Original Extension

Normally come Friday morning I am in the mood to be a little silly. Because it is the end of the week, and couldn’t we all use a break? Today, however, is not my usual Friday. Today is the end of a series, and I can’t in good taste go out with silliness.

Which, I suppose, works out conveniently because there is one more subject related to originality that I want to chat about before the series closes, and that is the practice of extending ourselves to others.

I use the words “practice” and “extension” intentionally here, because that is exactly how I feel about stretching myself to serve. It is figuratively a stretch for me--and like my sad, sad hamstrings, I’m often a bit tight and cramped up. And so I need practice. Lots of it.

This time of year we are often encouraged (or “bombarded” depending on how you look at) with opportunities to give of ourselves. And I wouldn’t be a good citizen or good human without urging all of us to take advantage of these open doors and give.

However, this year I want to dig a little deeper--make it a little more personal. And, frankly, a little more fun. And that is the “original” part of my quest. What I want is to start with what I have, meaning my skills and talents and resources, and explore the creative ways I can use those skills and/or stuff to extend myself to others.

So, for instance, when my good friend petitioned me last week to help her knit baby items as a fundraising effort for her international adoption, I was thrilled to say yes. Not only do I have a special place in my heart for women who are pursuing unconventional families (because I am one of them), but also I love to knit. Love it. And donating my time is a perfect way to extend myself for a good cause. It’s just the kind of practice I need.

During this season, then, I want to challenge myself (and you) to consider ways to give beyond the usual food donations and Good Samaritan coin collections (but of course give to them too!) by considering ways that we can creatively and with originality extend ourselves using the gifts we have been given. Maybe your talent is for cooking or sewing or organizing or just listening. Find it and give.

Because originality may start with us as an individuals, but I’d hate for it to end there.

And with that final note, I’m signing off! Stay tuned next week for photos and anecdotes from my Thanksgiving week, and then come back for the launch of my new series on handmade holiday fun! Until then--have a great Friday!

Photo Glossary:
photos 1-2: handknit baby sweater-dress, my latest knit design (I love how it turned out, don't you!?)
photo 3: handknit bunny from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
photo 4: bunny on baby girl quilt designed by me and sewn from recycled fabrics
photos 5-6: handknit raglan from Last Minute Knitted Gifts on baby boy quilt designed by me and sewn from recycled fabrics

Day 15: Redux

It's official. I have caught the "what-stylish-thing-can-I-make-out-of-my-existing-wardrobe" bug.

Personally I blame Mrs. Marple.

It was her class yesterday that got me contemplating the many ways I could transform my old clothing into new things.

Like this plain ivory tank top that I've been wearing for years. Sure, I like it alright, but I think I would like it even more with layers upon layers of polka dot ruffles. Wouldn't you?

Polka dots from this skirt, for instance, that I've had stuffed in a drawer for about 5 years. Once upon a time I loved this skirt. But that time has long since passed.

The truth is that converting old things into new things is virtuous for a number of reasons. The first is obvious: it cuts down on unnecessary consumerism by making good use of things we've already purchased.

Naturally this is good for our wallets and the environment.

But it is also good for other, less conventional reasons. Like exercising our problem solving skills, for instance.

The practice of seeing old things with fresh new eyes is a universally flattering skill, and can be applied to areas outside of fashion. Like work, for instance.

Challenging our creativity is also far more rewarding than simply gratifying someone else's inspired items. Sure I can buy the latest and greatest from Michael Kors or Mark Jacobs (well, I can't because they're too expensive, but you get my point...), but creating something with my own hands from the vision in my mind is Much More rewarding. Frankly, it boosts the ego.

Furthermore, it gives us a reprieve from the consumer auto-pilot that we often find ourselves on. You know the one--like when we (okay, me) walk into Target for toilet paper and walk out with 100 dollars worth of unplanned merchandise (this has happened to me more than once...).

So often we (okay, me) use our purchasing power to make us feel better after a stressful day or fight with our husband/boyfriend/friend. And then the shopping buzz wears off faster than our tension headache.

