On creative validation

My first dart!

Why does it matter what other people think of what we create? 

We must care, because we post it on our blogs, show it in exhibitions, publish it in books. 

I'm not talking about when something is intended for selling, but rather when we make something for ourselves, because we feel like it, because it needed to be made, (or because sometimes it seems to make itself), why then do we care what people think?

Recently I have been going to a sewing class at a great little studio/gallery/cafe near my house.  I wanted to learn how to use my sewing machine properly, and maybe even make something I could wear.  And this skirt was the result. 

I am slightly in awe of the fact that it was actually quite easy to make something which fits me absolutely perfectly, and wonder what I could have made all those years it didn't even cross my mind to try. 

But the wierdest bit of it all was when I sewed in my first zip, and my teacher described the sewing as 'beautiful', I think I actually blushed.  I am 33 years old.  Why do I care if someone thinks I sewed a zip in beautifully?  I don't know.  But I did.  It made me feel ridiculously proud of my little skirt.  And it made me want to make more things, and make them even better. 

So maybe sometimes it is good to get a little validation, especially when tackling something new, or something that you used to be afraid of.

What about you?  Do you care about what people think of what you create?

Back by popular demand… The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap!

It’s back! We had so much fun with the last Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap that we're going to do it again. Thank you to all of you who demanded a re-run!

Essentially, this is all about celebrating the deliciousness of fabric, paper, ink, paint, thread and all the other materials we love, by creating a stitched postcard, and then sending it to someone on the other side of the world – and receiving one in return. What’s not to like?

This time our theme is HOME. You can interpret this is any way you like.

It is great fun to do, and amazing to see how different people interpret the theme in different ways. Anyone can get involved, it’s free, and you don’t even need a sewing machine.

PLUS this year we have a special giveaway! Everyone who joins the swap will automatically be entered - see this post for details. You have to be in it to win it, so get signed up!


Here’s how it works:
1. Sign up by emailing your postal address and blog link (if you have one) to me at bethvnicholls at googlemail dot com.  You are very welcome to join, wherever in the world you live. Please also leave a comment below, and tell everyone you are joining in! The deadline for this is Friday October 29.

2. Add the Swap Image to your site, tell all your friends you are doing it and encourage them to sign up - the more the merrier!  (To do this, just save the top image above to your computer and upload it to your blog as a picture gadget, with a link to this page)

3. Create a lovely postcard using anything you want including a bit of sewing or hand stitching, with the theme 'HOME'. Use images, words, any kind of media. Go crazy! You have a fortnight from the sign-up deadline to do this, so by Friday November 12.

4. By this time I will have emailed you the address of someone else in the group to post your postcard too. Please post it within the following week.

5. By November 19 you should have received your handmade postcard from somewhere else in the world, bringing with it some stitched love to warm up your day

6. Take a photo of it and post it in the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap Flickr Group, and on your blog if you have one (You can join the group here)

7. A random selection of postcards and all blog links will be featured on the special Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap page, which will be archived, and I will do a big round up of all the lovely creations here at the end of November.

8. Check out everyone else's lovely creations, pat yourself on the back for your own and feel the kinship of being part of the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap!

Happy stitching!

Beth

It's time...

... to get The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap show on the road! All around the world busy bees have been buzzing away at their sewing machines, with their hand embroidery needles, with paper, fabric, ribbon, words, images and anything else they can think of, stitching up a storm. And we are about to find out just how much loveliness has been created, inspired by the theme 'time'.

When I launched this just a few weeks ago, soon after getting a shiny new sewing machine for my birthday and in celebration of getting over my fear of breaking it, I had no idea that so many people from nine countries on three continents would sign up and join in. I cannot tell you how much this has made me smile.

And now the stitching is done, the bobbins tidied away, the machines unplugged, the stamps stuck on and the postcards in the post (and if they aren't they should be, come on girls!!)

Here's a sneak peek of my Stitched Postcard which is winging its way to someone in... Australia! Who could it be?...

  

You can watch this little project unfold over on our Flickr group, where participants will be uploading photos of their postcards as they arrive. Louise in the US has already posted a sneak peak of hers here.

Note to all lovely participants - THANK YOU for making this so much fun. You should have received an individual email from me outlining next steps but if not, please let me know. Once you have uploaded the photo of the card you receive in the Flickr group, please leave a comment below so we can go and check it out. Let us know about your experience of making your card, and and what you thought when another one dropped through your door. If you blog about it, please be sure to share the link in the comments below, and then go and check out the others!

I hope you all had fun. I'll be sharing some of the postcards on this blog over the coming fortnight - watch this space

 PS thanks again to Tinnie Girl and Stella for their advice on logistic-y things!

UPDATE JULY 2010: The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap has now closed. Thanks to everyone who joined in and made it so much fun! See our Flickr Group here for everyone's gorgeous creations! Check back in October when the project will open again

I did it!!!

You guys rock!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Seriously, I cannot believe how generously you shared your advice to help me get over my first-machine-use-phobia.  And I think you cured me!!  I started off with baby steps as advised by the lovely Anne at Craft Gossip Sewing, and then I realised how much fun it was, and just started whizzing along! 

Look what I made, thanks to you (and I surprised myself that I actually don't care they are all wonky)...

Stitched postcards...

A four-weeks-at-a-glance wall planner with interchangeable pockets (red thread inspired by Rebecca Sower - thanks for the intro Stella)...

A journal (thanks Lorrie - remember the little heart?)...

And some other bits and pieces too.  I am now officially in love with my sewing machine.

And I love all the blog and website links you shared.  So inspiring and lots still to check out. 

Did I say thank you SO much!