Playing with blue paint and ink

I have had a difficult week settling into any project. I have an album to finish which I am procrastinating about and I have been avoiding it all week. With the internet its so easy. I often turn to the computer when I am stuck, but an hour on Pinterest usually leaves me so overloaded with possibilities I become totally indecisive and I walk away from my desk. I have read a few articles on how social media sites can actually dull your own ability to be creative. Ironically I did read them on a blog. I imagine you are reading this on my blog!  I am not saying that all the inspiration and imagery out there is not helpful, the problem is that it can become an end in itself. I can use up the whole day looking rather than making. Don’t get me wrong I love the way the internet opens up the world to us. I love to blog, look at and connect with what everyone out there is up to, to see and share other people’s creativity. It’s great to get some inspiration but with Pinterest, Instagram, 'blogland' and Google images it is easy to overwhelm yourself and get creative brain frieze.

If we don’t trust and explore our own visions, draw on our unique life, tastes and influences from the world around us then everything starts to look the same - an endless recycling of the ideas out there. We need to look inside ourselves and trust our own creative vision.
Today I settled in and just played  and have pinned (I mean physically!) up some blue strips on my sloping studio roof. They might have become little books or cards but I am happy for them just to be. I suppose journal pages are a bit like that - space to play. I often find tiny pages and individual sheets work better for me.

Hope your weekend has been creative and fun. Thanks for visiting, even if it is on the computer!

Whats on my desk this Wednesday

We are having a dreary wet day here. I was sorting out stamp storage today. I made the mistake of putting a cushion on the desk while I rummaged about my stamp boxes... the cat  decided that my studio, on a feather 'bed' is the best place to be and is providing me with an interesting "Whats on your Desk" for this Wednesday.

 I have two work spaces but I got new stamps yesterday and had to try them out so last night's mess is on one desk and the cat on the other so I will have to tidy up and get on with something more creative than organizing stamps.

 Hope you are having better luck with weather and pet control today wherever you are.

Returning to blogging

Its been nearly 5 years since my last blog. Ive moved back to Ireland. I have been crafting since then but not posting. I was in a studio outside the house for a couple of years but I am back home in a lovely attic studio so I can craft anytime day or night and even in my pjs! I can also have the company of my cats again. I got a new kitten for my birthday last year who loves to sleep in the studio. the one who was hit by a car in Oz returned with us and sometimes visits me in the attic too.

My new cat "Sweetie" is the small fluffy one who actually fits into the basket! I have neglected my blog for the last few years but I am going to put some life back in my blog by posting images of the things I have been making since I moved into my new studio.

This is the image Ive used in my new banner. Made while playing with distress inks and paperartsy infusions making cards. I love Graphic 45 stamps but they seem to have given up on them. This mermaid is one of my favorite stamps.