I Make Things
Jul. 22nd, 2012 09:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladyspriteI'm a crafter. I like making things. And I like making things for people - which is a goodness, because otherwise my house would be even more overflowing with crocheted bits and bobs, scraps of needlework, altered books, scrapwork, and goodness knows what else than it already is. Also, making things for other people gives me the opportunity to try out new patterns and ideas that I wouldn't bother putting the effort into for myself, or that I'm just not personally interested in (I have no need for baby dresses, however adorable and fun to make they may be).
So when one of my oldest and dearest friends from college announced that he was getting married, I knew it was an opportunity to make something glorious. He's one of the most colorful, creative, and genuinely weird-in-the-best-possible-way people I know, and I wanted to find something that reflected just how unique he is, while still being... well, generally nice, and pretty, and something that would suit his bride-to-be as well. And I went on a hunt, and I found the perfect pattern.
It was for an afghan - a granny square afghan. Simple, right? Except this one was made up of about 1100 tiny squares, in over a dozen different colors. It should have been egregious, but the pictures of the end result were glorious. So I asked myself how hard it could be, and started in. That was in November. The wedding was in December.
I just finished the project about a week ago. And... well, I have to share.
Spread out in the sunlight, to better share its technicolor glory
And a different angle....
I am more proud of this, I think, than of anything else I have ever made. God knows it took me longer than just about anything before it.
Oh, and while I'm engaging in sheer unmitigated vanity and forced picture-sharing, I have a cute new hat, and it looks utterly smashing with the handmade peacock-feather clip I bought at the local art festival -
See?
So when one of my oldest and dearest friends from college announced that he was getting married, I knew it was an opportunity to make something glorious. He's one of the most colorful, creative, and genuinely weird-in-the-best-possible-way people I know, and I wanted to find something that reflected just how unique he is, while still being... well, generally nice, and pretty, and something that would suit his bride-to-be as well. And I went on a hunt, and I found the perfect pattern.
It was for an afghan - a granny square afghan. Simple, right? Except this one was made up of about 1100 tiny squares, in over a dozen different colors. It should have been egregious, but the pictures of the end result were glorious. So I asked myself how hard it could be, and started in. That was in November. The wedding was in December.
I just finished the project about a week ago. And... well, I have to share.
Spread out in the sunlight, to better share its technicolor glory
And a different angle....
I am more proud of this, I think, than of anything else I have ever made. God knows it took me longer than just about anything before it.
Oh, and while I'm engaging in sheer unmitigated vanity and forced picture-sharing, I have a cute new hat, and it looks utterly smashing with the handmade peacock-feather clip I bought at the local art festival -
See?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 01:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 01:58 am (UTC)2. Very pretty hat -- with equally pretty wearer. :-)
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 01:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 02:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 02:14 am (UTC)And you look delightful in the hat, too.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 02:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 02:21 am (UTC)Oh, and I'd sure love to see some of your altered books some time, if you ever wanted to show photos...I'm just learning about them, and they sound way cool.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-24 02:43 am (UTC)I've only ever made one altered book, to be completely honest, though I think I managed to work every technique I can think of into it. It was a challenge and a blast. I'm not sure where it is, though; I think my husband put it away somewhere.... if I can find it, I'd be happy to share.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 02:42 am (UTC)And you were right, the results are definitely worth it.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 03:12 am (UTC)You're also quite smashing in that hat. :)
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 11:29 am (UTC)And the hat is great and looks awesome on you!
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 11:35 am (UTC)Also, love the hat.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 12:51 pm (UTC)It sounds like you and he have a lot in common. It is good to see you showing off your colorful peacock pride. I always knew you had colorful plumage.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 01:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 01:54 pm (UTC)Love the hat and the clip.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 02:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 03:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 07:13 pm (UTC)The hat is quite nice, too. Good pic of you...
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 07:50 pm (UTC)I am also amused to note that your hat appears to be crocheted.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-23 08:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-24 02:33 am (UTC)Also, darling hat, adorable pose!
no subject
Date: 2012-07-24 03:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-24 03:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-24 05:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-26 09:45 am (UTC)And related to the feather is a link I think you'll find interesting: Why You're Wearing Feathers Right Now (http://social-creature.com/why-youre-wearing-feathers-right-now). Apparently there's a shortage.