Hand Piecing and Traditional Ways of Creating

I've written about how I am addicted to English Paper Piecing.  Along with actually making things, I love to read about how to make new things, the history behind it, and now especially with blogs, I love reading about other peoples experiences with creating the things that I am learning about making myself.  While I was reading about English Paper Piecing (EPP), I started reading about how people love to hand sew pieces instead of using the paper templates that are required when you use EPP.  I was interested in hand sewing as a portable project prior to learning about EPP, but then I thought EPP was an easy, more accurate (at least for me) way to piecing things together.

Now that I see how much people like hand piecing, I am interested in trying it again.  I have, once again, done a ton of research about how to actually do it.  I think it will be a great way to sit with my husband and watch TV, sit outside with the kids while they play (I had actually bought a smaller sewing machine so that I could sew outside, but that would only be at out our house not at places like the park or when my daughter is at speech therapy), and [what I feel is even more important] a connection with the past.

I love the idea of having a connection to the past.  Of course, sewing machine have been a part of sewing and quilting for a while now, but hand sewing is a connection to the past when there wasn't electricity, an actual sewing machine, or even the finances to buy a sewing machine.  It is a connection to the past when people created quilts, not for their beauty, but for the warmth and comfort that a quilt can bring.

I love learning about the history of handcrafts.  I've been  thinking about what I ultimately want to do with my life, career wise, and when I think about what I am passionate about I come up with a couple of different things.  I actually do like being a social worker, but what I love about being a social worker is partly the mental health piece, but ultimately I love the getting to know someone while doing their social history.  I love being creative and crafting and learning about crafting.  I have been trying to figure out how to combine my love of crafting, creating, and social work as a career.  One thing I came up with was going back to school for art therapy.  I then thought about maybe becoming an art teacher and using my social work as a secondary piece to my career.  Then, one day while I was driving, I thought about how awesome it would be to be able to interview crafters and then either report on it in person, or even better write an article about it.  The only problem is, I don't know that there is a calling for something like this.

How awesome would it be to actually interview someone about a handcraft that they love.  I would get a chance to do the interview piece that I love about social work, learn more about a craft and how/why someone loves their craft, maybe even learn a new craft myself, and then pass than knowledge on to others more likely in writing (since I enjoy writing more than being in front of a group of people).  Maybe I could do it as a small educational piece too.  I could teach others about the history of a craft and why it is so attractive to some people.

I think I will continue to learn about different craft and their history.  I like a lot of the modern crafts or the modern spin on things, but ultimately I love the traditional crafts.  I wish I could better put in words why I love the traditional crafts, but I guess it is just the history behind them.  I'm not sure that this will ever be a career, but I would love to make it more than just a passing hobby.

Amy

Wishcasting Wednesday

It's Wednesday once again and once again I am joining in with with Jamie riddler at http://jamieridlerstudios.ca where she asks; "What do you wish to learn?"

This is an both easy and a difficult question to answer.  My broad answer is any and all creative thing I can learn.  I want to learn more about holistic health, aromatherapy, herbs, bath and body products, as well as more crafting creative ideas.  I currently am looking to learn about batik dying so that I can dye my own fabric to use in my sewing projects.  I want to learn to dye my own yarn.  I want to learn more about art and crafting as a therapeutic tool (for my professional career), I want to learn more about all the creative things that I already know and  do.    I could go on and on.  The reason that this question is difficult to answer is that there are so many specific things that I want to learn.  I guess, on some level, the most important thing for me to learn will be how to use art and crafting as a creative tool so that I can use it in my professional career.

As an aside, I am officially the chapter leader for Massachusetts for "Enchanted Makeovers".  I am the go to person for MA for people who want to donate dolls, pillowcases, and/or capes for children who are living in shelters.  This is my first way of introducing creativity and community involvement into my life.  Hopefully in time, I will be able to do more of this and branch out on my own with community involvement and crafting. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting more about Enchanted Makeovers and what I will be doing in the state of Massachusetts!

