A Word About Challenges (or Be Careful What You Wish For)

Believe it or not, this blog post has been rolling around in my head since, oh, say May because that's when it started to become apparent that participating in challenges, as I'm wont to do, can become overwhelming when combined with "success."

The quilt top for our Hand of Craft show in progress

Okay, let me back up and give a quick overview of how this past year has gone for me. This comes without a dissertation on politics and the state of affairs in the world and predominantly focuses on me and what I learned.

Our billboard, Domestic Brew: Craft Beer Garden, on the cover of the Hamilton Spectator

First off, I knew that Shake-n-Make had two major shows in 2017, both of which were labour-intensive (our favourite kind of work). One opened at the end of August and the other at the beginning of November. These shows were not originally scheduled for the same year, but some things you can't control (like the finishing of a courtyard, for example). On top of that, the ladyfriend had a major show that opened in May.

Domestic Brew: 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall at The Hamilton Artists Inc.

So that's three shows in one year. More than once over the course of the past 12 months have I used the expression "victim of our own success."

Managed to ride my bike on a beer run in April

Despite all this (or because I'm a procrastinator), I thought I could participate in a few challenges like the #30daysofbiking in April, #MeMadeMay, and a 30-day yoga challenge at De La Sol (April/May). A lot of this comes from the end of the semester; when the term ends in early April, I suddenly feel like I have loads of time. But this is a micro-view; the macro is often where I get tripped up.

A #MeMadeMay post featuring an Alabama Chanin top I made

Think of it like those transparencies that you find in medical books - you lay one down, and then another on top of it, and then another and another until there's a whole lot going on (not a medical term). So you have our shows, the challenges, and then things like another roof to be done and travel plans made.

Despite all this, I also wanted to participate in Fringe Association's #summerofbasics. I mean, c'mon, couldn't I make three wardrobe staples over the course of three months? I'm sure you can already see where this is headed.

Suffice to say that of the challenges, I was only able to really participate in #MeMadeMay. My biggest challenge for the year was not falling apart constantly.

After all that, all our shows went well (even if I thought they'd kill me), and we're happy with the work. I'm trying to incorporate what I've learned about my ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously (less is more). There was a frenetic quality to last year that I'm hoping to eliminate from this year.

Nonetheless, I've set up a few goals/guidelines for the coming year:

1. The ladyfriend and I are not undertaking any new art projects this year (we'll see how that goes). Instead, this year is labeled "Project Life," and we're trying to take care of things in our life that got shunted to the wayside last year. We'll also be working on getting the work we've made shown elsewhere.
2. Each month will have three goals. Firstly there will be a project to finish (all those WIPs!), something to make or do (e.g. start pickles), and something to fix/remake/let go (e.g. a vintage dress that's not fitting properly). This should help me clear the deck of lingering projects as well as moments of panic about not being prepared/ready (where's the fruitcake?!).
3. I can only start a new project (knitting or sewing) if I've completed one that was already in progress (see point 2). 

I have some writing projects/goals set as well (one of which is to blog regularly again - just figuring out my schedule now), but integration is what I'm aiming for this year - my interests/inclinations/etc. integrated and peacefully co-existing.

I'll let you know how that goes.

MeMadeMay 2016 Wrap Up

I'm pretty happy with my MeMadeMay participation this year.  I'd vowed to wear a foundational item everyday, and except for the one day in Nova Scotia where I simply wore socks I'd made, I managed to make it happen - even when I was roofing (ofttimes after the work was done).

There were a few things I discovered doing this.   Firstly, I knew I liked that wrap-around skirt I made, but I didn't realize how essential it would become.  The part b of that discovery is that I haven't made a lot of bottoms or bottoms I felt like wearing (important distinction).  It also went with more items than I'd originally given it credit for.

 I was also concerned that my me-made style isn't quite up to my regular (?!) style.  But when I put these pants I'd made with a Junya Watanabe shirt and Robert Clergerie shoes, I felt pretty good about it.   However, I'm now conscious of how easy it is to drift into the "let's make lots of loose tunics" camp, which only addresses part of the way I like to dress.  Two lessons learned - make some more funky/high style items and maybe I like to just wear loose tunics sometimes.  Consolidation lesson?  My style is more varied than I might have thought.

As mentioned in previously, I also discovered things that heretofore I hadn't realized went together.  I ended up finally wearing a vest I'd knit a million years ago (I know, you wouldn't know I was that old unless I told you - hah!) and loving it.

Yes, this vest also went with the wrap-around skirt!

I wore my Alabama Chanin dress a few times.  At Squam it was quite a hit, as it were (there were times when I was a little shy/embarrassed about the attention it go, but I love a crowd that understands what went into that dress), and I'm planning on starting another one this summer.

MeMadeMay has inspired me to continue making my own clothes and has filled my head with ideas.  There's a pair of white jeans (Birkin flares) on the horizon as well as a number of other tidbits.   And I just finished the Ondawa Wrap that I started at Squam.  Images to follow!

Anyone want to share other lessons learned during MeMadeMay?  I'm definitely looking forward to Slow Fashion October, but I won't be waiting until then to continue to rock my me-mades.

A Packing Primer - Get the Steamer Trunk!

