Another project I did in August was starting multiple craft projects so that I could pick up any random one of them and work on them in between reading and university classes. However, I have not actually had time to immerse myself into any of these tiny projects, because I spend more of my time this semester learning to read more deeply and actively. Nevertheless, it makes me happy that I have this variety of projects all thought up, cut out, and ready to go.
On that note, this preparation project sort of feels like the beginnings of an essay. In order to write an academic essay, one has to read and understand various subjects. Then one has to develop some ideas about those subjects. One could then develop a research question and zero in on specific areas to write about, then come up with a thesis statement of opinion, then put paragraphs together that argue for that opinion. I feel I did the brain work of looking at my materials, playing with different product ideas, planned all the steps that would be needed to complete each one. I suppose my thesis could be something like, “This textile pendant/embroidery piece/card art deserves to come into formation” and then prove it by making the thing. Maybe I’m stretching the essay/thesis idea too far here, but it was fun to think about (as I continue to struggle to figure out how to write essays!).
Below are piles of silk-pendants-in-waiting. I created these by layering a piece of thrifted silk fabric on top of a piece of wool on top of a piece of white cotton sheet fabric. Then I drew rectangles on the silk and zig-zag stitched around the outlines. Afterwards, I cut the rectangles just outside the stitching. Then, as you can see in the photo below, I started to cover the edges in blanket stitch with embroidery thread. At the bottom of my previous post, you can see that I experimented with weave-stitching glass beads to the outside edge, and then began embellishing the silk with beads and buttons. For me, this is always the fun part – the embellishing. So, I have these rectangles all ready to go, for when I have time to pull out the beads, buttons, and threads. Eventually, I will hang these on some type of fabric “chain” as I showed in my previous post.
Next, I cut out many linen circles. Along with some metal and plastic circles I found at a thrift store, I will turn these into giant Dorset buttons and decorate them. I have made two so far, but before giving them to the intended recipients, I forgot to take photos! They can be used as ornaments or wall-hangings. And of course, they are super fun to decorate. On the first one I made, I figured out how to attach pieces of sea glass using an embroidery technique that people use to attach small mirrors to fabric.
Below is a photo of my beloved Wabasso vintage sheets (and thrifted linen fabrics) cut into pieces that I will use to make more bags like this one. Again, embellishment! Accessories make me happy because they can all be decorated in any way! Awhile back, I found zippers at a thrift store for $0.25 apiece. So of course I had to bring them home and invent more bags to use them for!
Ah, silk! Actually, I just remembered that the OTHER other thing I did in August was declutter my craft supplies. I was sort of sad to do this, but I gave away some of my bigger pieces of thrifted silk (from silk shirts). Silk takes up little space, but I decided it was too much for me to reasonably use. I kept some scraps and a few bigger pieces, because scraps are fun. Here, I tore strips so I could make silk flowers. Again, see my previous post for an (unfinished) example in orange silk.
After I made my cashmere poncho (see last post again!), I cleared out some of my cashmere stash. I’m sending the neutral colours to a friend who has been using them to repair a beloved sweater. I also forced myself to go through the rest and really compare the colours to pick out only colours I absolutely loved. From those, I cut strips, again to make flowers. I don’t have a photo of what I tried to do with these, but I will figure out how to manipulate them into pretty flowers.
And, because I love to experiment with marker drawing, watercolour, coloured pencils, and acrylic paint; I cut out a bunch of paper in various sizes. I’ve used a print-on-demand company to turn some drawings into mugs and mouse pads, so if these papers are at the ready, I can make new designs for some of these products.
I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at these and imagining the possibilities! Even if I can’t do them right now, I still work away at my latest pair of socks. Making socks has finally gotten routine for me after that first pair that took me probably two years and many starts to make. I would love to hear from readers about any making/writing projects you are working on! Please let me know in the comments!
Amazing stuff, innit? 🙂
Thanks!
I have a book that I bought a very long time ago and it’s supposed to be all about my mom. I have been taking notes and writing things about my mom that come to memory and things that people have told me since my mom has passed away. I plan on composing this altogether in a book that I intend to give to Abigail one day. I want her to never forget who her grandmother was where she came from and how strong of a woman she was. My mom was a very tough farmer‘s wife and most people would probably referred to her as a redneck. She was not afraid to get her hands dirty and was often under the car changing the oil or fixing something. She was always good at inventing anything to make something else easier. When you lost some of her fingers due to being a diabetic and had to have them amputated she learned how to tie her shoes with her thumb and her pinky. I’ll never understood how she could do it. I have tried it so many times and still can’t. I think it’s where I’ve drawn a lot of my own strength from with the many things I’ve been through in my life. I’m hoping one day whenever Abigail is old enough, and I give this book to her she will understand more about her grandmother. Abigail always saw my mom as someone who was mean and strick. The more I learned about my mom after she passed the more I realize she had no choice, but to be tough in order to survive her childhood.
You wrote, “She was always good at inventing anything to make something else easier.” I love this. And I love that you are writing a book for Abigail. You are certainly working on quite a few creative projects yourself!! I love hearing about all this!