A Creative Funk – part 3

My final few unfinished projects… this is part 3/3. You can read part 1 here for some context and part 2 here for my other WIP’s.

WIP 5 – Mosaic work. During the very hot weeks in July/August here in the UK I really struggled. The whole upstairs of my house were uncomfortably hot. So I avoided being up there, which is usually where I sew and I was too warm to knit and handle yarn. I was even too hot to sit on my sofa. The kitchen/dining area was the coolest place at 24C. So I decided to do something creative in there. So sat at my kitchen table I decorated a plant pot for my friend in mosaics. I really enjoyed it, so much so I planned out anther little project. Then another, as I started really enjoying it and loving the distraction from the heat. I left it all my materials and tools out so I could come back to it. Which I have done in fits and starts. I had a rare afternoon and evening with absolutely no plans or commitments a couple of weeks ago and spend the majority of this time working on a larger mosaic.

Since that burst of enthusiasm I’ve had very little time to continue and now it lays there taunting me, unfinished. In fact all 4 pieces I started after my initial plant pot are unfinished. My side-track into mosaics was very welcome at the time. Though I also feel it took me away from other things and now other things are taking me away from this. Maybe I have just taken on too many different things. I plan to transfer all my mosaic stuff into my small craft room, so it will not taunt me. I could schedule a day in the future to complete the pieces I’ve started. Maybe even setting aside 2-3 hours every other week to spend time on them, which should hopefully make good steady progress.

BUT first I’ll have to tidy my craft room. It’s only a small space (the box bedroom, with kitchen cupboard storage). It too often become the dumping area for all sorts of stuff. Cluttering it with more stuff, without tidying will be a distraction and I’ll not enjoy my time in there. This is a time and practicality issue. When I’ve needed to tidy this space before and it’s felt like a big mission, I set myself 10-15 mins a day to work on it, it usually kick starts the whole task and I just get on with it, or as least I make a little progress each day.

WIP 6 – Stripy winter cardigan – years and years ago I was given a bag of chunky soft but acrylic yarn. I’d thought I’d make a blanket out of it at some point, hadn’t happened. I had also been thinking about making some sort of cosy house coat/cardigan (I really wished I had one during lockdown winter 2020/21). I bit like a dressing gown but for everyday wear around the house. It can get draughty in my house and when I’m in on my own during the day I rarely put the heating on. I’m often in multiple layers, woolly socks, jumper, shawl and mitts. So I thought I could combine all these in one stash busting project. So decided to make a wrap over long cardigan, with a shawl collar, snug cuffs with thumb holes to keep my paws warms.

I was so excited to start this last winter though as spring approached, knowing it wouldn’t be worn until the following autumn, I just stopped knitting it. It somehow felt inappropriate to be working on it as the weather was warming up. However we’re now edging ever closer to chillier seasons and I’ll be wanting to wear it soon and I’m nowhere near finished, and I haven’t touched it since. This is also due to it being impractical to take to knit club, as it’s on the bulky side. With so many balls of yarn involved it would be a bit of a mission to take along each week. I may have to set myself a challenge of a certain number of stripes per week just to get me started again and I may find I just get back into it. The first super cold day will definitely give me a kick up the bum, but Ideally I hope to have it done by then.

WIP 7 – Curtains – also one of my a Make Nine projects. This was my stroke of genius last year. My house can feel a little draughty in winter (as mentioned above). This seems to come from around my front door and despite closing the door to the lounge the cool air gets in. I’d entertained the idea of a draft excluder, but knew I’d find it annoying. So decided to make a thermally lined long curtain to keep the draft out and add some interest to my small hallway. It worked well (it worked well during the heat wave to keep the sun heat out too). However I hung the curtain without finishing then hem, so it could settle into place and I could figure out the correct length…. 7 months later it’s still unfinished. I also bought enough fabric to make matching curtains for the top of the stairs. Which I’ve not done either. Hemming the door curtain is just sheer laziness. I should just get on with it.

The curtains at the top of the stairs are a little different. I need to decide how I’m lining them. I had a random amount of thermal lining left (as you had to buy whole meters) but it didn’t occur to me at the time to thermally line the other set too. So I have been pondering since February whether to buy more thermal lining (to make the most of what I have left) or buy standard lining which will be easier. It’s silly really it’s just decision paralysis on something that shouldn’t require this much thought. However the with colder weather coming, it should make me get on with it. Also thermally lined curtain on in the draughtiest area should really be a no brainer especially with the rising cost of energy bills, so I’ll have to figure out how much more I need (and hope it’s in whole meters).

