Why I am a Slow Blogger

Thank you to Moira for hosting the Slow Blog Linky - I'm just linking up to make my excuses for the lack of creativity.  I managed to finish one project since the last linky but I am spending the summer holidays trying to be a Good Mother, attempting to keep on top of the weeds on the allotment, and working, so not much craftiness involved.

For the last week I did get to go skiving off to the mountains up North with my husband, without children!

Last year we actually managed to get up to the top of that mountain - this time we were looking at it from the top of something a little smaller.   The vegetation on top of our hill looked like this, heather and blaeberries.

It seems to be a particularly good year for them.  Nom nom nom.

We found this Emperor Moth caterpillar which made me think of the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland, only missing a hookah to make him look even more psychedelic.

Further down, it was more meadow, with some beautiful orchids. I think this is the Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea) although it definitely was not growing on lime as described in my book.

Sneezewort (achillea ptarmica).

There were more beasties too - a shield bug, 

and a dung beetle.

Needless to say, it wasn't always sunny.

Slow Blog Linky

Hey Slow Bloggers,  are you up to your eyes in small children during the holidays, busy at work, failing to keep up with finish-alongs?

You can always link up with other slow bloggers - this month's party is being hosted tomorrow by the lovely Moira!

Slow Blog Linky

Calling Slow Bloggers - you can find the linky over at one of my favourite blogs!

Visit and link up a post - looking forward to hearing what you've been up to:-)

Slow Blog Linky

On the 15th of every month we have a linky party here, or on another blog, for bloggers who are creative at a more leisurely speed - whether out of choice, or necessity.   It's a place to share triumphs and disasters, connect, and give encouragement.  If you'd like to join in, just link up a post, and then support other Slow Bloggers by visiting as many other links as you can.  And if you'd like to host, do get in touch.

This has been a very slow month for me - work is kicking off again after a winter break - but I have a handful of WIPs, and have made one thing which I love, so that's not too bad!

Walk, Don't Walk

What about you?

<a href="http://www.knottedcotton.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Knotted Cotton" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ce7nLPi7CfsfK0jst2iV0kfnUkH0NJTyWBgov5NIdWwlUw8-9uHswjxOGoXXo6njrUF3fkpNINJ7rBcHflJG4K-t8cjxD9n3-9HvaCPVk3Helaa-9niPh33kAoUY-wqES6ZxYBll7Yjp/s125/snail-with-title%2520copy-004.jpg"/></a>

I'm Catherine and I'm a Slow Blogger

During the holidays I had a bit of a think about the slow blog linky held here on the 15th of the month.  The thing about the slow blog linky is that slow bloggers really are, well, slow.  They don't have much time to connect and they would probably like not to be slow bloggers!

I'm a slow blogger because I have family commitments and a job, because I can't justify spending huge amounts of dosh on piles of fabric, and because I am a faffer with occasional mad bursts of activity.

I'd like to be different, but I really do think it's important to just plough on at your own speed, and not to put pressure on yourself by comparing yourself to people who for whatever reason are creatively more productive.  So I'm keeping the Linky up and running for a while even if it's just me and the tumbleweed!

If you'd like to connect with other slow bloggers do link up to share something creative you've done recently, or write a post about the obstacles to creativity - or indeed any other subject - and then come back to visit other blogs and show encouragement! You can find the button here

Sorry!

If you are a Slow Blogger who has been looking for the linky, many apologies.  It is the holidays here and I forgot to schedule the post...

In case it's better late than never, you can find the linky below.   I've had a comparatively fast month of pouches (pay-it-forward finally honoured, hooray!) artist trading cards, a bag, and even a mini quilt -  aided by a little guilt-free time off work (when you're a self-employed gardener and pull something in your back it's not all bad.).

Here's a little pic of a work-in-progress.

I'd love to hear what you've been up to over the last month so link up a post, and show other Slow Bloggers your support by visiting and commenting!

Calling Slow Bloggers

Today is the day when all Slow Bloggers are invited to join in the monthly linky party.  You don't have to be a permanently slow blogger - if you have had a fast month and been craftily creative join in and celebrate your achievements here whether you made one thing, or a whole mosaic load.  Or tell us what else you've been up to if real life has been taking up your time.

The aim of the Slow Blog manifesto is to take the pressure off, so you don't have to worry about falling out of the loop - so link up here, and link up anywhere else you like - and I don't want it to be just about me, me, me, so if you'd like to host one of the monthly linky parties, just let me know:-)

This is what I've been up to:

taken some walks in the countryside, bought a new sewing machine, attended the Stitch Gathering, learned how to make crazy patchwork, sorted out my stash, been photobombed by a cat, visited the Scottish parliament, seen the Great Tapestry of Scotland, made a Liberty komebukuro bag.

[edited to add you can read more about the Tapestry of Scotland here, and about Jo's group's contribution on her blog here - Jo's group's panel is shown in my photo bottom row second from left, and another image from the tapestry top left.  It's amazing!]

Your turn!  

