Finding my way

I was introduced to Karen Templer’s blog Fringe Association and Felicia Semple’s The Craft Sessions this past summer.  I was instantly inspired.  It led me to think about how I approach creativity and what it means to me (and how I haven’t been making much time for it these days). The Stash Less posts not only have made me aware about how I choose projects, but also how much I have already.  And that has begun to bleed over to my wardrobe, books, and other crafts.  I’ve been the type to purchase a book or craft supplies in earnest enthusiasm.  I spend a few days or weeks plotting and planning and even starting but inevitably, life interrupts and it gets put in a pile or basket on the closet shelf. I rarely follow through with a project.  Unfinished dress, and crocheted blanket; alphabet embroidery panel and wedding photo albums.  I did finish knitting a sweater- my first ever- this past July.  That gave me confidence that I can indeed finish and start a project.

I decided to start this blog as a way to carve out time to work on various projects.   To make my creative endeavors more of a priority.  A challenge of sorts: to follow through, explore, learn, make and be brave.

When Karen Templer introduced Slow Fashion October I immediately knew I wanted to participate, excited to join a growing movement inside of myself as well as a greater community.  I instantly posted on Instagram all the projects I wanted to complete.  And then I realized I’m doing the same thing I always do: setting myself up with wonderful and lovely projects, gathering all the supplies along with unrealistic expectations.  I need to choose one or two and go about it slowly.

So I think of this October as the beginning of a long journey.  Finding my way to a wardrobe of known-origins full of handmade items.  Completing a few projects before buying supplies for the next one.  With that in mind, I revise my goals: I will figure out how to finish the dress and continue knitting on my Charlotte Light Cardigan.  It’ll be hard with all the beautiful, amazing possibilities out there to make but the way I’ll participate in Slow Fashion October is to take it slow.