Rest, Relaxation & Recuperation

 How to describe a burnout episode.....

Most people nowadays have heard or even experienced burnout in some way or another, but to try to explain it to those who haven't is extremely difficult; especially to someone who is socially awkward like myself.

Image by storyset on Freepik

mentalhealth-uk.org describes burnout as a state of physical and emotional exhaustion.

Common signs of burnout:

• Feeling tired or drained most of the time
• Feeling helpless, trapped and/or defeated
• Feeling detached/alone in the world
• Having a cynical/negative outlook
• Self-doubt
• Procrastinating and taking longer to get things done
• Feeling overwhelmed

I have been in a state of burnout for quite sometime and to be truly honest I am still in this state. I am trying to be kind to myself by doing less things that make me stressed out and trying to increase the things that I enjoy or love to do. However, this has led me to be offline more and more and also crafty projects have also taken a backseat.

I thought that I would just update anyone who is interested in why I've been MIA for quite a while now, but with lots of hope of being more active in the not so distant future - I actually picked up a crochet hook yesterday and completed 3 rows on a triangle scarf that's been sat waiting for months; yay some progress 😁

Thanks for taking the time to spend a few minutes with me. 

Until next time, stay creative x

You know that your a yarn addict.....

When you take a break from a big project to work on another 

(or the other 7 that is in your main project bag) 

I know, I know I need to actually finish some projects instead of starting new ones. 

Having said that, I started a new project today as I wanted to try a new technique/stitch; it's the Fisherman's Rib. I'm working it on 5mm needles with lion brand mandala yarn. I'm not sure of the colourway name (as the ball-band says it's Groot and I'm pretty sure it isn't) but it reminds me of Maleficent's colours from Sleeping Beauty. How about you? 

The project I decided to take a break from is the simple lines shawl, pattern from Hobbii design, with twister yarn colour number 07. I'm using a 4mm hook. 

I timed myself the other day and it takes me over 27 minutes to do just one row.....  

I'm not sure the lighting was quite right here as the colours are much more vivid than it is in this picture (still in much need of photography skills.)

Thanks for taking the time to spend a few minutes with me.

Until next time, stay creative x

getting help when you need it.......

 is possibly the hardest thing to do .

Or even just saying to yourself that I need help. I have fallen into a deep hole full of low moods, anxiety by the bucket load, lack of restful sleep, negative thoughts and the awful thoughts of leaving everyone and everything behind. 

I have sought that help and am awaiting the response of better medication, talking therapy and anything else that they can recommend. 

As you might be able to guess, not a lot of creative thinking or doing has been present in my life for the last few weeks. I have started to knit c2c (corner to corner) squares for wash cloths or dish cloths. The yarn I have been using is from a discontinued Lion Brand, Terryspun which I purchased from woolwarehouse.co.uk. It's made from microfiber and is very soft. So much so, that my 5 year old nephew has decided that he wanted them sewn together to make a snuggle blanket. I crocheted the 6 pieces I had managed to create together and he has been sleeping with it ever since. 

I am currently half way through with another square. I cast on 3 stitches and then increase to 50 sts, then do decreases until I have 3 sts left then bind off and weave in ends.

It's a nice easy project that makes me feel productive and I have a functional piece after I have finished. Win-win situation.

Until next time, stay creative x

Photography skills needed....

 how to not take photos,

Have you ever tried to take photos that look professional but also highlight the fact that you are doing it yourself, I can't tell you how many photographs I have taken over the last week - lets just say in the thousands.

I've watched so many how to videos on the subject, make sure your lighting is natural, have a neutral backdrop, don't crowd the workspace; and so on and so on. I know I am just using the camera on my phone so it isn't going to be ultra HD but I really wish that I had taken photography at college or university. 

I've edited the photo's that were approved by Mr C, I'm hoping that they show the items in their best light. It's been difficult to say the least, to be confident enough to have a photo shoot, with the intent of uploading to the internet to see and search for; with the hopes that someone out there in the world would consider buying the physical item. Mentally exhausting and I haven't even started to set up shop - can you imagine what it's going to be like then 😵

Behold a few of my attempts, they certainly look a lot better now that I have edited them.

Half double crochet cowl - pattern design credit @nayscreative

 

Traditional granny triangle shawl

granny merge triangle scarf - inspired by youtube user @fiber spider

Lean on me shawl - pattern design credit @Stitch with passion 

Until next time, stay creative x

My fur baby & crafting companion

 My baby,

I decided long ago even though it is still an unpopular opinion of society that I didn't want to have children at all, lucky for me, my one & only Mr Creative was willing to indulge me. We look after our two nephews full time, who are very lively & active, this is enough for us where kids are concerned. We are both animal lovers (Mr C is a cat person) fate bought us my baboo; my baby girl. 

