I also have been experiencing a kind of schizophrenic crafting dilemma - I simultaneously have no interest in actually making anything, while being full of ideas about stuff I could make. The problem is, when I start to experiment with something, it doesn't go the way I want it to ... and then I get disheartened and cross. This doesn't happen to me very often: I usually get really stubborn and cranky and power on, till the offending item is finished and then I realise that I do quite like it, actually. but this week has seen me tossing stuff aside, willy-nilly. After seven days of the blahs, I have a bunch of started projects that I don't want to finish.
Witness my madness, readers:
A crazy patchwork Klimt blanket to use up a stack of random squares in autumnal colours. Now I've run out of squares and I don't feel like finishing it. It just sits in my workbasket and laughs at me.
Hexagons in pretty shades of turquoise and spring green and powder pink and chocolate brown. Goodness knows how many I'd need to make to make this into a blanket ... for a baby. My head explodes when I think that this could be a full-sized adult blanket. These hexagons are stacked on the table beside me and out of the corner of my eye, I think I can see them sticking up their yarn tails at me in derision.
And experiment disaster: Hey, I thought, wouldn't it be cool if I could make a motif that resembles a peacock feather? So when you sewed them all together, you'd have this amazing blanket that would look like the vivid colours of a peacock. Like this.
And this is what I came up with.
Epic design fail; sulk, sulk, sulk. I don't hear this motif snickering at me because its mockery is drowned out by the laughter of my unsupportive husband.
Back to the drawing board.
15 comments:
I am just so impressed you showed us your pile. I have hexagons too, squillions of them, and at one point they were HOT, like padded shoulders were in the 80's. They are 80's colours too - they all jar! I was going to wow blogland with them. But now, they are hidden away like some embarrassing relative!!
Your autumnal Klimt is nicer than you think though.
;-)
Please finish your square blanket. It's a stunner.
I have been having the exact same problem the last few weeks, I just can't settle to a project that I love. And like you I keep starting, then falling out of love with things.
I really like your autumn squares blanket, it's gorgeous. I can see however that those hexagons are totally mocking you, in fact I'm sure I heard them laughing and muttering to themselves.
I fear that your half started projects are already now inspiring me to start yet more half started projects of my own!! Which I will then abandon because they did not turn out as lovely as yours!!
When will this end??
:-)
I love the Klimt blanket. It just needs a border and some blocking. Get it finished! It is gorgeous. Like the idea of the peacock one but thought the hexies before did the job perfectly. Just needs some camel colour to join them in.
I do like the colours on all the WIPs shown.
Maybe you could turn the first blanket into a lap blanket, this is very handy to put on your legs when sitting in front of the computer, just add an edging and you're done.
Your attempt at replicating in crochet the pattern made by peacock feathers immediately brought this to my mind:
http://www.pandatomic.fr/2011/10/21/ecailles/
Oh I think you should definitely finish the top blanket, the crazy patchwork one, it's looking great so far and you've done so much already. Maybe put it aside for a while and come back to it.
Thank you all for your encouragement! I think I do need a bit of a break ... maybe I should try something new for a few days (or continue clearing out cupboards for a bit of a break?)
Paula - thank you for the link. That's a good idea and it has given me a fresh perspective on how I might tackle this. Hmmm.... Wait till I've filled a black sack with outgrown clothes, then I'm going to pick up the hook and have a go again!
I'm with the rest of the crowd...your square blanket is miiiiiiighty pretty! When you're ready, you need to give it another look. Hang in there, when the time is right, you'll find your groove. Hugs, Annette
Oh I know how you feel, In my head my projects are stupendously beautiful coming together perfectly, colours stunningly gorgeous. NO! In reality I have little bits of stuff stuck away in disgrace never to be seen again, occasionally my other half may foolishly ask 'whatever happened to that.........thing you were making'
I've been told I have a very convincing death stare!
I agree on the lap blanket. The little hexagons could become one side of a pillow. You don't have to make huge things every time. By the way, I love all of them!
Awww, I know exactly how you feel! I get like that sometimes too. What I do in these cases is work on something from a pattern. Or I change my medium. Try to paint something - or sew something - or keep an art journal... Good luck!
Oh! I do hope you finish the Klimt inspired blanket too - Just hem around the outside in a couple of random rows including plenty of white and cream. Dont make it a small lap-blanket - I never know what to do with those 'in-between blankets & it feels like such a waste! cant wait to see it finished!
Just blame the crafting dilemma on the winter weather. That's always my default excuse!
Actually, those peacock hexies are not bad at all. Maybe try a different pink or something a bit mocha brown, but pretty cool they are nonetheless.
I recently completed a baby blanket using your Klimt Squares tute. That was wild! It took me a bit to figure out the easiest way to join all those different sized squares, but once I got it worked out the whole thing came together easy as pie! You can see it on my blog if you're interested. Thanks for designing something so awesome!
You inspired me! I read your post and promptly retrieved from my cupboard an unfinished design nightmare that I started a year ago! I've worked on it religiously for 2 days and I'm proud to say it's almost finished!!!! Thanks for kicking my butt!!!! lol x
Dear Gingerbread (Irish) Lady!
Congratulations on your wonderful news!
The little one definitely won't want for beautiful crocheted and knitted clothing!
Mum's a pro, the hats are lovely as are the blankets et al!
This must be such an exciting time for you and your husband.
Please keep us updated with all of your very charming and delightful stories and projects. It's such a joy to read them!
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