A few more days at the Studio. It is coming along and KC and I are quite pleased. In between all that is on my schedule and the grueling task list I have set for myself, I find time for creativeness.
I found this article at ZenHabits on how creative people get to be creative. It is great and speaks that creative time is about the "quiet time" and the "particiation time". Somewhat opposites yet the to activities balance one another out.
This holiday weekend will have some creative time carved out. Will you make time?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Studio & some lace
Last weekend was just great. My neighbor's son, Aaron, came home from college and was available to assist me on moving some of the furniture in the studio.
Previously I had gone through much of the credenza, at right, and emptied it of projects and unrelated items. Some of the projects are on the top as you can see. The three baskets underneath - bonus. It's a bonus as I found the perfectly sized scraps of wood in the garage that would lift up the credenza just enough so the baskets could be slid under it. Of course Arron did quite a bit of the lifting.
This past weekend I worked on sorting through the patterns and books about crochet in the other book case. Nice to get the books somewhat catagoriezed. It does make it easier to get inspiration. I even had some time to go through and clean up my stash of finished project sheets and notes. Now it is on to the other corner of the room. Next weekend may have more accomplishments and successes.
By the way, I've completed 6 of the crochet projects of the 21 since April 25th. There will be pictures soon!
I did begin a new lace project last week. Since I am making progress with the crochet and studio room , I would like to make this project as a gift. Jill has been having Tuesday night get-together to lace at her home for two hours. So what a perfect time! I took an old pillow with me, took off and abandoned an previous project that just wasn't cutting it, made the pricking, wound the bobbinsand began. Wow - I'm smiling.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
NELG Lace Retreat
The first weekend of May was NELG's Lace Retreat Weekend. It begins late on Thursday, then all day Friday & Saturday and concludes Sunday after lunch with classes or just for retreating! We have been at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center for quite a few years. It's in Wareham MA on a cove of Buzzards Bay just before Cape Cod.
I took part in just retreating once again this year. It was great - I took some projects (from the Plan) and went up by early Friday evening. Accomodations were just lovely, weather was wonderful and most of all, it was those lacers that attended that make it just great. You can't imagine the amount of creativity that was there on the weekend. Thank you to everyone!
Next year is all ready booked so mark your calendars, it will be the third weekend of May. I'm looking forward to the change in the dates as I will most likely be rested enough from tax season to take a class! Unfortunatley I will not be able to study with Jeanette Van Ord. This year was her last year that she will be coming (from Netherlands) to teach. She has been teaching for the last twenty years and so many students have learned so much about lace from her. We will miss her!
Holly Van Sciver was our vendor and the other teacher. She gave a great presentation on Saturday night about Lester Lace that came about at the time when the lace industry was failing and hand made lace was becoming history. It was truly facinating and informative.
Before we knew it, it was Sunday breakfast. The silent auction concluded and we made over $300 to help out our group. I came away with some old IOLI magazines and assorted items to help out the lace corner of my studio. I did purchase additional bobbins and a couple of books on tape lace from Solivinia.
Looking forward to the plans for next year. One item I've been thinking about is either getting there a day in advance or staying an extra day after. If you are looking for a place to take an individual retreat - I recommend the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center as a great place to get away.
Monday, April 26, 2010
My Creative Plans for 2010
About a week or so ago, I began to write my plan for 2010. My year begins after my busy season to hence it begins the end of April.
One of my items in my plan - get some of those crochet projects completed! So this past weekend I sent myself to my studio to get a handle on the number of projects I have going.
I began to gather up and set out my unfinished projects. Anyone that enjoys the creative process generally has more than one project on hand. LOL!!! I'll admit to that! I found and agreed to some 21 crochet projects that are in the midst of almost done! I get started because I like the design, or it poses a different stitch I'd like to learn, or it is just different. Often times these projects get put aside as an event will come up and I choose to make an item for that event.
By organizing these projects, I feel somewhat accomplished. I'll be leaving for retreat in a few days and I'm packing some of my projects to work on, several should be completed when I return.
By organizing, I found a few more hooks, found some patterns I'd like to make (new projects!), found some knitting patterns I'd like to translate and we haven't yet spoke about my bobbin lace projects.
I plan to complete all these projects throughout the year. It's a tall order though I know that with a plan, I'll have a chance to get them done. Some projects, like Shelby's blanket, I'll be working on each week. Others like KC's blanket took only a day to finish up.
During our weekend demonstration of lace making at the Sheep and Wool festival, I took one of my crochet projects and just about completed it. Later on in the weekend, I added the balance of the edging and the tassels. KC wasn't really excited about it (she doesn't like change) though by this morning, she was enjoying her little blanket!
