Nov 27, 2013
well, hello there.
if you’re here, reading this, you clicked either a link from my facebook page (probably something about another different kind of job application) or a link in an email i sent (probably something about a job posting, on, say, the HRDC job bank).
facebook friends, you already know me. but this post is secretly a cover letter for a resume i sent out this morning. have you guys seen my resume? i kind of re-vamped my whole approach to looking for work, and re-wrote my resume to reflect that.
as you can see, if ever there was a resume that demanded a cover letter, i’ve written it.
if you’re a potential employer, thanks for stopping by. i’d like to introduce myself and tell you what i’m all about.
here’s the short list, and please keep in mind, it’s (i’m) a work in progress:
WHAT I AM
an enthusiastic taker of plunges
a “non-schooled communication specialist, in the fields of applied philosophy and workplace ethics”
a lifestyle innovator
on a quest for Personal Integrity
an artist
a thinker, talker, maker, writer
an idealist
an optimist
my own spell-check
i’ve always been a writer. i started with paper journals, probably before high school. when the internet happened, i started a livejournal. because (in 2002) who didn’t? i hesitantly link to it here - hesitantly, because livejournal is where i learned how not to use facebook. and i was much younger and angstier when all that writing was done. well, que sera sera, i guess, and some of that writing is pretty dang funny.
5 years ago, i was living in alberta and just starting to figure out that i like to Make Things. when i started designing crochet patterns, i started this blog to share them and talk about the other stuff i was creating. it’s since been re-imagined a few times, and now, its focus is on making a Difference, rather than just crafts.
in 2010, i started another blog, related to www.catlander.com, my friend eric’s bike company, to talk about the workplace philosophy we were discussing ad infinitum. catlander is probably the most cohesive writing i’ve done. it’s a place for me to make sense of my thoughts and my conversations with eric, and to get some “real-world” feedback to help keep my head out of the clouds.
small, related tangent:
[this last year, i’ve been reading a lot about art history. van gogh was a favorite topic this summer, but i got a little concerned about how closely i identified with the concepts and ideas that he struggled with - he cut off his ear and then killed himself, in the end.
but this winter, i’ve moved on to lawren harris. it’s refreshing, because i don’t think he ended up losing his marbles, and he thought and wrote about a lot of the same things that occupy my mind most of the time.
what i’ve learned is that even the great masters struggled with what they’re “supposed to be doing” in life, with how best to express their true selves, with which path to follow, and with HOW to be an artist.
and what i’ve figured out, just recently, is that i am not a painter. i’ve been barking up the wrong tree for the last couple years, and somehow, somewhy, i’ve been avoiding pursuing my WRITING as my craft.]
so here we are, and i hope this isn’t just a “work from home” scam job, because i want to write. i also hope that this approach serves to set me apart from other applicants (in a good way).
back to my facebook friends and other blog-followers: i think i just found my new year’s resolution. or my resolve, at least. i’ll be here, and at catlander, actually updating again. it’s been two long years of introspection and lessons, and i’m finally getting back to a place where i can process it, and re-begin to share it all with you.
for today, though, “just keep doing what you love to do, and do it with as much intensity as you possibly can.” it’s still good advice, and i think i’ll take it.
Jul 3, 2013
May 16, 2012
How to make a Huge, Important, Scary Change in Your Life
*** This was originally posted at catlander. More posts from there will likely end up here. I'm sorry if it's a little confusing for a little while, but things will smooth out and get a little more cohesive soon. ***
Step One - Determine what the change needs to be.
I need:
-to have a smaller, quieter life
-to walk a little softer
-to gain self-sustainability
-to not have roommates, to live alone
-to be actively involved in my community
-to be actively involved in an inspiring arts scene
-to do work that I love
-to be closer to nature
Step Two - Research your options for making the change a reality.
My lease on this apartment ends on June 30th. My job is transient.
These two points were pretty impact-ful; but when I realized that all the "stability" in my life was actually base-less, I didn't stress out. Or rather, I totally stressed out, but in a sort-of-productive way. I didn't focus on the lack of stability, but on the incredible and overwhelming array of OPTIONS I'd discovered.
EVERYTHING was possible.
Step Three - When a particular option really resonates with you, pick that one.
Part of my research was talking to my partner, who recommended a little town called Almonte.
