LIAN TANNER

Mending as a tool for creativity

November 27th, 2016

The early stages of a new book are always tricky for me. I can’t just sit down and work, because a lot of it is daydreaming and letting the imagination wander off in odd directions, which can’t be forced. I usually walk a lot, with a scrap of paper in my pocket for taking notes of brilliant ideas, but I’ve been looking for something else that could help the creative process along. I had no idea what it was until last week, when I suddenly realised that one of my pillow cases needed mending. I sat down to sew up the seam, my mind wandered, and all sorts of ideas started taking flight …

mneding

I don’t think it has to be mending. Anything that I don’t have to think about too much would do. Knitting, sewing, crocheting, knife sharpening. All those things that sit me in one place with my hands working away busily, and my imagination free to wander. Many many years ago I started making a quilt by hand. It was going to be a present to myself for my 40th birthday, but then other things got in the way and I put it in a cupboard and ignored it. Now that I’ve finished the pillow case, I’ve taken the quilt out again. Maybe it’ll be a present for my 70th birthday instead. 🙂

My new business cards arrived this week.

new-card

Aren’t they gorgeous? I have started to hand them out already. The books will be in Aust/NZ shops from December 1st onwards.

That’s the good news.

The sad news is that Clara died last Thursday.

clara

She was a very nice little chook who loved pasta, earwigs and helping with the gardening. She also loved chasing cats. I am missing her terribly – I keep going out to the back garden to have a chat with her, but there’s no one there. Except maybe a little red feathery ghost, delicately picking her way through the long grass. She was the last of three, and I will get more, but not straight away.

 

2 thoughts on “Mending as a tool for creativity

  1. Sherry m says:

    Oh no so sad to lose your henny friend. So satisfying to mend or sew on a button!

    1. Lian says:

      Yes, and yes, Sherry!

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