I recently went to an art therapy conference and it definitely made me want to do more with the arts and crafts with my social work practice!

Amy

Wishcasting Wednesday: What Do You Wish to Share

It's again Wednesday and I remembered to join in with Wishcasting Wednesday at http://www.jamieridlerstudios.ca.  This week we are asked "What Do You Wish To Share?"


For a long time now, I have been looking for a way to share my love of creating and my love of my career as a social worker.  I have tried to find a way to get continuing ed credits by taking conferences that are more creative driven vs. clinically driven.  They all have a clinical component, but they also have a creative component too.  I have taken an art therapy workshop, a journaling workshop, a yoga worksop, and next I am taking an art therapy for grief and loss next month.

After reading a couple of books, specifically "Craft Hope", I have been trying to find a way to craft for charity.  I figured this would be a decent way to combine some community work (social work) and crafting (creating).  I've been trying to find a way to go about doing it.  I was hoping to start in my own community, but didn't know where to start.  I was reading Facebook and saw a post about "Enchanted Makeovers" looking for dolls.  I still have to create some and send them off, but I looked at the website and noticed that they have national chapters and my state is not listed.  They are looking to have a chapter in more states, so I contacted Terry Grahl, the founder of "Enchanted Makeovers" and have a phone conference on Monday to talk about heading up a chapter in MA.  I am a little nervous about this phone call.  I haven't told my husband about it.  I have sent e-mails to over chapter leaders hoping to get some inside info on what being a Chapter leader entails.  I figured that this may be a good way to start to share my love of community (social work) and my love of creating.  It would be an established program and I guess I would just be a liaison to the company for local people who have questions or donations for area shelters.  I wish it was a paid position!  I would love to have something like this as my job.  I do think that this will be a great addition to my resume for when I have the ability to start my own type of program.

I don't want to be the person that has dream that never get fulfilled.  I don't want to look back on my life and say "I wish I had followed my dreams and passions".  I do like being a social worker, but I don't just want to do clinical work without creativity.  I want to share my love of creativity with others as well as my love of social work, but more the community work of social work, not individual clinical work.  I want to help my community by sharing my talents and gifts, both as a social worker and as a crafter!

What do you wish to share?

Amy

Dreams, Passions, and Goals

For the longest time, I have been trying to figure out what my dream, my passion, and my goals are regarding my career.  In the past, I have wanted to go into private practice as a social worker.  After getting my BSW and my MSW, I have decided, much to my husband's dismay, that I don't really want to have a traditional private practice.  I am considering going back to school and getting my art therapy certificate and then when I can go into private practice, I can do art therapy.

My latest thoughts have been spurned on by reading a couple of books and finding a website about crafting for charity.  Wouldn't that be an awesome way to use my social work degree as well as my love for crafting?  Now I need to research exactly how to go about doing something like this!  I'm sure there is a lot that goes into doing something like this and is not something that I can take lightly.  I'm sure that there are a lot of things that I need to learn.  I have no business background, no marketing background, and limited supervisory background.

I have certain ideas that I am thinking about based on my love of sewing, making jewelry, knitting/crocheting, making bath and beauty products, paper crafts, photography, and pretty much any craft.  What I need to do, is find out more information on non profits, see if there is anything already started to get information or even see if there are any positions that I can get hired for.  I need to find out what population I want to work with. I also need to figure out a business plan and maybe think about grant writing.  My social work background will definitely come in handy here!

I really need to find a part time job and I will be heading back to work full time with in the next couple of years.  I am hopeful that I can spend some time researching what is needed and maybe find someway of making my dreams, passions, and goals happen!


My latest crafting pleasure has been making a doll bed for my daughter's doll as well as a quilt to go with it.

doll bed made out of a recycled clementine box with hand sewn mattress and pillow

doll bed with quilt (I still have to bind the quilt)

crocheted rag rug for under the bed!

