cleverly written and thought-provoking journey but sadly I don't think that's my style.
More often than not, I sit down in front of a blank screen and just type. There is rarely anything planned about the way I write blog posts. That said, I have to be in the mood. If I'm not, I simply cannot do it. I suppose I sort of imagine that you and I are having a cup of coffee and I just chat. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blasé - I do proof read each post afterwards - I am an unashamed perfectionist and a bit of a spelling and grammar fiend.
Sometimes the pictures come first and I tailor what I write around them and sometimes, like today, the photos have to fit in with the words. As my love for photography continues to grow and grow, it's invariably the former.
My blog writing process has only one very strict rule and that is to never, ever, ever press 'publish' when I've had a glass of wine! ;-)
There! That's me. I do hope I have properly fulfilled my brief and not talked too much twaddle.
Now I am supposed to nominate a couple of other blogs so that you can 'hop over' for a look see. Having been so preoccupied, I haven't done my preparation homework and prearranged anything with anybody. Sorry Sandra. What I will do though is provide links to a few of my favourite blogs I think you might enjoy if you don't know them already. They are:-
Gillyflower
Ladybird Diaries
Mrs Thomasina Tittlemouse
Sew Sweet Violet
Happy hopping my friends!
xxx
