OK, I kind of need your help. I don’t know if you’ve been wondering where I am, but I sure have. Been wondering where I am, I mean. This has been a confusing time.
(I was going to say “This Year” has been a confusing time, but then I thought “Man, it’s been longer than that”. Maybe the last five years or so have been confusing? Maybe I NEVER had it figured out? My brother claims that at the age of 42 his mid-life crisis is now reaching a record 30 year run. He may be right. My own life concurs.)
Not sure how the personal stuff entered there, of its own accord, but I was really talking about work. A year and a half ago I started working for my husband. I did it willingly and it was temporary. Sheesh, it still is! It’s not my cup of tea, bookkeeping and office admin. It’s not my forte. It sure as hell does nothing to feed my soul. I’m hungry. I’m freaking STARVING.
I don’t want to sound resentful or bitter – I’m truly not. This business of Peter’s is paying our bills and I am genuinely very grateful for what we have. But I have been letting this office job overwhelm me and when I have spare time (of which there is really quite a lot), I fritter it away rather fruitlessly and aimlessly. Whether half an hour of time appears for me to use or half a day is free, I just can’t focus. I flit from one thing to the next and now have a hundred half-done projects and a thousand ideas for cool stuff that I haven’t even started.
(At this point, I am hoping that there are nodding heads out there. Please, God, tell me you relate?!)
Anyway, two years ago, my plan was that THIS year I would be starting a business of my own. Then last year, we bought out the partners in Peter’s business and now there is no money for my plans. That’s OK. It was, and still is, definitely the right thing to do. But I can now see that it has left me floundering a bit and running around in circles waving my arms quite a lot. There is a screaming need for re-grouping, re-focussing…
I have made a decision to stop feeling sorry that the business I expected to be starting now isn’t happening and instead to make the most of what I can currently do – which is plenty. I have heaps of resources,a business name that I registered a year ago (!!), a space in which to work, internet and , yes, I will say it, I have talent. I’ve kind of started.I’ve set up an etsy shop, a flickr account and a blog for the business.
So, two lime leaves has been going now for several years. You’ve probably noticed that I am prone to bouts of navel-gazing and pontificating in this little corner. There are plenty of opinions expressed here, sometimes I have discussed quite personal stuff and it’s kind of been a catch-all place for me. The new blog will be the focus of and home to all of my creative moments, in the hope that it will give me a little corner of the world that nurtures my soul - no whining, no ugly stuff, no boring book-keeping or typing. It will focus on Making Stuff and there will be tutorials, ideas and … other cool things. Here’s my dilemna. Do I keep both? Do I abandon twolimeleaves and say “Follow me!” and hope that more than two people do? I am a staunch believer in the seperation of Church and State but, let’s face it, Making Stuff is both Church AND State for me! I have made so many friends through this blog. People that I don’t want to lose contact with. But we know the Internet, don’t we? We know what a fickle, fair-weather friend she can be…
If I am painfully honest, I worry that this little blog will not survive. I will move to, oh yes, haven’t even told you the name, hey?… I will move to pompom rouge and soon forget that I was here. two lime leaves will dwindle and die. pompom rouge may never sprout wings. Maybe that’s what I’m really scared of? What should I do, oh Wise Ones?
Move on and let us know where you are going. That is the beauty of the internet. We can follow you where ever you go or what name change you take on. Put a little forwarding address on two lime leaves. You must do what your heart and soul needs for you to do. The rest will take care of itself.
XX00
By: Gerrie on June 7, 2009
at 2:00 pm
I had been wondering how things were for you, good to get the update and I am now on the way to the new address. CHEERS !
By: Sophie on June 11, 2009
at 6:05 pm
Gerrie said it. Do it, dont look back.
By: fixdesignnz on June 7, 2009
at 2:06 pm
do what you must, chickadee. People will follow.
You’ll just have to update your FB status to keep people up-to-date on the other stuff …
Save a backup of the old blog, btw. There’ll be things you only wrote about here and it’s a shame to lose that record.
By: sion on June 7, 2009
at 2:24 pm
Well, I was going to say that I like twolimeleaves and think you should stay and expand this into what you are thinking.
However, reading the comment above outrank me!
