I love Mason Dixon Knitting - they have a new book out! And just discovered FiELDy a Scottish West Coast based felter/knitter/crocheter via the Patchwork Dress. I'm amazed in a way to find two Scottish crafty bloggers - I shouldn't be but blogging doesn't feel like a very Scottish past time.

Stop searching for the 'right time' the 'perfect moment' 'when you stop being afraid' 'when your parents will be ok'

Pick up your pen

Pick up your pencil

Take up your knitting needle

Take up your guitar

Start that business.

Now!

(I mean it !)

Inspired by this post at Szerlem about deserted houses in Istambul

"When I started I had no intention at all of publishing it. It wasn't unil mid-October that I began to think that an expanded, addended form of this diary, with its mishmash of ideas, Observations, speculatons and grumbles, could become the books for which Matthew Evans of Faber so trustingly gave me a £100, 000, 000 advance several years ago. I'd put a lot of thought into that, and never found that form I wanted.

A new adventure online

You know how everybody has a compulsion? At least I think everyone does. Faced with one situation one person will light up a cigarette, always find the worst possible outcome, or cheerfully refuse to take responsiblilty.

Well my compulsion is when I talk to someone and find out that they have a dream is to make them make it happen. I know its up to them but really it kills me to see so many people not doing what will make them happy I ignore the 'its up to them' bit and launch into helpful suggestion mode.