Want to know how much you can pack into your daily life without losing the whole suitcase, as it were?  Here's a peek into what I recently packed in -

Last time I blogged, I was in DC visiting family -

The boy wearing an Alabama Chanin t-shirt I made for him.

The thimble tattoo he gave me.

My father and I drove back to Hamilton together so he could help me do my roof, which took about a week.  It's two thirds done; he's coming back this month to help me finish it,  but at least we took care of the leak.  We were doing such a good job (seriously) that our neighbor asked if we might help them do theirs.  I am not going into the roofing business, but I appreciate the compliment.

Tarping the roof for the evening with my dad and friend.

The day after my father headed back to DC, we had our birthday dinner at our friends' house.  We both agree it is one of the best meals we've ever had.

 And two days later, we drove to Nova Scotia to close on our cottage.  Crazy!  Keep in mind, this is all during MeMadeMay!  It kind of helped since it focused my travel wardrobe around handmades. (Full post just on MeMadeMay and what I learned coming soon.)

Two essential elements of Nova Scotia:

Sheep at Lismore Farm -

And lobster (here in its ultimate expression - the lobster roll made by the ladyfriend) -

I also had an FO - the Fair Isle Skirt by Mary Jane Mucklestone.  It was part of a KAL (knit-along for you nonknitters) for Squam.  I really wanted to take this little sheepy home.

And then, we drove down to Portland, ME en route to Squam.  There was just enough time to have an amazing dinner at Eventide Oyster Co., buy some fabric at Z Fabrics, then pick up some Quince & Co. yarn at KnitWit, and find some local craft beer.  The server who brought out our food at Eventide said that we'd ordered really well and that she was excited for our dinner.  She was right!

And then the ladyfriend dropped me off at Squam for the Squam Spring Retreat...

Full post on Squam coming soon.

Week One Plus for Me Made May 2016

Here's the round-up of outfits worn since May 1.

• Bottom right:  Rowan sweater originally made for the ladyfriend.  It got a little felted in the wash so it became my sweater.  The pants are J. Morgan Puett.
• Bottom left:  Me-made wrap skirt with Imogene + Willie shirt and my Blundstones
• Middle right:  Cappucino dress with Robert Clergerie shoes
• Middle middle:  Saint James top with Alabama Chanin skirt
• Middle left: Long sleeve t-shirt (worn with Prana jeans, not seen)
• Top right bottom:  Junya Watanabe shirt with Betsy Ross patterns pants
• Top right top:  Lisette top (worn with Prana jeans, not seen - again)
• Top left:  Wrap skirt with mustard top-down sweater, Blundstones, and a Wrangler jacket.

I'm in DC now, visiting family, and what I'm starting to realize is that I don't make enough things in black.  Putting together a little capsule collection for the trip (brought only carry-on suitcase) made me realize that while I have a fair amount of me-made clothing, I need some to make some things that are more easily integrated into my overall wardrobe.  As it happens, I've been mulling over a little capsule collection for the fall/winter although it's not black.  We'll see how all this pans out.

If you're participating in MeMadeMay16, how's it going?  Are you encountering any challenges?

FOs for April, MeMadeMay, and a Frolic

I managed to finish a few knitting projects this past month.  I blogged about the early ones, the ones that required so little it was almost embarrassing (but clearly not that embarrassing because I still haven't bothered with the sweater that needs ONE SIDE SEAM).

In addition to these, I finished a pair of socks for the ladyfriend using self-striping sock yarn bought in Berlin.  I'm hoping to finish the Brooklyn Tweed sweater that's in progress now by the end of the month.

For years I didn't knit for her because she didn't wear the knits I made for her (I know, I can hear you gasp).  Some of that was my fault - not necessarily her style or the size was off - and some of it was hers (the ladyfriend can be sensitive to wool; you know, the itchy factor).  However, we're thinking the BT sweater is going to be a winner, and I'm ever an optimist (often cranky or jaded but still optimistic).

The other major knit I finished was my mustard top-down sweater, which was part of my wardrobe plans as outlined at the beginning of the year.

I have to say, I really like this sweater.  It's totally easy to wear and looks like it'll play nicely with some of the other items in my wardrobe.  It's just in time for MeMadeMay16, and because the weather sucks, wool or wool blends (this is a wool/hemp blend I picked up at the Romni Wools Boxing Day sale) are perfect.  That's the nicest thing I can say about the weather right now.

Wardrobe Thoughts & Plans

So for 2016, I've taken the make/mend/thrift pledge, which means no buying new clothes.  I don't really feel like I purchase a lot of new clothing each year, but I probably buy more than I'm aware of, and my mother likes to buy me clothes (this may be harder for her than it will be for me).

I've been inspired by my own desire to make more of my clothing, the purge (as it has now come to be known in my mind - kinda biblical and still ongoing), things like Slow Fashion October and MeMadeMay, as well as Karen Templar of Fringe Association who has been blogging about crafting her own wardrobe and encouraging participation in slow fashion.

I wish I could sketch like Karen, but that is not part of my skillset at the moment.  So I've got some images and ideas to share here and will endeavour to continue to do so during this process (and forever - I'm nothing if not ambitious).

I tried to take a good look at my closet.  It really is an eclectic mix of styles and functions, but it suits me.  It also makes it hard to think in terms of key pieces, since I don't expect everything to be able to go together.  However, I have come up with some items that I think will pull a lot together.