She turned 21 this year & has been with us for 12 years, she is spoiled rotten and loved by all of us in the house. Definitely a pampered puss.

My beautiful baby girl

She has started to decline, we are currently experiencing a heat wave here in the UK, I think that it is not helping the matter. She is my crafting companion, my baby; even the thought of losing her is tearing me up inside. We've made her as comfortable as we can do, and still getting pampered albeit a lot less than she normally allows. 

I believe that that this kind of news is normally a private affair, however I didn't want those that may read my posts to think I have just disappeared, so making a quick post to say that at this moment in time crafting is the least of my worries. I will be back, but for now I need to spend time with my baby and Mr C.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, until next time try and stay creative for me x

A massive ouchie & plenty of rest......

 The dreaded dentist: 

image source: www.freeimages.com

Well all went well at the dentist, but let me tell you being someone who suffers with social anxiety being crowded by people pulling teeth out is a nightmare. Mr Creative thinks it is hilarious that I believe that the social aspect of that dreaded experience was worse than the actual surgery. However, it is all over with now (I hope) and I can try to get my creative "mojo" back into the mix. 

Youtube has been my go to for tutorials and reviews the last few days just to try and spark some inspiration or motivation. I have the inclination but if it involves more than a few steps to get things ready I've already decided that now isn't the time and save it to my watch later. 

Photo by Sabri Tuzcu on Unsplash.com

I hate feeling this way but know it is my bodies way of telling me to chill out and we will be back to normal sooner rather than fighting myself to be productive.

wip's, fo's and maker plans:

I haven't touched any crafts this week, I had plans to keep things simple and slow going; however I spent the week looking at my wip's and seeing if I wanted to continue them or frog them. I haven't touched any of the pile to be frogged just in case my mentality was being effected from the pain after the trip to the dentist. I'm going to review in the next week or so. This also means no fo's either 😭 

I do have a fairly large list of maker plans for the next week, maybe two since it's so long 😁

1. half double crochet hat
2. garter stitch hat
3. granny stitch project bag
4. granny merge shawl
5. newsboy hat loom knit
6. double layered skinny scarf with pompom finishes - buttons to attach??
7. knit ross hat
8. rainbow hooded bandana cowl
9. garter stitch halter top
10. resin "dessert" stitch markers

Here's hoping that after reading this your inspired to get crafty, thanks for taking the time to spend a few minutes with me.

Until next time, stay creative x

All things yarn.....

 Yarn, Yarn, Yarn; 

I love the stuff! I adore the squishy-ness, the textures, the colours; oh the colours!! I have thousands of skeins of it and I am probably going to continue buying it (even though I don't need more) much to the disgust of my household. The way I see it if Mr Creative can store Lego by the box then I can store craft supplies by the dozen 😁

Photo by June Gathercole from Unsplash.com

My craft room is a complete and total mess, I tried to get in there the other day and just... couldn't. It's bursting to the seams with supplies with so many different crafts that I honestly don't know where to begin most days. I tend to stick to yarn crafts at this moment in time as yarn is always to hand and so are the accessories, which means I don't have to organise the room in any fashion.

Although I have been wanting to get to my fabric stash and get my sewing machine out, I have an idea of making some boxed bottom zipper pouches. But that does mean I would have to actually be able to get in and get out (without causing an avalanche) with fabric - the more I think about it the more it loses its appeal 😏

Wips, FO's and Maker plans:

My wip basket is overflowing, so I think I will just talk about those that I have worked on in the last week; otherwise it'll take weeks to talk about all of them 🤭

I've got two simple hat designs on the go at the moment, one is crochet the other is knit. 

Let's talk crochet first, I'm using a light weight #3 acrylic yarn from papatya batik, in the colourway 554-12 which is a multicoloured/light rainbow. 

I'm doing half double crochet in the back loop until I reach my desired length then I will slip stitch the sides together and then weave my end through one open top to cinch it in, creating a beanie hat.

On to the knit, I'm using a different lightweight #3 acrylic yarn from hayfield bonus breeze in colourway 0477, which is also a multicoloured yarn. 

It's just a simple garter stitch until I reach desired width and then seam and cinch like the crochet hat. This one I'm trying to have the option for a slouch or a brim.

I'm hoping to have both finished for next week, I am going to have an easy week as I have tooth surgery on Tuesday and will need to recover. 

Here's hoping that after reading this your inspired to get crafty, thanks for taking the time to spend a few minutes with me. 

Until next time, stay creative x