Inspired Creatives

Well, it’s far from a masterpiece.  In fact, I’ll be including this as one of my first craft fails for the  next Craft Social, co-hosted by Barbara Forbes-Lyons (@penguintrax on twitter) and Diane Gilleland (@sisterdiane on twitter).  These are great crafty ladies.  You should definitely plan on taking part if you’re at all inclined toward the handmade or just want to see what’s bubbling up in the Maker Movement explosion.  They’ll be hosting the next one Saturday, February 20 from 3 – 5 PM, EST.  Check for hashtag #craftsocial.

Now back to my handbag escapade.  I was “inspired” by this lovely little clutch on Pfaff’s site.  The tutorial was much more focused on bead placement and using Pfaff attachments than actual purse construction.  Being a beginner, I should have opted for a much more detailed tutorial.  The fabric is a lovely retro sample piece from Waverly with a coordinating broadcloth lining.  I made two major mistakes with this fabric.  First, I pre-washed it.  Since it’s technically home decor fabric, it probably should be dry cleaned.  The feel changed dramatically.  Second, I fused Pellon Peltex #70 stabilizer to this fairly light weight fabric.  Perhaps the pre-wash contributed to my folly, but the Peltex creased pretty badly, showing through the fabric.  I think a slightly lighter weight stabilizer would have worked better.

I’m satisfied with the general structure of the clutch.  I’m even impressed with how the contrasting side inserts turned out.  I’ve learned my lesson on installing magnetic closures though – find a tutorial and follow it.  Of course, the closure is not supposed to be showing through to the top flap.  I’ve since had the aha moment that the closure goes on BEFORE the bag and lining are sewn together.  Oh well, live and learn.  This has caused me to be on the look out for a retro pin, flower broach or something to cover up my mistake.

All and all, the project was fun, and it does LOOK like a clutch.  I’ve got several weights of stabilizer now, so I think it’ll be trial and error until I get a good feel for what weight goes well with what fabric.  It’s definitely a fail, but as soon as I find something to cover the obvious closure mistake I think I’ll take it out for a test run anyway.  Like I said, it does at least look like a clutch.

Ok, I’m not starting the new year off too well.  I haven’t posted since December 31st and here it is January 8th (ok, started this on the 8th, now it’s the 13th, jeez).  Not good, not good at all.  It’s not that I don’t have anything to post about.  I’ve got at least half a dozen drafts in the queue.  It’s that I’m not sure in what direction I’m going with this blog.  I think I made the mistake of asking for peoples’ opinions too early.  You know, as artists, we’re told to never reveal our work mid-stream.  People will steer us off course.  Not deliberately.  Tips and advise were given with the most sincere intentions.  And they helped.  They really did.  It’s just that I got to stewing in my juices over it.  Which is what I generally do in such situations.  Instead of politely taking the advice and continuing to move forward, I kind of got stuck and started questioning if I’m doing this right.  Is there a right way or wrong way to blog?  Will the Blog Police find me and flog me if I get it wrong?

I guess that’s where I’m at right now.  Still figuring out my purpose, my mission.  They seem to change daily, if not hourly.  Now I could wait until I have all this stuff figured out and then restart this blog.  But I think I’m just going to DO.  Yeah, Nike’s slogan never gets old does it?  I’m just going to do it.  Just post about what’s on my mind, what’s going on in my life, what I’m trying to figure out, what ticks me off, what I struggle with.  In this age of transparency and authenticity I think I’ve just got to be me, even if it is a mixed up me.  Maybe there will never be a direction, maybe I’ll never set any parameters or have a definable purpose for this blog.  Maybe I’ll just relax and enjoy the ride.  See where this thing takes me.  Sorry, I’m just not as structured and organized as some.  That’s not me.

Hi, my name is Ramona, and I’m about to embark on a full year of the Creative Every Day Challenge (#CED2010 on twitter).  I admit that I am powerless over my creative dalliances, and that my life has become pretty much un-freaking-manageable because of them.  I have come to believe that a Power greater than myself has led me to this group of over 400 creatives, and that the challenge of being creative every day just might restore me to some semblance of sanity.  Or at least that’s the plan.

