Why, hello there

I've been thinking about this space a lot. For a while, I didn't miss it. At all. Now, though, I find I am. When I look back through my archives I am reminded why I started this space in the first place; as a way to track my progress and keep in touch with friends.

My little space has grown so much since the start seven years ago and I can see my craft skills - in knitting, sewing, crochet etc - have too. Heck even my HTML skills have. They have all grown because of this space and the community it exists in. I like that.

I like that I can see old favourite projects, evidence of my extreme attention deficient crafting ways, favourite things baked. I especially like that alongside all of that I can see how my Smurf is  growing.

I also like that this space (and the ever expanding associated spaces) has introduced me to so many friends, many that I now choose to spend time with in "real" life. Well, in my offline life. I now live in the same city as one of my earliest blogging friends and we hang out sometimes. That's pretty cool in my book. She even still has a toy I made her many years ago.

So, with all that in mind and that there are adventures of another wee Smurf, a Smurfette in fact, to keep track of, I'm making my way back here. I'll be treating it as I always have, as my own personal reference. I won't be trying hard to impress anyone.

I'll just be having fun, hanging out and reminding myself of stuff I'm doing with craft (mostly) my reference point. Who knows, maybe I'll find some more friends along the way?

PS My comment system is completely borked. I need to fiddle and get rid of it. Apologies if you feel inclined to comment and it doesn't work.

Christmas Thinkings

I'm making Christmas plans in my head and getting a little excited about things. This year will be the first year the Smurf really gets Christmas. Plus, last year we were in transit and didn't have our stuff, so it feels nice to be thinking about where to hang our christmas decorations.

I'm ahead of myself a little as usually I don't start thinking and doing until the week or two before Christmas Day.



Our supply of homemade decorations has been building over the years, but this year I have plans to boost the supply somewhat. As you can see above, we're well sorted for stockings, so this year homemade plans include:

• Advent calendar, and lots of fun things to put in for daily discoveries. Do you have any things you put in your calendar that are popular at your place?
  
• Soft toy Christmas trees to go on the "mantle"
  
• Christmas Cards - a different design this year though, what do you think of a "bauble" sewn on to the card with a big cross through it?
  
• An assortment of baked goodness Pudding, cake, biscuits (see gingerbread men below), sweets, neenish tarts, maybe some jam and infused oils
• Some new red work decorations for the tree - although maybe I'll use green this year? Green work. Doesn't quite have the same ring to it
• A wreath for the front door
  
• A handmade christmas present for the Smurf
• Oh and a bunch of toys for The Toy Society's World Wide Christmas Drop! I've got some special plans for that one. Have you signed up yet?

OK, now let's see if that keeps me accountable. Oh and did I tell you I'm a sucker for over-filling my to do lists?

Plotting and planning

I'm still here, just not much to say. I've been plotting and planning though and a fair bit of juggling.





Now I'm off on a little craft adventure this weekend.

Out Yourself

So armed with my newly rediscovered mojo I cut out some fabric last night ready for a quilt. While I was digging around my depleted stash I discovered this in progress hand sewn felt counting book



Whoops I started this 3 and a half years ago for my first nephew. I then reallocated it as a gift for my second nephew the year before last. I then deferred it to my own son last year. I now find myself contemplating deferring the still yet to be finished project to my newest nephew born last week. So it got me thinking about my Attention Deficient Crafting ways. I haven't talked much about the AADC (Association of Attention Deficient Crafters) for quite some time (although Kristen called me on it a while back). Here's a prime example:

I cut the pieces for page 8 (there's 10 pages in total) complete with an alternative shape (the random fish in the middle) and I even layed it out. Then I quietly closed it up inside a book where it stayed for about oh 2 and a half years give or take. I recall putting it in there cause I didn't like the pencils and thought they'd be a pain in my arse to hand sew.

You do it too though don't you? Pretend things aren't there when they get a bit tricky/you lose interest/pick up some thing newer and more exciting etc? I've heard a few mumours around blog land about it so I know I'm no lone queen of procrastination.

Well, feel free to unburden yourself by joining the Association of Attention Deficient Crafters over at Flickr. Just post a photo of your best attention deficient crafting efforts/longest going project/most half arsed craft attempt. Oh and while you're at it if your attention span lasts long enough lets see you out yourself on your blog. Let me know in the comments that you're outing yourself so I can see how I compare!

Spread the word it's cool to be an attention deficient crafter.

Now anyone want to stand as a committee member for the Association? You'll never have to do a thing cause we'll just procrastinate about organising stuff ok.