Saturday, January 14, 2012

My challenge for 2012 - stop being my own worst enemy!



This is one part of my challenge. A challenge which takes part at my social life, at work, but especially regarding to creating stuff! It was and is easier for me to make things for other people. Somehow I need some kind of social pressure and deadlines. Otherwise sleep is sometimes more tempting or duties more demanding... 

But I want to make things for myself. That keeps me sane, that makes me smile and yes, there is something special to have and to use the things made by the own hands. I also love the things which were made for me! It is hard to describe because no, because one of parts why I love to create is that keeping the things in my hand I don't only see the present but every moment which went into its creation. Starting just from the idea in my head...


They don't need to be perfect. I love to challenge myself, to learn more and new things... There is nothing like the feeling of mastering new methods and techniques, nothing more cool than overcoming own fears (like how to use a electric jig saw!) and even more, nothing like the moment when you jump in your own abilities! Take crochet: Going from charts to freeform... Take polymer clay: From simple forms to creating deep textures... 



As I already wrote some time ago: I tried to set myself some limits for getting new stuff. I allowed myself only to take things if I have an idea what to make out of them at that moment. You know what? Nothing trains the brain and also the creativity more. No, didn't worked out for reducing or limiting my stash but did wonders to my own imagination!


This year I want to make a lot things for myself. All the things I already planned, already have the materials for, already dream to have... but always put to the side. 

One of the things I wanted to do was to enhance my stichting abilities. I am so into all kinds of garnish and decoration! 

Also... a big pile of small fabric pieces lying around helps...



So I take part in the crazy quilt journal project 2012. It works for me like a social deadline... Yes, I try to trick myself and even knowing it is a trick, hey, it works for me! ;)

Therefor I started sewing crazy patchwork blocks out of my stash... so I have already a good basic for starting to stich. 


The heart fabric was painted by my little sister Lachafa years ago.. when she really was still a little one! ^^ I never had a use for it but I kept it all the time. You see the single heart I stiched? :)


(and yes.. I'll make some better pics with better light. But still the dark season here...)







I played with dyeing some fabrics. This white fabric with roses was my test object. And now the pieces came into use...


A little fabric piece where I started to learn bubbles with fabric paints... also kept in my stash for years... 


The january block before...


...and after. Still having a lot of errors but every one helped me :)


And some of the blocks for the next months...


Some with stamped fabric like the violett pieces...


And no... all not ironed ^^


As you may see at the colours: All made late at night. Too late for ironing!


All the blocks are about 30 x 30 cm...


...this stripe of fabric pieces in the middle was a leftover from a quilt I made... five?... years ago ;)


The wrinkles are not so bad like they look on this pic!


And in the end the blocks will be joined :) 

That's why I won't use beads for the embroidery. 
As lovely as they are, cuddling with them is not the best idea...



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