Seasons change

Despite all of my stress lately, I suppose my disposition has improved more than I've been willing to give myself credit for. I came to that realization after flipping through my journal quickly. Here's a collage I did sometime in February....
And here's one I did earlier this month...
Ahh, expressive arts.

sew what

My life has been devoid of knitting lately. It's not even the sweltering heat that's kept me from it either. I've just been too busy & stressed. But I'm making a date with my knitting needles this weekend, and that's for sure.

This evening, I did make a little time for some sewing though. Right now it's all just reconstruction work, which I think makes pretty good practice since I'm such a newbie at it. I feel a bit impatient though. I want to be making things from scratch. Simultaneously, I really appreciate being able to utilize garments at hand that would otherwise go unworn.

I made these denim capris from old jeans I had lying around from heavier times. I really like them EXCEPT that the crotch bugs me. It's too long & baggy. Unfortunately, I don't know enough tricks of the trade to fix that just yet. Luckily for me, long tops are in so I can cover the long crotch.
This is (obviously) a skirt from old jeans too. I really love how this turned out.
And last, but not least, I reconstructed this vintage skirt I thrifted. The picture doesn't really do it justice at all. But I lovelovelove this skirt. Luckily, the blunders from the last skirt I made, taught me how to enlarge this one. It's got this spanish style to it, but the pattern on the fabric seems more nordic to me. Makes me feel like a fancy lady. And in fall, I'll throw some tights on under it, and it will be perfect.

apples & oranges

I never feel more complete than when I make certain to incorporate art into my life. I've been doing that more lately, and it feels fantastic. I've also been inspired by a lot of fantastic work by folks I come across on the internet as well, and they inspire me to push my work further & to make it more frequently.

I've always done drawings of some sort for expression. Occasionally I'll make collages or sketches in my written journal when articulating things through words feels too heavy. Recently, I came across this livejournal which reminded me how good it feels doing those types of sketches. These are just two random ones I've done lately...
So I don't really ever drink anymore at all. I've never been into drugs, and I don't even like taking asprin unless I have to. But after taking Vicodin for my wisdom tooth removal...well, it's was just nice to have an excuse to feel so mellow after all the stress I've been under.
I did this the other day. It's just a question I've been asking myself. Maybe I'll color it. Maybe I won't.

And while I've never considered myself particularly fashion savvy, knitting has really allowed me to admit to myself how much I love the "fiber arts" (as Melissa would say). What it comes down to is- I really do love fashion (shhhh...don't tell). I'm getting better at admitting that to myself by learning that fashion doesn't have to be just a rich person's passion.
I've been reading blogs like this one, and dress a day (on top of all the knitting blogs, that is).

Yesterday, I thrifted this amazing skirt. I love the fabric. With my new found confidence after making that skirt with Moira, I bought this even though it's got a 26inch waist (pssshhh, yeah, as if). Luckily, after the last resizing, I know precisely how I'm going to resize this one.

And this (scary) beauty on the left is the dress form with the additions I mentioned in my last post. She freaks people out whenever they walk into the room. Some call her terrifying. I think of her as my watch dog.

I've also been painting, though I have nothing finished to share right now. Miles & I spread the paint supplies all over the living room floor and just play. It's really refreshing to have a friend that I am comfortable enough to paint with & enjoy their company even if we aren't talking at all.

And, of course, there's still knitting going on here & there.

when you're living in the ghetto it's do or die

So I have been slacking, yet again, on the blogging. But believe me, it's not for a lack of artistic explorations. You see...it's the picture taking that's getting to me. Whatever photography skills I may have once possessed have been allowed to settle in the dust, so to speak. My digital camera's not that great. And last, but not least on the list of excuses, is the lighting. Of course natural lighting is best for picture taking of this sort. Problem is- there's none to be had! It's been rain, rain, rain here. To make a long story short- pardon the crappy pictures folks.

Diamonique has been restarted for the...um...I don't know. I forget how many times I've taken this puppy apart. But somewhere along the way I made the decision to switch yarns. Perhaps it was the color. Or more likely, the comfort in knowing I had enough of that last yarn. I just have to make things difficult for myself; knit on the wild side.

