Give Me A Reason

Last night I was asked by a friend if I had any hand crafted items he could take pictures of for a class project. When I thought about it, I realized I haven't made anything crafty in a while, but I've definitely had some ideas stored somewhere in the back of my mind. So, I told him I would try to whip something up today and see if he would like to use it.

I had mentioned that I "graffiti'd" some heart shaped leaves with memories I share with my parents and framed them as gifts, but that was a year ago. I've collected the same heart shaped leaves that sit in my closet waiting to be loved. And now someone else's class project has given me reason to create something.

I've had this idea of making a tree using those leaves as some metaphor for the memories and people I cherish in my life. I've also stocked up on empty toilet paper rolls to use as the trunk and roots of the tree.

I never wrote or drew my plan of making this tree, but I'm excited to start putting things together without one. Can't wait to see where this will take me...

From Nectar In A Sieve written by Kamala Markandaya

I just finished reading this book yesterday and enjoyed  it on a somewhat personal level. It's a story of a woman in India who throughout the book struggles to make money and buy and eat food while splitting portions with her family.

We all have money troubles from time to time, but now I can always think of this book that really shows me my own problems are hardly a big deal compared to watching your own family starve to death because there is no food to sell or buy.

Now this excerpt from the book stood out to me because it was painfully, yet beautifully written:

For this I have given you birth my son, that you should lie in the end at my feet with ashes in your face and coldness in your limbs and yourself departed without trace, leaving this huddle of bones and flesh without meaning.

Already I think, the eyes must be closed, though death has glazed them, and I do so; the jaw must be tied, for it is sagging, I put a bandage about it; the body must be washed and I wash it; and Ira comes to help and cleanses the mouth which I have forgotten to do. These things were you, now there is no connection whatever; the sorrow within me is not for this body which has suffered and in suffering has let slip the spirit, but for you, my son.

...

Now not even a heap of bones: only a few ashes to show that  once a man has lived.

Another line from the book:

Only money can make the rope stretch, only money 

I Want To Be Better Than I Am

I want to be better than I am. Theses words have been haunting me for days. There's a splinter of perfectionist in me that keeps me from doing things, for fear that what I choose to do wont have the outcome I would want. A part of me feels that that outcome wouldn't be good enough. It wouldn't be perfect, so why do it anyway?

I'm not a crazy perfectionist, but it seems I judge my own creativity. I guess I compare my own to others and think its not good enough, which is absurd! Creativity can't be judged between two or more creators. That's why we're all different.


I feel there are so many things holding me back from what I really want to do and I know I'm the only one stopping myself from doing those things. What do I mean by these "things"? I'm talking about my sewing ideas, making crafty things, learning to play piano, any artistic expression.

I notice I waste a lot of time doing nothing, so to get out of this nonproductive rut I'm taking steps towards organization. Organizing my day and setting aside time for those things I want to get done.

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Well I just bought a cute pair of shorts this past weekend and decided to try and recreate them. It'll give me something productive to do and I can practice my pattern drafting skills.

These shorts are made from linen/cotton striped fabric. They have four pockets, cuff hem, five belt loops, and came with a thin black braided belt (not pictured).

Front

Back

So far I've measured everything and drafted the front pattern including the front pocket facing. Next will be drafting the back pattern, zipper placket, waist band (3 pieces), belt loops (5 pieces), cuff, and welt pockets for the back.

It's definitely been a while since I've used a spec sheet, but I'm looking forward to building my skills and creating a cute new pair of shorts!