Fabric folding.

You'd think I'd know the drill by now wouldn't you. Instead of being really pleased with myself and what I have achieved in a week I should be prepared for the inevitable setback that always follows. That might sound pessimistic but honestly it's the optimist in me that never sees it coming.


On the lead up to a craft fair I like to set myself some targets. I rarely meet them, but then I think that's because I keep hoping an extra few hours in the day will suddenly materialise. Where's H.G. Wells and his time machine when you need them? 
I had been working pretty close to target last week, well at the beginning of the week anyway. Here are a few of the bags I made 

Unfortunately by Thursday my progress started to resemble my figure, in other words it went pear shaped!

A couple of extra shifts at the charity shop to cover volunteers on holiday took me away from my workroom, and although I had every intention of putting in some hours in the evening I'm afraid while the spirit was willing the body was weak. A small glass of wine and a snuggle on the couch was all I could muster (yes I feel guilty , but only slightly). 

There would be no chance of recovering that time as I try hard not to work at the weekend. It can be such a temptation when you work for your self, but with each month that passes I am ever more conscious of the dwindling weekends left together before my boy's are off doing their own things. Plenty of time then for me to fill. So I did as little as possible on Saturday and Sunday. I didn't even have the Easter egg hunt to arrange since I was reliably informed that they were 'too big' for that kind of thing. (I think that might have been a bit of retaliation for discovering the Lindt Bunny con I had been pulling on them for years, but that's another story).

  

I did indulge in a little fabric flower folding in the evening though, just to have something to do with my hands. First were the brooches..... 

.......then I decided to see if I could make them smaller.........

.......then I got a bit carried away with myself.........

Ahem! Not quite what I had planned at the beginning of the week, but definitely more relaxing :o) 

Variation on a Theme

A few things happened this week that left me wondering 'is there such a thing as an original idea?' Yeah, I know, I had to go and lie down for a few minutes to get over the shock of such a philosophical question having the audacity to disrupt my day.


I have a craft fair coming up and while I've got a number of handbags ready, after a brief stock take I noticed I was short on pocket money products, smaller items that entice but don't break the bank. At a fair last year I had been sorely tempted by a beautiful silver and felt pin cushion on offer by another crafter. She had mounted a felted ball of mixed merino wool onto a sterling silver ring base. Cute and practical, what more could a girl ask for. Unfortunately it's price was a bit too steep for my finances to scale so I had to stay at base camp and worship from afar. 


So when I was thinking of a small item that would be inexpensive, quick and easy to make my mind turned to the 'pin ring' and I set about adapting the idea. Using a water bottle top, a bit of frilly elastic and some of my fave fabrics and ribbons these are what I came up with. 

I was quite pleased with the results.....for all of about 5 minutes. Then worry set in. It hadn't really been my idea, I had just adapted it. Is that the same as copyright theft? Would I get into trouble if I offered them for sale? 


I was still pondering this when I met up with some friends for lunch. We all attend a creative writing group that recently started in Moffat, and since the 2 hours once a fortnight given to the class never seems like quite enough we meet up socially for extra chat time. By our third cup of tea one of our members mentioned that after completing her new story she had taken some down time and spent it with her Kindle and a newly acquired novel. A number of emerging authors are choosing this as their platform  since it doesn't require them to have a publisher. Anyway, as she was reading she began to notice that some of the characters were very similar to the ones she had just written about. Since she was planning on submitting her story to a competition it was a bit of a concern.


Well that set me off again. And there was to be no respite. When I got home I was confronted by a sea of MDF on the kitchen floor. My husband builds bass guitars and when he is designing a new one he draws them out on MDF first to see if the shape will work ( it has to accommodate electronics and hardware, and balance well.....at least so I'm told ) and I get called in to do the 'tweaking'. No easy task since every curve, bend and swoop seems to belong to some other guitar builder, of which I am completely unaware. The conversation usually goes along the lines of "no that looks too much like a........" " no ....... have a top horn just like that" " no that bottom horn reminds me of a ......" at which point I throw the pencil at him!

One of my husbands designs,an ACG Harlot 5 string

So is there such a thing as an original idea? Or are we all just rehashing a thought that someone in the dim and distant past has already had? At what point do we have to start thinking about copyright or plagiarism? Do we have to shut ourselves away in a darkened room in order not to be swayed by outside influences in the hope of coming up with something that has never been done before? Or is it that very influence that encourages development, the original being forever improved upon as we use new materials and technology? Does it really matter who had the idea in the first place, is the journey it takes not more important?


All I know is that now I have a headache!(and it's only half way through the week!) Oh, and a basket full of 'pin rings' that I may or may not be able to sell on 1st May.

Teenagers.......!

