In my last post, I talked about how I got started sewing, a foundation of skills and tools from my grandmothers. Today, I am thinking about that spark of inspiration and its even more powerful sister, motivatation.
It is one thing to have an idea. I have ideas all the time. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a lot going on all the time, and that is the way I like it. I come up with story ideas, house ideas (Jason has resigned himself to my furniture rearranging and just laughs it off), garden ideas, recipe ideas, craft ideas….so many ideas.
Coming up with ideas is not my problem. I run into trouble when it comes to motivation, and perspiration. I recently started making scented lavender sachets and coasters to sell. In an online craft fair, someone commented on my fabrics and asked if I made masks. Of course, I have been ~thinking~ about that, but I hadn’t made any. I offered to work up a sample and see how it went.
I had to think a little bit about sizing because I was working from smallish precut rectangles instead of larger pieces of cloth. I also needed to find coordinating fabric in my stash to create the sides and lining.
Here is what I came up with.
This cat reminds me of the little feral that’s been hanging out around my house. I call her Moon Chat. Isn’t she something?
Then, in a conversation with my mom and sister, I offered to make masks for everyone in the family, so mom sent me some fabric, and off I ran to the sewing machine. I also made a few out of this cute baby Avenger fabric I have been reselling.
Without the questions from a stranger and the offer from my mom, would I have made any masks at all? Maybe. No way to know. I am grateful when people feel comfortable enough to ask questions. Questions can lead to inspiration, motivation, and perspiration. The spark of an idea coaxed into flame by a little motivation and some elbow grease is a thing of beauty, the good stuff that feeds my soul and keeps me going.
I am most happy when I am being creative in a way that is purposeful…and mask making definitely provides that combination.
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