Sunday 30 April 2017

A year in the shed...

I wanted to start a new blog and when I started researching this, realised I could not be bothered starting from scratch. So I found this abandoned blog and dusted it off. I like the dandelion banner, it seems appropriate somehow to how I feel. When I chose the name for this blog - based on my grandma and nannas names - I did not realise that there is a porn star with the same moniker and this used to bug me somewhat. That's life and I've since let it go! 

This blog is about seven years old and when I started it I didn't think anyone would find it and that suited me just fine. Nothing has changed in this respect. I don't know when I stopped blogging, but it must be about three years ago. It all got a bit ugly for my liking; catty comments, people using my photos as their own, even a pattern ending up in a magazine under someone else's name. Too much negativity for my liking and I must say I have not missed being a part of it all. Of course there were plenty of wonderful souls who crossed my blogging path but the darker side filled me with despair if I'm honest. I do miss the enthusiasm I had for taking photos though and would like this to come back. In the last few years I rarely take photos and never take a camera out with me on my travels. On a subconscious level I hope dusting off the blog will reignite a passion for photography.

Over the last few years there have been moments when I've thought "Oh I really must share this" but the feeling is fleeting. Instagram has never really floated my boat and whilst I have an account, I struggle to communicate on it. Maybe I'm a diarist at heart. There are only one or two blogs that I read nowadays and the authors of these are losing their enthusiasm and moving with the times over to Facebook and Instagram. Blogging has become a commercial endeavour for many and that's ok, but a lot of charm has fallen by the wayside.

As I sit here I'm not sure what I want to share on my blog, I've changed immensely in recent years. I still craft on a daily basis and find this to be healing on many levels. I'm now a lady with a shed; my husband says "cabin" sounds better. It really is a tranquil space and visitors say it has a good energy. My money gets spent on the garden these days and my nickname is quite probably "plant lady". Many people tell me I have green fingers and this leaves me bemused as I don't see that in myself. The porch (which acts as my greenhouse) is currently full of sunflower seedlings and I intend to gift many to visitors over the coming month or two. There is something so uplifting about watching sunflowers grow and bloom; they always face the sun and let the shadows fall behind them. A lesson we all need to remember.

 

The past year has been the year of crochet taxidermy and I must confess to being very impressed with myself for tackling these projects. I'm not normally one for following complex patterns.

 

Granted the sausage dog isn't crochet taxidermy but I needed to fill up the grid. Some are gifts and no longer reside with me! 

 

Life is full of blessings and maybe I am ready to start recording some of life's delights here?

13 comments:

susan said...

Hi Andrea, so glad to see you back. I always loved your posts tho I rarely comment on anyone's (*lurker* lol). I don't blog myself anymore and am considering taking it all down and starting again.........
susan xx

Sandra said...

So nice to see you back in another form! I can understand your difficulties concerning people copying your work and/or using it indiscriminately and passing it off as your own. I've always loved your colour combinations for which you have a real flare. I do hope that you will continue to share your lovely work. What about if you sold your patterns to avoid all the problems you had before? This would certainly dissuade those people which upset you so much in the past.

Gardens are wonderful things to have a passion for if you are lucky enough to have one. I live in an apartment, but still enjoy a little window-box gardening!

Wishing you a beautiful Sunday, Andrea.

Between Me and You said...

Oh my goodness, I thought I was seeing things when your name came up on my reading list!How absolutely wonderful to have you back Andrea.Your space is as delightful as ever!Pleasure to be here and your Zoo is incredible too!!!Welcome back!!!xxx

Ella said...

I love those pillows, they are gorgeous!

Kay G. said...

Sunflower seedlings and crochet animals, sounds like something good to share with me!

Sharron said...

Hello Andrea, was so pleased to see your name pop up today!! I'm still just about hanging onto this blogging lark, started all those years ago with you as one of my first advocates. Have never forgotten that :) I've also always agreed with your feelings on the darker side of this online world we frequent.

There is a nastier element out there for sure, that we try our hardest to circumnavigate. But it can sometimes rear it's ugly head, and make you want to retreat. Lovely seeing your crafty endeavours, and hearing what you've been up to. The porn star thing did make me laugh I have to admit. Thank you for brightening up my day. Sharron x

Frances said...

Good evening from New York. It is great to see your posts both here and over on IG. I am also still contributing here and there. xo

Stel said...

Glad to see you back! You were one of the first I started to follow and learn from.

Przygody z drutami said...

Nice.to.find.your.post.again,I.like.your.blog.and.I'm.satisfied.you.write.about.sunflower.plants.and.cushions,greetings.and.congratulations

Przygody z drutami said...

Very.nice.to.see.again,greetings

SmallP said...

Wow, fab to see you back here :-) YOu've been much missed.

Attic24 said...

I am also gad to see you back in Blogland, I hope this is the start of a beautiful new adventure for you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Claire@homesweethome2015 said...

Welcome back! I started a blog a few years back with the idea of mainly using it as an online diary, where I could also put lots of photos. If anyone wants to read it that's fine, if not that's fine too. Why not just do that? Xx Great crochet heads btw 😀