It's out of the city by about 20 minutes, there's a river, a mill, some rapids. It has a grocery store, a hardware store, a drug store, parks, boardwalks, art galleries, studios, and the rent (if you can find available apartments) is affordable enough that I could afford to live alone.
There are a ton of little shops and restaurants where I could sell the stuff I make, or work (hooray for a hefty span of dishwashing on my resume!). And in area covered, it's actually bigger than all of Centretown, where I’ve been sequestered in hibernation for the last year.
Best of all, everything I’ve read suggests that the people who live there love their community. I'm craving some community involvement in my life, the freedom to easily fall in love with my neighborhood, and create a home (or a nest) for myself. There are a hundred boards and committees (oh, Canada) that I can work with. There are activities and groups that feel accessible, even online, that will enable me to connect with my neighbors.
These are all qualities that line up with the changes I needed to make. And they resonate.
Step Four - Research this particular option further.
This is where I discovered the video-game magic of Google Street View. I spent about 4 hours one night "walking" the streets of my prospective new neighborhood. And I like the look of it. Then I spent 2 nights reading everything I could find online about Life in Almonte. And I like the look of all that, too.
I found about half-a-dozen viable options for employment, a few available (affordable) apartments.
This is where I decided it's In Fact a good idea - it makes sense and feels good. It gives me the things I need.
Step Five - Procrastinate
This can (and did) take the form of writing about it, talking about it, sleeping on it, thinking about it, or just waiting and being patient.
I've been horrendously (yes, horrendously) productive in all the day-to-day stuff I usually put off: housework, creating, reading, writing, seeing my friends.. but not actually contacting anyone. Passivity rules. But it doesn't git 'er done.
Just Wednesday, I had an attack of guilt and disappointment about not having done anything yet. I went and hung out with some friends, told them what my hangups were, what I wanted my approach to be, and what I wanted to achieve, and inside of an hour, I had a direction. Now, 2 days later, I have about 15 blog posts started (this is the first), everything that's been trapped inside my head down on paper, a few emails sent, and renewed motivation.
Just because you're not doing anything doesn't mean you're not getting anywhere.
Step Six - Quit procrastinating. Take Action.
2012 is Joy Campbell's Year of Action. A couple years ago, someone said to me, kind of disparagingly, "Well, Joy, you're hardly a do-er." And I thought about that for a long time (is that irony?), and finally, just this February, decided maybe I could be a do-er.
I'm still learning. About fear and vulnerability, about finding balance, about excitement and passion, and about always-changing wants and needs and goals and dreams.
I want to not only be the star, but the director of my own life.
Lights.
Camera.Action.
Step One - Determine what the change needs to be.
I need:
-to have a smaller, quieter life
-to walk a little softer
-to gain self-sustainability
-to not have roommates, to live alone
-to be actively involved in my community
-to be actively involved in an inspiring arts scene
-to do work that I love
-to be closer to nature
Step Two - Research your options for making the change a reality.
My lease on this apartment ends on June 30th. My job is transient.
These two points were pretty impact-ful; but when I realized that all the "stability" in my life was actually base-less, I didn't stress out. Or rather, I totally stressed out, but in a sort-of-productive way. I didn't focus on the lack of stability, but on the incredible and overwhelming array of OPTIONS I'd discovered.
EVERYTHING was possible.
Step Three - When a particular option really resonates with you, pick that one.
Part of my research was talking to my partner, who recommended a little town called Almonte.
It's out of the city by about 20 minutes, there's a river, a mill, some rapids. It has a grocery store, a hardware store, a drug store, parks, boardwalks, art galleries, studios, and the rent (if you can find available apartments) is affordable enough that I could afford to live alone.
There are a ton of little shops and restaurants where I could sell the stuff I make, or work (hooray for a hefty span of dishwashing on my resume!). And in area covered, it's actually bigger than all of Centretown, where I’ve been sequestered in hibernation for the last year.
Best of all, everything I’ve read suggests that the people who live there love their community. I'm craving some community involvement in my life, the freedom to easily fall in love with my neighborhood, and create a home (or a nest) for myself. There are a hundred boards and committees (oh, Canada) that I can work with. There are activities and groups that feel accessible, even online, that will enable me to connect with my neighbors.
These are all qualities that line up with the changes I needed to make. And they resonate.
Step Four - Research this particular option further.
