Crafting

The SECRET to learning a new skill….

It’s funny that as I get older I seem to tackle things I always said I couldn’t do. The more I chip away at the “I’ve always wanted to do that list”, the more I learn that my inability is simply resistance to fulfill my desires. The resistance is experienced as fear: fear of the unknown – fear of failure.

Several months ago I gave some presentations at MOPS about creative ideas for home, gifts, and kids. A mom approached me and said “You’ve inspired me and I went out and bought a sewing machine to learn to sew“. I was excited about her new endeavor yet I felt ashamed at the mention of sewing. I had inspired someone to start sewing yet I couldn’t even sew myself. You See: I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEW – I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND FAILED MISERABLY.

The basic operation of the machine seemed to get the best of me. Several times, I attempted sewing on my sisters machine and the bobbin would get stuck, or I’d break a needle, or push the peddle too fast, or lose control leaving my stitch looking like a chevron pattern party.

I look back and see one problem: I was attempting to sew alone. I never really sought the instruction I needed to successfully operate a sewing machine. I was mad that it didn’t come easily, and so I quit. In fact I attempted to sew on several occasions with the prediction that I would fail miserably. and. I. did. I had a sister that sewed wonderfully and a skilled seamstress for a mother in law, so pawning sewing projects off on them became the crutch to uphold my belief: I CANNOT SEW.

Fast forward to several years later and Brunswick gets a Joannes. The desire to sew resurfaced and a group of friends decided to start a sewing group called Gathered Together. The skill of the sewing in our group ranges from beginner to professional.

The group decided to meet once a week for several hours in the evening and sew a project together for support, help and fellowship. Each week someone posts a simple project so you can prepare by buying supplies and cutting the pattern. I was ecstatic and arrived completely prepared, ready to sew. Guess what? My second-hand sewing machine died a painful death. Several pro friends tried to revive her but there was no luck. Nonetheless, I still managed to finish my project for the first week – with eight sewing machines there was always one available.

I cannot tell you how encouraged and equipped I felt while sewing, I think it was simply the support of the women around me, all being at different levels and all helping one another. I could not get home fast enough to show my hubby what I made, entirely by myself! He was impressed and even asked “Are you sure you no one else sewed on this?” He remembers the chevron stitch, also know as crooked sewing.

Second week came and I was ready to tackle the next project. That week a girlfriend came and didn’t feel like sewing, so she let me use her machine and even ripped out a seam for me when I messed up. Once again I drove home so excited and giddy over my new skill.

Third week was rather stressful: stress on the homefront, stress in the money world, and stress in sinus land. I nearly let it get the best of me and in my moodiness almost decided not to go – besides this week’s project seemed hard and I was a bit worried I might fail.

The presence of the fear/resistance is what made me decide to go. I knew I needed it – the degree of resistance/fear I feel about doing something is usually proportionate to how badly I need to do the particular task, for the growth of my soul.

I went to sewing group and tackled my fear. One girl was out of town so she dropped her sewing machine off where the group was held that night so I could use it. How thoughtful is that?! I tell you this sewing group is therapeutic.

On the way home from the third sewing group it hit me: the reason I was able to sew reasonably well this time was simply the support I had around me – the girls who encouraged me – the learning that takes place as you are all sewing together. One person makes a mistake and shares it with the group, and naturally you learn from their mistakes – it’s a beautiful thing really.

Its not just sewing group where this beautiful artistic community takes place. I remember hearing my grandmother reminisce of knitting parties where socks were made during WW11. In fact, to this day she hosts a knitting group in her home every week, claiming “It keeps your mind sane.”

Quilting, knitting, pottery, bunco, bridge – whatever the craft or skilled game involved there are many people who benefit from sharpening their craft in groups. What do you want to do but are too scared to start? Run a race, start a business, join a art group – whatever it is, find some support – some community in your particular interests. It will strengthen you, boost confidence, and reduce the temptation to quit.

Its a beautiful thing, really.

Inspiring Artists by Hand: Josh Messer

by CyleAugusta 2 Comments

Almost a year had passed since I’d been writing articles for WYIM publications, the writing adventure that found me. A handful of articles, some photography, styling and I was creatively alive with something new.

The thought of writing locally would occasionally bounce around in my skull but I would quickly rebuke the thought until one day, on a confident whim, I called a local editor. A pleasant conversation and a few-emails later and we had an appointment.

A few days later…

I sat down with the editor in an open office space, They all appeared to be working and not paying attention to me at all except when I said something funny, then they would laugh. This caused more nervousness and I talked even faster, and tried to be funnier – you know the routine, right? it’s that nervous conversation stuff.

