Conversation tonight with Ben on our walk:
Me: "....I like it because it's patchwork-y."
Ben: "Do they work at State Farm?"
Me: "????"
Ben: "Pat Schwirkey. It just sounds like someone who probably sells insurance at State Farm.
Me: "YES! That's totally my new alter ego!"
So yeah. Here's something patchwork-y made by the very un-insurance selling Pat Schwirkey.
If I thought the few weeks of creative block was bad this past month, I had no idea what was to come. I was down for the count for a whole week of a stomach virus, complete with an itchy rash that kept me in bed for too, too long.
But finally today I'm feeling lots better, and I am READY to get back to sewing.
I've got a lot on my mind right now...I need to finish projects for people, craft shows must be applied to in the next several days....there's loose ends to tie up everywhere. But after work today, I came home and worked again with those little fabric strips I was telling you about last time.
I don't know how it's possible, but those strips have pulled me out of my slump and I'm ready to make so much again. Tonight, I worked on a few pouches and journal covers and everything came together without stress. It's the kind of feeling where you're excited about the project of the moment, but you can't help but think about the details of the next three projects as well.
I wish I had more photos to show you, but I promise there will be much more in the days to come. I'm so ready to get back to work.
I've been unblocked!
Now, if only I hadn't have run out of white linen, this project would be going much smoother.
I am insanely fed up with being at a creative block.
Today, out of sheer frustration for not making progress on anything, I forced myself to start cutting pieces for....something. I don't even know what I'm making. I just felt that if I didn't do anything, that I'd feel even more behind and blocked. I'm not sure it really helped. I'm doubting choices in colors and sizes and I don't even know what I'd like for it to become.
Yesterday I spent the majority of my time in the sewing room looking at what I have, and not being able to make any decisions. Finally, I cut up some green, brown and white 3 inch, half square triangles and sewed them together to work on a bag idea I had some time ago. I wasn't happy with the colors together, and so now they're just sitting and waiting for me to decide what I should do with them. I don't know though.
I should be spending my time working on my half-finished lunch sacks, but after a series of pretty major mistakes in the process of making them, I'm frustrated with them. I'd like to finish them and get them off to their respective new homes, but I'm overwhelmed with finishing them.
I'm genuinely frustrated with my mindset these days. I want to work on projects and make strides in finishing things, but I'm having a lot of issues with self-doubt and second guessing. I'm having a lot of trouble shaking that feeling and just getting on with the making process.
(Finally, to wrap up my last post about my oops fabric--it has gone to a good home. A friend mentioned to me very quickly after the post went up that she'd have a perfect use for it, so I told her it was hers! A loving home was indeed found!)
I'm not sure what the problem was, but I was in a funk on Sunday. The previous day I had some trouble with the lunch sacks that I've been working on, and it landed me in a grumpy, un-creative mood all day. I tried so hard to pull myself out of it, but things were just not meant to be. I needed a little break.
I finally managed to pull it together late in the day and I put this little fold over clutch together--not perfect, but a decent first try. I bought the pattern from Keyka Lou and although I think it's a well written pattern, I'm just not sold on the usefulness of it. Do people really carry clutches? I'm not sure if I could classify myself as a clutch-carrier. I thought they'd look really cute all patchworked-out, but I'm not sure if it's worth my time to make more. I'm just feeling lukewarm about it.
So although I'm not feeling so grumpy, I feel like my inspiration is still dwindling. I know the deadlines for spring shows are just around the corner and I'm trying to get a jump on having things made.
Is it the cold weather that's making me feel so sluggish? I'm wishing for spring warmth to sneak in and melt my frozen bones.
...home from work, Friday afternoon. A sunny sewing room. No other plans for the weekend other than to spend my time here.
Happiness is making things. Sometimes it makes me so happy that I can't even believe it.
Happy Friday, Friends.
Snow day, part 2 was all about the sewing. It. Was. Wonderful.
These are all the starts of new lunchboxes. I had started out just planning on working on one--the top picture--which is going to be for a friend's sister. I love the fabric (It's a Hoot by Moda) and was excited to get started on it. I got into a real rhythm, and by the end of the night, I had all of this work done. Nothing's finished, of course, but everything seems to be ready for the next step now.
Back to see the kids for one more day this week. As strange as it might seem, these last two days of being home made me pine for the summer. Having all day to sew makes me so very happy.
I seem to be hit by my first winter cold this season, and I'm showing it. Despite big plans, Saturday's biggest accomplishment was going out for a walk with Ben and Hudson. Early evening found me surrounded by handwork and other projects on the couch, but instead, I spent my time with my head back, snoring.
Today though, I figured if I could sit while I sewed, instead of standing at my work table, I'd probably be able to get more done. I dragged out my machine to the kitchen, made a pot of tea and actually got a few things done. It wasn't the sewing blow-out that I had hoped for, but I'm okay with that for now.
I can't help but be a little excited too--they're calling for up to a foot of snow here by Wednesday. Let's just say that the adults at school wouldn't mind a little mid-week snow day...possibly even more so than the kids would. My fingers are already crossed.
I just looked back at the date of my last post and am shocked that it's been over a week since I blogged last. This summer is flying by. It doesn't seem possible that we're already into July.
I'm gearing up for a craft show in a few weeks, and was looking to make some new things to take with me. Here's what I've been working on the past few days:
Shoes! Aren't they so much fun? I should probably call them slippers instead, since I'm not sure they'd completely hold up for wearing out and about. The pattern comes via I Think Sew. Her patterns are so cute and really reasonably priced. And the shoes....oh my goodness!
It took me a few days to figure out how to make them correctly, but now that I've got everything down, they're a lot of fun to make. I'd like to have a nice pile of them to take with me to the show in two weeks!
And speaking of which! If anyone is semi-local, I'll be at the I-Art Festival in Redford, Michigan July 24th and 25th. The show runs from 11-9pm on Saturday and from 10-4pm on Sunday. I'm hoping for great weather and a big turnout this year!
As of noon today, I am on summer break, and I am a very happy camper.
See?
I love summer for so many reasons. I love the flowers that grow in my garden. I love Fourth of July picnics, parades and fireworks. I love going swimming on hot days. But more than all of that I love sewing as much as I want, all day long. I feel like for two and a half months out of my year, I get to live my dream of being a full time quilter and crafter. It's bliss, and it's what I look forward to all year long.
In fact, in only took about 10 minutes this afternoon to get started.
Bring on the new projects, the iced tea, the fresh blueberries, the day lilies that grow in my yard. Bring on my most happy time of the year.