Works in Progress (WIPs)

I woke up this morning "thinking"! November is a hard month for me, full of so many celebrations: Chloe's 10th birthday; my wedding anniversary; and Thanksgiving. I'm not alone with all of my family here to share these celebrations; yet I am alone. I am grateful that we have now moved into December, a busy and creative time.

It has been 3 1/2 years since Alan's death. I held his hand as he took his last breath. I have started a new chapter of my life; and I am proud of myself for the progress I have made. It does take time to adjust, though. Anyone who has had a loss may feel grieving is like "carrying a stone in your pocket. One always feels it; sometimes barely noticeable, other times if turning slightly, it may feel painful. You rub the pain and keep going. Few know about your stone or realized it can still bring this much pain.

There are days now that I feel happy and slap my leg with laughter. Feeling the stone, t still hurts and I wonder if I should be laughing. Most days I an feel my stone as I take my hand in and out of my pocket and even smile at its unwavering presence. I've learned to move forward the best I can. I think about the beautiful memory I am holding, smile and look to the sky, hoping I am living in a way that honors the missing piece I carry."
Anonymous Pastor

Crochet is such an important part of my life and it has helped me through these tough times. Living in a new city, Indianapolis, and returning to my Indiana roots is a WIP, as is making new friends. I am so grateful to have my whole family here and the friendship, love and support they provide.

Last week I entered two works in a juried exhibit at the Indianapolis Art Center Student Show. Concentrating on my own art rather than making others' designs is a WIP.

Transformation

Rock of Ages

Sadly none of the three were accepted in the Advanced Fiber category I chose. I accept this, learn from it, and will carry on, enjoying the process and the new WIPS that constantly pop into my head!

I am a member of many Ravelry groups and am most active in my own group as well as in the International Freeform Group. December brings many WIPS in those groups.

Cro-Kween Designs Magic Ball Swap

What will this turn out to be?

2019 CardSwap: IFFF Group

Fade Out Shawl

This was a WIP until 2 days ago. I worked on it for a couple of months-all hdcs-and will enjoy wearing it during the holidays.

Crocodile Stitch Booties & Hat

Little Frances Jane was a WIP until Dec. 1 and this is what I had ready to give her.

WIP: Wire Crochet Sculpture

Crocheting with wire is a bit tricky and hard on the hands and fingers. Ihave started this project but had to set aside for a bit while my wrist rests. I found the piece which looks like a tree branch on a base, in a re-sale store. I love it and have pondered and pondered what to make with it. Finally an idea struck me and off I go! I rarely dip into politics, but this one leans that way. Apologies to those who don't like politics. A title has yet to be selected and it is a very early WIP!

You are loved no matter what you believe! Have a fabulous Holiday Season and yarn-filled New Year!

Craft vs. Fine Art: How is Crochet Blurring the Lines

I was awakening to the world of crochet in 1972,a time of immense artistic expression through fiber arts; and crochet was not the “ugly stepchild” at the time. In fact, Ferne Cone Gellar who I admire as a successful fiber artist said in “Knitting: The Stepchild of the Fiber Arts?” ( Fibercraft Newsletter 1978), “Has knitting been slighted among the areas of the fiber arts? The very word ‘knitting’ evokes images of the little old lady in tennis shoes. Over the years, I’ve learned to ignore all those jokes.” Cone Gellar went on to publish Crazy Crocheting in 1981 and encouraged her readers to create more than bedspreads, providing ideas such as “things to play with or to display on a shelf or hang on a wall.” A photo of single crochet from bread wrappers served as inspiration. In 1972 in her book, Creating Art from Fibers & Fabrics , Dona Meilach wrote: “Why are fibers and fabrics becoming increasingly appealing to artists? Most artists agree

Wartime Crochet With Attitude, Part I

Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Karen Ballard and I have a mutual love of free form crochet. We met for the first time in a class taught by Prudence Mapstone of Australia at the Chain Link Crochet Conference 2011. I admire Karen's vast knowledge of needle work history and am grateful for her willingness to share with us as my guest blogger this week. Karen wearing a World War II-era knitting hat with stubby needles on top Karen's Heritage Heart, with flowers symbolic of her heritage, is currently on tour with Prudence Mapstone's traveling "Hearts & Flowers Exhibition" in Australia and New Zealand World War 1 Attitudes About Crochet by Karen Ballard In 2008, I coined that term, "Workbasket Campaigns" to describe the organized efforts during World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII) coordinated through the American Red Cross {ARC} and the Navy League to create needle crafted items. These items were mostly knitted but also sewn, qu

Crochet and Society: How Crochet has Contributed

Wednesday, September 4, 2013 Because I am passionate about crochet and because it plays such an important role in my life. I am constantly “thinking crochet.” I want to bring awareness about crochet to everyone in the world. They don’t necessarily need to achieve the level of passion that I have for the craft, but my dream is that our society in general would come to recognize crochet as a valuable art and craft. I also want to see the entire genre of crochet planted firmly on a continuum with all the other needle arts as a valuable pastime and art, and for the day to come when society stops confusing it with knitting! I have often joked that I am “covering my world in crochet” and that’s because I think crochet can beautify nature as well as contribute to many aspects of my community. I have been covering rocks for years and I turn them into sculptures or decorative o bjects. Claire Zeisler: Fragments & Dashes , Threads magazine, Oct/Nov 1985 My first cover

Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

Search This Blog