This is where I discovered the video-game magic of Google Street View. I spent about 4 hours one night "walking" the streets of my prospective new neighborhood. And I like the look of it. Then I spent 2 nights reading everything I could find online about Life in Almonte. And I like the look of all that, too.
I found about half-a-dozen viable options for employment, a few available (affordable) apartments.
This is where I decided it's In Fact a good idea - it makes sense and feels good. It gives me the things I need.
Step Five - Procrastinate
This can (and did) take the form of writing about it, talking about it, sleeping on it, thinking about it, or just waiting and being patient.
I've been horrendously (yes, horrendously) productive in all the day-to-day stuff I usually put off: housework, creating, reading, writing, seeing my friends.. but not actually contacting anyone. Passivity rules. But it doesn't git 'er done.
Just Wednesday, I had an attack of guilt and disappointment about not having done anything yet. I went and hung out with some friends, told them what my hangups were, what I wanted my approach to be, and what I wanted to achieve, and inside of an hour, I had a direction. Now, 2 days later, I have about 15 blog posts started (this is the first), everything that's been trapped inside my head down on paper, a few emails sent, and renewed motivation.
Just because you're not doing anything doesn't mean you're not getting anywhere.
Step Six - Quit procrastinating. Take Action.
2012 is Joy Campbell's Year of Action. A couple years ago, someone said to me, kind of disparagingly, "Well, Joy, you're hardly a do-er." And I thought about that for a long time (is that irony?), and finally, just this February, decided maybe I could be a do-er.
I'm still learning. About fear and vulnerability, about finding balance, about excitement and passion, and about always-changing wants and needs and goals and dreams.
I want to not only be the star, but the director of my own life.
Lights.
Camera.Action.
MAKING THINGS. DIFFERENT.
I’m not going to apologize for my absence around these parts over the last couple of years. But by way of explanation, though, I offer this: I became a philosopher. My brain has been taken over by making new Ideas and Concepts, and finding new, better ways to communicate these things. What writing I’ve been doing since this new development has mostly been at www.catlander.blogspot.com,or in my notes on facebook, or in email form.
Things have really changed in my life since the last time I paid any attention to this blog.
I’m now wibbly-wobbling at the edge of a pretty big jump: I’m leaving the city to find a quieter, slower, softer life in a little town called Almonte. All, somehow, in the next 2 weeks or so.
This blog is also in transition. It’s going to move from being strictly (restrictively) about making crafts, in a direction that I feel is more holistic - to become a blog about Making a Difference.
I’ll talk about my move, my new town, my art and crafts, the things I think about and talk about with my friends. I hope to get some good discussions going about the Interconnectedness of Everything. And about the idea of Making Things. Different.
Things have really changed in my life since the last time I paid any attention to this blog.
I’m now wibbly-wobbling at the edge of a pretty big jump: I’m leaving the city to find a quieter, slower, softer life in a little town called Almonte. All, somehow, in the next 2 weeks or so.
This blog is also in transition. It’s going to move from being strictly (restrictively) about making crafts, in a direction that I feel is more holistic - to become a blog about Making a Difference.
I’ll talk about my move, my new town, my art and crafts, the things I think about and talk about with my friends. I hope to get some good discussions going about the Interconnectedness of Everything. And about the idea of Making Things. Different.
Mar 9, 2011
How I Learned to Love Crochet
...or, Why You Should Give Crochet Another Chance, by Joy Campbell
When I was little, my mom used to crochet. And it looked SO HARD. I thought it was magical that she could fling around a hook and some string and produce something I could wear.
I wanted to learn this magic, being all of about 5 years old. Impossible, but she tried.
I held my hook like a butter knife, my yarn tight in my little fist; my chain looked more like a spaghetti disaster than a neat little braid, and once I finally figured out how to build back onto my chain, my stitches were so tight that I couldn't actually do it.
So I quit, thoroughly frustrated, convinced that crochet was Just Too Hard.
Does this sound familiar?
Years later, my stout-hearted friend Sarah took another crack at teaching me. This time around, having spent almost 30 years developing my fine motor skills (and patience), lessons went considerably better. Within days, I'd made two hats and a scarf; within weeks, started designing my own patterns; and within months, I was creating custom wearables for my friends.
Crochet is sculpting with fiber. It's about creating, accomplishment, patience, and skill building. It may not be easy, bur the concepts are simple.
YOU CAN LEARN, and I can teach you.