Reflection on my creative funk

This isn’t by any means ALL my unfinished projects, but all 7 are things I’ve started recently with good intentions, then just stopped and struggled to get motivated as I mentioned in part 1. However, although this rambly writing has felt a little self-indulgent and possibly no one cares, it has helped me get a few things in order in my mind, and I realised a few things too.

Recently when I’ve felt “not bothered” to work on a project I had in mind for that day, I think what I’ve actually been doing is giving myself a break. All too often in the past I have worked hard to meet self-imposed deadlines, to the point I’ve not enjoyed the process as much, or stayed up late or rushed. At the time it feels a little defeatist, when I’ve made time for something and then not done it. I think I need to be kinder to myself and “strike when the Iron is hot” so to speak. Work on project when I want to and not force it. This is perhaps a bit of a new concept for me. Crafting and in particular knitting has always been what’s got me through difficult times and relaxes me when I’m anxious, it’s comforting. So not wanting to do it when I was feeling down was actually quite disconcerting, but maybe I was subconsciously making things easier for myself….

I’m posting the state of all my WIP’s on Instagram and will update my progress there too.

Thanks for reading
Steph Xx

A Creative Funk – part 2

Following on from yesterday’s post “A creative funk”. This is part 2 of 3. I’m listing all my unfinished projects and figuring out what obstacles are getting in the way to help me get back on track. If you’ve not already read part one, you can read it here.

WIP 2 – Hinterland Dress

WIP 2 – is my Hinterland Dress. I’ve wanted to make one of these for years. I’ve admired so many of them on Instagram, and in the grand scheme of things it’s a straight forward sew. However I have PROCRASTINATED so much. I have a real metal block with sewing at the moment.

I think having listened to lots of sustainability podcasts recently, I’m viewing fabric as a much more precious commodity as usual (I’ve always been precious over it, but now even more so). My Hinterland toile is made of a very old bed sheet from my Grans attic which wasn’t in a great condition. I dyed in and cut around the holes. So I’m making good use of it, but still something is preventing me from finishing. I’m about 70% there!

I’ve made time to work on it and then just don’t feel like it. I also set myself deadlines and then just didn’t try and meet them. There’s always the worry when sewing garments (particularly in woven fabric) that once they’re finished they won’t fit or they simply don’t suit you. This always makes me procrastinate.

However I am going on holiday soon (maybe too soon). Though it would be nice to finish it to take with me, so hopefully that will spur me on, maybe even setting myself a small task at a time… pin pockets in place today…. Failing that, I am attending a jeans making workshop next weekend. Hopefully that’ll build my confidence again so I can tackle more sewing.

WIP 3 – Crochet hexagon Cardigan

WIP 3 – Crochet cardigan. This was an idea I had rattling around my brain for sometime, to make a cardigan out of crochet hexagons. Then when I was looking through my yarn, I discovered I had some left over bamboo cotton in 3 colours that looked great together. Navy, teal & grey so I thought a summery cardigan would be great. I almost talked myself out of starting it several times. However I was enthused by the idea so decided to go with it (despite not being on my #MakeNine list and adding another WIP to the list). I initially made good progress and I was enjoying it, but then I stalled. I think in part it’s because I knew I wouldn’t get it complete for summer. Also having made the majority of the hexagons (the fun bit) sewing the hexagons together is fiddly. It also works best sat at a table, with it spread out. But I like to crochet/knit while sat in my lounge on the sofa and the coffee table is not the best height for that. Really it’s just a practicality and mentally preventing my progress here.

I can use my sewing table in my spare room. However my sewing my machine is set up with all the pieces of my hinterland dress waiting for me to finish it. If I clear that away that’s one more barrier to not completing WIP No.2. So this will just mean that I will have to do WIP 2 before 3, then I have the table space and I can just watch something using my laptop. Simple practical solution there (hopefully). I am totally ignoring the fact that I’m not using a pattern and I’m making it up as I go along (as an inexperienced crocheter)… I’ll cross any other bridges when I get to them. I’ve already resigned myself to the fact that it’ll be ready for spring/summer 2023!