What we (okay, me again) often don't realize is that creative expression, and the process of making something from hand (aka actually interacting with the production of the "stuff" in our lives) provides us with a fulfilling outlet that trumps a shopping-high any day.

Plus we still end up with fancy loot.

Gee--this Mrs. Marple is certainly wearing off on me! Here I am going on and on about the virtuous of old-stuff-turned-new when you already know all of this.

So I'll stop talking. After all, I have a plain ivory tank top to convert into a fabulous ruffled number that my husband will undoubtedly glance right over without noticing the design genius.

But he might appreciate the financial savings...

Previous Related Posts:
Day 14: Alterations
Fall Project Preview (making a graphic t-shirt)
Nesting: Nurturing my Maternal Side (making a baby-quilt)

Creative Hour: Baby Quilts

With next week's Your Best Birth event quickly arriving, my Creative Hours this week have definitely been devoted to stitching up items for my soon-to-be-opened online store: Hillberry Baby.


First on the list are these baby quilts that I've completely fallen in love with. I created the design for them this past winter when I was busy "nesting." And since then I've been trying it out in all different types of fabrics and textures.



Although it is nearly impossible for me to pick a favorite, I have to say that the fuzzy sections on the cream & ivory quilts are calling my name. They were taken directly from a sweater I loved the idea of but never actually wore (you know the type...).



I do also really like how these pinstripe boys' quilts turned out. They are a traditional blue, admittedly, but I think the pattern and stripes make them less generic. Plus, they are repurposed from the dress shirts that used to hang in my husband's closet (and he thought they were going to Goodwill. Hah!).

I have a few more still to assemble, plus bibs, boppy covers and maybe a crib bumper or two. Needless to say, the sewing machine is calling my name!

Hope you all are enjoying your own creativity this week!

Previous Related Posts:
Upcoming Event: Your Best Birth simulcast
Creative Hour: tote bags
Dining in Style: chopstick placemats
The Creative Hour

Creative M-E-S-S

Perhaps it is a common trait among creative types--the trait of messiness. I'm not normally a slob. In fact, quite the opposite. I'm the girl who makes my bed every day and puts the dishes in the dishwasher and stores my hairbrush under the sink. But when I'm creating something...well, that's a different story.Case in point: my office today. Hardly the picture of organization and tidiness. I can't help myself. When I'm caught up in a whirlwind with a million projects going all at once (yes--I know multitasking is bad for you, but I can't break the habit!), I tend to leave a trail. Kinda like the trails tornadoes leave.

In the Works:
Fortunately all of this creative energy is productive. Take a look at some of my latest quilting ideas. I've been blocking out my patterns all morning, trying to figure out which ones I like the best. Can you recognize my new Los Angeles stowaways?

These quilts will be added to my "Spunky Girl" baby collection, which I am eager to debut soon. Also on the docket? A thrift store design booklet, complete with grommets (I can't get enough of grommets lately!), and a "Transpo Guy" baby series (that is a tentative name--I might change it later.).

And You?
How about you? Have you taken up the Creative Hour challenge and started some projects of your own? If so, share what you've been up to! Comment below!

Reminders:
Don't forget to come back tomorrow to read about why big isn't always better, and take a sec to sign up for my weekly newsletter to get the inside scoop about what's brewing in my world!

Previous Creative posts:
A Long Time Coming (my dining room makeover)
Sewing in Good Company
The Creative Hour

Work-in-Progress: sewing project

It started as this...

And then became this...

And now it's this...

Don't you love works-in-progress, especially when they start from old sweaters you don't wear any more?