Ok, there.  That’s off my chest.  Are you satisfied?  I’ve at least taken the first step to admitting that what I’m doing just ain’t working for me.  What did Einstein say about insanity?  That the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”?  Yeah, that’s me.  Beating my head against the same wall over and over, doing it in my own little vacuum, and refusing to reach out.  Well, call it serendipity, synchronicity, or the Universe just catching my prayer and lobbing a great tool with great people back at me.  My mission, should I choose to accept it (and I do), is to make the most of this opportunity.  To learn to go with my own Flow.  To not compare myself or my work to others.  To not be so intimidated by the “real” artists.  To admit to myself that I am creative in my own special way, and that I do indeed have something to give to the World.

Wow, that was hard.  Can I sit down now?

The holidays are coming to a swift close with the New Year anxiously waiting in the wings.  As is the case at this time, we’re all filled with anticipation and reflection.  The week between Christmas and New Year’s day is always my time to figure out what went right over the preceding 12 months, and what I hope to accomplish over the next 12.  More often than not, I find myself disappointed that I did not live up to each and every one of my lofty goals.  I vow with resolute conviction that I will do better, strive harder, reach higher, work smarter in the next 365 days (366 if it’s a leap year).  It’s a habit.  I don’t expect that I’ll break it after these many years.  I don’t think I ever want to.  I’ve become kinder with myself for not living up to all my expectations.  I’ve learned to focus on what went right, not so much on what went wrong.  If that means I’ve only checked off two or three of my twenty-plus goals for the past year, it’s ok.  I can celebrate those two or three accomplishments with enthusiasm and joy.  Because here’s the thing.  I’m learning to distinguish between my wants and my needs.  I want to be a Rock Star.  I want to be a millionaire.  I want a huge house and shiny new car.  But I need to be respected by my peers.  I need enough money to keep body and soul together.  I need to be grateful for the simply abundant life that is mine.  It’s only when I distinguish between these wants and needs that the true reflection of the year comes into focus.  I made it through.  I’m still standing.  I have enough energy and optimism to start the process all over again.

And one more thing.  In our type A society where we’re all rushing into the future to get more things done in less time, I think I’ve figured out something pretty important for me.  My spirituality is guided by the premise that there is a Higher Power, Supreme Being, Source, the Universe, whatever you want to call it, that is guiding me through life from a perspective that sees and understands the “Big Picture.”  Something I can never comprehend.  From that premise, this Higher Power has already granted me a certain amount of time for this life here on earth.  So obviously, there is always just enough time, not a moment more or less, for each of us to get exactly what we need to get accomplished.  I’m secure in that fact, but it doesn’t stop me from making the lists and trying to live up to them.  Like I said, it’s a habit.

Happy New Year.  May it be everything you hope for.

WooHoo!   I did it!  It’s done!  I even kinda like it for a first try in many, many years.

So, everyone out there (there is someone out there, right?) knows by now that I’ve got kind of a cyber-crush on Blonde Chicken, aka Tara Swiger.  I’ve blogged about her here and swooned over her Learn to Knit Kit here.  She just seems to be doing things right in that crafty business sort of way, and quite frankly, she’s an inspiration.  She’s even opened a brick & mortar store, A Novel Yarn, in Jonesborough, TN.  Now that’s someone following their passion.  Tara, if you think I’m teetering on stalker status, let me know.  I’ll back off a bit, but not much.

Ok, back to my scarflet.  I really like it.  It was a breeze to knit.  I will admit that I have knitted before, but there’s been somewhat of a prolonged (and I mean looong) hiatus from it.  So long that I had to relearn how to cast on.  Enter the Learn to Knit Kit.  I found Blonde Chicken’s instructions quite clear and easy to understand with plenty of photos to help us visual learners.  She’s even got a video with the premium kit, and I’m sure that’s a bonus for first-timers.  I love the organic cotton yarn.  It’s so soft to the touch and feels great around the neck.  I’ve even taken to wearing my scarflet inside with some of my sweaters and blouses.  I like having something around my neck when it’s cold, and this is the perfect compliment.

