“The Crafting Continues” or “Why I’m not painting”
Here’s the latest thing I made: a queen-size lightweight quilt. This baby is 100% reused material! The quilt topper squares are made from sheets I bought at Value Village a couple of years ago and made into table runners when Josh and I got married. The batting fabric is an old, cozy, flannel sheet for a double bed we no longer own. The backing is another sheet I bought at VV. This is the kind of project I feel very good about. It is my first quilt, and it’s wonky in all kinds of places, but it brings back happy memories and didn’t cost the Earth anything other than some thread and electricity to run the sewing machine. This makes me want everything I make to be like this: reused, functional and meaningful.
Which brings me to part of why I haven’t been painting and drawing: I don’t feel quite right about continuing to use materials to make objects that just live in my studio. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, then Father John Misty sang a song about it on his most excellent “Fear Fun” album! Thanks, Father John, for saying it and singing it better than I ever could.
The crafting continues…
I know, I know, this is supposed to be an artist’s blog! How did it turn into a bunch of knitting and sewing posts?! Well, all I can say is that this is what I am excited about these days. I am tired of making myself feel guilty for a lack of drawing or painting projects. I am doing what I enjoy. I would rather spend hours knitting or sewing than painting for now. Some of you lovely visitors may not visit as often, which I totally understand.
So, with that off my chest, here’s my latest completed knitting project! This is a modified version of Scarlett’s Cardi from Ravelry. Found the most excellent bone buttons at Button Button here in Vancouver. I started out wanting something chunky and cozy, like a classic cable, but ended up choosing something quite different.
You like?
And on the last day of Craftmas…
I gave my 4-year old niece a felt crown. We all call her “Bean” – hence the bean motif.
It was a bigger hit than I expected and she spent most of Christmas morning wearing it! Super win!
Next up on Craftmas…
Matryoshka dolls!
Once this idea popped into my head, I couldn’t wait to turn my dear friends’ family into a set of Russian nesting dolls.
Dad’s always repairing a vintage __________.
Mom is an amazing cook, but shouldn’t be allowed near sharp objects…
… especially when she’s drinking.
The eldest daughter loves to make art. She took an art class with me at Arts Umbrella, and decided we both belonged to an exclusive group of “real artists”.
This photo is an accurate representation of how much their cat moves.
Their youngest daughter is very tiny for her age (and healthy!), so I got a kick out of making her smaller than the cat. Plus she’s got the grumpy face and destructive power of a hurricane.
The 12 Days of Craftmas!
These days it seems like the projects I am most excited about are gifts for friends – which proves handy ’round the holiday season. Here’s one my man and I put together for a good friend, Scott (of Smitty’s Brew Review fame).
It’s an advent calendar with a craft beer for each of the 12 days of Craftmas. Who needs cheap chocolate or silly little toys when you can have craft beer?! We got the idea when we saw a commercially-produced advent calendar in the liquor store, but the beers inside couldn’t be vouched for and the price tag was well beyond us – plus making one is more fun! Husband picked the beers while I made the calendar.
The lucky recipient has been uploading a video for each day and will be reviewing beers as quickly as he can chill and drink them!
Another example of Jillian Tamaki being awesome.
So very, very true.
From http://jilliantamaki.com/short-comics/sexy-halloween/
3… 2… 1… Art Party!
Make the trek to the Seymour Art Gallery on Tuesday, October 16th!
Original art (including a couple of my pieces) for $100, $200 or $300. Why not sort out some Christmas/ Hanukkah/ secular Winter holiday presents early?! I do love checkin’ stuff off a list.
Kooky is win
Just saw this:
It was so wonderful. All puppets in real environments; puppets made of old melted plastic bottles and bags, acorns, sticks and detritus driving cars made of wire and who-knows-what. Another example of the glorious creativity that grows from limitation. CGI has nothing on this. How does one become a Czech animator?
The glory of a simple and beautiful idea!
A new commission
Got to rock my Grandma skills, including my interest in knitting, as part of a recent commission from my sister. She wanted to thank her Grandma-in-law with a painting featuring Estonian flowers and traditional knitting patterns. I got to spend my prep and research time looking at pictures of Estonian mittens and knit patterns – could be worse! Here’s what I came up with…
It’s 10×10″ and done in watercolour. I took a botanical illustration course a few years ago, which came in very handy. Sis liked it, so I hope Grandma does too!