I think you need to do what you need to do to feel fresh and invigorated and creative.
If you were to stay here you could always make the posts you don’t want password protected (or delete them).
If you do go though, please let me know ’cause I love your patterns
By: Ginger on June 7, 2009
at 3:06 pm
What Gerrie said. I’ll follow you and wish you well wherever you go!
By: terry grant on June 7, 2009
at 3:31 pm
I will follow for sure! I’ve missed your regular posts and I hope you will get the posting groove back!
I changed from my devliegendekoe blog to dutchcomfort cause I hoped to loose the visitors that were opinionating me (family, friends, unwelcome visitors). I felt the need to be free writing about what I feel. I lost them as readers but I lost many many more. However, keeping this blog journal is what matters to me the most. And… when you will be posting tutorials, Oh my dear the world will be at your feet!
By: nicolette on June 7, 2009
at 3:59 pm
you won’t get rid of us….you can try if you like but we will be there… 2 lime leaves is legendary ….oh i could go on…but get my gist… we will be there…lol…try to stop us…just let me know in detail… what buttons to press on this computer to find you ….lol…
By: margie on June 7, 2009
at 4:05 pm
I just so look forward to what you are saying/making/cooking/sewing/knitting whatever and the beauty and colour you bring to it
By: deedee on June 7, 2009
at 4:12 pm
Follow your gut feeling – and go for the new blog! Your readers will follow
By: Iryl on June 7, 2009
at 5:52 pm
I did move to a new blog and people kindly followed me but I missed the old blog and moved back. The new blog never felt like home and by trying to separate my work and home I felt as though I was cutting important parts of me off that were integral to the whole design. This is my story though – you are you and your story might have a different ending.
By: Alice C on June 7, 2009
at 6:10 pm
Where you lead we will follow.
) I’ve missed your creative talent, especially the gorgeous ABCs! I’ve dipped my toe into the pattern writing “business” lately and it’s a bit scary. Totally a home “business” but now making a little investment into business cards, etc. Maybe there should be a support group!
By: Stephanie on June 7, 2009
at 8:45 pm
It sounds like you’re going through a ‘leap of faith’ but you can’t stay in mid-air forever – you have to land in Pompom Rouge and launch your wonderful ideas and patterns. I’ve loved this blog and your creative talent and wisdom. It’s become your brand online. I will still look for an occasional personal entry aside from the buttons and bows and pompoms and work to be done. Besides, I’m not too good at the sewing part.
Go forth and multiply but give good forwarding directions here. If you’re not paying for this blog space, I don’t see a problem in leaving it here for an occasional return trip to share your non-crafty thoughts and observations.
Just sayin’. There are folks who do manage two or more blogs online.
Much success in your new venture! You definitely have the talent to pull it off.
By: the Mater on June 7, 2009
at 9:04 pm
Go for it. If you build it, they will come. (A line from the American movie “Field of Dreams”) I’ll read wherever you write. Good luck. Be brave.
By: ivyarts on June 7, 2009
at 10:41 pm
Maybe try it for awhile with both? I have three blogs right now, and while I thought it would be polarizing, it hasn’t been. Try it – but whatever you decide, I’ll follow!
By: daysgoby on June 7, 2009
at 11:45 pm
I, too, am going against the trend. I say keep this blog. I think people like to see the personal in with the creative. It gives them a better sense of who you are, which is so much fun. I love getting to “know” the designer. Material Obsession, Posie Gets Cozy, Yarn Harlot – I think all of these blogs (and many, many more) incorporate both creative and personal.
By: MichelleB on June 8, 2009
at 12:38 am
Love you blog and have already followed you to pompomrouge. Good luck.
By: Bev Longford on June 8, 2009
at 3:29 am
You raise a question I’ve entertained with my blog. I was advised *not* to put in personal stuff — keep it focused on my photography – but over time have found what feels like a balance of revealing my personal self while sharing my creative work.
I will follow wherever you go. Why not let twolimeleaves go on sabbatical until you get your feet wet at pompom rouge? I’ve already visited over there and those aqua lace buttons are amazing!
I think you’ll feel less parched creatively if you can find a way to sneak in regular blog, etsy and flickr additions.
Warm wishes from southern New Hampshire/USA.
