How to Help a Crafty Person

I've had my fair share of creativity blocks over the years, it can last a mere day or it can take weeks if not longer to get over that hurdle. Sometimes it can come out of the blue and the answer to it also can appear out of no where. 

I've pushed projects to one side simply because I don't know what to do it with it because I simply don't think it looks right, its missing something. So on..

One thing I often found useful to get over this was bouncing ideas off other people, even better if its in a place that isn't your home, workroom of where ever it is you get your craft on.

So I was musing therefore this morning of perhaps doing a little session like this. Quite relaxed, perhaps in a coffee shop of even the pub, where people can bring their projects or just themselves and a willingless to share and help others. Hopefully in return you will get over your hurdle, or creativity block whilst helping out someone else in the process. A nice bit of karma.

This is something that can easily be slotted into existing networking sessions, coffee mornings etc, but taking it to a slightly different level. 

I don't know about you, but I love helping people and I like coming up with creative solutions, giving ideas and suggestions to others. 

Not sure, if by the end of this musing, it makes sense and how I would move it to the next stage, especially given my limited time, but I am feeling somewhat more inspired to pull my finger out since seeing the lovely Anna in the Daily Mail. 

Adventure Continues....

Saturday's adventure: This was the first of the days of me hitting the museums in DC, starting at the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History and National Gallery of Art (West & East buildings). It was a really good way to spend the day. 

The American History Museum was one I have always wanted to hit, but the thing I found was that it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Perhaps they were too high? But I certainly found it was lacking something, and was a little tired around the edges. There were few highlights, and the displays weren't very flattering to the pieces. For instances the Ruby coloured slippers one of the major highlights was in a clear box in an area no bigger than my bedroom. Even Kermit the frog looked a little drab. Perhaps it was the choice of wall colouring but white would have been more appropriate it would at least set the pieces off better than they did. I know as they are fabric that certain lights are appropriate but the wall colour could have at least helped with that. Drab beige never did anyone any good let alone textile pieces. 

I didn't stay long I stopped in the shop and headed off to the Natural History, which thank god was so much better. It was bright and the exhibits were well laid out the highlights been the under the sea and the gemstone exhibits. Whilst it was extremely busy, it was a Saturday and clearly the place to take the kids it was fine and easy to get round. Though the shops sucked but that's okay I didn't need any more magnets....

GIANT squid

Now where the Natural History appealed to my inner child the Art Museums warmed to my creative self. Man it certainly lived up to my expectations. The displays were as good if not better than the National Gallery back in London. The special exhibitions were particularly of interest to me finding an artist I want to learn more about John Taylor Arms. Amazing artist and draughtsman. 

Now this museum isn't just one its two in one. With an East and West wing connected by a spectacular corridor which is nicknamed the Star Trek tunnel by someone I know, it's a light show. Though I admit I was somewhat tired by the time I got to this part of the Museum which houses the modern art collection. But still it was a pretty sight.

Watson & the Shark - this only means something to me and one other person who I have a running joke with them about it. 

Giant Mobile! I wonder if this would fit in my flat.....

Star Trek tunnel - Pretty changing light show

That concluded the day for Saturday, something tells me I did something in the evening but at this second of writing this post (in the departure lounge at Dulles) I can't remember!

Evening Jaunt

An evening jaunt ended up me seeing all the main monuments in the National Mall & Memorial Parks. I hadn't planned on doing that I was only going down to the Washington Memorial before trotting off to grab some food....but, once you do one on that strip you can't help but go down to see the others. The evening was lovely and I was taking advantage of lots of people being around to go and take some more photographs. Here you go:

National World War II Memorial

Vietman Woman's Memorial

Vietman's Veteran's Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Needless to say I earned that Five Guy's burger!

Day 3 of my adventures in Washington

Another day and yet more walking needless to say I am somewhat shattered so tomorrow it will be museums and sticking to the Mall.

This was from yesterday when I went to Arlington, this is the Netherlands Carrillon. Plays music on the hour. 

Iwo Jima Statue (US Marine Corps Memorial)

Washington Monument

This was from today's adventures, I went over to the National Zoological Park, and saw many an animal the small mammals and the panda was some of my favourites.

I slogged over to the National Cathedral. I did totally forget it was shut down owing to the maintenance work to repair the spire following the earthquake the other month. It was a very long walk, and it was very hot. Needless to say it was somewhat of a relief to get back to the hotel to have a rest and to change my clothes. 

My adventure

Yep I am in Washington DC folks!

Now time for me to get a move on, off to the Zoo today. A proper blog this evening x

Countdown Continues

I've fallen a little silent since I put my shops on hiatus. I wish I could say I've been up to anything really exciting in that time....but its just the usual life stuff. Work mainly as I've had to clear a lot of stuff of my desk prior to my holiday which officially started 5pm yesterday. Then there was a hen do weekend and just the usual life things. 

So there you go.

However, I haven't stopped crafting, just because I put the shops to sleep for a bit, I have been stitching but things for me. Which has been rather gratifying. It's bits for the flat mainly and the start of Christmas gifts (sorry I hate using that word so early into autumn, so don't shot me for saying it! haha

Say hello to Harold: Designed by my favourite crafts person Tilda. Gawd her designs and books are to die for. This is the first time I've actually done anything from her books, I kept coveting and saying I would, but I finally pulled my finger out.

Once you start you can't stop, and here is Calico the Angel Pig

I can't wait to hang Calico up, he'll be flying over the top of my tree in place of the usual angel. I've still not finished, one my best mates very kindly purchased me a Tilda kit and well I can't just put it away and do it after my holiday, no I have to start it and I'm nearly half way through one of the girls already.

I'm determined to get one finished before I fly on Wednesday so fingers crossed.

That's where I am at the moment. Aside from that I am currently in the midsts of packing and making final preparations before I fly out to DC on Wednesday. I am excited and a little nervous at the prospect of travelling on my own but god dammit I can't wait! As I will be taking my netbook with me I will be making the most of the free wifi in the hotel of an evening to upload images to my Flickr account and Facebook. I also hope to blog about the trip as well. 

P.s the stores will be reopening on the 1st November