Guest Writer: a final word on Nesting

Today marks the official start of Spring, and so begins new beginnings.  Next Monday I'll be launching a new series, Recessionistas, here on this blog, and I'm already brimming with ideas!  But before I switch gears completely, I thought I'd assign one last day to Nesting.  So, to give the series a proper close, I've asked my sister and friend, Sheryl, to write a quick quip on Nesting from her perspective as a new stay-at-home mom (my nephew turns one this month).  You'll find that she is both poignant and funny.  Here's a clip from her article, "An Odd Bird":

Most people think that all female birds create nice cozy nests for their young.  But research shows that not every bird nests the same way.  The petril creates its nest in rock cliffs because it likes to fly and swim.  Condors do not make nests at all...  When I was pregnant with my son, people kept asking me how my nesting instinct was setting in.  I had mixed feelings about the question--mostly because I was unsure of my answer....I associated nesting with an image of a woman sitting in the corner of her neatly cleaned home, knitting something special for her impending arrival.  I didn't fit the mold.  I was the petril of the bunch--an odd bird.  Click here to read the full article.

Thank you to Sheryl for contributing the last (and funny) word on the Nesting series.  I hope you enjoy a little comic relief on this Friday, and make sure to come back on Monday for Recessionistas and the start of new things!

Nesting: Nurturing my Maternal Side

I wrote last week in The Personal Side of Nesting that, for me, part of this season is about preparing for motherhood.  And while most women do this by taking vitamins and getting in tune with their bodies, I will do it by decorating (naturally).

So I thought I would get in touch with my maternal side by launching a few projects.  Now, I've noticed that there seems to be a lack of variety out there in the world of nursery wares, or at least in my price range.  I'll admit that I like some of Dwell Studio's designs for Target, but otherwise the options seem to be a bit...generic.  Incidentally, I do have a sewing machine, and some time, so....

First I started with this fabric (above left).  I found it disguised as a dress in a thrift store.  I loved the coral, mustard yellow, chocolate brown, and just a touch of blue--perfect for...say...a modern baby girl, no?  Six dollars later, some scissors and a seam ripper, and I was well on my way to my first nursery design.

Pieced together and sewn over several days, I ended up with two quilts and a little extra fabric to spare.  I'm thinking the next project will either be coordinating curtains or a crib bumper...

And while I was out, I also picked up what is undoubtedly the world's most hideous floor lamp for $6.99 at Goodwill (my husband said I was scammed).  In spite of its shabby state, I have some major makeover plans for this sad discard, and think it will be the cutest nursery lamp someday.  So even though my hubby is contemplating banning me from thrift stores from this point forward (he just lacks my optimistic imagination...), I think in the end it will be a triumph of recycling and resourcefulness!  

Thus concludes my Nesting update for this Monday.  But don't go far--debuting later this week will by my first ever giveaway along with my first ever email newsletter sign-up, more chat on Mavens, and of course, more Nesting.

Previous Nesting posts:

Nesting is Creating

Nesting Before & After

My Domestic Renaissance

Handmade Holidays: Babies

I have babies on the brain today, probably because my friend announced her pregnancy last night and because I'd like to have one (a baby) myself.  So I'm finding myself thinking about all the crafts for tots, of which there are a ton, and thought I'd list some handmade baby items for inspiration (all from Etsy, of course).

I love this honey-bear hat (upper left) by Little Bit of Sunshine, probably because the yarn looks so warm and thick, and because it would be a great gender-neutral gift. 

This "Birds on a Wire" print from Barking Bird Art is stylishly cute, and gives me great ideas for nursery art.  Want to make your own vintage nursery art?  Head out to the local thrift store and scavenge through their children's book selection.  Last year I found the most adorable monkey story from the 1930's, perfect for removing the pages to frame in sequence on the wall.  Of course, having no baby, I haven't done it yet, but someday...

And these Felt Mary Janes from Humble Bea's would make a perfect gift for a little girl, don't you think?  I'm wild about polka dots, and the brown and red pattern is not too precious.  An easy DIY project for little girls related to footwear are legwarmers (aka "leggies"), which can be whipped up on a set of double pointed needles over a weekend.  Click here for a free pattern from Alana Dakos from Never Not Knitting.  

Can you believe we have two weeks left before the gift-giving deadline approaches!?  I, for one, have a ton of crafting left to do.  

For more Handmade Holiday ideas, read below:

Craft Ideas from How About Orange

Complete Embellishing

My Favorite Martha Stewart Craft Picks