Somewhere in the middle of showing my work and talking about my recent discovery that I could write, the editor said “I think I have something for you if you are interested, We are starting a new column that will feature different artists who make things BY HAND“.

I nearly fell over, I wondered if she had any idea how much I love artists – how I live and breathe for that beautiful community where artists are enjoying each others gifts, seeing hope and encouragement, and sparking it in others? I tried to professionally state that this would be a perfect fit, trying not to sound too excited. I walked out of the office and nearly skipped down the steps resisting the urge to break into a full happy dance.

As I replayed the conversation, these thoughts danced happily ” I get to interview artists, hear all about their craft, ask questions – {the best part} and write an article about the art they create BY HAND”?!?!

I soon found myself knocking on the door of Josh and Anna Messer, neighbors whom I already respected as gifted artisans. I knew Anna from her floral business in Old Town Brunswick, English Gardens – her arrangements and plantings were always accented with such neat wooden boxes, old metal and driftwood.

What I did not know is that her husband, Josh was garnering quite a reputation for building unique, functional, and decorative pieces out of trashed wood, rusted metals and driftwood. Josh was to be the first By Hand feature. The article can be read here

An interesting component to Josh’s work is his eye for the original state of the trashed items. He attempts to keep the original state of the wood, metal or driftwood. He often cuts the driftwood to expose other natural colors buried under the surface.

Last week, while walking on the beach. I spotted this piece of driftwood, and my son picked it up and used it as a sword so getting it home was easy. I think it looks lovely in the red vase. I may even string some lights around it for Christmas. Thanks Josh for inspiring me to look beyond a mere stick to see what it could really be.

As is seen during an artistic renaissance, any healthy, mature artist (I’ll admit it – there are many artists who are NOT this) is happy to see their art ignite others to awaken their own gifts, – it is the insecure artist who is threatened by the wave of inspiration that is the natural response to encountering true creativity. I’m excited to continue to inspire, and be inspired by what others are making BY HAND.

Four DIY Thanksgiving tablescapes

by CyleAugusta 1 Comment

I was recently asked by my MOPS team to present some DIY Thanksgiving table decorating ideas, so I stayed up late the night before (in true hopefarm house-wife fashion) and came up with these creations. Since I started working on them after stores were closed I had to get really resourceful and use what was on hand – or what was laying in the front yard:)

1. Thanks Table-scape: Who knew you could carve the top off baby pumpkins and drop a tea light in there?! Next year I want to line my mantle with the illuminated pumpkins.

I made the banner by cutting out different colored triangles from felt and gluing them onto ivory colored ribbon. I spelled thanks using felt adhesive stickers. These stickers come in a pack at Michaels for $2.99 – use your 40% coupon and there is a fun crafting deal.

The banner was glued onto Lowes paint stirrers.

TIP: these free paint stirrers are great for crafting, especially when you paint them!

These tin cans were bought last summer at target dollar aisle, I stuffed the cans with floral foam and pushed the paint stirrers into the foam. The finishing touch was wrapping brown packing paper around the can to cover the foam. You could also use Mason jars for a cool look.

This decoration would also look neat on a mantle, window sill, or on a buffet.

Turkey Peas! Table-scape: This lovely hurricane vase was made for $2.00. I showed the MOPS ladies how to make these at a homemade gift demonstration back in October. I had an extra one and wanted to put it to good use.

The bottom part is a glass candlestick holder and a round vase from the dollar store. The two are glued together using gorilla glue. I added some split peas for a natural look, you could also use popcorn kernels or any dried beans.

The turkeys were a project I did with my boys. We cut out a beak, nose and head from felt and glued it on the pine cone and then attached googly eyes. The wings are made with fall colored pipe cleaners.

My kids LOVE pipe cleaners. They will spend hours making men out of them.

I bought these charger plate at Michaels for $1.99 each, later I saw them at Target for $1.49 each.

If your yard is anything like mine you have PLENTY of pine cones. I gathered a bucket full and painted them with fall colored acrylic paints. I glued the pine cones in a circle and made a small team banner using ivory burlap and attaching it to ribbon and securing on popsicle sticks. The sticks are glued into the pine cones.

A pumpkin spice candle from Michaels is lit in the middle for a scented warmth accent! This was my personal favorite table-scape:) Too bad I didn’t win it 🙂

The last table-scape was meant to be dressier for a formal table. I had a pack of assorted colored glitter glue from the dollar store. I was just getting started when the boys walked in and begged to help. I couldn’t say no to a crafting plea.