Amy

Latest Projects

As I've written before, I am trying to make time to be creative every day.  This week, I have been trying to finish up some WIP's (works in progress), while attempting to use up some of my stash.  I had already finished my daughter's, and last night I finished her twin brother's.  I now have to finish my older son's afghan, a shawl or maybe lapghan for my mom, and start on for me and my husband.  I am also making some doll size ones to donate to my mother of twin's group for their table at the annual convention.  I am only hoping that they will like them.  I know that one that is almost finished is one that I really like.

Thomas' granny square afghan

The one for me and my husband should be interesting.  He has asked me to also make a quilt the same way.  See, his legs get warm at night, so he likes having them uncovered.  He has requested a quilt and/or an afghan that is in the shape of an L so that I am warm and his upper body is warm, but his legs stay cool.

I LOVE MAKING GRANNY SQUARES!  The afghan's I have made have all been granny square afghans so far.  This will actually lend itself to the L shape that my husband is looking for!  I just pinned a ton of granny square things to my crochet board.  I'm hoping that the weather stays nice and the kids can play outside while I crochet some more and maybe finish a couple more doll afghans sooner than later.

Oh, and I made a pair of earrings and a hand stamped washer pendant this week too.  I am hoping to donate some handmade jewelry to the twin's group too!

hand stamped washer pendant

earrings

Amy

"Craft Hope"

I keep thinking about someday owning a crafting studio.  It's kind of a pipe dream since I don't have the money to open my own business, I will need to have constant income, and I have no business experience.  One thing that I would like to do as part of a craft studio, is have time to craft for charities.  One thing that I can do is start to do that myself.  I can start to create items for different charities and donate what I make.  I have a book called "Craft Hope" that is all about creating handmade items for different charities.  I am planning on looking through it and see if I can plan a project or two and donate them.  I know that there are a lot of different charities on the internet too.  This is something that I have wanted to do, but never followed through.  I really want to follow through this time.

One thing I would like to add to this is getting my community involved.  I'm not exactly sure how to go about doing it though.  I have thought about doing something with my church, but I have not exactly been attending.  I have also recently thought about doing something at our town's farmer's market.  One of the winter farmer's markets that we go to has a donation bin for handmade hats and mittens.  I would love to maybe do something similar at the summer's farmer's market.  What I would ultimately like to do is participate at the farmer's market and have people do a project while they attend the farmer's market as well as have a bin for drop offs.  I have heard of having many people work on an individual square or an individual project so that many people's hands are part of this finished piece.  This probably isn't a feasible endeavor, but it is something that I would like to think about.  Maybe check out when this years knit out is and do something that day in town.

I have so many ideas, but I'm not sure that they are things that are actually feasible.  As usual, I have goals/ideas, but don't know how to follow through.  I am off to look through my "Craft Hope" book and hope that it inspires me to somehow follow through with my dreams/goals, or at least one of them.

Amy

Organizing

I've been talking a lot about getting myself organized.  Well, I finally attempted it today!  I feel a little guilty since I spent time cleaning and organizing most of the day letting the kids watch a hefty dose of Caillou.  The guilt that I feel about letting the kids watch tv definitely competes with the satisfaction of putting together and organizing my crafts.  I still have a ton to do, and a ton to clean out and donate (which I so don't want to do because I love each and every supply that I have bought for the different crafts that I love) since I no longer have any room for everything I now own.

The first thing I started with is organizing my material and my yarn.  Holy craft supplies, do I have a ton of yarn and a decent supply of fabric.  Right now I have my yarn sorted by fiber content.  I have a couple of small boxes of cotton yarn separated between color and neutrals.  I have a large and medium size bin of yarns that are mostly synthetic, and a large bin of yarn that is mostly 100% wool with some blends thrown in.  All bins have more than one project in the works in them, plus I have a decorative bin in the living room with projects in it  Now I can go into each bin and know what I have for yarn in what type of fiber content instead of trying to find it all mixed in together.

