Thursday, February 24, 2011

Five Professions

I'm injured, and stuck doing things that keep me off my feet. It's torture. But it means that I have time to post.
Last night a group of friends had dinner together and one asked us "If you could be anything in the world, even if it's totally impossible, imaginary, or ridiculous, what would you be? Name 5 professions you'd choose." My immediate thought was "Impossible! I can't think of anything! I like what I'm doing ..."
One friend answered that it would have to be something creative, because the act of creation is inherent in him (us all?) and it's the most fulfilling. To create and to have an audience learn/grow from that creation. I couldn't agree more. For him, it was music. The idea of being able to write beautiful music. And to teach. To give others the tools and inspiration to go out and create for themselves. Again, I was in total agreement. But for me, it's visual arts more than music (though the idea of being able to express myself in music sounds not only impossible, but amazing!). And so while teacher was on the list (which I took a bit far by saying I wanted to be a divine goddess/teacher, but hey, we're fantasizing here, right?), I also said I wanted to paint, to paint the most beautiful, inspiring, life-altering paintings ever created. Why not aim high!? Also on the list, an architect/city planner. I'd love to design and build communities that are thoughtful, truly communal, practical, whimsical, beautiful, smart. And finally, I want to study animals and learn to communicate with them.
And while this was an exercise in fantasy, I almost shamefully admit that there's a small part of me that thinks I could actually do this stuff. But I better get busy

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Where to start?

I've been feeling like starting something these past few days. It probably has to do with the torrential rain and cold outside. Also probably something to do with the unsatisfactory completion of the last project ... the whirlygig scarf ended up way too short because I ran out of yarn. That was disappointing. But I have vowed to not buy any more anythings ever. No, really!
I have like 3 rubbermaid bins of fabric. And another bin of yarn. All of which was purchased with a project half-in-mind. I can't say it was with a specific project in mind, because there were never any actual plans. I didn't have patterns, or even all the ingredients necessary to make any of the projects. I just got inspired by the textiles and I needed to have them for when I was ready to make something. And then they just sit around. And they tend to loom over me (not only because they're on a shelf above my computer) and make me feel pretty lame.
So I have lame vibes coming at me from all over -- the failed scarf, and also the sundress I made last summer that never really got finished. I didn't hem it, because I don't know how to make it a straight hem if I'm not wearing it and I don't know how to actually do the hemming while it's on me. I'm sure this is one of those things that has an easy solution, but I don't know what it is. But I wore it last summer when it was so hot even I was considering not wearing clothing (and if you knew me this would be shocking) and so I wore it unhemmed and then washed it and some parts of it unraveled and it's just a disaster. I don't know how to fix it. I should definitely fix it. Sigh.
So anyway, there have been projectitis rumblings going on around here. The sewing cabinet is opened. So that's a good sign that some sewing will be getting done soon. I just need to buy thread. Uh, nope! I'm not buying anything ever, I forgot!
The other thing is that darn canvas, the one that used to have the mares painting? I think it is going to be a deep-sea creature now. I'm really excited about that. Only issue? I really ought to buy some new acrylic paint, because I'm limited to like olive green and rusty red (and yellow? I think I have yellow) at this point. And my deep sea creatures are not those colors. I need to buy paints, mix colors. I need to do it right. So that one's on hold too. Though I did pull out all my paints and brushes in anticipation of working on it.

Anyway, I do have a bunch of yarn, but only one skein of each sort, so I have to get a little creative. I really hope I have enough for this one. I think it's going to be beautiful. Maybe. I'm never sure if it's going to work out (what do you do with the hanging out ends? How do you change colors and make it look seamless? I'm afraid this one is going to be another failure, too. But as I made that last ruffled scarf, I kept thinking of things you could do to embellish it, and this was one of my thoughts ... RIBS! It doesn't seem to be ruffling like the last one. Maybe the ribs are hindering it. I don't know. I'm afraid to find out. But aren't the colors just beautiful? I had to had to had to buy that teal yarn because the color was just painfully beautiful. I had planned on making a felted hat out of it. But then I was afraid to try that, because what if the hat doesn't fit? At least a scarf will fit. I hope.