Friday's Field Trip

March's Friday Field Trip was to JoAnn's Fabric and Crafts in Edina's YorkTown Mall. I was the only one to show up, but that's cool because part of the reason I'm doing the field trips is to force myself to get out of the house more often.

Here's my lesson sheet if you want to copy it. Fair warning, when I copy and pasted it into my blog, the formatting got all ferkachte. Meh. Echt.

JoAnn Fabric and Craft Field Trip

February 22, 2014

Sewnday Morning Musings – Toots Hodgdon

• v How do I find a pattern? - Finding patterns is pretty easy. It's a bit like going to the library and using the old Dewey Decimal System. Only not that organized. By that I mean, in the DDS books are given a number based on subject or author, patterns are given a number, but I'll be dipped if I can figure out a system. 
•   First, know what you're looking for. You can waste many an afternoon in the pattern books, so it's best to have a plan of attack before you head out. All of the patterns books are arranged pretty much the same.
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•     Beyond that, here are some other things to consider when pattern shopping:
•   §  Ability - all patterns will tell you their level of difficulty, usually broken down into Easy, Intermediate, Advanced and the occasional Professional. Only you know your level of expertise, so choose wisely.
•   §  Sizes - be sure you have accurate measurements of the person for whom you are sewing. I cannot stress this enough. Some patterns will include multiple sizes in one envelope. This rocks, you just have to make sure you have the right size range. It doesn't rock if your person is between sizes of two different envelopes. Go with the larger size. 'Tis always easier to take in than let out. Always. Don't forget that these pattern sizes are not going to correlate to your ready-to-wear sizes. Think of prom or bridal sizes. They're made to measure. Ready-to-wear sizes will fit a small range of measurements. Be prepared for your pattern size to be at least 2 numbers larger than what you get at Target or wherever. Beware of vintage patterns. The sizes are different. Always go by the measurements.



The flap is where you'll often find a measurement guide, also in metric for the rest of the world.

  §  How to read the envelope -

From top:

Fabric suggestions - yep, the companies have designed these things with specific fabrics in mind. Not that you couldn't try it with something different, but in the design of the garment, weight, drape and stretch have been considered. It's best not to deviate too far from these suggestions.

This next area shows how much fabric you need to buy for your project depending on the style (view) you're making and your size. I typically round up to the nearest half yard. You know, just in case.
Lining - Make sure you get some lining if your pattern calls for it. I personally prefer a light cotton or silk lining for just about everything. Synthetics (even the so-called cling-free kind) generate more static than natural fibers. There are some polyester linings that are called cling free - these won't cling to other fabrics but may stick to you. Hang free linings won't stick to you, but may stick to other fabrics.
Contrast fabrics - don't forget to get your contrasting fabric or overlays if your pattern requires.
Notions - Don't know why they're called notions other than it's a pretty good notion to have them to complete your project. These are things like zippers, elastics, buttons, of course thread. Be sure to use the recommended sizes and types for zippers and buttons. A longer zipper may be used, but it's not always easy to work with.

From top:

 It’s how much?! - Yeah, patterns can be spendy. I personally belong to the BMV.com (Butterick/McCall's/Vogue) club and purchase most of my patterns when they're having a sale. Fabric stores will often have sale on patterns, too. Never pay full price for a pattern unless you have an emergency prom dress to make or something like that. I've also found patterns at thrift stores for less than a dollar. Sometimes you get stuck with only a portion of the pattern, but often they've never even been used. 

Ability level

The DDS code - this is how you will find your pattern in the drawers.

Project descriptions by view.

Size combinations of what is in the envelope. Make sure you've got the right one.

•   §  What if I need more than one size? - If you need to make more than one size of the same thing, the easiest thing to do (rather than getting separate patterns - $$$) is to purchase some inexpensive muslin or gridded interfacing. Trace the patterns onto that for each one you need. Believe me, it's more cost effective than buying a bunch of patterns and cutting each size separately.
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•    How to read Fabric Bolt Labels

