Loss of direction

I had a lovely surprise in the post today, my PIF gift from Jan. It is a beautiful trapunto quilted bag and postcard. Thanks so much Jan, I really love it. I will be announcing my PIF in the new year.

On a non-creative theme, I do try to shop local but unfortunately my local independent health food shop has been taken over by Holland and Barratt. They have stopped stocking most of the items that I used to buy there in favour of their own brand so I have been forced to travel further afield to Ashbourne. I usually  combine a trip there with a visit to replenish supplies at the RSPB shop at Carsington Water which makes it more economical. Yesterday, however, having shopped for the birds and my healthy essentials, I remembered that there is a lovely shop called Equatorial in Ashbourne that I have not visited for some time so, as I had plenty of parking time left, I decided to have a look around. It is one of those shops that only sells Fair Trade ethnic items so I didn't feel too guilty. It was, I should add, the coldest day of the winter so far and as I don't have a warm jacket the temptation to purchase a Nepalese wool jacket was just too great to resist. I think the beautiful patterns also may have had something to do with it.

At least I will be warm (and visible) this winter!

I ought to address the reason for the title of this post I suppose. I feel, at the moment, that I have lost direction in my creative work. I realised that when I decided to try out a Ricky Tims-style kaleidoscope hanging.

This is yet another quilty piece that I have started but is, as yet, unfinished. I have never been one to have loads of UFOs lying around but now they seem to be stacking up. I wonder if this is because I have been leaning towards more pieced items, not something I normally enjoy doing, rather than the art quilts that I do enjoy. It seems like a vicious circle as well because I feel guilty at having unfinished items lying around which prevents me from starting on other designs. Maybe it's just that the days are short and dark. Who knows. I'll be sure to let you know if I get my inspiration back.

Until then I hope that your inspiration is keeping you company.

Maggi