My material has been organized by either fabric content, color, fat quarter, or pattern ie holiday, child, etc.  I have a decent amount of fabric that has mostly been bought for different potential quilts.  I have a couple bins that have material set aside for different possible projects that have been planned, but not started.  I have a bin of patterns, plus a bunch of patterns that are in my closet, and a couple by my bed.  I have my box of thread and notions all together, but I'm sure that there is more sewing stuff that needs to get organized.  I do have a decent bag of material and yarn that I am going to donate.  Now that I think about it, I should probably keep a large piece of blue striped fleece and give away the ugly green fleece that I bought for some unknown reason.

I still ahve the rest of my craft supplies to go through.  I have a ton of rubber stamps and paper crafting supplies.  I loave to make cards and scrapbook, but I just don't have the time.  It is going to be really difficult to get rid of some of the things that I will be purging.  I may call a friend and see if there is anything that she wants when I decide to get rid of things, if I can bring myself to do it!  I also have my jewelry making supplies that I should go through and see if there are any beads that I can't see myself ever using.  I doubt it as I am usually pretty picky on what beads I buy.  Maybe if I can get my supplies in order, I can start making things again.  Maybe if I can get a spot cleared out, I can start a project and leave it up, instead of having to always clean everything up and then having to take the time to take it out again and clean up again!

My goal is to set aside and area of the basement for a small table or desk.  I am hoping my brother in law leaves soon since he is staying in our basement and making it more difficult to actually be able to get down there and craft.  Even my husband doesn't feel like he can get into his woodshop and do things.  I am hoping to move a drop leaf table that we have to another area for folding clothes,  I am hoping that it will open up an area to have a desk or table or even a make your own desk out of a countertop and file cabinets to set up my sewing machine, and have space to do my paper crafting and jewelry.  maybe then I can also think about selling some of the things that I make if I have a space to set up and do some nice work.

I still have many supplies that I don't have room for, but will not be getting rid of.  I have a small kiln, that had bought for glass fusing and other light projects.  I have all my wood working supplies including my carving tools and my lathe.  I can't believe that I haven't touched any of that since probably before I was in grad school.  I am looking forward to have some time to create and if I can get organized, maybe then I will be a little more able to create more often!

I do still have the rest of the house to organize, but this was a huge start and really needed to be done so that I can get to the other areas of the house.  I think the next area is going through the kids toys.  I have a few that I am getting rid of, but I'm sure that there are more that I can either get rid of or put away and pull out later after I swap out other toys!  I also did semi organize the kitchen, but again, I need to do more.  I am also going to get better at planning my menu for the week and sticking too it.  I have been menu planning , but the problem is I don't always follow it.  I am giving myself a pat on the back for starting to get organized, but there is still so much to do and then maintain!

Amy

Getting Back to Creating

I signed up for another apron swap.  This time the theme is spring/gardening and I can't wait to make my apron.  I have the material which I love, and I ended up going to a Walmart that was a little further away, but ended up spending way less money than if I had gone to Joann's (though I have to admit, Walmart is one of those evils that I just have to do sometimes).  We are supposed to add in tuck ins that spell out our partners initials.  I have 2 of the 3 letter planned for, but I still need an S idea.

I often forget how much I love creating and crafting until I start reading other people's creative blogs.  I am really thinking that I want to start making clothes for me and the kids.  I'm a little nervous about them looking homemade.  I remember being that kid in school with homemade clothes and everyone knew it.  I probably need to start making things like pajamas to start practicing, then I can move on to things to wear in public.  I definitely have basic sewing skills, But I'm not sure my sewing skills are good enough for clothing (though that is a goal)

I still have my mom's prayer shawl in the works, but unfortunately, I tend to need to have multiple projects going at the same time!  I get bored quickly so I figure if I switch things up a little, I can save myself from putting it away and forgetting about it, which often happens.

I so wish that I had an actual studio where I had things set up.  I can't wait for the day that I can either create with my kids (best idea) or the day that my kids can play independently without getting into trouble.  I really wish that I had more time, or that I could figure out a way to make some of my passions, like being creative, natural living living, gardening, healthy eating/cooking, and make money at it!

I am going to figure out how to make sure that I am able to get creativity into my life everyday!

