Slow Progress

Oh, this past week has felt so long and slow! My days have been full of people and stuff and commitments and to-do-lists and yet it feels like only a scant few things have actually been achieved. Sometimes life is like that I suppose. I guess the trick is to have faith and keep going even when progress on pretty much everything feels ridiculously snail-like.

I am making gentle progress with my winter wreath, and this is one thing where I am enjoying the slowness. It's such an enjoyable process, a journey, and really I'm in no rush at all. A leaf here, a handful of teeny-tiny balls there and gradually it all begins to come together.

I did that thing a few evenings ago where I tipped out everything I have made during the past few weeks and had a little play. Arranging and pinning, getting a feel for how well my winter wreath ideas are forming in reality. The verdict? Absolutely heart-stoppingly lovely, oh this is going to be such a pretty wreath! I've still some things to make - snowy white pine cones, a couple of hellebore flowers and maybe a few snowdrops too. Oh, and a flurry of snowflakes to gently finish it all off. A baby robin hatched a few days ago, I'll introduce him to you as soon as I manage to take some photographs. He's a real cutie :)

I've been crocheting some granny squares this week as well, a contribution to a community project being organised by Lisa over on Instagram. A number of us are joining our hooky hearts and hands to make a colourful blanket in memory of Vanessa. The blanket will eventually be auctioned on Ebay to raise funds for Vanessa’s family’s chosen charity {the Mental Health Foundation}.  I am enjoying the familiar, meditative process of making these squares, they have provided a simple bit of easy hooky time for me during this busy week which I have appreciated.

I am still plodding away with my studio, although it is frustratingly slow progress in this little room. On Thursday I managed to finish off all the decorating, hooray! It's been a bit stop and start with this due to having so many other things pulling at my child-free hours, but now it's finished and I am thrilled. Oh, that gentle, warm, summery, sky-blue colour is delicious!! I've now got three white walls plus one wall of glorious blueness, I can't wait to show you.

As you can see, there is still much to sort out. Yikes. I went there this afternoon with J (and the Little People), I needed J and his power tools to make my big storage shelves safe with the old uneven floorboards and wonky walls. When all was done I dispatched the family homewards and pootled around on my own for an hour, cleaning up the floor and dragging furniture about. I'm really, really looking forward to finding a place for everything and making this lovely little room properly mine. Slowly but surely I am getting there.

Life on the home front has been quiet and cosy this week, no worries about slow progress here. Spring will arrive soon enough and I'm  formulating some plans to shake the house up a bit then. But not yet. It's January and I declare it's perfectly acceptable to just be.

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Comments

[MO]

Hi Lucy Girl! The wreath is going to be brilliant, isn't it!!? Thanks for the reminder that it is January and that it is 'okay' to move 'slowly'. It seems I have so many wonderful projects I want to do and am torn between this, that and the other. Taking a deep breath and chillin'. LOL Hugs, MO

[Imene]

It sounds like a very fruitful and productive week to me. I am looking forward to images of your studio

[Lonormi Manuel]

Lucy, do you block and/or starch the floral elements before fixing them to your wreaths?

[Birgitta]

I am so excited to see the winter wreath. It´s looking very nice and I love the colors. I can´t wait to see your big reveal on your studio. I´m sure its going to be fabulous.

January is a good month. It´s good to just be.

Birgitta xx

[Robin Summers]

So far so good. Your wreath is looking fab! I so love the colors you have chosen. As usual you have such an eye for color and what goes well together. I am so looking forward to seeing the ta-dahhhh post for this one. Lots of love to you and your family. Enjoy your week until we meet again.
xxxxxx Robin from across the pond

[Jo Navin]

Hi Lucy, I love the little pink berries you've made, they look perfect with the other icy colours. Can't wait to meet the little Robin (my favourite bird) and see your studio "work home" made all cosy :-) I love all the Farrow and ball colours, with the chalky effect of the emulsion they add a lovely depth and character to walls, although your walls sound rather characterful already! I looked at the photos of Skipton from your last post, I think your gorgeous town is very special. Happy January pootleing Lucy, love Jo xxxx

[Teresa Kasner]

