I am seriously thinking of applying for research funding to explore some of my recent findings. For a little while now, I have been subject to a phenomenon I can only describe as the Blogging Induced Inertia Effect. It goes like this: as soon as I blog about how much I am enjoying or learning from a project, I will immediately desist from said activity. Take for example my ramblings just over a week ago about how I was greatly enjoying learning how to develop my blog/website. Since my last post, have I spent a moment working on this wonderfully enjoyable project?? Pah! For not one second have I thought about it, let alone actually do the work!
This leads me to the question: is it just me? It is quite possible that I am just lazy and easily distracted. Then again, maybe this is an actual phenomenon that needs to be studied further. I will be interested to hear from other bloggers. If you have dectected evidence of Blogging Induced Inertia Effect (BIIE), do let me know. I can’t promise it will lead to a major research project…..but it will make me feel a whole lot better about myself!
Here is the main cause of my BIIE. I have been posting a couple pictures of pieces of work that I have completed over the last year on Instagram. When I posted this picture, someone told me they would love to be able to stitch one up for themselves. It got me thinking. Late last year, I did quite a lot of work on making up the whole alphabet for this pattern. The fairly free form stable made it quite a challenge to make into cross stitch. I decided I needed to circulate/sell much simpler patterns before I took on something so complicated. I then got distracted by a number of other freehand and embroidery projects and, well, here we are! As I write this, it has struck me as clearly as it probably did you, dear reader, that inertia, blogging induced or otherwise, is not my problem – I am, quite simply, a dilettante!
Anyway, my Instagram exchange made me think that I should grab the chance to start making real grown up patterns. I told my IG friend that I would be happy to make up a monogram pattern for her providing she gave me some constructive feedback. She requested this pattern with a letter “R” and so I got to work. I decided that I would make this one up myself so that I was 100% certain I was happy with the colour and composition.
With a few minor adjustments, I was able to produce another pattern I was happy with. It has given me the confidence to make up a whole alphabet of monograms. I hope to be able to have a relatively presentable PDF of this pattern completed in the next couple of days.
In order to help me to keep this momentum going, I am offering a little giveaway to followers of this blog. If you would like your own Fair Isle monogram pattern PDF, please leave a comment on this post with the letter you would want to stitch up. If this giveaway is popular, I will put all of the entries into a hat and randomly select 2 winners. To be eligible for this giveaway you need to be following this blog. I will announce the winners on September 30th.
I have also managed to fit in a little work on my tea drinking girl. I am really learning as I go with this one. I have made her hair too big and her right hand is a hot mess (I am going to redo it entirely) but I just LOVE how her jumper has turned out!
A few people have asked me how I managed to achieve the knitted effect. I used a very simple form of needle lace. It was an experiment that had a happy outcome. I was thinking about posting a tutorial on this stitch. No wait! What am I thinking?! I sense another wave of Blogging Induced Inertia overcoming me!
Ambrosia Stitches 
The stitching is amazing! And no, you’re not the only ones who goes through blogging inertia. Every once in a while, I need to take a break. Then all of a sudden I just feel the need to write again!
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Thanks 😀
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Your monogram letters are so cute! I would stitch an “A”. Haha- I do the same thing- when I go public with an interest, suddenly there is no longer time, interest, etc.. to keep up with it! Oh well.
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It’s kind of embarrassing, isn’t it?! Cool, I will enter you. Thanks!
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I love the sweater 🙂 Your monograms are so pretty – I would stitch the letter S!
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Thanks!
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I love the cheery colours of your fair isle monogram. If I was fortunate enough to win your giveaway, I would like to stitch the letter S.
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Thank you, Sheila. I will be sure to enter you!
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I wouldn’t worry about BIIE, I think it’s something that comes and goes, depending on what else is happening in real life ^^
I would like to entrer your drawer, and my letter would be C
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So true! Thanks for entering.x
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Your Tea Drinking Girl has turned out fab! I love it! And I also LOVE your fairisle patterns – I’m sure they will be a huge hit and I hope they sell really well for you and start a fabulous new career as a cross-stitch pattern designer!
