If you’re a crafty type person – needlepoint, patchwork, embroidery or any number of other options – it’s a good idea to have somewhere to stash images and ideas. A book of blank pages waiting to be filled. Or two books. Or several ...
I remember making a scrapbook as a kid. In fact I’ve still got it. Charles ‘n’ Di are on the cover, that classic engagement photo where she’s looking bashful and he’s looking awkward and – well – we all know how that ended. Anyway, I stuck postcards, birthday and Christmas cards into it, and anything else that caught my eye. As a (supposed) grown up I still keep scrapbooks of a sort. You could call ‘em scrapbooks or notebooks or journals, whatever you like. Basically they’re places in which I glue or sellotape images that catch my eye. Cut out of Sunday supplements, or old theatre flyers, fashion images and artists cards. Plus my scribbles and drawings, even little needlepoint swatches where I’ve tried out patterns or colours. Some successful, some not.
I remember making a scrapbook as a kid. In fact I’ve still got it. Charles ‘n’ Di are on the cover, that classic engagement photo where she’s looking bashful and he’s looking awkward and – well – we all know how that ended. Anyway, I stuck postcards, birthday and Christmas cards into it, and anything else that caught my eye. As a (supposed) grown up I still keep scrapbooks of a sort. You could call ‘em scrapbooks or notebooks or journals, whatever you like. Basically they’re places in which I glue or sellotape images that catch my eye. Cut out of Sunday supplements, or old theatre flyers, fashion images and artists cards. Plus my scribbles and drawings, even little needlepoint swatches where I’ve tried out patterns or colours. Some successful, some not.
If my fingers itch to make something but I don’t know what, I leaf through a notebook and get an idea for a pattern or a colour combination or a new craft to try out. One of these days I want to make a nativity set, maybe out of oven baked clay. I want to make a needlepoint design of bright lollipop flowers and deep blue stars on a checkerboard background. I want to make a doll with a papier mache head and fabric body, dressed in Liberty print spriggy fabric.
All ideas set off from leafing through a notebook.
All ideas set off from leafing through a notebook.
Your book of blank pages doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Unlined pages, not too flimsy paper. Look in pound shops or discount stationery stores for something suitable. Don’t be precious with your book either. It’s not for personal use not publication, so let it get a bit tatty and scuffed around in your bag.
Time to get the glue stick and scissors out, and see what inspiration you can find.
Time to get the glue stick and scissors out, and see what inspiration you can find.