52 in 52

Last year, instead of setting a New Year's Resolution, I set a craft goal: Complete 52 projects in 52 weeks. What was supposed to average at a project a week turned into a mad dash at the end, averaging 2 projects per week! (Hence the lack of blogging - I was too busy crafting!) In any case, I did finish, on New Year's Eve no less, and it's taken me a few weeks to shoot and gather all the pictures together. Unfortunately, I'm missing photos of 4 pieces (knit dress, sewn t-shirt, sewn pants, knit doggie neckwarmer). The shirt, pants and neckwarmer I gave away before I had the chance to take pictures; the dress is currently a wip towards becoming something else.

Which brings me to my Craft Goals 2010:
1. Use found objects. I'd like to think of this as a euphemism for destashing, but it's more than just that. Over the years, I've collected t-shirts, ripped jeans, half-finished projects, finished projects that don't quite fit right, and manufactured clothing that I've never worn, in addition to a fabric and yarn stash that I struggle to keep under control. I've always started from a blank canvas (i.e. a solid cut of fabric), which is a relatively easy way to create. I think it's much harder to change one thing into something else. The ultimate goal therefore, is to expand my way of thinking and to challenge myself creatively. Since I already have an entire dresser to shop from, I'm excited to see how this is going to pan out.

2. Learn new skills. I want to learn to crochet, spin and possibly weave. This is really the second part of the Creative Challenge. While I assume that I will continue to defer to sewing and knitting, I want to be able to think about yarn and fabric in different ways still. Suj got me the SNB crochet book, so I'm already on my way!

3. Slow down. Enjoy the process. Blog more. :)

Finally, I've finished my first project this year. The mad rush to get 2009 buttoned up burned me out just a little bit and I haven't been making much since the start of the year. I've actually not yet finished my Christmas knitting, these slippers are for my sister.


French Press Felted Slippers, knit in Patons Classic Wool Merino. These were a quick knit, but I have to confess, they weren't my favorite project to work on. I'm just not the biggest fan of felting. The result is super cute however, so I'm tempted to make another pair. After I finish the rest of the Christmas knitting, that is. :)

Hello, Kitty

Every few weeks, I get together with some like-minded crafty friends to hang out and make things. We're all different in our strengths and in what we make, or how we think about making things, so in addition to the camaraderie, we're learning from each other as well. Plus, one of the best parts of Craft Day is actually planning the project to work on.

We'll usually gather at Suj's, so I try to bring something portable. Although I have been known to lug both my sewing machine and my serger along. And my guitar. And dinner ingredients. And beer. (We'll make dinner [and sometimes desert] too - it keeps with the spirit of things.) Several months ago, I starting working on a cross-stitch Hello Kitty wedding pillow for Rima. Aptly, I also finished it at Craft Day.


Rima and I are both tea fanatics - sometimes more appropriately known as water snobs. Sure, some teas are better than others, and proper steeping times and water temperatures can't be wholly overlooked, but it all tastes like garbage if you don't use good water. Therefore, in addition to the pillow I also sent her a few tea tins, which Suj painted. I have no drawing skills whatsoever and Suj didn't have a project planned (very fortuitous for me) so I put her to work. :) She was happy to help and her painting turned out beautifully. Thanks Suj!

15 minutes later..

So it seems I've abandoned the blog for a while..things have been super busy! The May FOs will get another post, mainly because I still haven't taken pictures yet. (Oops.)

Otherwise, since I'm in hyperproductivity mode, and since many of the projects I've been toiling on have been quite time consuming, I needed a bit of instant gratifiation. I found an instructables post on turning a t-shirt into a necklace or scarf; seeing as I have more t-shirts than I actually know what to do with, 15 minutes later...


Sweet. :)