Things to learn... and a sprinkle of (Big) Magic

After multiple complaints about the terrible light in my Cwtch during the winter months, the great news is that I was given a *Portable Photo Home Studio and Joby Mount for Christmas. The bad news is that I have no idea how to light the things I want to photograph (yarn and projects). It's really not instinctive, and I'm experimenting with my new 'toys' to get a feel for it - so far, with very limited success. As well as the mobile photography class I'm enrolled on, it might be time to learn to use PhotoshopLightroom or something similar.


For these reasons, I can't show you a nice photo of my new Walk Collection yarn and as I'm itching to start a swatch with it, I'm pretty sure it won't be in a nice neat skein when you next see it. I have a plan for this one. I already know the name it will have, the overall 'look' as well as a rough idea of some of the stitches - in fact, this same idea has been pestering me in different forms for a while. It's time to get to work on the details.

You see, another of my gifts was the book 'Big Magic' by Elizabeth Gilbert and reading it has made me want to get to develop this project as soon as possible. The main reason it's still a sketch in my journal is that I felt that it wasn't a very original idea - that it had already been done, and that my version probably wouldn't be as good as others that are already 'out there'. (If you've read the book, you'll know why I want to grab this idea with both hands right now while it's still with me). While reading the section about 'Originality vs Authenticity' (p97) these words struck me:
Most things have already been done - but they have not yet been done by you. [...T]here's going to be some repetition of creative instinct. Everything reminds us of something. But once you put your own expression and passion behind an idea, that idea becomes yours.
I've read the first half of the book - in one sitting - and made so many notes in my journal! It is a case of perfect timing as there is so much that speaks to me right now. I've written before about feelings of being a fraud, or 'imposter syndrome' as it's also known, and Gilbert has a lot to say about that too. I really love her sentiment (on p120) which is to just make whatever you need to make and 'toss it out there'. Yes, there is magic in that! I have several books worth of ideas that haven't seen the light of day yet - it feels like it's time to get to work and to just enjoy making the things, without worrying about what anyone else thinks of them - to just enjoy the process. Expect more WIPs in 2016. A lot more WIPs!

If you've read the book, leave a comment and let me know what you think of it!
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2 comments

  1. I read that book in November. It has greatly inspired me and I'm determined to spend this year being a disciplined half-ass. Good luck keeping hold of all your ideas and making them real.

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