Craft Sustainably

the referees

Sunday, I was telling John about my latest idea, and then, I remembered, oh yeah. I can't start any new projects. sigh.

John has been my referee of sorts. Every time I want to do something I ask him if it is allowed. He's a terrible referee because he pretty much lets me do everything I want. I know my sister is going to read this and think I totally punked out. Three months? What was I thinking? It's the holidays!

But I really want to follow through with this commitment to balance, slowing down, and putting the girls first. So we discussed compromises - something that would allow me to craft a little, without taking away time/focus from the kids. Here are the new rules:

1. I can only work on one thing at a time. No starting a new project until the first one is completed (or scrapped - that happens sometimes). This is important I think because too often I try to work on all 800 of my ideas at once, and I get all frenzied. So one thing at a time.

2. I have to do craft offsets (like carbon offsetting) - this was John's brilliant idea (although he did apologize for comparing crafting with polluting). In order to make sure that my crafting doesn't take time away from the kids, the time has to come from somewhere else. I volunteered to give up housework, but that idea was rejected. Instead, I'll be turning off the computer for most of the day - save nap time and bedtime, which, by the way, are also my craft times. That means, I'll need to be much more efficient with my time and computer use. Similarly, he suggested I could get Craft Credits by taking the girls to the park or something.

I feel a bit guilty about changing the rules after only two weeks, but really making and crafting is a good thing. And I believe it can be compatible with being a mother - and that's what this project is really about - figuring out how to make it work.

Anyway, I've gotta go - it's nap time and I've got some sewing to do.

800 Brilliant Ideas

Okay, not all my ideas are brilliant. My sister sometimes says, "everyone picks their nose, they just don't want to admit it." So, when trying to think of funny secrets to put in my secret messages - this came to me. Maybe just shy of brilliant.

So I just realized I'd never blogged about my secret messages, which I put together a few weeks ago, one late The Office-filled night. I'm intrigued by the idea of flipping something inside out to reveal something else - and these little messages are just that. The most basic kind of flip I could design. They look like little pillows in your hand:

But flip out to reveal an incredibly important message. I'm thinking Sidney Bristow kind of important:


But the great ideas didn't stop with speech bubbles. Oh no, there are Love Notes as well:


And, my favorite, Secret Safes :

John was perplexed. "So someone tells you a secret, and you go buy a little pillow to ensure them you won't tell the secret?" I didn't have a good response. Yes, it's true. These are totally useless. But I wanted to make them. So I did.

What's your secret message?

Of Frizzy Hair and Headbands

I got my hair cut last week. I'm kind of cyclical about my hair - I grow it long, then cut it really short, then grow it out again. I've never been one to keep up a hairstyle for very long. Fortunately, my hair grows fast, so it's kind of fun for me.

Anyway, when I have short hair my thoughts turn to frizz control and headbands. A few things:

1. Turns out bias tape makes really great headbands. I have a bunch of skinny tape I made a few years ago (that I don't really need) and it has a little stretch so it's really perfect for a quick tie on headband. Just cut and tie.

2. I also got this great hair pin from Once Upon a Wire. I forgot I bought it, and then when it came in the mail wrapped so pretty - it was a delight to open. A little gift to me! I love these vintage enamel flowers.

3. I have three new natural frizz control methods that are working great! Well, I started doing all three at the same time, so it's hard to say which ones are making the biggest difference, but here they are: a. I wash with whatever shampoo/baking soda I'm currently using, but I always rinse with a water/apple cider vinegar/lemon juice mix - the vinegar helps rinse the hair clean, and the lemon juice closes the pores (no, that's not right - follicles?). b. I don't even touch the towel to my head. I just squeeze it dry, then blow dry a little, and air dry the rest. c. I blow dry with cool air. I never considered doing this before, but it keeps those follicle things closed.

That's it. No more hair styling tips from me any time soon, I promise.

HumanClock.com

Man, that's clever.

Mild Mannered Super Hero Flip Doll

Here he is.

Years ago, I drew a doodle of John as super-librarian, so I like to think of this guy as a mild mannered librarian rather than reporter. Although, with the mustard shirt he kind of has a Dwight Shrute thing going. He can be whoever you like. But, if duty calls, with a quick change (or flip) he'll be a super hero!

He is made mostly of new linen. The librarian's pants are made of a re-purposed wool blend, and Super guy's cape is made of re-purposed cotton knit (super heroes have no time for ironing - he needed something to accommodate his active lifestyle). He is stuffed with new sheep's wool, and his face is hand embroidered. He's got blue eyes and sort of big ears (some of us do, you know). I think he's much cuter in person - I was having a weird photo day.

He flips a little more snugly than my other flips, and I haven't decided if this is a good thing or not. Frankly, I had to take him apart so many times, I'm glad to be done with him! It's time for him to fly on. He's in the shop now.

Someone mentioned wanting a pattern for him - if there is enough interest, I may try to put one together - although, I didn't take process pictures... let me know what you think.