Party on

Moira is the hostess with the mostess at the Slow Blog Linky party today, for people who occasionally find that life gets in the way of being creative.  You don't have to drop out of the loop - there is plenty of time before the link closes, so join in and hang out with some fellow slow bloggers.

After a slow start to the year work has been really busy this month - I'm a gardener, and have clients, an allotment and garden volunteering stuff I do at the children's school so things have been a bit mad.  My own garden is tiny so I have to make the most of pots.

The cat has decided that the pot on the left is actually a cushion installed specially for him.

Also although in my head I'm still about 26 I seem to have turned into a mummy and am endlessly ferrying small kids from one class or social event to another - not sure how that happened.

It wasn't all work though because I made the round trip of 280 miles and dropped off the children at their grandparents for the first time, and got to spend a weekend with my husband.  There was a lot of culture (well, alright, it did include Iron Man 3), eating and drinking, and just sitting. We found these shoes - wonder what the story is behind them.  I hope that someone very young and happy walked home barefoot and carefree after dancing the night away.

With the luxury of no interruptions we also managed to build and instal a coat rack down our stairway - we know how to live the high life!

And I did manage to make a quilt!  I got really lucky and managed to score some Nummer fabric from Ikea - the one you see on the back of hundreds of quilts because it's mega-cheap and goes with no end of different fabrics.   I've made many trips out to Ikea and they either weren't carrying it, or someone else had beaten me to it, but this time it was in. Yay!  (Of course I had to buy 7 yards.  Also I think there's a unit of currency, called an Ikea, which represents the minimum amount you can get away with spending on all those bargains in the Marketplace.)

Do you think there's any chance of making another quilt in four days and entering it in the Blogger's Quilt Festival?  

What about you?  I'm looking forward to hearing what other Slow Bloggers have been up to.

Slow Bloggers Unite

Hey fellow Slow Bloggers!  

You might have had a quiet month, or an amazingly productive one, but don't forget you can join this month's Slow Blog linky - being hosted tomorrow by the lovely Moira at Kettle Boiler - to show off your month of creativity against the odds, celebrate one great make, or just tell us about the obstacles life put in the way.

Slow Blog Linky Party

It's the 15th of the month - where has the time gone?! Actually, for me, a lot of it went into the school holidays. A good time was had by all, although there were moments ....

Success of the month - I ran two miles and suddenly realised that if I go upstairs to fetch something, forget to bring it down with me and have to go up again (which happens a lot), I'm not out of breath by the time I've got to the top of the stairs for the second time. Result!   I'm mentioning it really because if I can do it so can anyone. Getting fit was one of my New Year's resolutions, and at that point I couldn't run for more than a minute or so at a time.   I'm doing the Couch to 5K programme, using podcasts from here.

Sadly I have completely failed in one of my other resolutions which was to do something creative every day.  I haven't been doing anything creative at all this month but c'est la vie.  On my immediate to-do list are yellow and grey Siblings Together quilt, my leaf quilt - think I can get it done in time to enter it here?! - and three very belated Pay it Forward gifts which I haven't forgotten.

What about you?  Have you been wildly creative (not envious at all...) or been doing other things?  I would love to hear about it, so do link up - you can grab a linky button from my sidebar - and visit other Slow Bloggers too, to show your support.

(PS, if you would like to host, just let me know.)

Slow Blog Linky

Just a little reminder Slow Bloggers, temporary or permanent, can join the Slow Blog Linky party here tomorrow.  I've been having a veeerrrrry slow month myself!

PS, if you were the person who offered to host an upcoming linky, please could you get in touch again - I can't find your comment/email - so sorry!

Calling Slow Bloggers!

After a bit of thought I have decided to move the Slow Bloggers Linky to the 15th of each month.

Probably most of us blog so we can engage with other people and worry about dropping off the radar when we don't feel we have much creative productivity to show.  Slow Bloggers may not always be able to get a lot done - but any act of creativity is a triumph over inertia and the other demands of life!

That's why I set up the linky.  You can link up to show off a single project, or several if you have had a good month, share what inspires you, or just let us know what other adventures you've been having.  Link up if even you're only an occasional Slow Blogger and a creative whirlwind the rest of the time!

The aim is to take the pressure off and provide a bit of an antidote to the feeling that you have to keep up.  But I don't mind if it's just me and the sound of whistling tumbleweed!    I had a lovely email from a blogger who said that she got a sense of calm every time she saw the button at the top of her blog - that's what it's about.

Missing Link(y)

The norovirus hit our household yesterday (one down, and the rest to follow no doubt as there are more than 60 children off the school) which is why I forgot the Slow Bloggers link!  So sorry!

I am having a bit of a think about the linky and its date at the end of the month - a rather foolish choice as it clashes with the wonderful link up at Lily's Quilts - and will be posting again on that subject shortly.  I am very grateful to the slow bloggers who have linked up in the past and look forward to next time.

I'm also very amazed and grateful to have reached more than 90 followers of my very slow blog - thank you!