I’d love to stitch one of your monograms but I’ll refrain from the draw for now to allow others a better chance…..(I’ll certainly buy at least one from you when you have them on sale though) ……. back to your BIIE theme, It would be sheer naughty madness for me to add another WIP to my pile right now (especially with Christmas coming up!) Good luck to everyone else in the draw 🙂
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What a lovely comment! Thank you so much. I have been meaning to say – I love the blog name. Sparkle is my most favourite word in the English language. I need to incorporate it into a piece one of these days!
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Thanks 🙂 BTW, I had a brainwave for your fair isle monograms – They would look really pretty stitched in different shades of one colour, for example blue or pink for a baby’s room? great unique present to stitch for friends having babies.
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It’s funny you should say that. I have been mulling a smaller version of these with much more limited palette for another idea I have. Baby monograms are a great idea. Thank you xx
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I love the monogram! I’d stitch a W if i had the chance. I suffer from BIIE too… i often blog saying how much i’ve enjoyed a new craft or activity and that’s the end of it.w
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Thanks for entering, Wendy!
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HELLO!!!! I am SO excited to have come across you!! You left a nice compliment on the Roald Dahl quote I embroidered for @nineteenohsix oh IG. I had NO idea what gorgeous art I would discover checking into your account. WOW, just WOW. I have never seen needlework like yours. This monogram design is such an eye-catcher. And then the woman with the knitted sweater in the big comfy couch with a cuppa. It’s just so amazing, mindblowing. If I grew up to be a needlework artist, I’d want to be like you!
And how clever are you?! The BIIE theory, hilarious! I’m not even a blogger.
I find that you chose to take a sabbatical in Italy fascinating, I would love to read more about that. No greeting cards…hmmm. You’ll just have to make all your cards! I’m curious, do they express everything with food in Italy? Food is my love language!
Oh, and if I was blessed enough to win a pattern, I would pick K. Not just for me, but because so many of my friends’ names start with K, too! And they all deserve a gorgeous monogram hoop…that my husband cross-stitched. Haha, how weird would that be?! I don’t cross stitch, but my husband does! And so does his mom and my mom. Somehow I have become immune to the cross stitch bug. Although I could see your designs easily wearing down my immunity.
It was great to “meet” you and I look forward to every post!
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Hello,
What I lovely message to find on my blog! So kind of you. Did you also do the embroidery of Mrs Twit?? I thought that looked amazing too.
Yes, food is pretty much everything here. Although we live right on the edge of the Prosecco region with some very good red wine produced here in Friuli – so wine says a lot too 😉.
It is so cool that your husband cross stitches. My dad used to knit and I think I get a lot of my making/crafty genes from him.
Thanks so much for following and I will be sure to enter you into the giveaway.
Amber
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Can I just cheekily chip in here and say I think it is so cool that your husband cross stitches!! Kudos to him!
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I love anything Fairisle, especially now that Winter and Christmas is creeping near!
I plan to have lots of monogram stitches arranged on a wall one day and so if I won the giveaway I would like to stitch the letter T!
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Fair Isle makes me feel all snuggly! Thanks, I will be sure to enter you.
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For my draw entry, I would stitch a letter K – make something for myself for once. You are far more productive than me, rest assured!
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Ohhh, I still remember all that wedding stuff you made – BestBridesmaidInTheWorld…Ever!! Thanks for entering!x
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I love, love, LOVE this design, Amber – I just have to enter! I have officially started following your blog, although I’ve been a reader for a while now and simply haven’t left any comments – I blame IG for that! 😉 I know all about getting excited about a project or idea and the next minute not having any motivation – perhaps you are onto something here… anyway, I would love to stitch a ‘V’ if I were to win. Thanks for the chance! Jenny xx
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And a blog hello to you, lovely lady. Thank you so much! I will be sure to enter you. Btw, do you have a website also?!
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