(skelectica@gmail)
When I was little, my mom used to crochet. And it looked SO HARD. I thought it was magical that she could fling around a hook and some string and produce something I could wear.
I wanted to learn this magic, being all of about 5 years old. Impossible, but she tried.
I held my hook like a butter knife, my yarn tight in my little fist; my chain looked more like a spaghetti disaster than a neat little braid, and once I finally figured out how to build back onto my chain, my stitches were so tight that I couldn't actually do it.
So I quit, thoroughly frustrated, convinced that crochet was Just Too Hard.
Does this sound familiar?
Years later, my stout-hearted friend Sarah took another crack at teaching me. This time around, having spent almost 30 years developing my fine motor skills (and patience), lessons went considerably better. Within days, I'd made two hats and a scarf; within weeks, started designing my own patterns; and within months, I was creating custom wearables for my friends.
Crochet is sculpting with fiber. It's about creating, accomplishment, patience, and skill building. It may not be easy, bur the concepts are simple.
YOU CAN LEARN, and I can teach you.
(skelectica@gmail)
Jan 14, 2010
I AM STILL ALIVE!
i guess i took a month off. that isn't to say that i haven't been doing anything - i just haven't been blogging about it. or listing anything new in my artfire store (until now).
december was full of crocheting, snowstorms, christmas get-togethers, birthdays, and having colds. i also spent a few days working at the prairie chick, where some of my stuff is on consignment. and there are very slow-paced rumblings going on about a new skelectica handmade website! wait and see, because when it comes, it's going to be AWESOME! it'll be so nice to have everything all in one spot - blogging, shopping, tutorials, linky-links...
so. my new year's resolution probably should be to keep on top of my artfire listings and blogging, but in reality, the only resolution i've actually said out loud is to "do something with that 2'x4' canvas i've had sitting there for a year". so i unwrapped it.
oh, yeah: there's a skelectica handmade facebook page! go be a fan! (and can someone let me know if that link is any good? i'm still learning about facebook settings....)
i guess i took a month off. that isn't to say that i haven't been doing anything - i just haven't been blogging about it. or listing anything new in my artfire store (until now).
december was full of crocheting, snowstorms, christmas get-togethers, birthdays, and having colds. i also spent a few days working at the prairie chick, where some of my stuff is on consignment. and there are very slow-paced rumblings going on about a new skelectica handmade website! wait and see, because when it comes, it's going to be AWESOME! it'll be so nice to have everything all in one spot - blogging, shopping, tutorials, linky-links...
so. my new year's resolution probably should be to keep on top of my artfire listings and blogging, but in reality, the only resolution i've actually said out loud is to "do something with that 2'x4' canvas i've had sitting there for a year". so i unwrapped it.
oh, yeah: there's a skelectica handmade facebook page! go be a fan! (and can someone let me know if that link is any good? i'm still learning about facebook settings....)
Dec 7, 2009
happy december!
good morning everyone!i thought i'd let you know that all the hats i posted last week have been UNlisted from artfire, and they're now at the prairie chick in red deer.
in other news, here's why i've been crocheting so much lately:
Dec 1, 2009
Nov 27, 2009
Nov 13, 2009
accountability
my friend marianne had an awesome idea (over at her livejournal, in a locked topic) about starting an accountability group. somehow. i'm not really clear on the details, but IMAGINE if i had to explain to someone WHY i procrastinated my way out of updating this thing for the last two weeks! that just might inspire me to work on NOT procrastinating.
imagine the things i could accomplish in life if i only just DID them!
imagine the things i could accomplish in life if i only just DID them!
olivia's birthday present
our friend olivia turned 6 on tuesday. i forgot (as i usually do with birthdays/anniversaries/name that holiday), until i talked to her mom on wednesday and she invited us to olivia's birthday party on saturday.
so i thought i'd make her something and i thought she'd like this.amanda beach, sorry for the spoiler. i couldn't wait to post. (ps. i added the glitter just for you. now it's EVERYWHERE).
olivia's birthday ©2009 sh
Nov 12, 2009
artfire
http://www.artfire.com/users/skelectica is my new online store.
there's not much listed there yet (i can't seem to find any of my re-sized pics on this dang new computer!), but there's more to come.
as usual, custom work is available - just comment here, email me, convo me on etsy, or, apparently, "chatterbox" me on artfire. if you can figure out how. i can't.
