so...

...I've decided to start a blog. Mainly because I want a place to record all the crafty stuff I do - I make lots of clothes and toys for my daughter, presents for other people and their kids, and even some clothes for myself (although they don't tend to turn out that great - working on that). I also crochet and I've started to do some embroidery, and some quilting (turning into my mother!). And this year, our first on a mortgage, we're trying to save money, so I've decided to try and make everyone's birthday presents this year. And I have a full-time job. When you make stuff and give it away, and you're busy and in a hurry most of the time, you barely remember to take a picture, let alone post it somewhere. So I wanted this to be a place where I can record what I make (it appeals to the latent archivist in me).

I have to say up front - I don't think I'm an especially original crafter. The internet is full of people way more creative and clever than me, and I'm hugely inspired by all the wonderful stuff out there that people post on their blogs and generously share their expertise. I make lots of things based on tutorials I find online - I'm not especially precise or perfectionist about the things I make, but I'm productive!

I also need to stress that this is a new kind of writing for me. I write - a lot - in my day job, but its not personal like I think blogging needs to be. There are a lot of great bloggers out there and I don't think I'll be challenging them for supremacy anytime soon. But this is not about perfection, its about creating a little space for me to document the things I make. Starting now.