Getting Ready for Fall - Crocheting Granny Squares

 

I have to keep busy, call it a curse, call it a super power but because of it, I am always making something. And in turn, I have now taken over two rooms of our house. One for tie dye, jewelry, painting and storage of festival gear, and the other for all of my material, sewing machine, mailing supplies, yarn, work desk, computer and printer. 

I am craft hoarder elite!

I get distracted easily, and sometimes I may have more than one project going at a time.

Sometimes I can get frustrated with myself, as I compare myself to other artists out there, that their color combos on their tie dye are more brilliant than mine, their wire wraps are more intricate than mine. 

Once I am done throwing around the confetti of my pity party, and I have had my last bit of dejection cake, I understand, it is because they picked one thing and did it right, where I have to do it all!

And because I have to do it all, it is crocheting season!

It is one thing I do love to do. It is a project that I can do, while sitting in the living room in front of the television and pretending to be watching a movie with my husband. 

I myself personally could spend all of my waking ours in my office or studio working on projects, but I do have to find a balance. So when the weather cools off and there is not so much to do, television is the go to entertainment for my husband. He just wants to know I am in the same room with him, and if he wants to make a conversation, then I am there to join in. 

I started a new project that I am absolutely excited about, and part of the project is granny squares. What I love about granny squares is the versatility of the pattern. Even the versatility of the basic granny square itself. You are basically making a tiny mosaic tile to piece together into a beautiful work of art. 

After I had gotten started on my squares, I realized I needed extra bulk for this project. I do love the crispness of the single strand yarn granny squares. You can see the detail. 

But I wasn't looking for detail. I was looking for comfort and snuggly. I used two strands of worsted weight yarn and made my squares again. What a difference. The extra color gave more texture. The extra strand of yarn gave the squares a soft, cushy, comfortable feel. Perfect for what I am working on. 

I am using a mixture of scrap yarn and Big Twist 100% acrylic yarn. Middle of the road yarn, super soft, doesn't unravel, and affordable -  especially when bought at JoAnns with a coupon. I bought it because I wanted to try something other than RedHeart SuperSaver. Red Heart SuperSaver is a great affordable yarn, especially as a beginner, but it is just too scratchy.  

I am just in the beginning of this project, and have to figure out a couple more things. 

I can't wait to show it to you!

What do you like to work on during the cooler months??

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

Craft Hoarder Confessions

It is always this time of year I look at my work space and say it is time for a change. I get it cleaned up and feel good about myself for about 2 hours. As I start to work and explore new ideas, the room falls apart around me. I have learned to accept that I create from chaos.

Up til now - didn't matter how bad it got, and trust me it was bad. I have posted several before and after pics to try and purge some, maybe shame myself into not doing it, it hasn't worked - but up til now, I always knew where everything was. As of recent, I can't find a thing. It takes me forever to find my shipping supplies, to find my packaging papers, stamps and ribbons, so when I mail out the order it is all wrapped and sweet.

  I saw this today while on Facebook -

This is me in a nut shell. I thought maybe it was time to confess.

Hi my name is Tish McDermott and I want to call myself and artist, a clever crafter, but all I am is a hoarder.

When I started making jewelry, it was always done on the kitchen table, and when I was done, I cleaned up and put things back where they belonged. We used the kitchen table for other things, why I don't know it was the perfect crafting spot, and I had a cat that loved to steal things.

Next I moved into the spare bedroom, oh the joy of it. All the space I need AND I could close the door. I had things organized in the closet, I had bought small little storage cabinets, it was perfect.

Then we had someone move in with us, and I was displaced. I moved into a small room off the office, that had been used for storage, and for my daughters sewing room.

This is where it turned bad. I had room and lots of it. Not the advantage of the storage of a closet, but still, room. The room did not have a door, it was a small hallway that lead into the kitchen. Not good. The zoo could come and go as they pleased. I brought down the armoire  from the bedroom we had used for the tv - storage and it blocked the hallway. This is MY domain. My husband built me a work bench, so things could be hung and arranged, and I had plenty of room to work.

Soon, I couldn't find things in my work room because they had spilled out into the office. Now I have shelves in the office to hold more things. The computer desk is now piled with business cards, shipping supplies- where is my computer?


Here is the confession - Because I not only make jewelry, I sew and paint as well.

I NEED THINGS!!!!

I save all cardboard boxes. I may need them for shipping.
I save all packing materials - again shipping
I save all tissue paper

To me, I think I am doing good, reducing my global footprint, recycling these shipping items.

I save every pair of jeans.
I save every t shirt
I save socks
I save towels
I save sheets
I can use the material.

I save empty coffee containers. They are great storage.
I have 23 of them

I save empty tins (this is a new thing) Again - they are great storage!
I have 2

I save pretty, heavy paper. I use them for my packaging.

Mason jars - storage

Magazines - I make canvas from them

Shopping bags - storage

I can't pass up a good sale - I don't make wreaths, but I got such a great deal, like serious after coupons and such, I just paid taxes on that burlap ribbon that people make wreaths with.
I have 12 rolls

And the list goes on.

BUT as luck should have it. The spare bedroom has now become my husbands office, and the office that is attached to my workroom is mine.

I am rolling up my sleeves and getting started.

Pray for me ;)

One more day til National Craft Month!

While on one of my many interweb adventures, I found the blog post from Fusion Beads about March being craft month. This was very exciting and very timely. Fusion Beads has a daily craft challenge posted on their blog, and one reader has pledged to have their craft room cleaned to kick of National Craft Month. I am in the middle of cleaning my room, I want to have mine clean too!!!! Now the pressure is on, because I technically have today and tomorrow to have this accomplished.

This week has been cleaning, purging, organizing, whining, donating, whining, oh - did I mention whining?

How have I accumulated so much crap?!?!?

*stands at the microphone*

Hello, My name is Tish McDermott and I am a craft hoarder.

*applause*

It is so true, and I have come to understand this and embrace it. I even recently said no to an offer of a big stack of magazines. heh - you should have seen their face when I said no - EVERYONE knows they can off  load their items on me. Not today Buckco!!

There are several things I like to do, of which you have seen pictures. My top three are jewelry, sewing and painting. My workspace, as is, will not accommodate all three. Well, I take that back, it would if I did one at a time, but I don't. I have all three going at once. That is what spawned the big clean.

I wont' post pictures yet. Some will gasp in horror, not being able to understand the tragedy of my room. Others will gasp, but inside they will be pleased. Then there one those who will cheer and scream and laugh, because they are not alone in their hoarding, AND I will make them feel good about themselves :)

Til then!

***********

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher

This Bead Soup Thing

I have been seeing several posts around about "Bead Soup".

The idea in a nutshell -

People sign up
People send beads
People make cool stuffs!!!

Don't know all the ins and outs, but I wanna play!!

Anyone game????