Let someone else do it

Since I began my project of not starting any new projects, I have had no fewer than 800 brilliant ideas. Okay, that's an exaggeration. But it is definitely hard to turn it off. I love making things. But, I have also been so much more relaxed the last week. L and I have been doing some hardcore playing. Plus, I just feel happier. I think I needed some down time.

I didn't sew at all last week - and I was thrilled not to work on that flip doll. It was stressing me out. I'm working on it today though, and it's ALMOST done.

So, what I've learned thus far? I need to make things, but I need to take on smaller projects, rather than huge stressful ones. At least for now. So I've learned my lesson, do I still have to wait three months to start something new? Hmm... maybe so.


In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to let someone else do a project for me. Eva from AppleandEve is doing a hedgehog project right now. Send her your vintage fabric, and she'll make two hedgehogs from it - one for you, one for her. What a fun idea! Eva has embroidered hedgehogs in her shop. Her embroidery is all by hand - and it's stunning. Be sure to check her out.

Fall Blessings: Porch Time

Okay, I don't think it's technically fall yet, but I'm so grateful for the cooler weather! It's been hard to get out with the heat and a little baby - but L loves a little time outside. We're blessed with a nice big covered porch, and all summer we've been collecting things that we keep in various containers on the porch. When we need to stay close to the house for J sake, we enjoy playing on the porch with our sticks, acorns, rocks, flowers, and pine needles. It's always exciting to shuffle them around and look at everything.

Spoonflower Swatches and Purchases

I'm digging the new Spoonflower Marketplace, which is still in beta - but it's coming soon to all, I hear. I bought these two lovely prints Retro Pattern by susiewe and Apples by snork from other individual designers. I know I said I was looking for small prints - and I didn't choose small prints. There were so many lovelies to choose from, and some I'm regretting not getting. I just had to make a choice - and look at these! Great. I haven't made plans for them yet - I'll need to find just the right fat quarter project...

Here are my two flying pig prints:


The pink was a little darker than expected - which will be a simple fix with my updated spoonflower swatch. But I still love it anyway. I think I might like the pink print to be even smaller - so I may update that, too.

Plus, a few weeks back, Spoonflower had free swatch day, and I took the opportunity to print a couple of designs I hadn't tried yet, on some of their new fabrics. The sheep are on organic cotton knit, which has a surprisingly strong feel, and the fitonia leaves are on the bamboo/cotton/rayon blend which feels so nice and would be great for a blouse.
(In case you're wondering - I'm planning on using the sheep swatch for a couple of bath mitts for two little girls for Christmas - just stitch it to a washcloth in mitten shape and cut it out.)

Nature Walk Coloring Book

Eek! My first drawing project in quite some time. I've really enjoyed playing around and making these little drawings. This is a collection of 18 line drawings of things you might find on a nature walk like caterpillars, acorns, rainbows, and fireflies; each with a little fact. I've put it together into a 24 page coloring book, that measures 6.5 x 5.5" It is printed on 100% recycled paper, except for the cover, which is 80 or 30% - I already forgot! I thought this would be a fun project for me to make, and a nice stocking stuffer for all the kids we're related to.

I'll be putting a few books in the shop, and also a printable coloring book which includes the pages of coloring book, along with instructions for assembly, as well as 18 full page coloring sheets, which would be great for class settings.

I'm thinking of making a larger size book, if there is any interest. It may be around soon. But not in any rush, since this is the first of two in the No New Projects Project. :)

The No New Projects Project

J is 3 months old. I look at the last 3 months, especially at all of the crafting I've done and I realize I've gotten out of balance again lately. I was supposed to be taking a break - but I've currently got 4 projects going, and a list of 8 new ones I'd like to start. I keep finding myself frustrated that I don't have more time to work on them.

But these are precious months when my baby is learning to laugh and sit up, and my little girl is learning her ABC's. These are happy times, and I don't want to miss them.

It seems like the right time to start a new project:

The No New Projects Project.
Silly, yes. But I am so much more on task when I have set rules. So here goes:
1. I will finish the two bigger projects I am currently working on within 2 weeks, and let the other two go for awhile.

2. I will start no new projects for 3 months (until December 14).

3. Any drawing or sewing I do during the 3 months will be solely because I have down time and I feel like drawing or sewing.

I need to get back in balance. Making used to be fun and not stressful. Mothering used to be my primary job. I need to get back there for awhile. I'm actually not sure if this is a commitment I can keep. But I need to try, I think. Then reassess when the three months are over.

I'll post about the two projects I'm completing when I get them done. One is the flip doll I've hinted about - and the other is a drawing project that makes me very happy. I can't wait to show you.

Tell me, how do you balance the many aspects of your life?

*October 8, 2009: After, a few weeks, I remembered making and crafting is a good thing. And since I believe it can be compatible with being a mother - and that's what this is really about - I renamed the project the Make It Work project. Just so you know.