# 22

I had in my mind that the final projects here would be Christmas gift making.  But it seems these squares keep coming off the needles.

This square is the second from the same ball of wool.  I really liked this stripe, and there was heaps of wool, and I wanted to knit while I watched TV, so there you go, there are going to be some repeats in this quilt.  Still a while to go, but I have nearly reached the half way point with 19 complete squares (out of 42).
It is very warm here now, and the inclination to knit, even small squares in sock wool is diminishing.  However during a day at home there are a few hours when it is literally too hot to be outside, so I have been on my sewing machine a little . . which has been fun.  Sewing projects next I think.

# 21

This week a mending job finally found traction, and lift off.   Two pairs of jeans, which still work around the top, but have sprouted skinny 13 year old ankles out the bottom, have found a new life as jean shorts.

Jeans short for Master 13

Of course I do agree, this does not qualify for the list here. In fact my craft group started life self titled No More Mending, to promote the idea of a making life that did not focus on mending and alterations for the family (although sometimes these are very satisfying none the less).  However the result of this project was a few tempting off cuts . . .

Well tempting for a girl with a bent for recycling denim!

Wee craft bag

So I finally used a picture that I printed and applied to fabric back in 2009, under the tuition of my creative friend Suzanne.  To be honest I am not sure how the picture will wear but for now I like it.

What to put in this little bag?  Well turns out it is a perfect size for a knitting project I might like to cart around!

And then there were 5 more projects waiting in the line . . . . 

# 20

Something a little different this time.  I suspect there are those who would argue that assembling a new light shade from Ikea might not fit the criteria here, but it works for me!
Our old lamp shade has wonderful history so I was reluctant to let it go.  My friend Karen gave me an IQ kit she had found at an op shop.  It had no instructions that were useful, so I tucked it away.  Then roll forward a year of so and my clever friend Maitland assembled it after dinner here one Saturday night.
But the plastic was discoloured and the top of the shade which was not over strong to begin with was beginning to sag!

So there was an element of history repeating last night when I got the next kit out of the laundry cupboard where it ad been for at least a year, and assembled it.  Far easier that the last one, and not in the company of wonderful friends, but it is up.

6 projects to go now before the end of the year. The main challenge now is the weather - it is so beautiful that the call to be outside is a strong one.  And being in the garden does answer the creative need too.  But Christmas approaches, and I am determined to keep up this momentum for a bit more until some more of the WIPs are finally complete.

#19

I am cherishing this whole project as it is opening up all sorts of possibilities for me.  Lots of ideas which previously remained just that, now seem to have more real potential, as though I can really expect to make these things, really.

This project was just that sort of thing.  For ages I have had these amber beads, bought my my mother on her OE in Aiden in 1960.  I do not recall seeing them as a necklace, they were always in her bead drawer.  I had an earlier attempt at a necklace incorporating them which did not work.  This week I achieved something I was happier with.  Also it has a nice re-cycling twist.  I incorporated beads from a necklace I bought recently, to good effect I think.   Plus, I made this surrounding by some crafting girlfriends, who were able to provide much valued input in the order of the colours!

So I am on the home straight to my 26 completed works - only 6 to go.  And I anticipate this will be an easy half dozen with a few Christmas gift ideas, as well as the materials to make them already in the stash!!

#18

Two weeks away, and much to stimulate the senses in terms of new experiences, new countries to visit, precious time away from everyday routines, and children  . . .  and accordingly, little time or inclination to craft.  However forward planning with wooden needles - in case I should knit on the long plane flight, which in the end I did not - and a couple of train trips and I did complete another square.  So entwined in this one will be the memories of knitting on the TGV going from Paris to Reims.

This project of completed works is an exercise in observing how I work.  I understand that my own creative practice needs space away from other stimulation, like cathedrals, crowds and castles, parks, galleries and museums.  Yet those outside events, away from everyday life, inspire and seed new ideas.  So there should ideally be a balance of both - makes sense.