Amy

Organization

I am in the process of meal planning for the next month.  Initially it felt overwhelming, but then I read the post of a twin mom friend and it didn't feel so overwhelming.  She is using a calendar white board that she got at Target.  I haven't gotten to Target yet, but I printed of some weekly calendar sheets from outlook and am using that as my planning for for now.  My goal is to get the white board so that it is up for all to see and will be in my sight when I am in the kitchen.  I am hoping that meal planning will save me both time and money and help me to eat healthy and follow through with my dietary goals for me and my family.

Once I get set on meal planning it will be on to other areas of organization that I need to work on.  I really need to get my laundry under control.  Every time that I think I am in control, it gets totally out of control yet again.  I really need to make sure that I wash the diapers daily.  the most I ever go is a day and a half, but I think that it is better all around to do it every morning.  It may seem like a hassle, but I am so happy that I have been cloth diapering for the last year and a half.  It is one thing that I have wanted to do with my kids that I have been able to follow through with unlike my birth plan, breast feeding, limiting tv time (this is something that I drastically have to change). 

The other area is maintaining a clean and organized house.  I get started, but then I just can't maintain.  It is important for me to maintain an orgainized and clean house because once it gets away from me I find it so difficult to get it back.  If I can get this in shape, I will hopefully have more time for my hobbies and to introduce the kids into more arts and crafts, especially now that they are older.  I just finished my latest apron swap and even though it was pretty last minute finishing up, I really didn't get the same anxiety or stress taht I usually get when I am doing something last minute.  I was really happy, overall, with how it came out.  Ii just wasn't too thrilled with the rest of my package.  Yet again, oraganization would have dramatically helped with this.

Here's to being more organized and less stressed!

Amy

Flirty Apron Swap

I just signed up for my second apron swap over atr http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/.  I was so looking forward to doing this again.  I kept check the blog to see when registration opened and now it has.  This swap is going to be a Valentine's/baking theme.  I am so excited that I had a hard time choosing what kind of apron I wanted.  I am hoping to do a half apron this time and hoping to get a little more adventurous in the design.  Last time, I said that I didn't mind waht style apron I got, and I got a really nice half apron, which I love.  This time, however, I asked for a full apron.  I am thinking that I will change my style each swap, especially since I can't ever really decide which one I like best.  And, if I can remember, I will post a picture of my lovely apron from my last swap.  Have I mentioned yet that I love swaps!  Some of my facebook friends think I'm crazy for doing swaps, but I really love it and with 3 little ones, crafting/creating is my therapy/stress relief.

Amy

Crafting for Good

I was looking at facebook this morning and one of my friends wrote about making prayer shawls.  I have been wanting to make prayer shawls, hats for preemies, and any other craft that I can donate.  I actually have bought books, printed things off the internet, and started projects that I had planned to donate to different causes.  Unfortunately, like most things, I haven't finished things.  I really think that I want to start this again.  Only this time, I want to actually finish projects and donate them.  Maybe, I'll even start a facebook thing about making things to donate.  I don't know that anyone will participate, but it maybe a nice thing to try.

Anyway, that is one of my goals for the new year and sooner if possible,
Amy

Creative Projects

I have a ton of projects in the works.  First and most important are the kids' Halloween costumes.  I need to make all of Thomas' pirate costume, wings for Eva Rose, and a pirate hat for Michael.  I have to decide on what I am making people for Christmas this year.  I have a few ideas mostly scrapbooking and knitting, that I think will go over really well.  I may even try some jewelry too.  Unfortunately, I have all these ideas and not enough time to do them.

I have plans to get together with a friend weekly so that I can spend at least a couple of a week creating.  I just have to plan what to work on first.  In the past when we have gotten together, we have done similar projects, or at least the same craft.  I am thinking that this time, we can do what ever we want depending on waht each of us needs or wants to work on.

I'd like to spend more time creating.  I'd love to spend some time going through my supplies and prganizing them better, so that I know what I have and what I need to get.  I would love to know where to go to get what I need when I need it, instead of spending way too much time trying to figure out where things are.  I need to get a little more organized in my daily life (which is starting) so that I can maybe I can multi-task a little.  I am spending way too much time watching tv with out doing anything productive.