WIP 3 – Ilha Sweater

WIP 4 – Ilha Sweater by Tête Bêche Designs. Well I started this over a year ago. We had a uniform at work, a casual uniform of a black top. So I decided to knit myself a black loose fitting 4ply jumper I could wear with lots of different things. We then scraped our uniform just after I started this project and we can wear what we like (excellent news for all my other knits). However I don’t think I would have knitted a black top otherwise. Undeterred I decided to persevere. I discovered after splitting for the sleeves, it was way too big for me (after adjusting for my different tension). So I ripped it out and started again. This time the fit looks alright, but the more I knit of it the less I can imagine wearing it. The lack of enthusiasm has definitely slowed my progress, also black yarn is not good to knit with in rubbish light. I have decided I will finish it, however I may end up giving it away when I do… time will tell. This is a relatively good mindless knitting project, now I’m on the body, though I’m already not looking forward to the sleeves…

Would you just let this reside in the WIP pile forever, persevere or rip it out and use/gift the yarn for something else?

Thanks for reading.
Steph Xx

A creative funk

I’ve been in a little bit of a creative funk lately. If you read my blog you might think it’s lasted a very long time due to my lack of posts. It’s not been that bad. But lockdown and the pandemic did strange things to us all and in particular my motivation and how I spent my time. I’ve still making (I always am) however during the lockdowns I was spending much more time behind a computer screen for work. Which meant I didn’t feel like doing the same in my spare time too. I documented most things over on my Instagram account. Even then it was sporadic.

However I am probably in my worse creative funk EVER. I’ve lost focus and because I’ve not completed much I’m lacking enthusiasm/inspiration for a lot of my creative pursuits. This is due to several reasons, I think. It peaked at the worst of our UK heatwave (I’m the opposite of solar powered – the sun and heat zap my energy) and I’ve struggled to get going again. I’m working really hard in my day job. Often working late which usually means I’m exhausted when I get home and do very little (make tea, cat cuddles and watch some TV). Then my days off I’m resting and recuperating and doing some general house stuff (food shopping, cleaning life admin etc). Then before you know all your spare time has gone. Then there’s the actual projects that could be part if the issues. I also have lots on the go so that’s tricky to balance too. I think it must also have a little to do with my age and energy levels too (maybe).

Mia – my lovely procrastination buddy

I realise this is normal for most and I don’t have other constrains on my time (kids/other dependants/commitments). However this is very much out of character for me, I’m usually reaching for a project at every opportunity, so I always felt productive too.

It’s not all doom and gloom

I’m not as down as all my ramblings might lead to you conclude. But I am keen to get myself out of this funk and find my creative oomph again. I’ve also been frustrated my things more easily and I’ve lost my nerve with some things (like cutting into fabric). However I always used to find writing blogs posts quite cathartic. So when I mentioned to my friend Jem that I was going to document all my WIPs to try and get my making mojo back, she asked if I was going to write a blog post. I thought, YES! And here it is.

I always used to be a fairly monogamous knitter, start a project and finish it before moving onto the next, maybe I’d have 1 big project and a smaller one on the go and that’s worked for me for years. However last year, as things felt a little strange during lockdown 2/3 (winter 2020 into 2021) I decided to make myself a Make Nine list, which I’ve done before. However last year I did one for sewing and knitting. And I managed to pretty much complete all 18 projects. (side note – you can read notes on this on Instagram). It was great, (though ambitious) it helped me focus and I felt incredibly productive. However I occasionally found myself frustrated by the limits I’d put on myself. As a result I gave myself more free reign this year. I made a looser plan for my make nine this year so I could do additional projects that just took my fancy too. I think this might have been a contributor to my unravelling… so to speak.

My “Make Nine” projects for 2022

I think I like the structure of lists and occasional deadlines (like finishing a particular garment for a certain occasion). However I’ve had several of these bench marks that have been and gone this year. I’ve also had days where I’ve planned ahead to be able to make set some time aside for sewing on a set day and then just didn’t fancy it. I then felt disappointed with myself that I’d wasted the time & not been productive. I know deep down it doesn’t really matter and I should be easier on myself. However making and creating things is such a big part of my life I feel a little broken when I don’t want to do it.

This has turned into more of a stream of consciousness than I thought it would. However writing this has helped my think about how to help myself. I think lists definitely help me. My Make Nine list of projects for 2022 is still relevant. However I am also going to document all my current Work In Progress projects to help me be more realistic and decide what to focus on.  I’ve decided to note down what each project is and what obstacles are preventing me from just getting on with them and maybe set myself a realistic go for completing them.

A have 7 significant project on the go at the moment. If I list them all here now this might turn into a ridiculously long post (even more so), so I’ll start with one and split the rest into 2 more posts;  

WIP 1 – First up are socks from my #MakeNine list. I wanted to knit some socks with a little more interest as most of my hand knitted socks are quite plain. These Dancing Skies Socks by Emily Joy Rickard caught my eye last year. They’re striking with a nice amount of detail. However now I’m knitting them, I don’t always reach for them. Sometimes I just want a simple mindless knit to have on the go, that I don’t have to think about (the irony is not lost on me).