The piece has grown considerably. I have most of the back done. Along the way, while decreasing for armholes and whatnot, the diamond pattern got a little mish-moshed. But I've decided it's just going to be one of those unique quirks that makes this garment a lovable hand-made. (read: I was going to poke my eyes out with the knitting needles if I frogged it again)
I also painted this picture about 2 months ago. The photo does the colors absolutely no justice. The background is a royal purple, and the flowers are gold. Apparantly, I'm in a purple phase. But it's a simple painting based off something or other that I had come across and decided was better to make myself than purchase.
In the world of sewing, I finally got over my anxiety enough to attempt making a garment from scratch. So with much help & guidance from the illustrious Ms.Moira, I made this skirt. I am super super proud of it. I resized it twice and even put a zipper in!

The skirt is also a great accomplishment because it fulfills the goals of my challenge. And the challenge is this- I will probably need professional type clothing to wear to my field placement for graduate school. However, I am pretty damn poor & just added another $18,500 to my current debt. Thus, I am going to attempt to compose a small, modest, professional wardrobe full of things I have either made, or aquired second hand. The Diamonique project is included, as is the black jacket I'm wearing in the above photo ($4 at a yard sale).

I don't know how well it's going to work out. I'm a very novel sewer, but I'm going to try. It's very possible I've just overestimated what is feasible after watching too much "Project Runway", but wish me luck anyway!
Last, but not least, in blogging news- I got myself a dress form! I've been wanting one cuz I think they are cool & have high hopes that I'll one day do so much sewing that owning one will be an absolute necessity. I found her on the side of the road as a tailor was disposing of her. The old gal looks quite good for having been made in 1960. In this photo she is modeling items for sale at my recent yard sale.

Now that she's been in the house for a bit she's really been evolving. She has since aquired more attire, as well as a paper face & a hat that sits properly. My house guests like to debate her name & set her up with the single fellas.

Babies, babies everywhere

I've sort of been on hiatus. Luckily, I haven't accumulated too many readers just yet, so not that many people have been affected by this knitting drought.



I finally, finally finished Wild Stripes. I am a reluctant sewer so this puppy was completed the morning of the baby shower. I was happy with the finished product & I think the Momma liked it.

The baby Pinwheel blanket is growing, but continues to be the bane of my existance. It's cute, but terribly boring to knit. Also, in hindsight, I wish I would have done it in a varieted yarn or something. But oh well. You live. You learn.

Also, I recently discovered that one of my closest friends from high school is also pregnant. Needless to say, I'll be making her something other than a damn blanket. But this new development leads me to an ultimatum: you people need to stop. Stop having babies! There is only so much baby stuff I am willing or able to knit. So if you are having a baby in the near future, we might have to stop being friends. So consider that before you decide to conceive.

That is all. Carry on.

pinwheel

Don't be fooled by the calendar. I'm not counting down the days until I finish this; I actually only just started it yesterday. Eventually, it will be a Pinwheel Baby blanket, & it's coming along quickly (and beautifully I might add).

This is actually a picture of me looking longingly at my knitting that I could be doing instead of the paperwork I am drowning in at work. Ho-hum. It's a hard knock life.

Fini!

So I did it! I finished Orangina (again!).

Ammunition: Rowan, 4 ply cotton yarn in Bloom 132

Weapon: Crystal Palace, Bamboo Circulars, size US3

Battle time: I don't know. This time around? I'm thinking maybe it took me 2 & 1/2 weeks while doing other projects? I'm not sure exactly. But it's done and I love it a lot. Except maybe Ill sew up the sides a bit more? I still feel like it hangs off of my shoulders a little more than I'd like it to.

I have a lot of this yarn left now, which I suppose is something new & different for me since I always seem to be running out of yarn mid project. I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet. Maybe I'll eventually make another one as a gift.

Other exciting things- I made over $50 yesterday tabling at Take Back the Night. I sold two sewn bags that I didn't even really like at all. (I almost felt kind of guilty taking money for something I didn't have pride in.) I also sold, and gave away, a whole bunch of zines AND sold one knitted piece and was asked to do commissioned pieces by two people. It was a little bit of amazing. That money will be put away to go to Mexico and learn spanish. And I'm glad I told people that is what it would be going to, because now I feel I need to uphold the promise I just made to a bunch of folks.

And on a related note, one of the bags that I sold was just a canvas bag that I had thrown a patch on. (Not a lot of work at all on my part) But it was a fantastic take back the night patch made by my very talented friend Milez. Check out some of his work!