I added two polymer clay buttons that didn’t turn out too badly.  I used this tutorial from HGTV.com.  I like the retro effect, but the extruder I have is VERY hard on the hands.  I don’t think I could make a fist for two or three days.  Ouch!!!  Time for an upgrade (anyone have a Makin’s they’re not using?  Check out the Re-crafting tab above.  Maybe we can talk).

My heartfelt thanks goes out to Tara for lighting that creative spark in me that’s been dormant for too long.  I’ve even joined her new group on ravelry.com, and by God, I’m going to put my little scarflet up there right with the best of them.  I don’t think I should be too mortified, should I?

I know I posted briefly about this early on, but I got some updated photos and really think this little gem deserves repeating.

We’ve lived in Grandview Heights for 3 years and I just discovered the absolute most wonderful fabric source on earth only 2 blocks from the house.  Chelsea House Design Source is a Trade Design Center serving the design community in Ohio, Kentucky & West Virginia.  I could never afford designer fabrics the likes of Robert Allen, Beacon Hill, Waverly or F. Schumacher & Co.  But in the warehouse of Chelsea House I can feast on discontinued designs and promotional samples to my heart’s delight.  A shopping bag full to the brim of promotional samples, called “memos” in the trade, can be had for a mere $5!  Yes, I said $5.00!!!  And these fabrics are stunning.  They’re generally 18″ to 27″ squares, but you can find larger pieces. Simply dig deeper in the bin.  Bolts of fabric can be had for as little as $2.50/yard up to maybe $6 or $10!  Fabrics whose retail prices may be well over $100!  I just couldn’t believe a find like this in my own back yard.  This is a crafter’s paradise.

Here’s a cool site I came across recently.  Located at 3609 Butler Street in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Equita (Italian for fairness)

is a design-conscious shop showcasing the finest in green, sweatshop-free and Fair Trade essentials for the body and home.

They are virtually a one-stop green source offering ethical fashion and footwear; green home decor; sustainable furniture; fair trade & eco handbags and jewelry; organic & fair trade body care; ethical baby clothing; fair trade sport and wellness gear; and specialty gourmet treats.

I’m finding the site as alluring as their brick & mortar shop must be.  I could stay on it forever.  It’s chock full of interesting information about the products, how and where they are produced, and reads almost like a love novel.  They offer a number of items made in the USA and are supporting many Fair Trade cooperatives around the world.

Prices run the gamut.  The Soap Pebbles (Gift Assortment), pictured above, are produced by the Arghand Cooperative in Afghanistan, and goes for $16.00.  This cooperative, which includes men and women, was founded in 2005 by former NPR reporter Sarah Chayes, and is committed to providing women with dignified employment remunerated at a fair level, as well as an equal share in the decision-making process. More importantly, supporting their efforts offers a viable alternative to opium production.  You owe it to yourself to pop over to Equita just to enjoy the titillating sensory description of the ingedients:  cold pressed wild pistachio, pomegranate, wild almond, steeped licorice root, the essence of the “Kandahar Rose”…  Trust me, you just have to check it out.

The Cyrilla Arm Chair by PURE, left, goes for $2,100 with embroidery, $1,860 without, and is designed

…to reduce your carbon footprint and improve indoor quality…  The company produces high quality contemporary furniture pieces using sustainable materials that will not off-gas or leach chemicals into the air.

Out of my league, but it is to die for, isn’t it?  And who knew  about the off-gases from furniture?

I hate to continually quote from another site, but Equita expresses the essence of ethical living in such a succinct, yet all-encompassing manner, that I can’t help but present it here in its entirety:

Ethical living invites us to look behind the tall, wide curtain of consumer culture to clearly view the factory floors, forests, farm fields and people that lie on the other side. It is conscious, informed, open-eyed living that takes into account the impact of our choices on the environment and human rights; a continuing call to action that demands we acknowledge our connection to nature and participate in the movement for social change.

