Yes Virginia, there really are yarn voices!

I had a conversation with a friend of mine the other day about what inspires me for designing. Having known me for 25+ years she's quite used to my usual level of insanity, plus she's a mental ward nurse too! After I had explained to her how the design process works for me, she exclaimed, "you really *do* hear yarn voices, don't you?" For some strange reason it got me thinking of the age-old editorial column, "Is there a Santa Claus?"

I'd like to know what inspires you? What drives you to create?

For me I get my ideas from anything and everything. Sometimes the yarn speaks to me and tells me what it wants to be. Other times I get a design idea and then the perfect yarn presents itself. My design process tends to be haphazard, like my life can be at times, but it works!

Nicole =o)


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What's important to you?

I've spent a lot of time lately going over things and deciding what is truly important to me. I have come to realize that there are things that we choose, and things that choose us. Have you ever noticed that?

Designing is something I feel has chosen me, rather than the other way around. Especially in the last few months, my muse has been hollering at me -- not the usual whispers and hints I'm used to -- but full out, top-of-the-lungs screaming! I have no choice but to pay attention and listen. The design ideas often come fast and furious. I can't write quick enough to keep up with them. I need to make piles and piles of notes to shut the voices down for the time being, and I refer back to them frequently during the design and pattern writing process that follows.

This is part of what my life has been like of late and part of the reason I am re-emerging online after such a long hiatus. I have written at least a dozen new patterns recently and once my internet issues are completely sorted out, I am looking very forward to being able to offer them again.

I am still hoping to hear from you that have been so patiently faithful to me for so long.
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Is anyone still out there?

This is a post testing out a few things for me. Firstly, it is to see if I have set up email posting correctly. Secondly, I want to know if there is anyone still following my blog. If you are, could you please drop me a line in the comments or my email? Thank you very much.

Since moving to "The Middle of Nowhere" (TMON) life certainly has thrown us more than our fair share of curve balls. We've had to learn how to play the game all over again. The 2+ years since my last post have been extremely difficult between serious health issues requiring several hospital stays, work and the related stress, and no Internet access for nearly 2 years now. Unfortunately my health is still a problem, work is still a problem, and my only Internet is through my cell phone; but I'm working through those issues as best I can.

I am spending a great deal of time designing now and will be publishing them as soon as I get dedicated Internet again. I have been working out what I can online using my phone so that I can get things up and running fairly quickly. The ideas are coming fast and furious these days so I have no doubt in my capability to be able to keep going infinitely.

In closing, I'd like to thank you all for not giving up on me entirely and I'd love to hear from you.

Nicole =o)
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