Crafterday

Saturday was a very crafty day for me this past week.  It started in the morning with a pancake breakfast supporting our local victims assistance unit. Then a trip to Hobby Lobby with my cousin, and sewing partner, Roxanne. She had been in ill health and unable to sew with me for over a year, but has improved to the point where we have been able to sew occasionally. It has been mostly fairly "light duty" for the most part, only an hour or two. This week we got in a good bit of time, though.

It wasn't all spent sitting at the sewing machines. We were planning and plotting (replotting?) a project that had been set aside for a while. We had been working on quilt squares before she became so ill. A quilt for each of us, in fact, using the same basic block, although the execution of each quilt may be different when it comes to block placement and use of sashing. We pulled out the bag of fabrics, blocks ready to piece together, and blocks that have been pieced.

stack of quilt blocks

It had been so long that we had to figure out sizes of finished quilts again, and numbers of blocks for finished quilts. There were enough blocks cut out that we could piece a set together, though, at least!

newly constructed

We wrote things down this time, and hopefully put them where they will be referred to when needed. It felt good to refresh ourselves on this project, and feel like we could make some progress on it. I'm happy to report that the block pattern we picked is still pleasing to us both. Yay! We even discussed possible quilting designs for the finished quilts. Even though the blocks will be the same pattern for both, the finished quilts will not be identical. They will each have our person stamp on them, from layout to backing to quilting. And they will always make us think of the other. What treasure!

Talking About Creativity - The Stash

Like many crafters, I have one. Bigger than some, smaller than others, but I think the stash is important to the creative process for me.

For one thing, I am not a "one project at a time" crafter. My least favorite part of sewing is cutting things out, so I will cut out several projects at once, and then work on them as my schedule allows. There are many times that I would not have done any sewing if I had to start the sewing session by cutting out the project (much less having to go shop to begin the project). When I want to sew, I want to SEW! Having a stash allows me to pick patterns and fabric that I have at home, and put them together when I'm ready. Having a stash of yarns and patterns also works well for me when I get that yen to crochet or knit. I can try out a pattern with yarn I all ready have, then decide if I need to buy yarn particularly for that project.

The stash also allows me to buy patterns and materials when they are on sale, for use later. I wouldn't always be able to sew what I wanted if I had to purchase all fabrics and patterns at full price. It certainly wouldn't make my project making any kind of bargain AT ALL, and likely put many projects out of my price range. I certainly wouldn't get to make all the things I've enjoyed making.

Besides allowing for purchase on sale, sew up later projects, I have had the opportunity to "aquire" fabrics and yarns. Estate sale purchases, inheritance, and "hey I have this fabric that I won't ever use" have all found their way into my house. I've washed and sorted, made some up and passed some along to others. Sure, the aquired fabrics are not always to my taste, but I've made and donated garments and blankets because the price for the materials was right: practically free.

Part of my stash of fabrics, yarns and other crafting supplies

Storing the stash can - of course - be another matter, and I have struggled with that at times. Right now, most of my stash is stored in bins, on shelves. The bins aren't particularly attractive, but they do provide a certain amount of protection from sun, dust, pets, etc that I appreciate. I can sort by type of fabric or yarn, and then dig through the appropriate bin when I'm shopping through my stash. Sometimes I am happy to find a fabric I had forgotten about, and sometimes just looking through a bin will be inspiration for a project. I don't think I will ever - at least not here in New Mexico - store my fabrics on shelves, no matter how pretty I think that might look, or how tempting. The thought of having to wash and rewash those fabrics before I can even cut them out? Well, once is enough in my book.

Stash as a creative element gives me amunition to be creative with
when the inspiration hits me, and I would be very sad to have to do without mine.

Works in Progress - February Edition

I usually show something that is finished, but I don't have anything finished to show off. I did hem some pants for Carl. While I know he appreciates that, it isn't really picture worthy.

I did a little sewing this weekend, but not as much as I would have liked. Roxanne was busy so we didn't get together to sew. I really love that she is healthy enough to join me for sewing again. The time we put in together, with our regular sewing sessions has really upped both of our skills. Funny thing about practice, huh. There are still new techniques we want to learn and try out, and I hope we will get to some of them this year.

I worked some on a nightgown that Roxanne wants. It is a nice long winter gown that we'll finish just in time for the weather to be too warm to wear it. Perfect timing again!

