Holidays and creativity go together

It’s holiday time and we have headed north to Kalbarri. I haven’t been here for about 20 years and I can’t believe how developed the tourism sites are. The Skywalk was on my to do list and it didn’t disappoint, the views into the gorge and Murchison river was spectacular, we really do have an amazing country on our doorstep. This is Red Bluff, amazing sandstone layers and colours, we went on a sunset cruise along the coastline.

I took some crafty projects to do as always and some reading, I don’t know about other people but I prioritise my project planning and packing when going away on any holiday. The thought of having nothing crafty to do while I am away is awful, it’s part of my relaxation.

Even though we have been out every day doing activities I have managed to do nearly all of two projects to the point that completion will be done at home. I bought a Stitch Sampler kit by Clever Poppy, I purchased as a promo and wanted to try the kit to learn bullion rose stitch and improve my techniques. The kit was very explanatory and I think a beginner would have learnt a lot. The other kit was a wool felt lavender houses Kit, very cute and will look really nice hanging in my craft room, smell nice too. I got it at my local craft store along with another wool felt Christmas ornament which I should have put in my bag to do also.

I still have a couple days to go and I wish I’d bought my Christmas cross stitch to finish, it’s a WIP (work in progress) for nearly two Christmas’s and it’s still ongoing, I find once the festive season is over I lose excitement for it.

I have been crocheting 🧶the Granny Square cardigan which is my car project and I am up to the cuffs, it’s a new stitch to learn crochet ribbing. I am amazed that it works and looks like knitted ribbing so simple too. I have the neck and waist band to go then it’s finally finished though too late for this winter.

I have been busy teaching teens how to sew and it’s been very rewarding, I discovered that schools aren’t teaching machine sewing anymore. Which is very sad, so for many people this was their introduction to sewing and they won’t get that spark of interest into the world of sewing and alterations anymore. If you don’t have a person in the family that sews or nana that has a sewing machine sitting in the cupboard, this will be a skill that could be lost. Recently, I have noticed trending Op shopping for clothes and the upcycling movement which I think is partially due to economic climate and concerns about fast fashion. This could be why sewing is having a resurgence and is a great skill to have in your arsenal. Another sewing trend is Cos play costumes and it seems to be an area that men are getting into sewing their own costumes, sewing is the same what ever you’re making. I have been watching the Great British Sewing Bee on TV and it’s so great to see such a diverse group of people sewing in England, I hope this is a reflection of the sewing interest here in Australia.

I hope you are all getting into Christmas 🎄crafts, 6 weeks to go! I have made some car rubbish bags and pouches so far, always make a few microwave bowl covers, they are all great gifts for anyone or standby gifts. 🎁

Anyway back to holiday mode for me, happy sewing 🧵🪡🧶