I LOVE your impressionist needlework! What a grand idea!
I confess, I’ve been a crafter since middle school when I learned to knit, making squares for a blanket that then went to a children’s hospital. I loved learning to sew and became quite adept at it. (I’m sure it was due to that standardized test I took in middle school where we had to determine what 3D shape of a flat2D image -of squares and triangles- would make upon folding. I aced it!)
My most ambitious project was my junior-senior prom dress, which was a halter dress with a 3”ruffle running from the bodice on one side, around behind my neck and to the front again, all the way down to the floor. You stitch a very long tube right sides together then turn it inside out and attach it to the 👗 stitching it on. Well, I was still attaching it when my date arrived! He had to sit and talk with my dad for 40 minutes while I finished my dress!
Great story about the prom dress! I have had a few sews that took forever to finish and I'm sure I abandoned some along the way. But it is so satisfying to be able to wear something that you've made. I'm now going to focus on using up some of the fabrics I have accumulated, as well as repurposing some clothes I have that don't fit as well as I'd like any more. And hilarious/spooky that Pinterest is working on your behalf!
I love how you kept (keep) craft stuff in jars. After I cleaned out my mom's house, I took a set of old glass cookie jars that belonged to my grandma and stuffed them with fabric and yarn. I just like looking at them, even if I never use the stuff inside! Also, I never knew your dad did photography - no wonder you have such an amazing eye!
I can just imagine how lovely the colours look in those gorgeous old glass jars! And I also know your talented fingers will work some magic with those fabric scraps one of these days. I have my own personal evidence of your skills hanging up just next to me so I can enjoy your creativity every day! I miss taking those crafty classes with you....
Photography was one of my dad's quiet talents; he much preferred to be behind the lens than in front of people. It was also part of his job too, although I'll never know the full extent of that.
Hi Sabrina! Another lovely, thoughtful and inspirational post! I’ve never considered myself a «crafty » person but I have GREAT appreciation for those who practice any and all crafts. I love vibrant colors, and patterns of all types, so yarn stores, fabric stores, ribbon stores, museums with all sorts of art all bring me great enjoyment. I have a large board in my home studio where I pin up any and all pieces that grab my heart, and it’s an ever changing amalgam of vari-colored cards, drawings, poems etc. that help me tangibly express my creative energies.
I hope you will let us know how you progress on the Isle Of Wight piece - an impressionist version of it, if that’s the direction in which it’s headed, would be totally appreciated!
Thanks Martha! I used to have my desk backboard covered with inspirational quotations, colourful cards, and other patterns and colours like you. I'm delighted to hear about yours; what a joy to be surrounded by that kind of creativity every day. Thanks for sending your photo separately-i would love to have that near me everyday!
Gorgeous post, Sabrina! I've got all sorts of hidey holes full of creative treasures - I've really enjoyed exploring your stash in this post, and this weekend I'm going to have a look through my own! Creativity is so important, and it's all too easy to lose sight of that. Thank you for this reminder. 😊
Thanks Rebecca! I was a bit alarmed to realise how much 'stuff' I have accumulated for future creative projects, even with the lessons of my mother's hoarding in my past. But it does all make me happy to poke through and to know I have a backlog of things to play with whenever the mood strikes. I'd love to see what you have hiding away if you ever want to share your photos! Cheers!
Hi Amy! Thanks so much for reading the blog and taking the time to comment. Watching you put your art-in-progress out into the world was one of my inspirations! It's a bit scary to throw something you've created out into the digital world not knowing what will happen next. But you did it, and it is genuinely thrilling to watch you learn new techniques and keep at your craft. Thanks for your gorgeous paintings. xx
Oh Sabrina, I so wish you were here now to play with!!! A button store? Mom (and I ) would have swooned with pleasure. Do you remember the ribbon store in Sausalito? Mom took me there often. I loved the different patterns.
These days I am playing with fabrics, and to my great surprise am a member of the local Weavers Guild. The big hitch on finishing projects is sewing the seams. Never did learn to sew, and as if to compensate for my skill flaws I've been given THREE sewing machines in various stages of disrepair. The big thing is good tools always make projects more enjoyable and these are not good tools.
So my first suggestion to you is find the local weaving group - they seem to be everywhere - and take a class. I took one with Hannah on a lark. Had no interest in weaving but it was the only art class she saw on the schedule that worked for her... and I was a bit nonplussed. But I stuck it out and ended up with a new (weak) skill set and a dear friend. Lucky me!
This weekend I'm taking a class on natural dyeing which I've done before and HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Oh my goodness, I had forgotten all about the ribbon store in Sausalito! I loved that too, and my mom had to drag me out of there whenever we went. So weaving eh? I'll approach it with an open mind-I love the IDEA of weaving. When I opened the kit it looked incredibly scary. I do like your idea of taking a class. I remember doing some natural dyeing in school, and the startling colours that come out of random items, like onion skins. I look forward to seeing some of your creations next time we visit! Thanks for the ideas Lisa!
I LOVE your impressionist needlework! What a grand idea!