I have several tops that I have done some serger work on and pressing. They are ready for necklines and sleeve hems, but while I will serge them all with white thread, I will do the visible sewing with a matching color thread, so one at a time, in these cases. They are all tunic tops, which I love to wear, with neckline and dart placement variations. I seem to be attracted to greys with blues and greens lately, and this batch of tops really shows that. Plus I have another piece to cut out. Just trying to decide if I want button down or what for that top. Decisions, decisions.

We will be heading for Wild Wild West Con in a couple of weeks, and I still have some sewing to do for that. I don't know what it is, but I can get all Steampunk all over creatively for others, but when it comes to creating something for myself, I get stumped. Last year, I started a tulip skirt for myself, but even though it is a simple pattern, it wasn't coming together like I wanted it to. I put it down and left it alone for almost a year. Then a few weeks ago, I pulled it out, and decided what to do to fix it. Now the necessary taking apart part is done, and I have a plan to make it right. I even have a plan for some embellishment, which is kind of exciting for me. It is subtle, but I found some sew-on studs at Hobby Lobby, and picked them up on a whim. I think I will sew them on the skirt just above the seam where the flounce is attached near the bottom of the skirt. Kind of excited that I put them together, and I hope it turns out like I hope it will.

Other than that, I've been crocheting cute animal scarves still. Currently, I'm working on a panda. His little nose looks so cute! Can't wait to get the face made!

Observations: I like having multiple projects to work on. Of course some are projects I can pick up and put down easily (the crochet or other needlework), others I like to be able to sit down and have some sustained time to work on in good light (Not usually at night), I will also take on a challenge and try to solve it. Sometimes that last takes a while to rest from frustration, and allow myself time to think and be creative with a solution. Works in Progress.

Sweet Dreams

I'm all fired up about posting more often, and after I wrote that last post, I had idea chasing idea through my little pea brain about things to post about. Even after I finally fell asleep, I dreamed about crafts to post about. Yep, I dreamed about writing a post about a craft that I did in my dreams. I don't know what to call the craft, or even how to do it in my waking life, but the glass looking disks that I made in my dream were sure pretty. And well worth posting about, you know, if they were actually real, and not a figment of my dreaming imagination.

Still, if you want to talk creative process, I think I would have to admit that dreaming is a part of mine. Then translating that dream into some sort of reality.

Lately, in my waking hours, I've been making scarves. They are fun scarves, made to look like various creatures. I got the patterns from Bees Knees Knitting, an Etsy shop. Someone showed me the patterns, and I could NOT resist. I bought all of the set. I made several for Christmas presents, like this snake.

there is a snake head with a little tongue even

I learned that all varigated yarn is not dyed the same, when I was making this snake. Still I think trading off on the yarn patterns is one of the things that Raine likes about it.

I made one for Ron

what DOES the fox say?

And I couldn't resist making a raccoon scarf for myself, even thoug wearing it around my neck all day won't happen very often.

much cooler than a real raccoon

The patterns are easy to follow, and pretty quick to make. I think I've made them all longer than the pattern calls for, but the bodies are pretty much "repeat these two rounds" until it is as long as you want it. I like the hanging from both shoulders look, so I lengthened. I think you could almost go stole or collar if you modified them well.

One thing that I like about them - besides the simple stitches - is that you put the faces on right away. So you get to look at those cute faces all while you are working on the less exciting long expanse of body. Motivation? Yes, it is.

I will probably, eventually, work my way through all the patterns. Right now, I'm working on a cat, and next up is a panda bear. Definitely a fun group of projects, for any level of crocheter. All you need is single and double crochet. Way to go, Bees Knees Knitting!

The Good, The Bad, and the Blog

I haven't posted in a while. It isn't that I haven't been making things. I have. But that "showing off" really isn't my style in the long run. And that is what I feel I have basically been doing here. I'm not selling anything, and I'm not trying to. It is the creative process that I'm really interested in.

So, I've been thinking and rethinking, considering and reconsidering, where I want to go with my blogging. My basic idea is to record and to share my creative process, with the hopes of learning something about that process, of recording what I'm learning for myself - if no one else - and consider where my creative process hasbeen/is and where it might/should go next. What I want to move away from is the show and tell that I started with. It was what I wanted for a while, but not what I want/need now.

I hope that I can move on to finding some other creative process sharing bloggers, authors, artists, etc to inspire me on my journey as well.

So here is my starting place.  I'll start with a finish. I finished this camp shirt for my brother.

