Time for a Mug up....
A few crafty wreaths from around the net....
If any of you are wondering why I have not posted much here lately--it is not only traveling and moving that has kept me from posting--BUT in all the traveling and moving I have misplaced (or lost???) my camera!!!! and I like to post photos with my musings...hopefully the camera will turn up soon...where do "lost" things go anyway? do the "Borrowers" have them?
Meanwhile here are some images from my archived photographs....just some photos I took that I like. A little Alaska, a little art/crafts...
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| this is what I keep telling myself while I job hunt .... |
Meet little Lilyanna's spring sweater! This pattern is called the "7 hour Toddler sweater"--can't say I made it in only 7 hours --but it sure didn't take long. I used up some nice wool/alpaca worsted weight "scraps" of yarn I had around...all I have left to do is find the perfect button to go at the top and sew it on. This is knit from the top down and the only seams to sew were the arms--so simple!
now, back to knitting those socks...
ingenuity, noun, pl. -ties.
1. skill in planning or inventing; cleverness.
(SYN) inventiveness.
2. skillfulness of contrivance or design.
This letter ("I") had me stumped ....(hence my lack of posting here); however this morning the topic of inventiveness or ingenuity popped into my head. We are all blessed with ingenuity---I think my ability to tap into my ingenuity was honed by living in the Alaskan "bush"--with no stores (except a very small grocery store)--so one saved everything, and recycled most items---and became very inventive when one needed something not readily at hand.
Everyone in town had some area of expertise, so we also traded goods and knowledge--rarely did money change hands, but I might trade a handwoven scarf for an outboard motor repair job. Ingenuity was the key to a comfortable survival.
I think living in a larger city--with all the services readily available for money---stamps out ingenuity---unless one is seriously dedicated to recycling or buying nothing new, it is much to easy to just buy what you need (or want---there is a big diff between needs and wants, but that is another topic).
Here are some wonderful examples of ingenuity that I have recently found online:
mini paper wreaths from the blog Scrumdilly-do!
Sweater Balls
from The Sweeter Sweater
A Button Bracelet from Creative Kismet
Recycled Slippers from SEW GREEN
I am currently working on my own inventive holiday project--one that I can gift to everyone on my gift list (and that is ingenuity!)---but I can't show you it yet--that would be a gift surprise spoiler...but I will be sharing this project once the gifts are in the mail...meanwhile here are my hands clapping to making your holiday gifts or at least buying handmade. For buying handmade may I suggest HERE....and do have fun either creating or shopping.
brooch, noun.
an ornamental pin having the point fastened by a catch; broach. Brooches are often made of gold, silver, or with jewels. Originally brooches were worn as a fastening for clothing.
These BROOCHES were fun to make---a nice "scrap buster"--a way to use up small left-over bits of colorful yarns...and very quick to crochet up!!!- I sewed a pinback to each one so they can be pinned onto your sweater, coat or hat to add some cheer....
I may make a few of these to sell on ETSY...I was thinking green and red ones for the holiday season would be fun...
Yesterday, while enjoying a 3 day stay-over in lovely Sitka, Alaska, I created a mermaid doll! My longtime friend here--Kari--is a fellow craft woman--she creates gorgeous quilts, knits and does beadwork--and makes the most adorable personable dolls....
So, yesterday, while storm winds howled around her snug home, she showed me how to create this cute mermaid doll!
we had fun co-creating---which we do whenever I visit Sitka---in the past we created fiber inchies and fiber ATCs (artist trading cards) and once she helped me piece the top of my daughter's wedding quilt...thanks so much Kari for sharing your expertise with me! it was a fun day!
Today's quote: "I get by with a little help from my friends." - John Lennon
I have been rather absent here as I hunt for a job---which, ironically, is a full time job--but now I think it is time to move on from my life transforming trip to Ghana, Africa and return to the main blog topic: creating crafty objects and art !
I have a special baby shower to attend this weekend and created several presents for the baby girl due to enter the world in June...first, I created a baby "blankie" intended for laying on the floor for the tiny baby to lie on and have "tummy time." This blankie is made of wool sweaters I felted (washing with soap or detergent and hot water in the machine, then drying in a hot dryer--felts a wool sweater up nicely)--then I cut squares, sewed them together---and since I thought the little "quilt" looked a bit plain--I used some wool crewel yarn to embroider flowers on some squares. The blankie is backed with colorful cotton flannel.
And I knit a little baby girl hat out of cottons...in spring colors.
Even though I have been absent here I have been busy creating more crafty objects--so will be returning to more regular blogging --and I have quite a bit to share with you! so do check back...
While in Kumasi we visited a Ghana Craft Market with out guide, "Mr. Charles." In this compound many artisans were actively creating and selling their beautiful crafts. I wandered around and took some photos---since I am always fascinated by fellow crafters and their process. I purchased a lovely basket, some beaded jewelry, and other crafts as gifts to take home--including a colorful strip of Kente Cloth.
a basket maker---showing a basket in progress
these beautitful young women wanted me to take their photo with the basket--which they were selling
here I am--with the basket I purchased (great for storing yarn in or taking to the Farmer's Market) and a sculpture that was in the compound.
there were wood carvers at work
and ART! everywhere we went in Ghana artists were selling their art---mostly on unframed canvas---I really liked much of it--but was relunctant to ask to photograph an artist's work, if I wasn't planning on purchasing it, so didn't get many photos of the great art I saw. These two large paintings were public art--on the side of a building, so I snapped a few shots of them.
And then I saw my first Kente Cloth artisan at work...I must say that the fabric designer in me was fascinated by all the great fabrics I saw--and the Kente Cloth was no exception---I took numerous photos.
Kente Cloth is woven on a narrow horizontal loom. The loom usually uses four heddles, but sometimes has more. The cloth is woven in narrow strip that is about 3-5 inches wide and about 5-6 feet long. Several strips are sewn together to make a wider piece of cloth for both men and women.
a strip of black and white Kente Cloth on the loom
later we visited a wonderful place in a small village where many Kente Cloth weavers worked and sold their cloth--so check back tomorrow for a colorful treat! as I really did take many photos;-)
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