Next to organize - the yarn and thread stash!
One of my items in my plan - get some of those crochet projects completed! So this past weekend I sent myself to my studio to get a handle on the number of projects I have going.
I began to gather up and set out my unfinished projects. Anyone that enjoys the creative process generally has more than one project on hand. LOL!!! I'll admit to that! I found and agreed to some 21 crochet projects that are in the midst of almost done! I get started because I like the design, or it poses a different stitch I'd like to learn, or it is just different. Often times these projects get put aside as an event will come up and I choose to make an item for that event.
By organizing these projects, I feel somewhat accomplished. I'll be leaving for retreat in a few days and I'm packing some of my projects to work on, several should be completed when I return.
By organizing, I found a few more hooks, found some patterns I'd like to make (new projects!), found some knitting patterns I'd like to translate and we haven't yet spoke about my bobbin lace projects.
I plan to complete all these projects throughout the year. It's a tall order though I know that with a plan, I'll have a chance to get them done. Some projects, like Shelby's blanket, I'll be working on each week. Others like KC's blanket took only a day to finish up.
During our weekend demonstration of lace making at the Sheep and Wool festival, I took one of my crochet projects and just about completed it. Later on in the weekend, I added the balance of the edging and the tassels. KC wasn't really excited about it (she doesn't like change) though by this morning, she was enjoying her little blanket!
Next to organize - the yarn and thread stash!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Connecticut Lace Day - At Barbara's!
This past weekend was our group's Christmas gathering. Held at the home of Barbara, it was decorated for the season. In the dining area, the big old wooden beams were hung with a hundred crochet snowflakes - each one different. The table was set in Christmas Spode, enough for our very large gathering. Off to the other room, was Fine Threads from Vermont with lots of wares for you to choose from. I did make myself available for another book of patterns and some fancy thread. Lunch was just lovely, great breads from this bakery near Winann's and a condon blue cassarole, salad, carrots and beets from Boo's garden.
Of course there was dessert - and dessert is more serious than the meal. Besides lovely chocolates that were passed around, Boo made two hedgehog cakes. Yum Yum and a white cake with raspberry and white chocolate frosting.
What an amazing day. Barbara is quite the creative one. Throughout her home was many samples of her lace making and other fiber projects to admire. There was a plastic beach bag she crocheted, that got my interest and I'm going to give it a try. I took a fancy to the snowflakes and became reinspired once again in my thread work.
Before and after lunch we enjoyed each others company, worked on our projects that we brought along and visited the "shop" for those extra goodies a lace maker could not be without.
On this occassion, there is a gift swap. Your gift goes in the pile and you can then take a number. So a basket with numbered slips of paper was passed around the table. As it went by me, I put my hand in and whispered on the louder side...".... ah Christina...." and pulled out my slip. Wouldn't you know, I got the slip with the #1 on it. Oh no! and lots of laughter was heard. I asked if we could reverse the order so I would go last. No problem. Phew! See I won the lace lessons, the Christina pillow, and a couple of other items( gave them back) at the 25th Anniversary. That was my first meeting and this was my first attendance at the Christmas luncheon. I ended up with a piece of lace and a frame to put it into. One thing that surprised me is that the gift swap was no where near the " oh $10 - $20 range" for the gift. IMO my gift didn't measure up - note for future - find a better gift!
Before we left, Barbara had one more surprise for each of us. She handmade two dozen ornaments, each different, all with some kind of lace on them. Each one was even better than the last. We all gasped and awed at her creativity and originality to each ornament. It was a lovely day - so many creative people to be with.
PS - another 25 Round 4 mofits are complete!
Of course there was dessert - and dessert is more serious than the meal. Besides lovely chocolates that were passed around, Boo made two hedgehog cakes. Yum Yum and a white cake with raspberry and white chocolate frosting.
What an amazing day. Barbara is quite the creative one. Throughout her home was many samples of her lace making and other fiber projects to admire. There was a plastic beach bag she crocheted, that got my interest and I'm going to give it a try. I took a fancy to the snowflakes and became reinspired once again in my thread work.
Before and after lunch we enjoyed each others company, worked on our projects that we brought along and visited the "shop" for those extra goodies a lace maker could not be without.
