In Honor of Procrastination

In honor of not doing things in a timely manner, I'm using yesterday's writing prompt for today's post.  Since I didn't post at all yesterday, it's even better.

Friday, January 3, 2014
Do you have a tendency to procrastinate, or do you like checking things off your to-do list?

I go back and forth between sticking to my to-do lists and feeling excellent about getting lots of stuff done AND procrastinating on whole lists of things because I just don't wanna.  Sometimes it's just one thing.  For example, it took me several days to actually start my first knitting project.  I had to force myself to pick up the needles and yarn, turn on the Craftsy video and really try.  I'm glad I did it, but I had to convince myself and boy did I find a ton of things to do to avoid it.

The funny thing about procrastination is that you always know, going into it, that you're just making your life more difficult.  And yet, so many of us keep doing it anyway.

That said, I still have to vacuum.  

Woozy Crafting

Several days ago I had oral surgery and have been on painkillers ever since - until today, that is.  Today I allow my bloodstream to detox so I won't be all wonky at work tomorrow (I really wasn't staring at you, Lora, it was the drugs!).

As a general rule, I don't like to post anything I've written while on any type of drug that makes me woozy.  And I didn't realize how long I'd need to stay on medication, as I thought I'd be fine by the next day (so, so wrong).  Since I woke up today without pain in my jaw, I decided it's time to wish everyone a happy Valentine's, write about what I've been up to this week (while in recovery) and let you know that Craftsy is having a Valentine's Day sale that you should absolutely check out if you think there's even a remote chance that you'll pick up crocheting, knitting, cake decorating, sewing, etcetera within the next few years.

Thanks to this sale, I've already purchased Crafty Crochet Embellishments and Amigurumi: Design Your Own Monster.  I started the embellishment class last night because I just finished a scarf and want to add a flower to it...this sounds really weird coming from me, just so you know.  Damn you, crafting!

Anyway, when I was trying to learn how to make structural crochet flowers via random YouTube videos this week, I was thinking it was pretty hard.  But the way the Craftsy class is taught, you really only need to know four stitches: single crochet (sc), half-double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc) and how to do a slip stitch (sl st).  Patterns and diagrams come with the class, but when I start something new, I'm better watching someone else while doing the project (and Craftsy classes are easy to pause, have a 30 second repeat button and allow you to put your own notes in the video), just at the start.  Yup, I'm totally backward.  But it works for me.


So, this past week I've blocked one finished scarf (first time blocking); started, finished and blocked a second scarf; started learning embellishments so I can adorn the latter; and learned how to emboss paper using rubber stamps, inkpads, embossing powder and a directional heat tool.  I have long been a collector of cards and paper for correspondence and have spent far too much money on that collection.  Since I already had most of the materials, it seemed like it would be less expensive to create my own, not to mention a more productive use of my time than organizing random cards and stationery.

This goes back to the idea, once again, that the best way to find and/or show your own style and creativity is to learn how to make whatever you can on your own.  It is also why I started Uncrafty - to first prove to myself that with the right motivation I can learn some of these crafts, then to show other people who are unsure about their own talent that it is worth finding out if you like any of this stuff.

I have discovered that I suck at gardening and baking, but I really like crocheting and making my own stationery.  I'm still undecided on knitting and sewing and I need to get back into cooking again.

A year ago, I only knew how to cook.  And until a few months ago, I wasn't so sure about my future with crochet.  Sometimes you have to put something down and come back to it later.  I assure you that I've found it to be well worth the trouble so far.

In memory of Day 29: Free Stuff

I wish it were true that I worked so hard yesterday that I fell asleep before being able to write my Day 29 post.  But....the truth is that I came home from work, then spent hours organizing my ArtBins and new toolbox.  I am a truly ridiculous person, it turns out.  You may have already figured that one out, though.

Since I failed to provide you with entertainment yesterday and won't be able to finish my Day 30 post till later, I am here to offer you links to free craftiness.

Craftsy remains one of my favorite things on earth (thanks, Mary) and is very easy to use.  Signing up is free and requires no obligation from you.  If you see a class below that sparks your interest, go get it! It's free!  Why not?!  There are dozens of classes available and quite a few of them are under $20.  Even if you think you won't use one of these classes right now or you're not ready to take the next step, sign up for it - the class is yours for as long as Craftsy exists.  Do it.

Knitting:
How to Cable Knit Necklines
Knitting Short Rows 101
Know Your Wool

Baking:
A Buttercream Technique How-To
Learn the Art of Hand Painting Cakes

Cooking:
Learn How to Make Pizza

Jewelry Making:
Jewelry Making Class (Micro Torch Basics)

Sewing:
Learn Sewing Machine Troubleshooting

Sewing Machine Feet from A to Z
Bag-Making Basics: Reversible Tote and Zipper Pouch
Bag-Making Basics: Drawstring Bag and Bucket Bag


Quilting:
Craftsy Block of the Month
Creative Quilt Backs

Also check out the classes that are currently on sale on Craftsy (they range from $9.99 to $29.99).

Day 17: A Bit Crafty

The past few days, I decided to stay indoors, resting and taking care of little things that have fallen by the wayside.  There were some not-so-fun tasks I had to get out of the way, but once I was done with them, I could concentrate on trying to remember how to crochet.

I don't think I've even touched a skein of yarn since September, so I expected to be quite hopeless and have to go to Craftsy for instruction.  But it turns out that I do remember how to do single crochet and once I'd started doing it, I didn't want to stop.  The result is my first completed project.  I just finished it about fifteen minutes before sitting down to write this.  It is a long, thick and rather wide scarf with short fringe at the end (I've never added fringe before, but it's quite simple), all made out of a roving yarn.  I did, at one point, have to run out to Michael's to buy an extra skein of the yarn I was using, but otherwise I was happily hooking away while watching TV or sitting at the dining table while my friends got work and homework done on their computers.

It was wonderful to finally finish something crafty.  I have so many almost-finished scarves and other projects at home, it has become a bit depressing.  Of course, you get out of the habit and forget about crafting because you're busy, then you think it will take too much time to restart (assuming there will also be some relearning), so you just. don't. do it.  And you know it's a mistake because there are so many simple things you could do.  Things that wouldn't even take that long and would leave you with a sense of satisfaction.  There is also (at least for my personality type) the nagging in the back of the mind that every project needs to be perfect, which is ridiculous, especially when you're a beginner.

That was the good news.  Here's the bad: I am going home with a new craft.  Because I am just like my mother.  While at Michael's, I noticed a sale on rubber stamps.  I thought to myself that I liked the look of them, but not so crazy about using stamp pads.  Seems a bit boring.  Then I saw them...just hanging there...making me regret having walked down that aisle.  Markers made specifically for inking stamps.  I knew they existed, but actually seeing them...I just had to buy them.  It's not that they were expensive, but I'd really been trying to be good.  To not to pick up another craft which I might then neglect.  My god, I can't even blame Pinterest for this one.

I am so going to make my own stationery.

Crochet Lab on Craftsy...on Uncrafty

I have started my first crochet class online at Craftsy: Crochet Lab with Vickie Howell (Basic Techniques and Patterns).  First impression:  I heart Vickie Howell.  She's just the right amount of quirky and perky and I love the stuff she makes.  She is now tied in my heart with Debbie Stoller of Stitch 'n Bitch. [read more...]