Other non-crafty things I've been enjoying this month:
LEFT: We snuck away to the coast for the June long weekend for a little break from all the building craziness, and the winter chills. Lots of beach walks, poolside cocktails, and working through my mothers day book haul!
CENTRE: we've been using the war winter days as an excuse to get out and start whipping the vineyard into shape. Four of the seventeen trellises have been pruned, tied and whipper snipped, and it's looking for much better already. Still lots to do but it's nice to see progress!
RIGHT: Mr16's bestie had her Sweet 16th a couple of weeks back, and I was asked to make the cake. I am far from a proper cake decorator, but it was a fun project and the birthday girl loved it so I'll call it a win!
Life is a holding pattern at the minute, and it's a big factor in my mid-winter languishing. While this time of year is always harder to keep myself focused, this year in particular seems to have a double dose of “why bother” - I could start a quilt…but then I'd just have to pack it all up, so why bother? I've got a million ideas for art pieces, and a particular series I want to work on, but it needs space and time and that won't work, so why bother?
in the space left behind as I swap painting in my journal for painting on my walls, though, the kids are keeping themselves busy. Mr16 is making bread and terrariums and up cycling iPods. Mr14 is working on a series of increasingly elaborate cardboard sculptures. The two littles have been playing “art class”, having set up easels and brushes and tubes of paint all over the table. Miss 12 has cast on a gauge swatch to knit her first jumper. Master9 is knitting his teddy a blanket. They are in as much of a holding pattern as the grown ups - waiting for new bedrooms and a new school room and space to work on projects. It's not stopping them though, from diving head first into whatever project has grabbed their fancy.
Like they have every day since they were born, these precious souls are teaching me and inspiring me to check myself and grow myself. The next month is looking to be even busier - painting and tiling is underway, half our furniture is ordered with the other half waiting on a quick BrisVegas road trip. There's decisions to be made daily (yesterday it was grout. Today it's yet more paint samples), but filling my cup matters too. The only thing stopping me from using this holding pattern as a season to be creative in stolen pockets of time, is me getting in my own way.
So this month I'm choosing to shake off the languish, and pick up a pencil. Or my knitting needles. Or even a book to catch up on my woefully behind reading goals for the year.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. There's also no reason I can't have fun along the way.
THINGS I'M LOVING FROM AROUND THE INTERNET
CRONE CALLING // I loved this piece on the substack Uncharted, about aging, overthinking and mortality. As a chronic overthinker, and someone well on the way to her crone era (not going to lie, I'm kind of looking forward to being a crazy li'l craft goblin, talking to herself in her craft room, magicking projects to life among long forgotten and only half drunk cups of tea), it was a fabulous perspective check.
BAY OF FIRES // After finishing Deadloch on Prime, my friends and I were looking for something new to watch and scream over together, and Bay of Fires on ABC/iView has delivered. It's a very murdery drama, a bit like Mystery Road meets Truman Show? The worst part of it is… Sunday night is a long way away while we wait for the next episode to drop!
LIBRO.FM // I just discovered this alternative audiobook service yesterday and have already signed up and am working towards switching from Audible. The prices are pretty comparable, and the big thing I love? Your membership & al a carte purchases support your chosen indie bookshop!! Find all the details by clicking here, and if your local doesn't appear, I'd love it if you chose my fave semi-local - Readers Companion.
How has your mojo been over winter? Are you slumpish too, or have you continued to craft yourself silly? I'd love to know what you've been making. Hit reply and let me know!
Have a crafty week! Til next time,
Rach
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