On this occassion, there is a gift swap. Your gift goes in the pile and you can then take a number. So a basket with numbered slips of paper was passed around the table. As it went by me, I put my hand in and whispered on the louder side...".... ah Christina...." and pulled out my slip. Wouldn't you know, I got the slip with the #1 on it. Oh no! and lots of laughter was heard. I asked if we could reverse the order so I would go last. No problem. Phew! See I won the lace lessons, the Christina pillow, and a couple of other items( gave them back) at the 25th Anniversary. That was my first meeting and this was my first attendance at the Christmas luncheon. I ended up with a piece of lace and a frame to put it into. One thing that surprised me is that the gift swap was no where near the " oh $10 - $20 range" for the gift. IMO my gift didn't measure up - note for future - find a better gift!
Before we left, Barbara had one more surprise for each of us. She handmade two dozen ornaments, each different, all with some kind of lace on them. Each one was even better than the last. We all gasped and awed at her creativity and originality to each ornament. It was a lovely day - so many creative people to be with.
PS - another 25 Round 4 mofits are complete!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Round 4
Yes, round 4 has begun! One batch of 25 is completed and it is off to the next batch.
My home has been a flurry of activity, with mechanics installing all new mechanicals, enjoying my new gas fireplace logs, and getting lots of paperwork in order for the "season".
I'm off to retire in a few minutes as my furry assistant has made it clear that I should retire NOW MEOW.
Pictures to come!
My home has been a flurry of activity, with mechanics installing all new mechanicals, enjoying my new gas fireplace logs, and getting lots of paperwork in order for the "season".
I'm off to retire in a few minutes as my furry assistant has made it clear that I should retire NOW MEOW.
Pictures to come!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Pretty Fabrics bring back the days of Sewing
This time of year I get inspired. The craft stores are filled with lots of pretty christmassy type fabrics and yarns. I begin to think about the time I used to sew. Today I needed to get another couple of skeins of yarn for a project so I was chasing them down in Michaels and JoAnns. There was the fabric, all glittery and the colors and textures are just spectacular.
When I went off to sixth grade, my mom made me a acqu blue dress for the first day of school. I remember the dress well. It was pretty special with ruffles on the sleeves. Sometime after having that dress, my mom began to let me assist her in picking out the fabrics, patterns, pinning and cutting, and eventually the use of the machine.
From that point on, I was sewing. As time went along, my talents improved. Mrs. Burnas, she lived behind us, and worked in a sewing room at Warners would come over and give me a few hints. My NatNat (grandmother) and Mrs. Palasky (across the street) worked at American Fabrics triming lace off the big machines. I guess you could say that fiber has been at my fingertips for most of my life.
As with much of my life, I need to improve it so I took to designing patterns myself. I'd mix and match different pieces to really come up with an original. I can say that I never went to a school dance and found myself looking at a classmate with my dress on.
A few funnies:
I'd forget a few pins in the living room carpet - i.e. the cutting room. Dad would invariably find them at 6am in bare feet with a very loud (&#(*&#(# ouch.
The hem was never finished until the last hour before I was running out the door.
I would ask "Hey Mom - does this look okay as I held up a half finished portion?" Mom would say " of course it does", Dad would say " I guess so" .
Iron the seams - but remember to turn off the iron - oh my goodness such details!
Anyway, it was nice to walk the aisles of many fabrics and notions. Now I need to invent some real time to be able to continue my crocheting, lace making, and sewing.
When I went off to sixth grade, my mom made me a acqu blue dress for the first day of school. I remember the dress well. It was pretty special with ruffles on the sleeves. Sometime after having that dress, my mom began to let me assist her in picking out the fabrics, patterns, pinning and cutting, and eventually the use of the machine.
From that point on, I was sewing. As time went along, my talents improved. Mrs. Burnas, she lived behind us, and worked in a sewing room at Warners would come over and give me a few hints. My NatNat (grandmother) and Mrs. Palasky (across the street) worked at American Fabrics triming lace off the big machines. I guess you could say that fiber has been at my fingertips for most of my life.
As with much of my life, I need to improve it so I took to designing patterns myself. I'd mix and match different pieces to really come up with an original. I can say that I never went to a school dance and found myself looking at a classmate with my dress on.
A few funnies:
I'd forget a few pins in the living room carpet - i.e. the cutting room. Dad would invariably find them at 6am in bare feet with a very loud (&#(*&#(# ouch.
The hem was never finished until the last hour before I was running out the door.
I would ask "Hey Mom - does this look okay as I held up a half finished portion?" Mom would say " of course it does", Dad would say " I guess so" .
Iron the seams - but remember to turn off the iron - oh my goodness such details!
Anyway, it was nice to walk the aisles of many fabrics and notions. Now I need to invent some real time to be able to continue my crocheting, lace making, and sewing.
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