The second week of the school holiday is halfway through and my workroom is now my sanctuary. An escape from teenage boys and their attitude.  A refuge from the urge to grab their scrawny, knobbly necks and bang their heads together (an urge usually brought about after being on the receiving end of 'the look', a teenage specific phenomenon that seems to arrive with their first dose of hormones)


I'm probably not the most even tempered person I know, so for the sake of my sanity, my sorely abused vocal cords and fear of social services I've discovered the best course of action for me to take is retreat. Not the tail between the legs kind of course, that would signify some sort of defeat. No I depart with a flourish, a dramatic exit whilst levelling a look of my own. Gloria Swanson would be so proud.


Yes, it's sad to say, but that's what family life had become in the last few months. A constant battle of wills between adults and wannabes. I'm not quite sure where my sweet little boys have gone. I'm now living with untidy, uncommunicative, cantankerous, nocturnal, slightly sniffy eating machines. But for every moment I feel frustrated and angry I also suffer for them. Can I remember what it was like to be a teenager? Only in the vaguest, dimmest recesses of my  memory banks, filed under 'never again'.


Those fledgling steps from childhood when everything starts to change. Limbs grow long and gangly, the resulting clumsiness probably one of the reasons why teenagers skulk about, they have no control so decide to lounge in one place to prevent accidents. Tripping up all the time is so not cool. Bodies sprout lumps and bumps and hair in new places, embarrassing when it happens, embarrassing when it doesn't. A lose lose situation. 


Suddenly they are more aware of their friends of the opposite sex and an awkwardness enters the conversations, so communication degenerates in to grunts. And just when they want to attract attention Mother Nature at her most perverse, and no doubt giggling maniacally up her sleeve, switches on the oil slick. Hair and faces suffer the brunt, and there goes eye contact for a few years. Orthodontists lend a hand in the transformation. My no.1 son had his braces fixed at the beginning of the month and I haven't seen him smile since.

It's not just physical changes they have to cope with. Throughout their childhood situations have presented themselves as black or white, right or wrong, good or bad. Now, as their reasoning develops they are confronted with a myriad shades of grey. So many choices to make and no guarantee they're going to make the right ones. And lets be honest here, they're going to make their own decisions, no matter how much information we give them about our own experiences. The uncertainty and pressure is so overwhelming it stands to reason there will be the occasional explosion, and as parents all we can do is absorb the blast and clean up the fallout. 


The transition to adulthood has its traumas, most experienced by every teenager there ever was or shall be, some more generation specific. So yes, I suffer for them. Doesn't mean I still don't want to slap them about the head though!

Still in the pink

It would appear that I need peace and quiet to blog and I'm afraid last week that was in short supply. Since the sun decided to make an extended appearance it seemed like the perfect opportunity to replace our front door and a window, a job that had been scheduled for some time but weather kept delaying. While our local joiners have many qualities and abilities, stealth isn't one of them.


I made a vain attempt to work outside but the pond residents were making such a racket I found it difficult to concentrate. Just in case you think I'm exaggerating you can have a look here to see what I mean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdVflYLM4DQ. I can actually hear them in the house, even with the windows and doors closed.

Our yearly pond residents, look closely

their parting gift

The majority of them have left now, their job for this year done. Peace and quiet reigns once more.

Unfortunately I haven't been quite as productive, a bit of a worry really, especially since I have my first craft fair of the year in  just over a month. However I have had another go at 'pink'. This is one of my favourite designs so I was far more comfortable making it. I have taken on board suggestions from the last pink post and have gone with a different embellishment, trading the woollen brooch for something smaller and more structured. In the meantime your feedback would be appreciated on this offering.

On another note, last week I was very fortunate to have received my first ever blog award from Hazel and Blue Thanks so much Becky, it's really appreciated

This award is for blogs with 300 followers or less, to showcase their blogs, and hopefully encourage some new readers. I now have to choose some people to pass it on to. No easy task since there are so many enjoyable, informative and entertaining blogs out there. I have decided to choose these peoples blogs, not only because they are all well worth a read, but also because I know they fit the criteria ( there are a so many more I would like to include but I don't know what their following is )

The Kitchen Bitch Ponders

Daily Musings

The Devil Makes work

Ormolu

A pretty varied lot, hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

New Season's Aims

Spring has most definitely sprung. Plants are beginning to show signs of struggling in to this years finery. Birds are in full voice, even if they could do with a little help from a choirmaster, and after a week of work the pond is quivering with frogspawn. 


So, true to my word of earlier this year it is time to set about accomplishing some new season's aims. To ease me out of hibernation the first thing I've done is volunteer at one of the local charity shops. It will be strange to be back working in a shop environment after so long but I'm really looking forward to it. 


Next step was to get making again. I've already spent more time in my workroom in the last week than I have in the previous 3 months. Yes, that may have something to do with the fact that I no longer risk breaking a leg or getting soaked to the bone on my way to it, but it's mainly because I'm eager to get started on some new projects (the 'pink' bag being one of them). I bought some fabulous new fabrics at Hobbycraft (S.E.C.C.) a few weeks ago and I'm keen to see what I can do with them.