My latest finish

Earlier this fall, Carl picked out three fabrics for shirts for me to make for him. They were his birthday present, and this is the last one. I also added a Christmas shirt as well. All of the shirts were made from the same pattern, and old Butterick from I-don't-know-when - probably the 70's some time.

very useful camp shirt

 I can't tell you how many times I have made this pattern up. I've sewed them for myself, my Dad, and my brother. At least. Of all the patterns I've used, and all the garments I've made, this is the one I've made most often. I have 2 or three of them hanging in my closet now.

It is an easy shirt to make up, and before my mother died, she and I modified the pattern to make a bigger version to fit my large sized family. Of course I've modified for size many times since then, making it bigger, or longer, or shorter sleeved. Every time I pull out that stack of newsprint, I get to share a moment and a memory of my Mom, so I haven't been able to transfer it to something more "permanent" than the newsprint. Believe me when I say the newsprint is showing its age, too.

Mom's newprint resize

I've learned some sewing by making this shirt as well. I've tried several different ways to finish the front plackets, from folding over and letting the buttons and button holes hold everything in place (didn't like that), figuring out whether or not I need to use interfacing (depends on the weight of the fabric the shirt is made of - lighter fabric definitely needs interfacing heavier, not so much - and iron in which I also like to sew down to get it to stay in place). What I've found that makes me happiest is to sew that self facing flap down near the fold, and (with the raw edge turned under)
on the inside edge. I really think that helps the front of the garment hold its shape better especially after repeated washings, and then it doesn't need as much other attention.

sew it down. sew it ALL down.

What I HAVEN'T learned is how to get the collar placement down. OK, I "eyeball" a lot of sewing. Sleeve hems? Eyeball them. Patch pocket placement? Yep, that too. But the collar? I carefully find the center back of the collar, and the center back of the shirt, and line them up... and still this happens.

AAARRGGH!!!

Not too noticable once its being worn, because its meant to be open, and all. Still, you would think I could do better. Still trying.

Here's something I started doing recently, as I have noticed that sometimes my hems will turn up in the wash, and then not want to lie flat. After every washing they do it the same way, in the same place. So I've tried double stitching them. Now, to see how this wears...

Double stitched on the sleeve hem.

So, here is the first of my creative process, learning edition, posts. As always, feedback is appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Soap Make & Take

Yesterday, at our weekly Arts & Sciences SCA meeting, we did our second make and take project. This time, we made soap. It was a much easier process than I thought it might be, although anything you have to be so precise with - and you do need to be precise with the water/lye/fat ratio - is probably not something I am going to tackle solo very often. (also the reason for some of the cooking I don't do...)

I don't have in-process photos this time. I was busy making! I do have some pics of what I got to bring home though.

Lightly coconut scented. Can you smell it from there?

We used egg cartons and poure on top of plastic wrap to make small sized pieces to experiment with. I added a couple drops of coconut scent to the base. We used coconut oil for our fat component. Yes, I will have to trim these up a little to make them more presentable. but I'm pretty happy with them, especially for a first try.

I also used a small carton for a mold, and just made plain, unscented soap.

carton of soap

This will have to cure for several weeks. I never knew that soap needed to cure. I hope I can cut bars reletively neatly as I would like to donate some of this for largesse. I'm also looking forward to trying some out!

Our next make and take project will be pewter coins/medalions. Sounds like fun, right!

Bags Bags Bags

I completed my 13 bags, and was happy with my results. Did I take pics of all of them? NO! I was too busy trying to get them, the girl, and the stuff in the car and down to the event. And, evidently, my brain fell out or something. I really thought I took a picture or two after this one, when more bags were done.

and the stack got bigger...

I was very happy with the variety I got from a limited amount of fabrics, and trims, buttons etc that I found in my stash. No two bags were exactly alike. I had 10 envelope bags with shoulder straps, some were flat and others had boxed bottoms. I also made 3 drawstring bags. I tried to make some that were gender neutral (at least) so that they would be easier to gift as prizes or thanks. All the bags were lined.

The bags were part of an Arts and Sciences competition, which I didn't win, and honestly, that wasn't the point of making them. They were also part of a silent auction, and whomever put in the highest bid got to pick their favorite of the bunch. Someone bid and got to choose, and I wish I knew which bag they picked, but it is OK that I don't know, too. That wasn't the point either.

There were quite a few other bags given as prizes, so I think I need to branch out some, and figure out something else to make for next time!