I will find time to get more creative and get more organized so that I can be more creative!

Amy

Current Projects

I have a couple of projects that I have either recently finished or am in the process of finishing, or am thinking about starting for Christmas gifts.  This past weekend, I just finished a fall wreath for our door that I think came out really good.  In fact I was so happy with it that I decided to make a gift of one for my mom to thank her fall all the babysitting she has done, so I went out this morning and bought the items to make a wreath for her.  Then earlier today, one of the blogs I follow posted about making pants out of old t-shirts.  I just had to try this and they actually came out pretty good even though I flew through the cutting and sewing.  I can only imagine how they would have come out if I had taken my time with them.

I have a scarf on teh needles that is just a simple garter stich scarf.  I am considering this for a Christmas gift for one of my sisters.  I'm sure that I have a bunch of works in progress (WIPs) that I just can't seem to think of right now, but I know that there are a ton of things that I have to finish.

I want to make two wine cozies for my sister and sister in law.  I want to make a scarecrow for the house.  I want to make things for the kids for Christmas.  I like the idea of making gifts for people instead of just buying something that is mass produced.  I just have to get over my fear of people not liking what I make!  I am also planning on making the cake for my mom's 60th birthday.  I'm really excited about that.

I need to get my Christmas list organized so that I can start on projects for people.  This way I won't be stuck with last minute things and then ending up buying the mass produced gifts that I don't want to buy!  I have soem housekeeping to do before I really get started on projects, but the new fall tv season starts this week and I want toat least watch the season premiere of things, so I may just try to be productive while watching tv and deal with house stuff later.  We'll see, but I  know that I need to work on things so that I can be more sane in life.  I aslo need to get organized (like I keep saying) so that I can feel like I can take the time to do my creative things.  I also plan on getting the kids to make some gifts for family members, so I get to be creative with them.  I want to start getting them to do some thing creative every day.   Maybe in tie I can use that time to be creative too. 

My last thing that I want to post about is scrapbooking.  I wish I had thought a little about this today at the craft store.  I want to get an organizer so that I can slowly work on pages for the kids scrapbook, instead of leaving it til they are too old and I give up.  I have enough pictures, I just need to print them out and get them into an album with some journaling along with the pictures.  And last but not least for to do projects is halloween bags.  This is the first year that the kids will get to go trick or treating.  I need to make them bags and finalize their costumes (if I am making new ones, or if I am just modifying the cowboy outfit I have for Eva Rose and do a somewhat Toy Story theme)!

Wish me luck in getting things done!
Amy

Pork chops and new Christmas craft

We had pork chops for dinner.  I needed to find a new way of cooking them.  I was tired of having pork chops under the broiler or on the grill.  I found a recipe from Rachel Ray on Foodtv.com and decided to tweak it somewhat given the ingredients that I had on hand.  I made a sauce with Zinfandel wine, chicken stock, onions, craisins, and goat cheese.  I wasn't sure how it would come out, but I loved it.  I never tweak recipes.  I pretty much follow them word for word with maybe a small decrease/increase in the amounts of non major ingredients or maybe swapping an ingredient that I don't have, but not anything major.  I was so proud of myself with this recipe.  I will make sure that I write down what I used and the approximate amounts.

I also found a great new project.  On http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2009/12/homemade-christmas-gifts-redwork-hand.html I found my newest craft project.  I traced all 3 kids' hands and will be embroidering the outline of their hand along with their name and the date.  It seems like a simple project that shouldn't take too much time, yet something that will mean so much when they are older.  This may even be a gift for someone or maybe a couple of people, but definitely a project for me to keep.

The other project is making cookies for Christmas gifts for the neighbors.  I think I am going to make the 12 days of cookies for these gifts.  I am really looking forward to baking.  I love cooking/baking and am definitely enjoying making food for my family.

I am loving being a SAHM.

Amy