Week 17: Print on Fabric

Ideas & Inspirations: Ever since I saw this DIY on Poppytalk's blog on how to Print Your Own Fabric, I wanted to give it a whirl! Not only did this project look easy to do, but it also required a very low cost investment, and that is so how I roll!

What I intend to do with said project: I have not decided what to make with my fabric once it is printed, but I'll add it to my fabric stash. Maybe it will end up being featured in a blog post down the road? Stay tuned!

Week 16: Make an Apron

Why I want to make this: An apron is a perfect example of something I have made plenty of times, but never for myself. (Hint: Aprons make great handmade wedding presents!) 

Ideas & Inspirations: What I love about an apron is that it's one of the few items of apparel where it seems more than acceptable to be frilly, girly, cutesy-wutesy, and even downright ridiculous. And I do plan to make one that meets all of this criteria!

What I intend to do with said project: Wear it and make a pie! Seriously, I have recently taken quite an interest in pie-making. All I wanna do is make pie and wear an adorable apron!

Week 15: Paper Flowers

Why I want to make this: This idea started when I was working full-time in a very beige, dull office space that was desperately in need of some colour. Even though I don't work in that space anymore, summer is whizzing by so fast (seriously, where did July go!?) and I figured I should capture the colours of summer to keep all year round!

Ideas & Inspirations: There are so many ideas and projects out there! I've started pinning some on Pinterest if you'd like to take a peak.

What I intend to do with said project: I'm hoping this will be a nice piece for the new place. Did I mention I was moving? Yeah, I've got a little basement suite I'll be moving into in September. A little colour for the new space perhaps?

Week 14: Paint Something

Why I want to make this: I consider myself an artist but I am SO not the drawing/painting type of artist. I want to do this project to challenge myself and try something I'm a little uncomfortable doing.

Ideas & Inspirations: Instead of using a traditional canvas, I'd like to use some plywood that I picked up at the Reuse Centre recently. I am naturally drawn toward more abstract paintings because I think that's where my brain works best! But we'll see what I end up creating.

What I intend to do with said project: This is the perfect type of project to hang in the craft room! It will serve as a reminder to challenge myself more often. Hopefully it will turn out to be something inspiring for me and not something that will discourage me when I look at it.

Week 13: Disassemble Something Old

Ideas & Inspirations: About a year ago I stumbled upon a photograph by Canadian photographer Todd McLellan and it has stuck with me ever since. In his Disassembly Series, he takes everyday objects, like this typewriter, and meticulously arranges its components in a striking way. Then in contrast, he creates an image by manipulating the individual parts to appear as though the object is exploding. McLellan just released his book, Things Come Apart, showcasing 50 iconic objects, which is available through Thames & Hudson or Amazon. I thought it would be neat to attempt to dissasemble an object of my own and see what happens!

What I intend to do with said project: I'll have a cool photograph, so perhaps I will frame it and display it if it turns out nicely. I'm also hoping to somehow put my own spin on this concept. We'll see how it turns out.

Week 12: Make a candy box and fill it

Why I want to make this: Back when I was in high school, a dear older lady from my church offered to teach me how to make chocolates. She had been making moulded chocolates with various fillings for 40-50 years. She would make them at Christmas time and everyone would receive a handmade treat from Mrs. H, right down to the mailman. I've tried to keep the tradition and lost art alive by making chocolate each year for my own friends and family.

Ideas & Inspirations: With the chaos of Christmas time, I usually am too focused on producing a large quantity, that it doesn't allow for much time to experiment with presentation. These chocolates taste amazing, but I'm hoping to have them look just as good. And to create a wonderful handmade box.

What I intend to do with said project: This is tough. I'm just doing a small batch! But I'm trying to make healthier food decisions. Who will I give them to!?

Week 11: Piecing a Quilt

Gave myself 2 weeks for this one -it's a doozy!

Why I want to make this: Cutting and piecing together tiny blocks for a quilt is one of my favourite sewing activities. I find it extremely relaxing. This will be my 3rd quilt -I would love to do more, but it's so darn expensive to make them!

Ideas & Inspirations: Last summer, while visiting my Gramma in NB, we ended up sorting through her old fabric scraps that she had kept from various projects over the years. She remembered just about every project she had made with each fabric: a dress for herself she made in 1967, an outfit for my aunt when she was a teenager, or curtains from a previous house. I brought home a variety of small fabric pieces and vowed to someday piece them together in a quilt.

What I intend to do with said project: I'm not sure what I will end up doing with this quilt. Sadly, it may go into storage until I've got a bit more space of my own! Maybe I can lend it to a family member -I'm sure they'd be quite reminiscent as they examine each piece. 

Cordial Greetings

Welcome to my first post on the new blog. It’s a beautiful road we are headed down.

I’ve been crafting my whole life and I am seeking to challenge myself creatively. Too often my creative energy has been spent on others. Don’t get me wrong, I love handmade gifts, but I want to enjoy the things I create just as much as I enjoy making them. I want to create without the pressure of whether or not someone is going to like what I have made. Which...is why I have a blog, right? Well, at least I have someone/something to be accountable to!

I have written a grand number of projects (38 and counting!) on strips of paper and plopped them inside a cutely decorated jar. Each week I will draw a project from the jar and complete it before the week is up. I do love making lists, but this way is much more fun because each week it will be a SURPRISE! Projects range from things I have put off, to things I have never made and wanted to try, to things I’ve made lots but always for someone else.

I hope to post a few little bonuses along the way and have no shortage of ideas. I’ll pick and post my first project tomorrow.