Wow, you have a LOT of things on the go.. I can't wait to see your finished studio, decorated just for you with all your things about you. What a creative nest it will be! We're having an odd false Spring here in Oregon... the door is open and the sun is shining! I've crocheted 2 hats for babies in Brazil who need clothes. My blog friend Taci is trying to get 200 hat to take with her when she goes to visit her family there. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Catherine]

I read this just after reading that our Prime Minister (I'm Australian) had awarded the highest honour to Prince Phillip who has no ties with Australia, except that his wife is our Queen. I am livid to the point of speechlessness.
Your post has calmed me down, a bit.
Thank you

[Marie]

Yep, I've had one of those weeks too! I put it on account of hibernation ;) Anyway, loving the sneak peek of your wreath, especially with those yummy purples. Thank you for sharing, take care of yourself :)

[carol partridge]

Had a go at doing a fern leaf. Pleased...but not as neat as yours.lol. They are fiddly aren't they. I'll do another when my old fingers allow.

You know the old saying...more haste, less speed.
The wreath is going to be a stunner.

[Cathleen]

Love your wreath, when you are done, do you glue everything on?

Thanks Cathy

[CJ]

That last photo is just gorgeous, it looks so very warm and cosy, just right for curling up with a little crochet. I'm really looking forward to seeing your new studio space once you have everything in place. I know it's going to be a thing of beauty. Good progress on the wreath, it's going to be my favourite one I'm sure, I do love all of those icy colours. I hope you have a good week this week, with a little more time for yourself, to get all of those things done that need to be done. CJ xx

[Lorraine]

Totally agree with you. It is fine to just 'be'. Spring will scone and we will all feel better! x

[Thistle]

That color must look beautiful in your studio. It seems very calming. I'm trying to build up the courage to do a color like that in our bedroom, but it's so hard to break out of the neutral colors I always use. I'm excited to see your studio, and the plans you have for your house.

[Greengranny]

Hi Lucy,
The wreath even though not finished it looks lovely. I truly admire your patience with those tedious little part of the wreath.
I have patience for hooking and knitting but not to that extent. Looking forward to seeing your hatchling...Happy Sunday..
Hope the upcoming week is better for you..

[Mary Chiles]

Your effervescent creativity (even amidst January) inspires and delights.

[Jocelyn Nelson]

Ooh, those purple balls for your wreath look great! I've been contemplating making a winter wreath but struggling to think of something not too Christmassy, but that still has some nice colours. I was a bit worried after seeing those soft greens your wreath might be a bit too muted for my taste (although of course absolutely lovely!). But now with those purple balls, and sparkly pompoms, and red robin... I think it will be just perfect, of course!

[Clare]

The wreath looks like it's going to be a stunner, have a lovely week
Clare x

[Joanne Bleaden]

I love that 'it is perfectly acceptable to just be' isn't it just and why should there ever be a problem with that :)

[janet]

Thanks sooo much for your down-to-earth blogs. Always helps me to slow down and be ok with it. it's too easy to get caught up in stuff. Your blogs help me slow down. :)

[flavia]

Oh I want to see the wreath finished, I can't wait ! And also the new studio :) Have a nice week Lucy !

[Claire]

Yes, the process of a creative project that is going well is as delicious as the end result... sometimes you don't want it to end.

I cannot wait to see the finished studio!

[Cathy]

That wreath is just gorgeous - it looks like it's really coming together. I know what you mean about having weeks where very little is achieved, and it can seem so frustrating. But I find that if I stop and look at what I've done it is often more than I think. Keep doing what you're doing at your own pace. The things you create are beautiful and your blog is always a joy to look at :)
Cathy x

[Farrah Lily]

That fireplace looks so warm and cozy...I feel like there is a reason why animals hibernate in winter :) Sounds like you've been a busy bee! Just being a mom to young children is crazy enough..good for you for being able to accomplish as much as you do! Hope you can make some time for tea and sweet treats. Have a nice week..xo

[Gill]

I totally agree, January is just for being. I am loving working on my cosy blanket , am drifting through easy read fiction ( Amish knit/lit circle books) and keeping the wood stove burning. A little gentle baking and slow cooker suppers, and I'm a contented bunny.