Thursday, October 20, 2011

Temari


I make yarn, or as they call it plarn, from my plastic bags. It is a great way to recycle and reuse. The only part of the bag that is not used when making plarn is the bottom of the bag and the handles. I have placed those pieces in an old sock, knowing that I need to come up with some way to use that part of the bag. In the process of placing those in the sock, I realized that I was creating a new form of stuffing.

We all have them and don't tell me you don't. Socks that get get old, socks your dogs chew up, socks that you wash and for some reason one mysteriously disappears.

They are perfect for making Temari balls. Use your plastic bags as stuffing, and if you don't crochet, well here is your opportunity to use yarn in a different way. Wrap, wrap and wrap that stuffed sock with yarn.

By stuffing the excess yarn in an old sock, I came up with the idea to make Temari Balls. I cut the socks down to a more manageable size and stuff with the excess plastic and then wrap the sock with yarn to form a tennis ball size Temari.

I have made many of these yarn balls as I call them. When creating, I don't always follow tradition or text book instructions. I come up with ideas and thoughts that give me the opportunity to express who I am or options that are different and new. Bring something new to the table. Is that not what it is all about?

My thing is, I don't want to do the traditional stitching that is used in the Temari ball. I want to embroidery on the yarn ball. I like to incorporate the old with the new. I never discount vintage, it has held the test of time and it is the base. So with that in mind, I am going to spend this evening, designing a way to place some vintage stitching techniques and colors onto the Temari ball.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Crocheted Stones


One of my craft fair items this year is the crocheted stone. I love to crochet. It keeps my hands busy and it keeps me out of trouble. My Aunt Sally taught me this art when I was in my early 20's. I have not crocheted as much as I would like to over the years, but I am definitely catching up over the past few years.

Seems that every craft I do incorporates crocheting in it, but not always. I think crocheting gives me a chance to sit and relax but still keep my hands busy. Gives me a chance to think or create new ideas or just ponder in my thoughts.

To me, creating is a form of freedom of speech. It gives me that opportunity to do things the way I want to do them, when I want to do them, and there is nothing to judge, no argument's, you own it and it is yours.

The crocheted stones are small and I place them with my sea shells or any nautical items that I collect. It brings both earth and water together for me.