In my last post, you saw my sketch of velveteen jacket, cap, & fingerless gloves.
Well, here’s what I’ve accomplished thus far. I’m really pleased. They’re super soft and very cute!
“Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….. Ouch!
What the…?! Aww, how cute.“
That my friends was the creative bug biting me in the bum!
I’m inspired now to knit the Leaf Beret, Green Thumb Fingerless Gloves, and the Indygo Junction Trench Topper (view 1). The knit objects will be made of a lovely Silk Merino by Yarns Northwest in a Sky Blue.
As a result of finding the right yarn for the hat & gloves, I’ve discovered an interest in making my olive velveteen coat again. I’ve had this fabric for 5 years now. I bought it at Haberman’s in Royal Oak, a suburb of Detroit, on a business trip. It’s so soft I find myself petting it as I walk by. Hmm… just like in the store.
Well, I’ve been spinning and knitting like crazy with little patience to sit and sew. Odd, huh? You’d think knitting/spinning would require more patience than sewing. But, I go through phases. Sometimes it’s knitting/fibers and nothing else. Other times, nothing but sewing will do. And still others, it’s back to the drawing board.
But right now, it’s all about finishing projects. I find I’m especially inspired to finish a project I bought the yarn specifically for. So, rather than buying yarn, then finding a pattern, blah blah… you totally know what I’m talking about don’t you my knitting nuts? Such a challenge when you buy the yarn first! Well, now that I have yarn to go with the projects, it’ super easy to kick off and push to complete. There are no mental “loose ends” of, “If I don’t have enough…” or “Is gauge ok…” or “Will it look good in this yarn…” I’m already 35% done with the hat and I just started a few days ago. I’d say that’s an accomplishment in and of itself.
One other thing I’d like to mention is that I don’t know if I’d have felt mentally ready to accept new garments into my closet if I hadn’t already gone through my 5S-ing. While I haven’t posted results (2 car loads full of stuff to GW & VV), my mind & closet are open to new possibilities rather than stuck in old fashion or ways of dressing. It’s quite a lovely feeling to know that cleaning & eliminating helps kick off the creative process or rather urges the creative bug to bite! 😉
Mom and I decided to spend a day dying banners and veils we bought from Dharma Trading. She bought Jacquard acid dyes because our fabric was silk/nylon.
One thing I learned from my last dying adventure, don’t place any expectations on your results. While we did pick certain colors and hoped they’d be brilliant, dying is an art. There is a science to creating the color, matching the appropriate dying technique, color type, or method to the raw material (fabric, yarn, etc.), it is rarely predictable. So, don’t go in thinking, “I’m gonna dye this [insert object] to match [insert project] using this awesome aqua dye. It’s gonna look just like the picture!” NOT!
The best way to approach dying is with an open mind. Think of yourself as an explorer, say Lewis & Clark or Thomas Edison. Go in with a plan, but expect the unexpected and delight in what ever you discover.
A plan could include:
Now, go forth and dye my fine feathered friends! And send me links to your results. I love to see how other people create different products from the same tools.
Filed under design, fashion, Inspiration
First, I will remove everything from the closet section by section. I will sort all the clothing into piles (keep, donate, rags, unsure). As part of Five-S, you must first remove everything, then put back only that which is used or absolutely needed!
Criteria for removal:
I find there are articles of clothing I love and wear over and over again. I used to stress that some nasty person at work would tell me, “You wore that yesterday.” But, have come to realize, who the HELL cares? It’s MY life and I’m going to wear what makes me happy!
I’ve a room full of craft crap and fabric supplies. Now what the heck am I going to do about it? Let it sit there & rot? Um, no. My supplies are delicious to the touch and most make me happy just looking, or yes fondling the fabrics. Don’t tell me you haven’t fondled EVERY thing on the rack before buying – even with clothes. (You do, even when you think no one’s watching, you do.)
I also happen to have some amazing vintage and contemporary patterns. I must make use of them or pass them along to someone who will. For what is the point in having something if you don’t USE it!? I’m tired of collecting and buying. I want people to SEE the fabulous creations I design. And, more excitingly I want to energize you into making something for yourself!
I LOVE to start new things. So, this will be a great and fun challenge for me. I usually allow myself a great deal of freedom in one area of my life where I can start and not finish things to my heart’s content. But, that my dear’s is not what I’m creating as a rule for this particular challenge. Limitation, which spurns creativity, is one of my self imposed limitations.
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