I let them have it and they glittered them up something fierce. The picture doesn’t show the sparkly extravagance.

The pine cones were wired together using floral wire and after they were glittered the boys glued sequins on them. The pine cone circle is sitting on a gold charger with a pumpkin spice candle in the middle. The candle lit illuminated the glitter and really was beautiful. Too bad I didn’t win this one either. Guess I’ll have to make another one!

I hope you are inspired to make something unique for your Thanksgiving table!

Motherhood is…

by CyleAugusta Leave a Comment

This nest necklace………. no, not really.

Truth be told I had a whole post already written for today.

The MUSE was not there. You know how important Mr. Muse is, right? if he goes away, this creative stuff starts to feel like work.

I suddenly had no interest in posting the planned one.

Instead I opted for a few ponderous thoughts.

You see, last night I was making things. Hand-made gifts for birthdays, mothers day, baby showers and wedding gifts. I made this necklace for a mom friend, the pearls in the middle represent the eggs in her nest, a.k.a. as the babes in her care.

Constructing this necklace caused my wheels to turn about my own nest.

The boys that came as babies are now growing.The letting go beast is starting to rear it’s ugly head as of recent.

I had that terrifying feeling today when I took the oldest to Kindergarten Round-up.

I felt sad when the three year old announces that I can’t see him in the bathroom anymore.

Say What?

I have cleaned many a mess from your hiney, little one. Still I opted to respect his three year old highness.

The oldest says precious things to me almost daily that call for a tear or two. He is growing and I understand that everything I teach him is in turn preparing him to take flight.

I twisted the last piece of wire on this gift while my mind wandered to a coversation with the husband earlier in the day.

I began to express my anxiety as we drove to the elementary school, He reminded me that every day after giving birth is in some way “ letting go”

letting go of every stage just as you were gettting used to it,

letting go of the dependence that makes us feel so needed,

Letting go and embracing, this is the essence of motherhood.

For now, I will treasure the nest and close this post so I can cuddle with the three year old, who is climbing over the office chair and saying ” snuggle, mama, snuggle”.

He might not let me see him on the toilet but he is still my cuddle bug… for now.

Happy mothers day!

Repurpose: junk items made new

by CyleAugusta 4 Comments

I have caught the bug, the re-purposing bug that is going around blog land.

Maybe it’s the lack of funds to buy new stuff?

maybe it’s the need to create? Maybe it’s simply the hand-made, do-it-yourself epidemic thats sweeping our nation.

I enjoy finding inspiration, ideas and project in so many places that it makes my head spin. a good kind of spin.

I gathered a bag of donate items from my closet and put it by the door. During mad dashes around the house the bag seemed to call my name and beckon to me ” keep me” they seemed to say, “I could be something else“, “you could use my fabric for cloth flowers“, “you could make a pillow out of me“, “you could spray paint me” -Item by item I selected a few gems to re- purpose. I stuffed the bag in the closet for a later project.

Here is a story of an old pair of shoes that convinced me to keep them.

First, I made some fun flowers with satin. Step by step tutorial here

I pulled out these shoes that were to-be-donated and decided to put the homeade flowers on them and then broke apart a bracelet from the I don’t like or broken jewelry bag. If you like to craft always keep your broken jewelry, you never know when the pieces will be useful for another project. I also pick up beaded things at yard sales. If the beads are pretty I grab them and store in a ziploc bag for later.

I was so close to tossing these shoes and now they’ve reached the fave list, right up there with the chacos. By the way my first idea was to spray paint the shoes turquoise. I know, I know sometimes the first idea is the worst one. I am so grateful I didn’t act on it.

The new shoes definitely got the juices flowing and I wanted to repurpose something else.

Here is the story of an old hat that convinced me to keep her.

I was packing the beach bag for summer and realized I needed to find a good hat- one with a brim, not too long, cute, maybe a flower on the side … I become a tad more concerned about skin damage with each birthday… go figure, anyway I pulled this hat out of the goodwill bag wondering if I could make it become the hat I wanted. The brim was too long and floppy , I always felt I could’nt see very well

Armed with scissors I cut that hat right down to the length I wanted it, Why didn’t I do that last year?Next, I dressed it with a flower on the side. The flower also had a bead sewn in the center from the torn apart bracelet.

I have already worn this hat to swim lessons and the beach. Just think last week I was planning to go shopping and buy a new hat. All along the perfect hat was waiting among the goodwill bag and the crafting closet!

Repurposing stories anyone?