I also used to buy yarn or crafting supplies because I liked them and then would later figure out what to do with them. Big mistake now I have stashes of monumental proportions and they almost scare me. I've slowly been trying to destash.
I've finally admitted to myself that since I've started using "luxury" yarns the old cheap acrylics that I grew up with just will NOT do. Who knew that wool could be so soft, I always thought that wool was scratchy, and yes some of it is but then some of it...Oh so soft. The difference between quality and cheap. Also what I always thought of as nice cotton. Not so nice. I've found some that has been cleaned out better and there are no little pieces of the plant to snag and stick. Again the difference between quality and cheap.
I put all the stuff I didn't know what I wanted to do with in a bag and took it to my LYS where it was donated to a local church group who were making shawls. I don't think they realized just how much I was talking about when I said I'd bring them some. Now I just have to teach my husband that just because I like it, does not mean that I need to buy it now. Sometimes I'll decide that I just have no real use for something even if it is the most beautiful or softest yarn I've ever felt.
I have found the same thing with my paper crafts. I have Boxes and boxes of paper, ribbons, and assorted treasures all to be added to projects with no clear project in mind. Just stuff I had to have. Well I'm going to clean that out too. Just have to decide who would like snow themed papers, etc.
Then hubby started getting me cigar boxes. I have about half a dozen and don't know what to do with them. I'll have to figure something out cause I really like them. I've seen purses and stuff made out of them but usually the beautiful finish on the box itself is messed up. Hate for that to happen. Maybe I'll just have to make them into trinket boxes for me.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
What is this thing anyway?
I think I've decided to use this more like a journal. Discuss the projects I have going and just put my thoughts down.
I've been thinking about my creative mojo lately. Wondering where it came from. I never used to create like this, I used to search through patterns until I found one I liked then make it. Wow! what a change. Now I think about what I want and find something similar (just so I don't have to reinvent the wheel) and I change it until it is what I want.
I think I can pin point the beginning of the change. I was given a cookbook for Christmas one year by my BFF. It was actually two books in one and I can't remember what the first part of the book is but the second half (I should say section since it don't think it is half) is called the Baker's Bible. It changed my baking. It gave me permission to change the spices, change the amount of sugar, flour, kind of fat. The entire section goes through and the author breaks down different baked goods, comparing and contrasting different changes. Things like 3 eggs will make a richer cake, using cornstarch instead of flour for thickening doesn't take as much cooking. Then they give a basic recipe and make suggestions to make it your own. Add Amaretto to your whipped cream to give it a richer flavor.
Since I embraced that book, I have looked at recipes and patterns in a new way. I'm more willing to make changes, I'm less afraid of failure and in the process I enjoy my creations a lot more. If it is something I've never tried before I'll follow the recipe or pattern the first time. Then I change it and make it my own. For Christmas I found a scarf pattern that I loved. So I made a hat with the same stitch and mittens too. LOVE the results.
Now I'm working on a hooded baby towel, I found a pattern but I don't like the stitch they use, simple, I just use one I like. Kept the pattern because it uses a bind off that I've never tried, and I like the construction that they used. So I'll use their basic instructions (making it bigger cause 20" from point to point is just too small), my stitch and their bind off. I bought a book (e-book actually) of wash cloth patterns, since I don't want to reinvent the wheel and they were exactly what I was wanting to make. Now I'll just make them into burp cloths too.
I've been thinking about my creative mojo lately. Wondering where it came from. I never used to create like this, I used to search through patterns until I found one I liked then make it. Wow! what a change. Now I think about what I want and find something similar (just so I don't have to reinvent the wheel) and I change it until it is what I want.
I think I can pin point the beginning of the change. I was given a cookbook for Christmas one year by my BFF. It was actually two books in one and I can't remember what the first part of the book is but the second half (I should say section since it don't think it is half) is called the Baker's Bible. It changed my baking. It gave me permission to change the spices, change the amount of sugar, flour, kind of fat. The entire section goes through and the author breaks down different baked goods, comparing and contrasting different changes. Things like 3 eggs will make a richer cake, using cornstarch instead of flour for thickening doesn't take as much cooking. Then they give a basic recipe and make suggestions to make it your own. Add Amaretto to your whipped cream to give it a richer flavor.
Since I embraced that book, I have looked at recipes and patterns in a new way. I'm more willing to make changes, I'm less afraid of failure and in the process I enjoy my creations a lot more. If it is something I've never tried before I'll follow the recipe or pattern the first time. Then I change it and make it my own. For Christmas I found a scarf pattern that I loved. So I made a hat with the same stitch and mittens too. LOVE the results.
Now I'm working on a hooded baby towel, I found a pattern but I don't like the stitch they use, simple, I just use one I like. Kept the pattern because it uses a bind off that I've never tried, and I like the construction that they used. So I'll use their basic instructions (making it bigger cause 20" from point to point is just too small), my stitch and their bind off. I bought a book (e-book actually) of wash cloth patterns, since I don't want to reinvent the wheel and they were exactly what I was wanting to make. Now I'll just make them into burp cloths too.
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