Crafting is a Philosophy of Solutions

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! It has been long since I have been posting something DIY related to my blog. In November I decided that I need to take a short break in the making and creating. The year had been hectic and I had done many quilt works as well as some DIY projects among work and studying. Dear time is limited to 24 hours per day for each and everyone of us even though it would be nice to bend the limit and do more. 

Last weekend I got my knitted scarf finished and I am looking forward to give you a picture of that soon. Relatively small knitting projects have been all that I have done during the break. My knitting projects haven't been that artistic, legwarmers, beret, and scarf become to a need. I should still knit one pair of woolen socks. I actually began that project an year ago. Knitting is not my media for self expression and I am not that fond of it. I do love knits and admire people who create and make beautiful works.

Crafter without a project is a ticking time bomb. Suddenly issues that were manageable before become huge, odd behavior and anxiety occur. At least for me all those are sings that information is not moving between the two halves of my brain. I had the papers and sequins on my table for two weeks and I had no lust to begin anything. After spending few days in a weird state were world consisted mainly on barriers and everything felt scary there was no other way out than to sit down, take the scissors and papers and craft the anxiety out. I don't remember ever in my life spending more than a month in a row without doing any craft at all. Sounds pompous but crafting is like breathing, eating and sleeping for me. It gives a concrete result that is tangible. The process of making makes the whole body work as one, hands do their task in co-operation with the brain. Problems get solved with one stitch and glue drop at a time. Afterwards the issues that caused anxiety turn out be similar in nature, possible to handle and fix if necessary.

World of concepts is endless like space. I believe it is not just me who needs concrete projects at times. Can it be that some day we people evolve into species that only lives inside of our minds, processing concepts and emotions? Or is our consciousness bound in to the physical and tangible so deeply that if the tie breaks we start to come up with problems? I have been reading a lot lately and I love bingeing books. Yet it began to feel that that surfing in the world of concepts made reality seem unrecognizable and difficult to handle. It is about balance, both reading & philosophy and creating & crafting in good doses without forgetting the other. 

Now that Valentine's Day cards have been made it is a good start to begin crafting year 2019 stitch by stitch. Today mail got me a Valentine's card from my friend who must have sensed my moods behind the 1000 kilometers. She knew to write exactly right words to the moment and I am ever grateful receiving her card. Most of the time when we ponder our problems, we don't concentrate on the visible and easy solutions. Instead of that we come up with imagined nonsense that bounds us by making things even more complicated. Maybe it is paper and scissors that help to see what is real and what is imagined.

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I guess you will be able to make these cards just looking at the picture but I will share short instructions so you can get your hands to the reality as well.

Valentine's Cards

-cardboard boxes (from oatmeal, cereals..)

-colorful paper (from old calendar, magazine, or craft stacks)

-ribbon

-sequins

-paper glue

-pencil

-scissors

Make a model for the heart and cut three hearts from the cardboard, and three from the colorful paper. Apply glue to the patterned side of the cardboard, place the ribbon to the middle and put the colorful paper on top. Place the second heart similarly to the row. With the third heart turn the end of the ribbon so that you get a loop and then place the colorful paper on top. Decorate hearts with sequins and write lovely Valentine's wishes behind the hearts.

Valentine's Day Decorations

Valentine's Day, what a wonderful reason to craft and decorate! There is never too many festive days in a year. I like to have excuses to make small decorations and arrangements. In a small apartment festive seasons are a handy way to change decor and have a reason to start over again. 

I know festive days can cause stress because there is a pressure to have lots of fun and masses of people around you. Spending Valentine's Day alone doesn't sound that appealing when you look at the pictures in social media or magazines. Also there might be a pressure to buy expensive gifts you actually can't afford. I have taken an approach to enjoy all festive seasons in advance. I gather inspiration, plan, craft and decorate. I have learned that preparations are the thing that I enjoy the most. Festive days feel often a bit flat. Sometimes the actual celebration has no extra because all events and gatherings are before or after the day. Like it is thought that people have too many plans already for that day. 

One way to celebrate Valentine's Day is to make DIY decorations, send Valentine's cards, maybe bake festive treats and take part to some Valentine's event. I really hope that every town and village has at least one event where everybody is invited. It might not be labelled with Valentine's Day in it. Maybe it is a dance class or reading circle that actually has gatherings every week, but is open for new members. One of my plans for Valentine's Day is to attend to an open lecture that has nothing to do with Valentine's. It just happens to take place that day. For me the most important thing is to be among people and do something that I am actually interested in. Who is to show the right way to celebrate Valentine's Day or any other festive season.

For those like minded people who enjoy crafting and decorating I have got two Valentine's decoration DIY ideas. I felt I needed to craft something small and super cute this year. Pink, hearts, pearls and tassels are the details that make my Valentine's decoration this February. And sure, pink flowers like roses or carnations are traditional but never old fashioned. So here you have: Heart Decoration 1 and 2 tutorials. Please share on social media if you like <3 

Heart Decoration 1.

You will need:

27 small pearls

Thin wire

Embroidery Yarn

Golden sewing yarn

Glue

Needle

Scissors

Pliers

Piece of cardboard

Step 1. Cut 2,5 cm high piece from cardboard. Cut long piece of wire and put on the cardboard. Twist embroidery yarn around the cardboard and wire 11 times.

Step 2. Knot the wire tight around the bundle and remove the cardboard.

Step 3. Knot piece of embroidery yarn 0,5 cm from wire knot. Trim the tassel.

Step 4. Thread 13 small pears to both wire ends.

Step 5. Put wire ends together and twist tight with pliers. Put a pearl to cover the knot and little bit of glue to keep the pearl in its place. Put a loop from sewing yarn to hang the decor.

Heart Decoration 2

You will need:

Felt heart or big heart shaped pearl

3 small pearls

Embroidery yarn

Golden sewing yarn

Scissors

Needle

Cardboard

Step 1. Cut 2,5 cm high piece from cardboard. Cut long piece of golden yarn and put on the cardboard. Twist embroidery yarn around the cardboard and golden yarn 11 times. 

Step 2. Knot the golden yarn tight around the bundle and remove the cardboard.

Step 3. Knot piece of embroidery yarn 0,5 cm from golden yarn knot. Trim the tassel.

Step 4. Take a needle and thread two pearls, felt heart and one pearl to the golden yarn. Make a knot to the end of the yarn so you can hang the decor.

Happy first of February To You All <3

Sannu