Making Connections & Potato Chips

Such alot has happened to fill my days that it's only now that I've been able to dedicate some time between kids being at home for the holiday and the normal household stuff (as well as crafting of course). 

I decided to get all of the acrylic and watercolour paints that have piled up, out of the kitchen drawer and to use them in a very pleasant afternoon of 'Dance on Canvas' with my 2 girls.  We had the radio blaring away whilst standing up and creating whatever mess we liked whilst having a jiggley wiggley good old time.  This also included painting hands, faces and arms.  To see a child in creative bliss whilst jumping on a trampoline on a sunshine August day is definitely about living in the now.  Super.  Best day of the hols so far!  This session was a reaction against rules... my girls are heading into secondary school and when having a taster session of their new school, their art teacher threatened to tear up any work that didn't meet her standards.  Let that sink in for a moment. 

Mouth agape in shock?  I too was flabbergasted.  So that means any child with no confidence in their abilities will have even less confidence - snip off their nurtured wings and feed them to crocodiles why don't ya!  So instead of fearing colour and the canvas, we chose not to and had a blast!  Blowing raspberries at the 'f' art teacher.

As well as connecting with 'living in the now' moment and zen being (too hippy for you? giggle), my eyes have been opened to some more crafting possibilities on the Internet.  Not just possibilities but... dreeeeeams transmuting into a plan.  I think I may get carried away on a creativity cruise if I'm not too careful.  Let me share in some of these delights. 

Ravelry is a joy for crochet and knitting people and I have spent far too many hours looking at people's projects, favourites, making favourites and a library of patterns for future projects etc etc etc.  A site not to be taken lightly - you may be lost for a few hours. 

If you want to create your own design on material, try Spoonflower which is American based.  If, like me, you're in the UK, you can do a search for UK designers if you so chose, and see what people have designed and order material with their designs on.  I can't tell you how excited I got when I found this site.  My mind has jumped ahead to a time when I can sew and make some wonderful things with their designs or even my own designs.  Sigh... this time travel is highly recommended.  It would be nice to see some of those paintings my children have made on a cushion/quilt/curtains/headband etc etc etc.  A real personal touch for a gift.  Another site I am planning to look further into is The Fabric Press which is UK based. 

If, like me, you love silk but not the idea of the worms being killed in boiling water, you can check out a wonderful site called The Ethical Silk Company .  The silk worms live out their natural life cycle.  Raw & Organic Silk: Facts behind the Fibres is an enlightened article and a must read if you choose to buy silk.  If then you want to bask in some more creative glory then head to Folksy, 'A Modern British Craft' site.  You will squweel with delight at it's originality.  I have 'pinned' some of my favourites which you can check out at P-Interest.

Now for something a little more down to earth and at home... I've started knitting a potato chip scarf (or is it a crisp scarf or even an apple peel scarf?).  This is the first time I've knitted since I was a child.  I'd forgotten how to cast on so watched a video on youtube and soon got the hang of it.

As you can see, the pattern curls on itself.  Pattern can be found at www.oceanwavesquilts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/02/potato-chip-scarf.html . 

If you want to view any of my craft photos, visit me on flickr.  I've finished the crochet part of my cluster beach bag and I've gently steamed blocked it.  As it's made from acrylic, people advise you not to block it... well I did and it looks alot better for it.  I've just got to cut up an old curtain and create the lining, order some felt and make the handles and side decoration... oh and make a flower too.  It'll be worth it in the end.

And finally... I know it's a long blog entry - but I have to mention the fact that I've joined a local craft group get together called 'Craft and Laugh' at my local library.  There's only a few of us and have been just the once.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be going again this week.  There's a couple of knitters and a lace maker and I'm rather impressed with their talents.  I am the baby of the group at 38 so I'm sure they'll teach me loads.  Happy crafting till next time!