Mary Jane Slippers DONE!

I finally finished the pink slippers for my mom!!! Now I'm excited to try something else.

If you wanna try the super easy slipper pattern, check it out here at Craftster.org (my favorite site ever!)!

The only difference I made was I used a rather large hook and used the Liona Brand Thick & Quick washable wool single strand instead of the recommended 2 strands of regular worsted weight yarn.

Let me know if you try this pattern! It's pretty quick and I love them!!!

Now onto my Josephine gauntlets!!

Inspiration: Crochet Kitten: Josephine Gauntlets

I've been working on slippers for what seems like forever. I've made 4 pair and finishing the last for my mom.

So Aside from reading as much as I can about watercolors online, I found my next new project found on www.crochetkitten.com. These arm coverings look really pretty and I can't wait to give it a try!

So hopefully in the next few days I will finish the last fo the pink slippers *shudders* and get on with the pattern found here.

~Magpie

Idea stolen from my new swap partner.

So my newest swap (Eostara WWP Swap), has a blog where she tries to post either inspiration, projects or just discussion about life what seems like nearly every day.

I can't guarantee I'll post something every day, but I can certainly try to have actual helpful content. I am learning a LOT about watercolors right now. So hopefully, I can post some tips in the next few days about using watercolors.

But almost a continuation of the last post about wandering passions, I have another question.

When you have several hours of time and don't really do anything but veg out, do you feel bad for not having created anything?

I know I certainly do. After sitting on the couch having spent several hours net surfing, I feel guilty that I didn't use that time to create something. I call it "craft guilt". Right before bed, I feel like I've wasted my time doing frivolous things when I could have been learning to paint a masterpiece or sewing an awesome garment.

Anyone else get that?

New Watercolor - Soul Dancing

Being in the musical is had to describe. I used the phrase "it makes my soul dance", yesterday.

Today, I was inspired, so I made this multimedia piece. It is 11" x 14" on canvas.

In the right hand, a moonstone, left hand an amethyst and her crown is of garnet chips.

I used watercolors and glitter as well. It is not what I'd consider professional grade painting, but I am happy and I hope it expresses my sentiment of my soul dancing when I'm onstage!

Small basic napkins.

So, I had wanted a pretty immediate gratification project for myself this weekend.

Sadly the musical and other things took up that time. I had seen my friend N with lovely cotton fabric napkins and I really wanted to give a few a try.

I got one set done (detailed decorative stitch pictures to come later). One side is my fave purple flowers fabric and the other side is gorgeous batik I got as fat quarters.

Sadly, the fat quarters aren't full enough to make large napkins, so I made two small ones.

I washed the fabric before ironing, cutting and topstitching. The cotton is really soft, but the batik is kinda stiff. I hope that doesn't hamper the utility of said cloths.

Watercolor attempts

After a long bout of wanting to be more art, less craft, I'm trying my hand at painting. Pardon the crappy cell phone pictures, it's the best I could do on short notice!

This one is called "Skyfire"











And this one I'm calling "First Buds"








It's fun, but hard to blend without washing out the color. It's a fun new craft to try. I think everyone should try something new when the winter blues hit!!! I highly recommend it!

Thirst for learning.

I'm not sure if I've brought this up here before, but I guess since it is relevant, I'll repost.

I have never been able to decide on anything. My future career plans, creative endeavors, hell, lunch. To me, I want to do and see it all. My ex and I used to call them "moon phases", as it seemed that my creative bents seemed to change with the moons. They get worse in winter and spring, but it can be really frustrating.

Listed below are the crafts I have tried.

* Knitting
* Cross Stitch (had to give up when I started losing my eyesight)
* Crocheting
* Quilting
* Embellished clothing
* Costuming
* Jewelry making
* Beading
* Clothing Construction
* Soapmaking - M&P as well as Cold Process
* Polymer Clay Sculpting
* Aromatherapy oils
* Drawing
* Painting
* Scrapbooking
* Embroidery
* Doll making
* leatherwork
* Leather armor-crafting (SCA variety)

I actually could keep going, but got bored. Sadly, I have maybe a basic understanding of all of these things, but not more than basic skill level in any of them.

No sooner than I make a few things that please me, I give them away and start on something new. Obviously, that means it's pretty expensive, as I have basic supplies for all of the above floating around the house. But not only that, it's frustrating.

There are some artists that have known since childhood they wanted to draw. Or that they were good at creating one of a kind pieces of fashion. But I can't say that I ever "knew".

I know I love making things. I love learning and trying new techniques and doing things I haven't done before. But I've never been terribly good at any of those things. I wish I was just amazing at painting....or sewing....or something that would give me absolute direction.

But I can't help it, eventually, I'll move on to something new. Occasionally I'll come back, like with crocheting and learn new projects and enjoy that for a while. But now I want to learn about watercolors. (Don't get me started on fused glass or ceramics or anything requiring a kiln!!!)

So is anyone else out there like me? Do you go through hobbies/crafts/art forms like crazy?

Life has been nutso!!

So in the last few weeks, life has become rather challenging and finding time to post has just not happened.

I have still been crafting though (and having a birthday *grin*) and so I thought I'd post some of the stuff I've been making. It has mostly been sewing the grove quilt as well as crocheting stuff. So here goes.


Yay, finished quilt!








Mary Jane Slippers!!








Looks like those are the only pictures I can find. I am planning on doing some simple sewing today, so here's to wishing.