Another aim was to set up my Folksy shop, ( actually that was one of last years aims that wasn't quite met, but better late than never eh?) It took a bit longer than I was expecting since I'm not what you would say 'a natural' at all things computer related. This is a sample of what I have listed at the moment. I'll be listing more when I have the time,... and patience! ( I'm assured I'll get quicker, because getting any slower would be against the laws of physics)

But my main aim this year is to do what I enjoy. When I decided, 2 years ago, to increase the number of craft fairs I was doing I had no idea that I would get to the point of finding 'making' a chore. Everything fell by the wayside in the need to produce something new for each fair I attended, and it wasn't always something that I enjoyed making. I stopped painting, since I wasn't likely to be taking art to the fairs, and I stopped designing because I didn't have the time to waste on R&D.


Looking out at the garden these last few days brought it home to me just how much I had also neglected it. Now, I like a little wilderness as much as the next person, but when that wilderness is tending towards jungle you know you have to call a halt. I made excuses about how tidy gardens were the cause of a decline in our natural wildlife and I was doing my bit provide shelter. Pah! More like I was too busy with my crafting 'chores' to find time for any others.


So with that in mind I've decided to limit the number of craft fairs I'll be participating in this year, probably the decision that prompted my Folksy shop opening. I also think it's one of the main reasons I'm now back in my workroom, and loving it.


Of course, just because I'm calling them new season's aims doesn't mean they won't go the same way as their January counterparts!

The colour of Spring

At last, my lurghi has left me ( many thanks for all of your get well wishes ). Just in time too. Never mind the occasional hail, sleet or snow storm, the frogs have arrived in the pond so it must be Spring. Hurrah!


I sat outside to have lunch yesterday, granted I was wearing a thermal vest, polo neck and a fleece, but I was still outside. Glorying in the sunny blue sky, listening to the frogs and being startled every now and again by battling crows in the trees. Filled with a new sense of purpose I felt it was time to tackle the bag I had been putting off most of the winter.


On a shopping trip with a very good friend I was 'persuaded' to buy a lovely Linton tweed. Now, I use Linton fabrics quite often so I don't want you thinking that's what required her strong arm tactics. No, it was the colour. It was pink. And I do mean PINK! 


Being Dutch my friend has a completely different attitude than mine to colour. I hate the idea of falling in to a stereotype here but I think it would be fair to say that as a Scot I'm not the most flamboyant when it comes to hues, tints and tones. I'm not sure if that is a national trait ( but to be honest you just have to look at most of the ancient or hunting tartans to get a good idea! ) or whether it's more to do with being the youngest of 4 girls. As clothes were likely to be passed down the more practical colours were chosen, in classic styles that wouldn't appear dated by the time they reached their final recipient. 


With that in mind it's no surprise that when fabric shopping I tend towards the blues, greys, browns and greens. The joy of making bags is that although the outside may be practical, bordering on puritan, I can always shake it up a bit with a funky lining. Sort of like a hidden, guilty pleasure. 


But my friend was having none of that. She wanted to shake me out of my comfort zone. To stop me being practical and allow myself to be frivolous for a change, and not in secret. So yesterday I had a go, I'm just not sure about the results.

A work in progress

I found it really difficult to design and make something that was so far removed from my normal colour palette. I wanted it to be structured but squishy at the same time, so I put darts in the rounded corners, a central pleat for volume and a rigid top panel.


It's not a huge bag, the more space I have the more likely I am to fill it with junk and my shoulders won't stand the strain anymore ( it's an age thing I'm sure ) Again, I'm not sure whether I've got the proportions right.  I've used a vintage leather belt as the shoulder strap, it's a sort of toffee shade that I've tied in with the wool brooch embellishment (that's still a work in progress, it may need a little something added to it).


I wouldn't normally post an unfinished item but in this case I think I'm looking for a little feedback and inspiration. Moving out of your comfort zone might be all well in theory, in practice as far as I can see it just results in a lot of hair pulling and self doubt!

Swapping

I've been battling a lurghi for the last couple of weeks. What started as a simple cold developed into sinusitis, that wonderful ailment that leaves you convinced your brain is being forced out through your eye sockets. 
This led to a persistent cough that's seen me banished to the spare room in an effort to ensure that at least one adult in the household gets a decent nights sleep.


From that you can assume I've not been at my most productive!


Quite frustrating really, especially since I participated in Very Berry's fabric swap last month, my first ever. I managed to get a parcel sent to my swap recipient Hooked Yarn and I received this wonderful bundle from Hazel and Blue last week. 

It made me think of spring when I opened it, all those fresh colours in soft tones. Some designs traditional, others quite funky.

I've been desperate to get started on something with these fabulous goodies, but it's difficult to cut in a straight line while coughing up a lung! So I'm just going to have to be patient and hope the syrup starts working (although now I'm not sure exactly what 'for coughs' means!)