University: Killer of Creative Dreams!

This is the reality of my life…

Sunday: Essay Writing
Sunday: Essay Writing

When I much rather be doing this…

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Sewing Hexies!

Or this…

Crocheting!
Crocheting!

Or even just this…

A Simple Joy: Eating.
Eating.

Unfortunately, the on slaughter of mid semester essays and assessments have all but killed my creative dreams and mojo and instead have turned me into a Microsoft Word zombie!

Last Tuesday night I was able to break free from the chains of monotonous textbook readings and spend a few glorious hours quilting away on my sewing machine! Our glorious reunion was met with happy rumblings from the sky as a fascinating thunderstorm rolled through the autumn night sky!

**One of my favourite things to do is to sew while it’s raining, even better when it’s a thunderstorm; who knows why I enjoy this so much!**

Therefore, I was in my element! I was able to get some much needed quilting done on my Minimalist:101 quilt, slowly getting finished for (hopefully) exhibition at the Sydney Quilt Show in June. (There’s nothing like a looming deadline to get you going in a hurry!) Here’s where I’m up to with my quilting…

Almost Finished - Yay!
Almost Finished – Yay!

I’m happy. I’m pleased. I’m slightly nervous. And slightly panicking about getting it finished on time along with everything else happening in life!

Whaa! I need a holiday!

Happy Sewing!

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Oh, the cleverness of me! (There’s no modesty here!)

Look what I’ve learnt to do; Crochet!

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The chance finally came by to intensely learn the ins-and-outs of this tricky skill in my textile lecture a few weeks ago. The aim was to make a hyperbolic crochet form – that is, a form which is exaggerated or overstated in curve.

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So whatever this actually does become, I’m proud of the effort and skill I’ve learnt in making it.

I also thought I would share my Sashiko embroidery project with you. This is another technique I’ve learnt in my textile class. This design has been based on two chosen forms of inspiration: Chevrons and direction (as in life’s direction).

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This particular example has been stitched with a piece of cotton batting on the back, giving an added aspect of interest and dimension. I’ve consciously been aware to keep my design as traditional possible; that is, using navy linen combined with white (and red) thread for the stitches.

Sashiko embroidery is insanely simple and effective that I’ve begun to plan some designs that I want to stitch out in my own time for my own enjoyment. Hopefully I can share some of those with you soon – depending on how I arrange my time between never-ending university work and just-as-important craft time!

Happy Sewing!

P.S. Happy Easter too! He is Risen!