While on the topic of therapeutic crafting and without time to make anything to show, I thought we might look at some other meditative projects and ruminate about about the moodiness of what we do. For me, going small is my instinct in this annual time of madness. Those small-unit projects can be frustrating to try to continue when not in this frenzy, though, so some of them remain unfinished and branded as a SLOG.
These 3.5″ log cabins are from Feb 2011. For a week or so, back in that month I budgeted an hour a day to work on them and enjoyed every minute of it. But this just hangs out there, patiently waiting. The logs are small–just 1″ unfinished–and are meant to find a use for some smaller scraps that most folks might trash.
I wonder how long it’ll take to get this one done? Or how long will it take me to trust that it is destined to be part of something small?
I dunno.
Creating is so moody.
I really like the blocks. Love the colors. “Creating is so moody”.. This is so true.
You hit the nail right on the head! Love that quilt, btw!
Moody is a good word for it.
Can I just say that I feel such a kinship when I read your posts! Moody indeed!
Strangely, it took 25 years of freelance designing, and then editing, to realize that the ENJOYMENT FACTOR of a project should always be considered. Not just the looks or the trendiness or the size or the cost, but do I wake up and desperately want to make the thing? There’s nothing more frustrating than assembling supplies for a project and realizing that I would rather throw it across the room or burn it than do it. Maybe this is age related or just a zen realization that life is to short to mess about with don’t-really-want-to-do projects. A LARGE project that is right just means that I get to do it for longer and that’s a good thing. A good short project leaves me feeling sad for its finish-maybe THAT’S why I keep making hats! My current motto is Hat the World……
I think this is why I have a lot of WIPs. One for each mood.
Loving this series of posts: the Crafter’s Cri de Coeur.
It really does boil down to escapism, for me, much of the time. Currently escaping to Alabama as a pieceworker on high-end clothes destined for my daughter’s trunk of Stuff My Mother Lovingly Made For Me That I Can’t Quite Bring Myself To Wear. But that is SO NOT THE POINT. I’m loving my time with the black buttonhole thread.
A wave of French knots just swept over me.
xoxoxo Kay
I love Michele’s comment above, first of all. I love these little log cabins. I’m still trying to find exactly the projects that make me happiest to MAKE. I always enjoy crafting, but there are bursts of that MUST-MAKE every once in a while that are incredible. I’m seeking more of those moments. As for length/size of the project, I like a mixture of small easier finishes and bigger projects that take forever. I hope that I can take the rest of this year to finish some of those lingering projects, though.
I’m rambling. Short story is, I love these log cabins. You’re good at making things that truly bring you happiness.
Moody or not, you have really convinced me of the ability of white borders to beautifully unite a whole bunch of crazy-ass colors!
Those squares are gorgeous. Who cares what they turn into? Maybe they have already met their destiny as a Very Pretty Thing. (Must everything we create be useful?)
Doll. Quilt. Done.
Related: Kay, who also commented above, and via whom I have come to this blog, is collecting mini-quilts for her daughter’s bedroom wall.
they’re wonderful. mix ‘em in with a different project. go wild!
“moody”- so true. I have different types of projects for different moods, and depending on mood, some get painfully neglected (yes, I’m talking about you, fine lace shawl…)
Yes, creating is moody! It’s one of the few things we do that we can allow our moods to run free. Realjobs and most relationships (usually) don’t let us do that.
well, that’s the truth!
i definitely get overwhelmed [moody] with the decisions of finishing my multitude of creations….but i am a proceeder so that helps and i have always believed that quilting is much easier than entering therapy…
ps your moody is beautiful xo
It’s lovely. I hope you get inspiration for it soon!
i am going to send you all of my scraps that i can’t handle keeping anymore! ;)