2015: the year of making

Its still January early in the year so I'm counting this as a new year outlook post. mmkay? (Apparently, I forgot to actually post this after I finished editing. Doh!)

I noticed a lot of resolutions to cut down on RTW acquisitions and to focus on making more "cake" and less "frosting". (total aside, but doesn't it just make you want to eat cake every time you see those references? no, just me then?)

I don't normally buy much RTW because (1) I don't enjoy shopping and now that I'm about 10lbs heavier than I care to admit (and 20lbs heavier than I should be), I like it even less; (2) even "throw away" fashion seems expensive to me; and (3) RTW doesn't seem to fit me particularly well (and, again, now that I'm heavier it is an even more depressing endeavor). Therefore, cutting back on purchasing RTW is not really any different than my everyday. If anything, I probably need to suck it up and just buy some basics because I have one pair of jeans that fit and I don't hate wearing and about a handful of long-sleeve shirts. Thankfully, my work clothes mostly fit so I'm good there for a while. Apparently, I was ahead of the curve with a capsule wardrobe because everything I own and wear fits in my half of the closet. I think my sister makes up for it since everything she owns covers 2 whole closets plus.

So, where does that leave me relative to the world of sewers and crafters? While I would love to have a completely me-made wardrobe the reality is that I don't have much time to sew. I have very limited time to myself and its split between reading, knitting, sewing, running, and making a small attempt to keep up with the madness that is my housework. There are also two little humans who take up most of my time when I'm home from work:

Therefore, my big "resolution" for 2015 is just to make stuff as much as possible. I'm trying to get over my perfectionist streak, exhibit A:

(Can we say WONKY? I was all set to rip out the seams when my husband pointed out that my daughter won't care. All she will care about is that it is a Hello Kitty blanket with a pink border and that if I rip it out it will take even longer before she can use it. I've got more material to do the same blanket for my baby girl only with a yellow border. I'll just have to apply what I learned this time around to hers and all future blankets.)

Also, I think the main thing for me is to just do something creative so I feel like myself. Small projects are my friend, exhibit B:

(frog template from Coloured Buttons)

The only other thing is to create things with and for my girls. I want them to feel free to be creative and find positive ways of expressing themselves. I also want them to have things surrounding them that were made with love for the times I may not be able to be there physically with them. (That Hello Kitty blanket will be for my daughter to take to school for nap time.)

We'll see how far that gets me. I'm hoping by just trying to get stuff done instead of setting impossible goals for my creativity I'll actually spend time creating things instead of paralyzed by the idea that I won't do a good job and "waste" the yarn/fabric.

Wish me luck!

PS I joined Instragram. I blame Stephanie. However, I think its a good platform for me--low commitment so I can just do quick posts and feel like I'm doing something. Plus, I like the interactive-ness of it. Although I have gotten some questionable followers (who knew Hello Kitty attracted so many "interesting" people?), I think I may actually keep up with this social platform.

New Directions

Well, I'd made this great decision to start blogging again and then proceeded to fall of the blogosphere again. This time, it is due to my limited tech options. See, these days I almost exclusively surf the net on my smartphone. I read my blog feeds on my phone, take pics and even check Ravelry forums online. However, responding to a forum post is different from trying to compose a blog post. So, I'm giving this another go from my old laptop. I've got it rigged so that the power cord is held against the computer by a water bottle. Because even when the battery icon says that the computer is charged, it spontaneously dies. oy.

I originally started this blog when I was knitting rather regularly and Ravelry didn't exist yet so it was the best way to share with the crafting community and get to know others. I was never very prolific so I didn't post regularly.

Fast forward several years, I now have two very adorable daughters, 3 year old Pie and 6 month old Bunny. We moved away from family and friends almost 9 years ago and I have yet to find my place IRL. I have friends but none of them are crafty and I work with most of them so it limits some of the conversations we have because I can't be candid about work issues. (Really not interested in my bad day at the office turning into a discussion with HR.) However, the internet continues to provide the greatest source of support for me these days. I read lots of blogs but rarely comment (a major problem with using Feedly on my phone-if you know how to comment on blogs through Feedly, please enlighten me). 

Through these blogs and a good friend, Bobby, I have decided to try to get back in touch with my creative side. Bobby and I knew each other as kids and as adults our lives have intersected every so often. I really admire how he always pursued his dreams no matter how tough it was for him. Always finding a way to reach his goal no matter what the job was. (Seriously, go check out his site, so talented!) One thing he said to me the last time we saw each other in person (many years ago now), I told him that I didn't draw anymore and didn't think I had it anymore. He responded that creativity never goes away, that we just have to spend time rediscovering it. He probably never realized how those words would stay with me.

When we were kids, I dreamt of becoming an artist. In high school, I had a falling out with the head of our art program and never again took art classes. Maybe I wasn't driven enough? I know I was intimidated when I went to college and didn't think I was good enough to get into the art classes as a non-art major. Would it still have been my dream if I had tried? I don't know but I do know that I feel the need to create and I'm trying to figure out what that means to me and how I will go about it.

That brings me back to the blog. I'm hoping to share my journey with you and maybe, just maybe find that creativity that used to come so easily.

Because a post with no pictures is no fun, here's some gratuitous cuteness:

Who can resist cute baby toes?