Slow Bloggers Linky

Can it really be December tomorrow?  Anyway, time to look back over November and take stock.  Here in the land of the slow blogger it has been a mixed month.  For the last week we have been living in chaos because we are having a new suite put in our tiny and previously horrid bathroom. This involves using a bucket to flush the loo and washing in a saucepan, so it's a bit like camping (just as cold too because the heating has to be off most of the time) but for some reason it's been quite good for productivity - it must be the adrenalin:-)

So, I have finished my bunting, and made a tutorial for Liberty brooches.  I also have two quilts in meaningful stages of progress and not on the back burner.

Other highlights of the month include falling backwards into a rosebush in front of my gardening group of small school children and shouting "Bollocks" really loudly.   What about you?!   If you would like to share a little creeping progress, and the events of your month, please do link up below.

Inaugural linky party for Slow Bloggers

Are you a Slow Blogger?  Does life sometimes get in the way?  Do you ever feel apologetic about your lack of productivity?  Then this is the place for you.

Welcome to the Inaugural Linky Party for Slow Bloggers.  Here is where we can get together and celebrate our achievements for the previous month however small.

If you have been creative, write a post about it then come here and share your projects (link up for Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts too!).     Conversely, feel free to link up a post here telling us what else you've been up to or sharing something that inspires you. 

Temporary members are welcome.  One day the baby will sleep through the night, the children will start school, you may even win the lottery and give up the day job.  Maybe you'll get back on track after that holiday.  Your sewing mojo might just return from exile next week.  Until then, you're not alone! All you need to do is add the button below to your post or sidebar, link your post, visit and comment! The link will stay open for a week.

I'm hoping this might become a regular feature, held on the last day of the month, with hosting going to a different blog each time.  If you would like to host during one of the months to come, just let me know. 

<a href="http://www.knottedcotton.com/p/slow-blog-manifesto.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Knotted Cotton" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuYxPHIpqLaGvfz6Is39fZclZD9VrdSYsZWTey6c-R07X7Irn0XOAFGIl51OlnCrpzgb7sGYkfcNLWHK3UDoaQ4tpADYq1BCAUgJ2NP5BOhJWwIPB8h1X3vB-BQYj1qoVL79pHeHBsDYA/s125/snail-with-title-001.jpg"/></a>

I'll just say my August has whizzed by in a blur of school holidays. I spent the first week back clearing the school allotment - ironic that the weeds have done spectacularly well during the wet weather, whereas the vegetables.....

Finished projects (feel free to skip):

here and here:

WIPs:

One top to quilt - all material bought and ready to go
One quilt based on paper-pieced dandelion seeds - no progress

WITTS (works in the theoretical stage:-)):

One cushion cover to make as a present
Three Pay-it-forward gifts

The most exciting part of my month has been this

What about you?

Catherine

Yay Slow Bloggers!

A big thank you to the people who have signed up as members of the Union of Slow Bloggers - there is nothing a Slow Blogger dreads quite as much as the sound of whistling tumbleweed after a post...

Martha suggested a monthly linky party which is a great idea and given the nature of the Movement I think we should rotate the hosting, so if you would like to be one of the hosts let me know - no obligation though!  You should check out Martha's blog by the way - she takes beautiful photographs and deserves a bigger following.

I have actually drafted a manifesto (see new page tab)!  Suggestions welcome.  Please note, none of this is to be taken (entirely) seriously. 

Please visit the two blogs on the Let's Get Acquainted bloghop today:

Sarah from Sarah Sews Quilting Blog
January from Sew Sew Go

Sarah has a tutorial for a sweet mug rug with hexies and hand quilting, and January has a tutorial for a really useful pouch to carry blocks around in.   Both are lovely blogs.

Slow Blog

A while back I posted, half jokingly, about my need for a slow blog movement.

I blog for two reasons - to share and record the things that I make, and secondly for the contact that blogging gives me with some lovely fellow crafters. I'm in awe of some of my favourite bloggers who manage to get so much done but I suspect there are other people out there who, like me, find it more difficult. It's very easy to worry about your stuff being good enough, or whether you are producing it fast enough to share, and to forget who you are doing it for - ie you!  So!  I am starting the movement here - membership of one - and proudly declaring my slog blogger status.

Becca commented that the movement should have a button and suggested a snail or a turtle (this makes her officially a co-founder;-), so just before I went on holiday I drew this, using Scribbler (have you used it yet? It's such fun!  Also, it would make great drawings for embroiderers.).

<a href="http://www.knottedcotton.com/p/slow-blog-manifesto.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Knotted Cotton" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuYxPHIpqLaGvfz6Is39fZclZD9VrdSYsZWTey6c-R07X7Irn0XOAFGIl51OlnCrpzgb7sGYkfcNLWHK3UDoaQ4tpADYq1BCAUgJ2NP5BOhJWwIPB8h1X3vB-BQYj1qoVL79pHeHBsDYA/s125/snail-with-title-001.jpg"/></a>

Now all it needs is a manifesto!