Sunday, October 23, 2011

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. 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

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!

Saturday, October 08, 2011

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!