More than a fleeting trend, it is an accessible way of living that recognizes the urgency of global environmental and social problems and supports real, sustainable alternatives. Ethical living allows us to break out of our role as passive consumers, and harness the tremendous power that our choices, purchases and daily habits wield us. We can accomplish this by consuming consciously and by choosing Fair Trade, organic and green options wherever possible.

Above and beyond promoting a more conscious and aware form of consumerism, ethical living asks that we dig deeper, that we live compassionately, work to affect change and become active members of our communities by taking concrete action – recycling, supporting local enterprises, reducing energy consumption, alleviating social injustice and encouraging companies to be more accountable for their actions remain critical ways that everyone can participate equally.

In short, an increasing number of people find themselves asking a larger philosophical question that begs to be answered: though many of us have more wealth, possessions, technological advancements, status and choices than ever, are we moving in the right direction as a people?   Are we promoters of justice? Do we smartly allocate our limited resources? Are we considerate of others? Are we living ethically? Rather than a manifesto or set of strict guidelines, ethical living asks that we take simple steps to encourage awareness of and a sense of conscience about one’s actions in hope of helping everyone live better.

I encourage everyone to check out Equita.  They’re not only offering high quality sustainable goods made to high ethical standards, but are doing a lot of good in the process.  You should also visit their blog, Nitty Gritty to stay up-to-date on

news, information and dialogue on The Essentials for Ethical Living: environmentalism, green design, the local economy, fair trade, social consciousness, and, yes, ethical shopping.

May much success come to this principle-driven company, and may it serve as a model for others striving to participate in this ever-growing movement for change.

Blonde Chicken Boutique’s Learn to Knit Kit has arrived!  She very much delivers on quality.  See my post here Blonde Chicken Walks the Walk to see why I’m so impressed with this eco-friendly, handmade, sustainable woman-owned business.

Photo courtesy Organic Consumers Association

Hope everyone had a beautiful and bountiful Thanksgiving. Photo courtesy Organic Consumers Association

The other day as I was sprinkling the last of this shredded cheese over my salad, and about to absentmindedly toss the bag in the recycle box, I stopped short in my tracks.  Ok, let me back up and be completely truthful about this scenario.  I was actually scarfing down the last of that shredded cheese, bag poised strategically over my mouth like a bag of chips, head tilted back at just the precise angle to savor (er inhale), in oh so savage a manor, every last shred of that cheese.  Wew, that piece of humbling truthfulness is out.  I’m a slothful savage, I admit, when it comes to getting the last morsel out of a container.  But that’s not what I’m posting about here.

I stopped mid-toss to the recycle box because I realized, for the first time, that this resealable ziploc inspired plastic bag just might have a little more life in it.  Why, in my efforts to reuse, reduce, recycle, do I think it a travesty to throw away sandwich bags or freezer bags I’ve purchased after one use (as long as there hasn’t been anything really yucky in them) , but never thought about reusing the countless bags that come into the house already containing purchased foodstuffs?  I’ve already become my mother in that I’ve started saving bread bags.  I can’t remember my mother ever actually reusing those saved bread bags, but like her, I’ve got enough stocked up that in case of a nuclear holocaust, we at least have bags to get us through.  No non-perishable food, but lots of bread bags.  And don’t get me started on aluminum foil…  Got enough of that, meticulously washed and folded, to transmit to Mars.

So, did I have an epiphany?  Is this a “going green” breakthrough?  Or am I taking things a little too far?  You might say, why are you still using plastic anyway?  Well, I am cutting down.  Baby steps, you know.  I did use one of those bread bags in my husband’s lunch the other day, much to his chagrin (“are we that poor now we need to save bread bags?”).  No dear, we’re supposed to be reducing, reusing & recycling. The “that poor” part can be debated, though.  Men are sometimes slow to “get” these socially/environmentally responsible things.

One disclaimer on reusing these types of bags:  Only reuse those bags that you are certain you can get absolutely clean.  Wash in really hot sudsy water.  Turning them inside out helps to get in the nooks and crannies.  Make sure they are left out to thoroughly dry, again inside AND out, before storing.  We want no salmonella, e-coli or other yucky yucks entering into the mix.  Getting yourself or your family sick just wouldn’t be worth the reuse would it?

So,

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