When I was a little girl, my mom had a Doris Day album she listened to quite often, and on that album, Doris crooned a song (which you may also recall from days-long-gone-by) . . . Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.
Well. These days, when it comes to making things, that song title can serve as an apt description for how I feel about my current projects. Only I’ll change the last word from “bewildered” to “bedazzled!”
I’m bewitched . . . by these “junk mail folios” I’ve been creating in my Fodder School class* this month.
The top two photos (the green)? Well, that WAS a piece of junk mail from Balsam Hill advertising their Christmas tree collection. I have transformed it – using layers of gesso, acrylic paint, and an old stamp/stamp pad – into a pocket folio. For what? I have no idea. But it was fun. (And I’m not really finished with it yet; it’s still in progress.) The other two photos (the pink)? Well, that’s an old manilla file folder, destined for the recycling pile, currently being transformed into . . . more pocket folios (also with uncertain purposes).
I really am bewitched with the process. (And I’ll show you how they turn out when I’m finished.)
I’m bothered . . . by my knitting.
Not bothered BY it, exactly. Or even WITH it. Just . . . bothered. Because I got it all started off so nicely, and then got busy with other things (see “bewitched” and “bedazzled”). I’m bothered simply because I haven’t made progress (because I haven’t picked it up) in a week!
And I’m bedazzled . . . with these addictive little gingerbread houses!
I am really, really loving this project. It’s the one I always reach for when I sit down in the evening. (Which explains the lack of knitting progress. . . ) It was sunny today, so I took my stitching outside to see if the bling and the glitz would show up better in photos. Meh. Not really. They were blinding in the sunlight. But you can’t tell in my photos. I’m stitching up my final little gingerbread house, and will likely finish it before the week is over. Then . . . on to sewing and stuffing. These are so much fun to make! (So much.) (Maybe too much.)
So that’s my update on the making scene here.
A little bewitched . . . a little bothered . . . and totally bedazzled!
How about you???
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*Fodder School is, essentially, a year long, in-depth, mixed-media art extravaganza featuring classes, techniques, and projects to get you making something . . . from something you (probably) already have. I decided to sign up this year because . . . I’m looking for some new inspiration in the creative-artsy department. So far, so good! (We’re in month 2 of a full year program and I love it!)
What a bunch of just wonderful making Kym! The junk mail folios are intriguing (it’s always good to have little pockets where you can store things) and the gingerbread houses are SO cute. Will they be able to stand upright once they are stuffed (maybe cardboard in the bottom or something?). But your Cecil Shawl is so gorgeous. And with mohair in it, I’m sure it will be warm and cozy. I really like the abstract-ness of it.
I came very close to signing up for Fodder school because the projects looks so fun but then how would I fit in all my other making endeavors (like embroidered hearts and a pencil case).
Look forward to seeing more Fodder school fun from you.
I’m bewitched by those gingerbread houses … and the swatch I made yesterday for Elizabeth Doherty’s Squam Sweater. slipped stitches and lovely wool is hard to resist!
Those junk mail folios are lovely and don’t look a bit like what they came from! Do you leave your knitting out at night so the knitting fairies can do a few rows? I’m sure you’ll get back to it, all in good time (like when you finish those bedazzled gingerbread houses)! Will you keep them all or give some to the kids?
The finished project IS Bedazzling, but the making of, for me, would not., and I am Bemused at all the recent interest in embroidery (although kinda thrilled by a “mature lady” embroidering away on a long distance bus trip, her DMC hanks all spread out in theseat next to her. She looked so happy.) We are definitely from a different gene pool though, Kym! I think I have that Doris Day album. I’ll have to look it up!
I love the full-year commitment to one’s maker self…and you’re making really cool stuff!
You’ve really kept yourself busy with some fun stuff! I really adore the peppermint candies on that house on the right. I imagine stitching these little houses is fussy work but also very satisfying. And those folios are such a smart way to repurpose junk mail! As someone who is frequently puzzled by my knitting that doesn’t make any progress when I’m not working on it, I share your frustration with your current WIP.
I went through a very intense pocket-making and junk-journal jag a while back and now I have lots of junk journals that need to be put in a box at some point I guess.
Did you know (I learned this today on Dropcloth’s fb page) that you can use the bottom little bit to personalize the gingerbread house? Brilliant! (still haven’t started mine).
These are all really great things! Those gingerbread houses are fabulous and using stuff you already have to make stuff you can use sounds great. I admire how creative you are with all of your different talents and pursuits!
Your creating is so fun and exciting! I LOVE the bedazzled houses and the folios are fabulous!
I remember listening to Doris Day singing that song and listening to my mom sing along. .Love your gingerbread stitching project and that shawl is going to be gorgeous!
Wow, Kym… those junk mail folios are going to be amazing! From nothing, came something… wow! (and those little gingerbread houses… who could resist them??) I think your knitting will be fine and ready whenever you pick it back up! XO
I think I looked at Fodder School a while back and, while intriguing… ohmylord, when would I fit that in right now?? A wistful pass. For now. ha.
I love those folios, though, and I would have so much fun making something like that (have had so much fun making something like that) but then… what to do with them?? I have so much “transformed junk” already. PLEASE update when you think you’ve found a purpose!!
What fun. I am always inspired by your creations. The little ornaments are just charming. The shawl looks like a fun way to use several colors and I would never have known you haven’t made much progress. The pocket folios are intriguing. Once I looked at journals made from junk mail but I really enjoy journals so abandoned the idea of making one from junk mail with little space for writing. The pocket folios have more appeal.