That said now I’ve got into them a lot more (as of last weekend) they’re coming along nicely. I feel there’s always a point in socks when they feel like they’re taking ages and you’ll never finish. I’m hoping I’m now past that. I have a long car journey soon (as a passenger) so hopefully they’ll be a good travel project and I might even get onto the second sock and then it’s plain sailing from there…

Thank you for reading, the next instalment will be shared tomorrow.
Steph : )

Inspired by Tutankhamun

I visited the Tutankhamun (treasures of the golden pharoh) back in January. It’s a fascinating exhibition as you would expect however I was particularly blown away by all the intricate jewellery and trinkets on display.

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What I was interested in and could help wondering the whole way around then exhibition was how the Egyptians made all these items over 3000 years ago. What tools did they use, how did they gather all the materials. And how do all these pieces made over 3000 year and found almost 100 years ago still look like they could have been made yesterday. How much restoration was required, how would someone go about cleaning and caring for such intricate precious items. I feel there could be a whole other exhibition on that topic.

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I remember learning about the Egyptians at school, one part that I remembered well was all the talk of curses and how everyone who was present at the opening of the tomb died in quick succession. I was pleased to see the exhibition dispelled the theories, though it is understandable where the superstitions came from as there were certainly a few odd coincidences.

As much as I loved looking at all the artefacts, I found the timeline of the discovery also fascinating, and how this dig almost didn’t happen. What I also found compelling was how the world was so taken by the discovery, understandably, this tomb was the cream of the crop in Egyptian discoveries. It captured the imaginations of many and went on to influence art and design of the following eras.

When I was looking at many of the jewellery pieces on display I felt like I could have been looking at jewellery from the 1930’s. The geometric shapes, clean lines and repetitive patterns feel very modern, but then these influences have been around longer than even the Egyptians as these shapes and pattern occur throughout nature. It is clear that the Art Deco movement took influences from the ancient Egyptians which is why it feel so familiar to me, having grown up with parents very much interested in this era.

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It was the jewellery from the exhibition that was a personal highlight. The vibrate colours of the semi-precious stone used in contrast with gold made the pieces so striking. I can’t help but imagine the tools used to carve the small shapes and tiny beads. What also impressed me by the exhibition was the way items were displayed. Most exhibits were visible from front and back. A lot of the jewellery was displayed on clear perspex so the back of the items were just as visible as the front, which is quite unique and much appreciate by inquisitive minds like mine. Though it still didn’t reveal any secrets of their processes, just that the Egyptians had an incredible eye for details with the reverse often as ornate as the front.

As I came away from the exhibition I couldn’t help but have colours and ideas for jewellery rolling around my head. The following day when I returned home from my trip to London, I scribbled down an idea that kept fight it’s way to the front. Inspired in part by a pattern on a large vessel I saw, and by the colours and shapes that appeared in much of the jewellery. I have to get ideas down when they’re still fresh especially if I don’t have time to implement them straight away.

Initial ideas

Fortunately I didn’t have to wait long before I had time to delve into my bead stash, find some appropriate colours and see if my idea would work. It did, even if it was a little fiddly. I wanted to incorporate interlocking triangles in the centre with a chequer board edging. I created a string of triangles (I’m not sure what you’d call that stitch) then secured them in place with a herringbone edge.

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It was particularly tricky getting the triangles to behave while adding the edging; however I persevered and made it work. I’m really pleased with the result, it is pretty much exactly what I had in mind which is great as many ideas don’t work out quite right and have to go through several tweaks first.

If you get a chance to see the Tutankhamun exhibition on its final world tour before it is returned to Egypt for good I would highly recommend going.

Thanks for reading!
Steph

Procraftination

I like all my crafty pursuits to have a purpose, I like to have some thing tangible to show for the time spent creating something, which is one of many reasons why I love knitting. I can appreciate why others colour-in or scrapbook for relaxation, but I’ve always felt it’s not my cup of tea.

That said, many years ago when I went on the Amy Butler colour workshop at the festival of quilts (bought as a 30th birthday gift by my wonderful friends). I found it fascinating to see how her themes develop and they mostly start off with a trip, photos and then collages, from which she picks out colours, which then inform the pallet for her new range. I found her talk inspiring and actually really enjoyed making the collage we created on the day (something that has no real practical use). I have actually framed it and hung it in my spare room (which doubles as my sewing room).

