Saturday, July 23, 2011

Listening to my heart...

For those of you who read my blog , you must have wondered why I have been quiet and not really blogging in the last month or so. Truth time... I am uninspired , and listless, and struggling to even create a small ATC! Why? I don't know. Is it because I have been in this business so long, is it time to move direction, change jobs, travel (ooh that would be nice!) or is it because I am bored? I am surrounded by so much "stuff", stamps, things to alter, inks and paints galore. You would think they would help . Nope! What has happened to my creativity? I guess all of us get time out, have holidays, deal with family, work, businesses, and more. This year has been hard for me, my Mum who had a major operation in December is on the mend, my children are safe, but my creativity has stopped..gone with the wind! I start something, and I cannot finish it, or I redo it, tear it up, bin it! How do I restart it?  Yesterday I got the full set of new stamps from Dina Wakley from Pickleberry Papercrafts, and they are gorgeous, and I looked at them, and thought come on Dina, restart my mojo, my artyness, and so this morning I stamped and I added a little white pen to an alcohol inked tag I already had floating around my desk... not perfect, but a start!


Strangely enough, just writing about how I feel has helped, time to get out my journal, and write complete and utter rubbish that no-one else can see!!! lol
So tell me am I alone? How long does the wilderness last? I am not talking about designing stamps or such like, but the actual motivation to put ink to paper, and create something that you like or love. I actually booked myself into a workshop today with Jane Dean at Pickleberry called "all sewn up" in the hope that as someone else has done all the work, I can sit back and enjoy being taught... lol
I have rambled enough, and if I get to finish the project today, I may be back tomorrow with pictures... see my motivation has perked up just talking to you!
Have a much more creative day than me....
Hugs

13 comments:

Joanne said...

Oh dear Jennie, I wouldn't worry if I were you, your mojo deserves a break, after all, you are one of the folk that inspire others and therefore are well overdue a rest. Enjoy your workshop 'cos I bet you get a kick start from it.
Hugs Joanne xx

Anonymous said...

I'm sure we all lose our mojo at times (I know I do), but don't worry it will come back to you. I think you will thoroughly enjoy the workshop and you will find inspiration again.

craftimamma said...

Ahh Jennie, I think your workshop today could be just the thing you need. As you say, someone else has done the work, you can enjoy the creativity in a more relaxed way and just go with the flow.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Hope and Chances said...

Great to see you today, Pickleberry classes are just the medicine for poorly mojos!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Hi Jennie, we all lose our mojo at times and I do quite frequently so I just take time out and luckily it returns eventually. I think your workshop today will help a little. Take it easy. Tracy x

Diana said...

I'm not surprised that just writing about your doldrums helped you get out of them. That's the whole premise of "the morning pages." Have you ever done The Artist's Way program (based on the book of the same name)? I think you'd find it helpful; and one part of the program is just writing about anything at all for a few minutes each morning - it clears a lot of junk out of the way, as you just discovered for yourself.

Unknown said...

Jennie... don't worry about it ur crafting mojo will return when and if it wants too..... mojo's need a rest now and then you know just like the rest of our bodies do ... take time away... relax .. and remember we only live once ! x

Pam said...

I've lost my mojo many times! I just walk away, and come back a few days later and try again. If that doesn't work I come back a few days later still! You'll get yours back soon, and we'll all be here supporting you!
Pam

Amanda said...

Everyone deserves a break now and again and I don't think your urge to create will be missing for long. Maybe the workshop and doing something different will spark some ideas and you'll be back before you know it.

Julia Dunnit said...

You are absolutely not alone. But you probably could do with a holiday. You spend every working moment giving your inspiration away. Take up something else for a while..fabric...walking...cooking... Close the door on it for a few days..wait till you miss it. But don't stop blogging...we'd miss you.

Artyjen said...

'Tis a fickle thing indeed! It comes and goes, flickers in the background, and in my case disappeared for ages!!! Worries don't help either....relax do what is good for you (although having to earn a living at the same time is a scary thing!)
xoxo Sioux

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is beautiful, Jennie. Yes, we all feel like that and you create everyday so you need to give yourself a break sometimes. I find going away where I can't craft means I come back with lots of ideas. Why not come for a day at my house soon if you can spare some time and we will be creative together,

Lucy x

Alison Horne said...

I'm sure many of us have had similiar feelings. Sometimes I think it's when I have too much choice that the old mojo hides under the bed! I find joining in with challenges helps me to restart as it limits the choices and focuses the mind. Loving the purples btw, will have to splosh some around tomorrow. Alison.x