My 52 Weeks Challenge – Page 2 – Or, how I decided to use my stash.

What is harder, completing a project or posting on it?

Did you guess the answer to this fundamental question?

If like me, you thought that it would be harder to complete one project a week you were wrong! Last week, I did not post. Not because I did not complete a project, but because I did not get the time to take a picture. So this week, we are catching up on two projects, and a random picture to make up for my tardiness. Yes, I am delivering a bonus!

At the end of the summer, I tried out a new stitch called the chinese wave. I fell in love with it, and decided to use scrap of cotton yarn to try it out. I ended up finishing two balls of yarn left over. I made two wash clothes. I typically do not use wash clothes but these end up being so soft, that I might make an expection, and give myself a spa experience every once in a while 🙂

For anyone that likes to make birthday and Christmas gift, you know how far in advance you need to think about them, and start making them to be able to complete everything in time. I am a big fan of hand made gifts. I love making them, and receiving them.

This year, I got a head start on my planning and production! I just finished a hat for one of my friends’ daughter. E. is modelling, but the hat will disappear in a special drawer until it makes its reappearance for Christmas.

And because I care about those of you reading my blog, I missed a post, fall is upon us, and I love baking, here a bonus picture of Cranberry oranges scones…

Learning Lace

For now two years, I have been taking bobbin lace classes, with a wonderfull teacher and a group of very nice ladies. When our familly schedule allows, I meet with them for a couple of hours once a week.

I truly enjoy lace making! It is very methodical, almost mathematical; and the results are just amazing. I never knew I could make things that delicate.

One thing that I would not have believed when I started, is how long it takes me to learn that craft. Maybe I am slow, and I am certainly not as dedicated as I should be, but let me tell you: it is by far the hardest thing I have learned so far.

In any case, this week, I finished a bookmark for my friend Therese.

The Summer is almost over…

…and I finished a summer outfit!

Well, if this does not make everyone understand why I challenged myself, then what will?

So this week, I finished a summer top I was sewing for E. I had started it sometimes in July, and it was lying around in my sewing basket waiting for me to give it the finishing touches. And when I say finishing touches, I really mean it. In order to complete it, I only had to hem it, add a little ribbon, et voila!

I finished it on Monday, and it was ready for her to wear on Tuesday. I hope she’ll wear it one or two more times this year. If I am lucky she’ll wear it next season as well, if not… well I’ll find a little girl who will.

Week 1

Alright, week one is already over by 1 day, but I have a good excuse: It is Labor Day week end! In other words the week end is not officially over until tonight.

From my perspective, week 1 was very successfull: I finished my project of the week (more details to come), and I did not buy more yarn.

Let’s start with the later. Part of the challenge, is to use up things I already have: yarn, fabric, paper… And for those of you who are crafty, you know how difficult it is to resist buying more supplies. It’s true! When I hold a ball of yarn, I do not see the yarn itself (well still a little), I mostly see a million of possibilities. Will this be a blanket, a sweater, or a dishcloth? What about adding more colors, a button, etc…

On Wednesday night, I was in a crafty store and held new yarn in my hands. I was dreaming about making a blanket… I then thought of the challenge, looked at the yarn one last time, and turned around. WIN ONE!

This week, I also finished 2 projects. NOOO, I am NOT an overachiever, it just happended this way. I first thought about posting on both, when I realized that I might have “dry” weeks. I therefore will keep a spare one and report on it another day.

Back to my project of the week. This summer, I found a magazine which included a little stuffed bear embroidery kit. Now… I always wanted to learn how to do this, so I purchased the magazine and the included kit.

I started working on this during our vacation in Vermont and had a lot of fun doing it. I will definetly plan on doing more embroidery going forward. I must admit tthough hat the French knot is my absolute least favorite stitch. It is messy, and while I would love to be proud of anything that is French, I did not like doing this one at all.

Once the embroyedery was done, I made the bear, and stuffed it with lavender. I am very happy with the result!

The Beginning!

My 52 weeks challenge, or how I decided to use my stash.

I have recently spent a lot of time on Pinterest gathering ideas on exercises to incorporate in my routine and correct my posture, recipes, how to organically grow beautiful vegetables… Most of all, I have been gathering a bunch of crafty ideas. I mean, who would not want to make this adorable cork reindeer, or this cute whale made out of old jeans?

Yesterday, as I was browsing again, I realized that I did not need to spend more time browsing for ideas. I did not need to start making a mental list of the things I need to buy to make this or that. What I need, is to start completing my many unfinished projects, and use up my craft supplies. Here, I said it, I am going to finish up things…

So here is what I decided: 1) over the next year (52 weeks), I will aim to complete 1 project a week. 2) Except for notions (buttons, thread, zippers…), or something that is absolutely necessary to finish a project (ie. I have one sock done, and I need yarn to make a second one), I will not buy any supplies!

When I told this to my dear hubby, his scientific brain immediately got in action, and he said: “52 projects! One project a week! This is impossible!” I do not know what the result of this experiment will be, but I know I will enjoy the journey, and I hope you’ll enjoy it with me.