When I was feeling a little uninspired recently, I’ve had a tea leaf of an idea brewing away in brain for a little while and sometimes when I have a vision for something I’m quite apprehensive to get it started in case in turns out terribly. However I found collating a few things, ripped out of old magazines and creating a collage helped with the idea brew further and I’m feeling more confident to see it through.

My collage just focused entirely on colour, I found it very therapeutic and I now have a great colour palette of my own to inform my projects.

This was very therapeutic to do, helped with my creative though processes, and I cleared out a loaf of old magazines too (a whole shelf’s worth)!

Patterns Everywhere : Barcelona part 3

Palau de la Música Catalana

We popped in to this wonderful building for a bite to eat and a drink and were so impressed by the entrance and small section we saw ,and I really wanted to see the stained glass ceiling in real life, that we booked a tour for the following day. I must admit I know very little about music halls and they’re not somewhere I’ve ever spend much time. However I do have an appreciation for amazing buildings and this really way spectacular.

Patterns Everywhere : Barcelona part 2

Casa Batlló 
We headed to one of Gaudi’s impressive creations having been intrigued by the blurb in my guide book (yep properly tourist-ing it up) and I wasn’t disappointed. Inspired by nature there’s a fluidity to the rooms and space with wonderful rich wood and colourful detail.

I could have shared loads of photos here, however I wanted to remember some of the more subtle details, from the paving outside thee house also design by Gaudi and seen all over the city. I had to buy myself a coaster of the design, I just loved the clever way the same single hexagonal piece creates different shapes and patterns when tessellated.

All photos are my own. Copyright Steph Gibbs.

Patterns Everywhere : Barcelona part 1

Everywhere I go I can’t help but spot patterns in everything, I’m sure I’m not the only one, my phone is full of snippets of walls, leaves, doors & floors. My latest holiday a few weeks ago was no different, Barcelona is full of wonderful patterns, tiles, mosaics & buildings so I thought I’d collate some of them together in a little blog post.

( I have now decided to split them in to s few posts I hadn’t realised quite how many photos I’d taken in 4 and a half days – over 500, the joys of a good camera phone).

Part 1 : Catedral de Barcelona

This really was a magnificent building with a huge amount of details in every part of the building and a good start to our holiday.

All photos are my own. Copyright Steph Gibbs.

One thing leads to many others…

Ever since I did a textiles project at school based on the 60’s & 70’s I’ve been quite taken by the designs and colours of the 60’s in particular. I love the flamboyance, a decade of style over substance, that created many things that had never been seen before.
I have many books on this era and loved flicking through them, you really get a sense of inventiveness, excitement & fun from the decade. This period has influenced me in many small ways from the clothes I wore as a teen, the car I drove and some of the items I now have in my home.

My love of the 60’s inspired a birthday trip I took with my Mum for my 21st (12 years ago). We went to Tate Liverpool to see the Summer of Love – Art of the Psychedelic Era exhibition (we drove from Worcester at the time – approx 120 miles – just to illustrate the passion). It is probably the best exhibition I have ever been to, all these amazing things I had only seen in books I saw in real life. Most notable was Verner Panton‘s furniture landscape, Visiona II (below), definitely more of an art installation than furniture, but still fantastic as well as Janis Joplin’s restored Porsche.

It’s the furniture and patternsin particular that stand out when I flick though retrospective books from this era and I’d love to own a Globe chair one day, however impractical they are. I have seen many version of these chairs and similar in museums (York Castle museum springs to mind).

Many chairs that come up for sale are either affordable but a shabby mess or pristine and way too expensive. However while in Liverpool, at the Albert Docks my Mum and I had a wander around and came across a rather nice looking furniture shop (sadly no longer there) which had a whole range of lovely new retro inspired furniture. We spent a while in there and came away having bought a lovely chair from the range for my Birthday. Very much in the essence of 1960’s style, I still have the chair and it is still very comfortable!

The chair is rather striking but sits in fairly colourless/muted corner of my louge, even with my 1950’s atomic magazine rack, I did have a large square cushion with bold Sanderson Dandelion Clocks fabric that matched the curtains I made but it just felt wrong having a square cushion on a round chair.

The rest of my decor in my lounge has reds and grey – all taken from the colour pallett of this fabric. It’s taken me many years to get around to it, but I have eventually created a suitable cushion for this chair.

I had intended to just write short introduction about the chair and the the main focus of this post to be about the cushion, however I started getting all enthusiastic and inspired so I going to write a whole separate post about my cushion.

It has been nice to remind myself of the things that have inspired and influence me over the years even if they aren’t such prominent influences now.

Thanks for reading!