there's not much listed there yet (i can't seem to find any of my re-sized pics on this dang new computer!), but there's more to come.
as usual, custom work is available - just comment here, email me, convo me on etsy, or, apparently, "chatterbox" me on artfire. if you can figure out how. i can't.
hello, everyone! i've been busy!
so, now i'm back, after a bit of a vacation. from the internet, at least.
yesterday was remembrance day here in canada, and when q went downtown to the cenotaph, i stayed home and listened to utah phillips' cd called "i want to know". twice. i think it's my new remembrance day thing. i don't want to get into politics here, so i'll just say, if you can find that cd, it's DEFINITELY worth a listen.
also, i have a piece of my art in a show that opens at the harris-warke gallery here in red deer. the show is a fundraiser for the gallery, and all the pieces in the exhibit are selling for $30. doors open for buying (and socializing, and i heard something about drinks and snacks) at 6pm sharp, on friday, november 13. there's a "name that tune" theme, so all the pieces' titles are (i think) song lyrics, and there's a guessing game for a $50 gift certificate to sunworks (an AWESOME little store here in town).
yesterday was remembrance day here in canada, and when q went downtown to the cenotaph, i stayed home and listened to utah phillips' cd called "i want to know". twice. i think it's my new remembrance day thing. i don't want to get into politics here, so i'll just say, if you can find that cd, it's DEFINITELY worth a listen.
also, i have a piece of my art in a show that opens at the harris-warke gallery here in red deer. the show is a fundraiser for the gallery, and all the pieces in the exhibit are selling for $30. doors open for buying (and socializing, and i heard something about drinks and snacks) at 6pm sharp, on friday, november 13. there's a "name that tune" theme, so all the pieces' titles are (i think) song lyrics, and there's a guessing game for a $50 gift certificate to sunworks (an AWESOME little store here in town).
here's a pic, but you should really go check out the show - this piece, i'm really proud of in person, but it's not AT ALL photogenic.
(this is what ~650 dime-sized spirals looks like. i counted.)
"would you love me through the winter?" ©2009 sh
Oct 26, 2009
it's a variation on the charcoal scarf i posted about a while ago, only this time, with moda dea "tweedle dee" in i forget what colorway. some kinda purple, anyway.
is anyone interested in a pattern? i could probably work out what i did - i did write it down, sort of, somewhere.
in other news, i'm working on a "how to tie a pretty bow" tutorial, possibly for tomorrow. it seems i possess a skill that a lot of people haven't picked up, so i'd like to share it here.
Oct 21, 2009
ATTENTION INTERNET!
i'm looking for a couple of crochet pattern testers. as you know, i've been working on the oz gang for the last couple weeks, and i've got dorothy and the witch just about done.
this is an unpaid position, aside from a free copy of the pattern that will eventually be sold over at my etsy shop.
comment if you're interested, and tell your crochety friends if you're not!
this is an unpaid position, aside from a free copy of the pattern that will eventually be sold over at my etsy shop.
comment if you're interested, and tell your crochety friends if you're not!
Oct 20, 2009
how-tue, first in a series.
EASY SC MITTENS
*gauge is important, but this pattern is so versatile, i usually just use whatever hook and yarn i feel like, and call the first 10 rows of the pattern my "gauge swatch". it only takes a few minutes to get to 25 sc in the pattern, and by that point, you'll be able to tell (by trying on the "mitten") whether it's shaping up to fit you.
<< see, this is how i do it.(when i first drafted this pattern, i was using bernat "chunky" and a 6.5mm hook almost exclusively. those sizes of yarn and hook are usually my jumping off point when i'm picking new yarn for this project).
as long as you use the same hook and yarn for the hand and the thumb, this pattern should work beautifully, AND be useful for a variety of sizes.
all that said, this pattern is also very easy to modify. unless it's not big enough (or too big) around. then, you'd pretty much be drafting a new pattern anyway, so when that happens, i usually just change yarn. or hook. the path of least resistance.
if you think your hand is longer (or shorter) than mine, add (or subtract) rows between R9-20. same deal for the thumb. actually, the thumb in this pattern is a little on the long side, so i'd recommend leaving out maybe 2 rows of 8sc (between R 4-9).
i'll work on some thumb and ribbing variations for this pattern, and post them later on, too.