I confess, I’ve been a crafter since middle school when I learned to knit, making squares for a blanket that then went to a children’s hospital. I loved learning to sew and became quite adept at it. (I’m sure it was due to that standardized test I took in middle school where we had to determine what 3D shape of a flat2D image -of squares and triangles- would make upon folding. I aced it!)
My most ambitious project was my junior-senior prom dress, which was a halter dress with a 3”ruffle running from the bodice on one side, around behind my neck and to the front again, all the way down to the floor. You stitch a very long tube right sides together then turn it inside out and attach it to the 👗 stitching it on. Well, I was still attaching it when my date arrived! He had to sit and talk with my dad for 40 minutes while I finished my dress!
Great story about the prom dress! I have had a few sews that took forever to finish and I'm sure I abandoned some along the way. But it is so satisfying to be able to wear something that you've made. I'm now going to focus on using up some of the fabrics I have accumulated, as well as repurposing some clothes I have that don't fit as well as I'd like any more. And hilarious/spooky that Pinterest is working on your behalf!
I love how you kept (keep) craft stuff in jars. After I cleaned out my mom's house, I took a set of old glass cookie jars that belonged to my grandma and stuffed them with fabric and yarn. I just like looking at them, even if I never use the stuff inside! Also, I never knew your dad did photography - no wonder you have such an amazing eye!
I can just imagine how lovely the colours look in those gorgeous old glass jars! And I also know your talented fingers will work some magic with those fabric scraps one of these days. I have my own personal evidence of your skills hanging up just next to me so I can enjoy your creativity every day! I miss taking those crafty classes with you....
Photography was one of my dad's quiet talents; he much preferred to be behind the lens than in front of people. It was also part of his job too, although I'll never know the full extent of that.
Hi Sabrina! Another lovely, thoughtful and inspirational post! I’ve never considered myself a «crafty » person but I have GREAT appreciation for those who practice any and all crafts. I love vibrant colors, and patterns of all types, so yarn stores, fabric stores, ribbon stores, museums with all sorts of art all bring me great enjoyment. I have a large board in my home studio where I pin up any and all pieces that grab my heart, and it’s an ever changing amalgam of vari-colored cards, drawings, poems etc. that help me tangibly express my creative energies.
I hope you will let us know how you progress on the Isle Of Wight piece - an impressionist version of it, if that’s the direction in which it’s headed, would be totally appreciated!
Thanks Martha! I used to have my desk backboard covered with inspirational quotations, colourful cards, and other patterns and colours like you. I'm delighted to hear about yours; what a joy to be surrounded by that kind of creativity every day. Thanks for sending your photo separately-i would love to have that near me everyday!
Gorgeous post, Sabrina! I've got all sorts of hidey holes full of creative treasures - I've really enjoyed exploring your stash in this post, and this weekend I'm going to have a look through my own! Creativity is so important, and it's all too easy to lose sight of that. Thank you for this reminder. 😊
Thanks Rebecca! I was a bit alarmed to realise how much 'stuff' I have accumulated for future creative projects, even with the lessons of my mother's hoarding in my past. But it does all make me happy to poke through and to know I have a backlog of things to play with whenever the mood strikes. I'd love to see what you have hiding away if you ever want to share your photos! Cheers!
Hi Sabrina! It's Amy from high school. I enjoy reading your blog. It is interesting to hear about your creative influences and paths.
Hi Amy! Thanks so much for reading the blog and taking the time to comment. Watching you put your art-in-progress out into the world was one of my inspirations! It's a bit scary to throw something you've created out into the digital world not knowing what will happen next. But you did it, and it is genuinely thrilling to watch you learn new techniques and keep at your craft. Thanks for your gorgeous paintings. xx
I'm an inspiration! How kind of you.
Oh Sabrina, I so wish you were here now to play with!!! A button store? Mom (and I ) would have swooned with pleasure. Do you remember the ribbon store in Sausalito? Mom took me there often. I loved the different patterns.
These days I am playing with fabrics, and to my great surprise am a member of the local Weavers Guild. The big hitch on finishing projects is sewing the seams. Never did learn to sew, and as if to compensate for my skill flaws I've been given THREE sewing machines in various stages of disrepair. The big thing is good tools always make projects more enjoyable and these are not good tools.
So my first suggestion to you is find the local weaving group - they seem to be everywhere - and take a class. I took one with Hannah on a lark. Had no interest in weaving but it was the only art class she saw on the schedule that worked for her... and I was a bit nonplussed. But I stuck it out and ended up with a new (weak) skill set and a dear friend. Lucky me!
This weekend I'm taking a class on natural dyeing which I've done before and HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Oh my goodness, I had forgotten all about the ribbon store in Sausalito! I loved that too, and my mom had to drag me out of there whenever we went. So weaving eh? I'll approach it with an open mind-I love the IDEA of weaving. When I opened the kit it looked incredibly scary. I do like your idea of taking a class. I remember doing some natural dyeing in school, and the startling colours that come out of random items, like onion skins. I look forward to seeing some of your creations next time we visit! Thanks for the ideas Lisa!
As soon as I posted this I checked email again and Pinterest sent me sewing and crafting pins to look at 🤦♀️