By: myartfullife on June 8, 2009
at 4:01 am
I will read you wherever you decide to write. And the beauty of using a feed reader is that I can subscribe to both blogs until one wins out. That way you can see what feels best – no need to make a definitive decision right now.
By: Kate on June 8, 2009
at 4:49 am
Kirsty you have come to the right place, we wise ones from the, all knowing, net world will guide you.
I read a blog which was once called “The Big Yellow House”. It was huge and popular with 6 thousand hits per day, WOW hey? But she hated the name and changed it along with her addy. She still has 6 thousand plus hits per day as she is cool and people followed so they could continue to read her cool stuff. YOU TOO ARE COOL and we will follow. I’d leave this addy up for as long as you want with a simple post saying I’ve moved HERE!
As for your time wasted on Facebook playing Scrabble well I have not advice but will take any that you get!
Now stop wasting time reading blog comments, go and get your very own business up and running and enjoy it, every crafty creative minute of it. Just dive in the deep end, you WILL swim.
By: Maddy on June 8, 2009
at 5:50 am
I’ll follow you wherever you go! Feed your soul. I love your creative side. Hell, you don’t just have a creative side, it covers you completely head to toe, inside and out, through and through.
By: Melinda on June 8, 2009
at 6:35 am
I’m coming with you – whether it is at a new blog or here or both – I’m sticking by you…
x
By: mary on June 8, 2009
at 9:57 am
I’m so ready to be a follower and head on over to the new site, but before I throw my bags in the virtual car, I wanted to touch on the whole separation thang.
Part of what I love about Etsy and people’s on-line shops and pro-blogs is that I can buy things from people I know. There is a coziness, a familiarity, a sense that my money is supporting a friend. I do hope that with your new endeavor with its “separation of church and state” that we will still hear about you occasionally. I really do understand the need to concentrate on something new, as well as the need to keep the new venture “pure”, but I truly believe that a bit of personal flavor is what makes this new internet community of ours so very, very special.
By: h. on June 8, 2009
at 11:52 am
relating totally…quit my job to pursue my craft…hubby lost his job…no money…loss of focus…hoping to start my own business…chaos with new jobs, a move and where am i? flitting around just like you. i say move and folks will follow. i know i will. maybe you will inspire me to stop floundering.
By: jacquie on June 8, 2009
at 11:58 am
Kirsty, no idea what to do. But just so you know, I was furiously nodding my head at the part where you said you were hoping people were nodding their heads…
signed, a fellow running around in circles flailing my arms in the air.
(PROOF-husband has just taken the kids out for the day, so I can sew, what am I doing here?)
Now I’m going to read your comments and see if there are some pointers for me too.
By: crafty on June 8, 2009
at 12:06 pm
Hi Kirsty, Yesterday I was showing my friend the magazine I got from you and she admired very much the quilt you´ve designed! Wherever you go, just remember that we want to follow! I´ve found VERY LOVELY BUTTONS again. Kirsty, you are really talented and I wish from my heart that you can create and sell those lovely items you´ve made. I can so well understand, what you mean!!! How about a book? Teaching? The world is wide and open! All the best to you!
By: anne from finland on June 8, 2009
at 5:01 pm
Kirsty, follow your brave heart! I was nodding also. I left work 7 months ago with brave plans and ideas … no drive to build or make any of them yet. So no advice from me on motivation. Two Lime Leaves is/was a wonderful outlet for many and pompomrouge sounds equally enticing – glass buttons, alphabet squares and all those beautiful creations. No one can keep you down – go for it. I check Two Lime Leaves every day now I will seek the red pompom as well. love always
By: Vicki on June 8, 2009
at 5:01 pm
Well you can always vent the book-keeping / family stuff during twitter/facebook/scrabble sessions and focus yourself in the new blog. That way I’m still in the loop. PS Facebook / twitter huge cause of my own distractability and yet I can’t quite give them up.
By: Stomper Girl on June 9, 2009
at 10:05 am
I think a fresh start sounds like a wonderful idea! I was nodding my head A LOT reading your post.
By: anina on June 9, 2009
at 11:33 pm
I’m a-following! You won’t be rid of us that easily!
T x
By: Dragonfly on June 10, 2009
at 9:42 pm