MITTENS
6mm hook
sean sheep "maldon"
(this is just what i could find, and the mitten fits my hand, well, like a glove. without fingers. but the stitches are pretty tight. i think the yarn's a bit too big for the hook, but whatever. comment if you're looking for yarn substitution ideas, or if you have questions about this pattern at all. i'm here to help!)
***work in a continuous spiral until instructed otherwise - for the ribbing. also, get yourself a stitch marker. they help a LOT.
MITTEN
R1 5 sc in magic ring, pull tight (5) R2 2 sc in each sc around (10)
R3 1, 2 sc around (15)
R4 1, 1, 2 sc around (20)
R5 & 6 sc around
R7 1,1,1,2 around (25)
R8 - 20 sc around (25)
<< i decided to add a stripe of white by changing color when i started R12, and switching back to green at the beginning of R17.
R21 sc in first sc, ch 10, sk 3 sc, sc in next sc, sc around (total of 22 sc, plus 10 ch = 32 stitches)
<< this is immediately after R21.
R22 sc in each sc and ch around (32sc) << immediately after R22. this is the beginning of your thumb hole.
R23 sc in first sc, sc2tog, sc next 6 sc, sc2tog, sc around (30)R24 sc in first sc, sc2tog, sc next 4 sc, sc2tog, sc around (28)
R25 sc in first sc, sc2tog, sc next 2 sc, sc2tog, sc around (26)
R26 sc in first sc, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc around (24)
R27 sc in first sc, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc around (22)
R28 sc around (22)
R29 sc around, join with sl st in 1st sc, ch2 (22)
<< thumb shaping.
R30 dc around, join with sl st in top of ch2, ch2 (22dc)
R31 fpdc around, join with sl st in top of ch2, ch2 (22)
R32-34 fpdc around, join, ch2 (22)
R35 sl st in each dc around, fasten off, weave in ends
THUMB
R1 4 sc in magic ring, pull tight (4)
R2 2 sc around (8)
R3-9 sc around (8)
R10 1,1,1,2 sc around (10)
R11 2,1,1,1,1 sc around (12)
R12 put the thumb and mitten together, and sl st each sc in thumb into the hole in the mitten, both pieces right side out. it's awkward (both to do and to explain), but it can be done. alternatively, you could do a final thumb row like this: [R13 sc around (12), fasten off] and just sew the thumb and mitten together the old fasioned way, but i've been getting really into NOT sewing, but actually crocheting stuff together. you'll see, when i finish the wizard of oz gang.
<< i'm not really a fan of how this looks. i'll work on fixing it.
so. get crocheting! the cold weather is coming! and don't forget to post pics of YOUR mittens! and remember - if you use this pattern, please give credit where it's due, and mention me!
how-tue
who wants a free crochet mitten pattern? i'm working out the details and making it legible, and it should be up later today.
Oct 19, 2009
paper journal transcription 1
oct 18/09
i just had this great idea that i had to write down, for a project i might start.
i've been drafting a lot of crochet patterns lately, and i'm constantly trying to figure out new techniques and stuff. normally, i just experiment and frog until i'm happy with whatever i'm working on, but i came up with a new approach i want to play with...
i think i'm going to start a freeform fiber scrapbook sculpture, and instead of frogging all my attempts, start keeping, sewing together, and taggin all my gauge swatches and experiments.. i think, if i do it right, it could be a really valuable time-saving resource, since i'd already know how to do whatever stitch pattern, or know how not to attach legs to torsos, or whatever..
also, i think it would probably end up looking pretty bad-ass, too.
i just had this great idea that i had to write down, for a project i might start.
i've been drafting a lot of crochet patterns lately, and i'm constantly trying to figure out new techniques and stuff. normally, i just experiment and frog until i'm happy with whatever i'm working on, but i came up with a new approach i want to play with...
i think i'm going to start a freeform fiber scrapbook sculpture, and instead of frogging all my attempts, start keeping, sewing together, and taggin all my gauge swatches and experiments.. i think, if i do it right, it could be a really valuable time-saving resource, since i'd already know how to do whatever stitch pattern, or know how not to attach legs to torsos, or whatever..
also, i think it would probably end up looking pretty bad-ass, too.
