june at noon

A recent post by Michelle, with her kind words, reminded me that it might be time to get back to “normal” around here.

You’ve maybe noticed that for some time now I’ve really changed my creative focus. I had been accumulating lists of projects I’d like to make for myself or the kids for ages, but I never got beyond that, and I eventually began to feel like I needed to either start making some things or throw out the list.

So I started making some things. And then I made some more.

There’s nothing wrong with variety, and the point of this website is to document my creative journey, wherever that may take me. But between the things on my “I’d like to make that some day” list and the regular gift-making I do, I’ve begun to feel like I’ve lost focus of the free, expressive creative self that’s in there somewhere too.

That was the self that was fed by the “making for the sake of making” projects, and I haven’t done any of those lately. I’ve had a lot of fun adding some variety into my creative routine, but I do miss my “usuals” and long to do some new things too.

So while all of these recent projects have been enjoyable and satisfying, I’m sensing a need for more balance between the “functional” things (gifts, things for my family) and the “artistic” things. I’m hoping that now I’ve scratched that “for us” itch, I can do a better job of making room for both types of creativity.

I’m going to start by picking up some embroidery, totally freehand pieces with no thought or planning. They’ll ultimately end up in the shop, but I’m not worried about that right now. I’m making them, as my daughter says, “just because.”