IT'S A BIG ONE!
wow, boy, did i let this blog slide last week! but i have a decent excuse: i got busy!!
last monday was thanksgiving here in the great white north, and q's mom came over for supper. my husband is really good at making turkey, though i think we learned a valuable lesson this year - stovetop stuffing is not so good when made inside the bird. i didn't take pictures of the turkey (it looked awesome!), but here's my contribution:
the candleholder itself was a dumpster rescue that q brought me. and you may recognize the fake leaves and berries that i wrapped around it as the same ones i used in the original pumpkin poster. i love re-usable craft supplies!tuesday, my friend peter allen came over to make paper mache messes with me. i wish i could link you to him, and the project he's working on right now (it's called "the burning project", and it's AWESOME.), which is slotted for an exhibition here in red deer next year sometime. peter has been making all kinds of art for more than 30 years, and HOLY COW did he have tips for me! and i had coffee for him! we didn't really make much of anything on tuesday, but i got all inspired-up to try a bunch of stuff. later. with pics.
wednesday was kind of a messy blur, still with the paper mache. a lot of stuff got started, nothing got finished (yet), and some of my experiments hit the dumpster this morning.
thursday was a big day of painting - fixing up and finishing a BUNCH of toddler tees and listing them over at etsy. i started painting baby clothes last summer, but when the leaves started changing, i packed them all up and forgot about them. until now. in that box was a size 7/8 girls tee with "olivia's favorite toy" outlined on it. (i just spent about 20 minutes trying to find an image from the book to link to, but you'll have to be satisfied with the pic i drew. i couldn't find anything except the cover art, which doesn't feature the toy - just olivia, lifting up the couch). it's been an 18-month long project for my friend olivia, who is (i think) 6. and kids grow. fast. i thought i remembered buying it a couple of sizes too big when i got the shirt last spring, but who knows how much she's shot up over the summer?! well, here's hoping it still fits.
and on friday, i started making polyclay christmas ornaments. so far, there's wonder bread, holly, and mistletoe. don't ask me about the wonderbread thing - i guess i was just having fun with circles. i'm a BIG fan of the mistletoe, myself. sets of 6, over at etsy. here's a sneak peek.also on friday, i discovered "coraline". i think i'm on my third time through it, as i'm typing this. (please pardon any typos).. and i'm making a set of coraline magnets. i also have a hankering to make a paper mache black cat from the movie.
saturday, we got a wii. also, wii resort, super smash bros, mario kart, and star wars: the clone wars. that's what q did all day, and we played mario party 7 in the evening, when i took a break from crocheting dorothy from the wizard of oz.
i finished her on saturday night (i lie: sunday morning, 2am, and also, she's not actually sewn together yet.), and i wrote down the pattern as i went! i'm testing it by using parts of it in the construction of the rest of the oz gang, and i'll be listing the patterns over at etsy, too, when they're done.. the dolls themselves will be about 12" tall, and are a custom order for my friend dawn. when i'm done, there will be dorothy, toto, scarecrow, tin man, cowardly lion, and the wicked witch. no pics yet - but this week, i promise.
i'm having a LOT of fun with this pattern-making business, so who knows? i just might get carried away and do some more sets.. any ideas? in fact, is there anything that you can't find a pattern for, that you'd like to see here? i'll definitely be offering free patterns here from time to time, and i might as well take requests too.
ok. it's been so gray and gloomy around here, weatherwise, for the last couple of weeks. we had snow for a while, but it got rained away over the weekend. i'm going to go make stuff. that'll brighten things up!
Oct 12, 2009
introducing PIGLET!
here's what i did this weekend!
his skin is a paton's mohair blend, and his jumper is acrylic and cotton.
head and body are all one piece, stuffed as i went. the arms are as simple as they look. the ears are a variation on some bamboo leaves that i came up with a few weeks ago. the bamboo leaves do NOT look like pigs' ears, for the record. it helps that they're green.
his nose and face were made separately, and when i'd just about finished attaching them to his head, i stuffed some stuffing in so it would have some definition.
his little feet, i gave up on figuring out this morning at about 1:00, and went to bed to dream up possible solutions. literally. i got up at 9 this morning to finish him, and THAT'S when inspiration struck.
the feet, i have a pattern for. i couldn't risk getting one done, and then forgetting how i'd done it.
so. piglet is up in my etsy shop, in case you feel like he needs to come live with you.
and heads up: the wizard of oz characters in crochet are coming down the pipe. i just got the yarn for the ruby slippers. and if i'm thinking, i'll write down what i do so that maybe i can provide patterns for them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)