•   §  Size - most fabrics come in one of two widths, 45" and 60" for fashion fabric. Nearly all home decorator fabric is 60". Though you may or may not actually get that full width. The narrower fabrics may be anywhere from 40" to 45" and the wider fabrics can actually be anywhere from 54" to 60" wide for example, the above bolt label shows 057 IN (57") for the width. If you have your doubts, measure the width before you purchase. Few things are as sad as finding a fabulous fabric, getting the amount required and discovering you could really use an additional 1/8 or even 1/4 of your fabric. Also, if it's a print, measure the print area. The print may not run selvedge to selvedge (edge to edge). I've seen prints which leave up to a total of 5 inches unprinted. That's rare, but it can happen.
•   §  Content - Your bolt end label will tell you what the fiber content is for the fabric.  Well, it should. I've seen bolt labels which read, for example: 70% polyester, 30% unknown. That's always fun. The unknown fiber will probably be another kind of synthetic if the main fiber is and most likely will be another natural fiber if the main one is. Not always the case, to be sure, but often. You can always do a burn test to figure out what fibers you've got, if you're so inclined. The above is 100% polyester. 
•   §  Cleaning method - This is important! No, really! Think about how you care for the clothes you've already got. Are you very particular about how they're washed? Does it bother you to have to go to the dry cleaner? The bolt label will tell you how your fabric should be cared for. If it does not, but you see an alpha-numeric code (such as "D2") on the label, you can ask your person at the cutting table to look up the code for you. They should have a reference book somewhere back there that will crack the code and tell you how to wash your fabric. Don't let them tell you they don't have such a thing. They do. Oh, yes. They do.
•    §  Handy clues - Bolts of fabric are wound with anywhere from 10 to 15 yards per bolt. Sometimes someone will have handwritten on the end "9.5" or "9 1/2" which means the original bolt had that amount wound on it. This is often the end piece and the quality may not be consistent. Check for printing alignment. The above bolt was wound with 8 yards and it's listed on the left side. Being that it's printed and not handwritten, you shouldn't have to worry about the print.
•     Occasionally you may find a brightly colored blank sticker on the end. This means that there are more than one piece wrapped on the bolt. This may mean there's a seam going across it somewhere or that there are separate pieces on the bolt. Sometimes employees will consolidate bolts and will write on the end that there's more than one piece.
•   You can guesstimate how much fabric is left on the bolt board (not a tube, mind, the flat cardboards) by counting the number of layers on the fold are on one side of the board. Every two layers is approximately one yard. This can come in handy when there doesn't look like enough on the bolt.
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•    Which thread is the right thread for my project?
•   §  Seam/construction thread - Cotton or poly/cotton all-purpose. Use the 100% cotton for 100% natural fibers and the blend for synthetics and blends. This will prevent any weird shrinkage issues. 
•   §  Quilting thread
• ¨     Hand  - a bit heavier, since you won't have the double thread over and under your quilt layers.
• ¨     Machine - typically very much like 100% cotton all-purpose (I've used all-purpose for quilting in a pinch) 
•   §  Machine Embroidery thread - usually rayon. You do not want to use this for construction sewing. It's not made for that and your seams will not be sturdy. It's made to be pretty.
•   §  Serger thread - Comes on cones. You can find it in either 100% cotton or in a blend to suit your needs. Most of the time you're serging knit fabrics and a lot of those are blends anymore.
•   §  Specialty threads - Button thread - stronger and thicker than regular thread and should be used for buttons that get heavy duty use, like on a winter coat.
•     Denim thread - is made for heavier fabrics, ie denim, duck or canvas. It doesn't come in as many colors as your all-purpose variety.
•     Upholstery thread - this stuff is very heavy and made for  - you guessed it - upholstering furniture. You can also use it for buttons on cushions which get a lot of wear and tear.
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•         Tools, tools, tools!
•    §  I need a wha’? - There are so many tools out these days to help make the sewing process easier and faster. I'll probably end up doing a piece just on tools alone. You don't need them all.
•   §  Machines
• ¨     Sewing - know what you plan on sewing. Don't get more machine than you need.
• ¨     Serging - I love my serger, I really do. It's awesome for working with knits. I just wish they'd find a way to make them easier to thread and clean. 
• ¨     Specialty - these can be anything from embroidery machines to long arm quilters.
•   §  Cut the stuff
• ¨     Blades and self-healing mats - I don't know how quilters did it before Olfa and the other blade brands came out with rotary blades and self-healing mats. Well, I do actually, and it sucked. No lie. I don't envy anyone who made quilts before these miracles came out.
• ¨     Pinker - this is the one with the ziggy-zaggy blades. They're excellent for cutting fabrics that fray easily.
• ¨     Shears - your basic cutters. I like spring-loaded ones.
• ¨     Small scissors - I have a couple pairs of small scissors, including kid's blunt point for plane rides and one for tiny detail cutting.
•    §  Needles - You can get universal needles for both hand sewing and machine sewing. Having a set of each is great for any sewing you might need to do, at least for a start.
•    §  Feet - For your sewing machine. The piece that comes down and helps to hold your fabric as it's fed through the machine is called a foot. Beyond your basic foot that came with your machine, you should have a zipper foot and a blind hem foot is a nice thing to have. Often the zipper foot comes with your machine. A button hole foot can be helpful, too. It helps you to make buttons holes in uniform sizes.
•    §  Marking tools - I have a blue pencil and a white pencil that can be washed out. I've found that's all I need. I used to have sheets of colored wax paper and the little pizza cutter-like tracing tool, but I've found that having the two pencils is just as effective and takes up less room. Tailor's chalk is handy for, well, tailoring and making larger marks.
•    §  Measuring tools - I have about a hundred cloth measuring tapes. Not really, but it seems like it. I have on upstairs, one by my ironing board, one in my travel kit, one by my machine... I have a few templates for cutting shapes for quilts, too, but you can go really crazy with those things. You can get a template for every shape you can imagine. Just go to the quilting department of your local sewing shop and you'll see what I mean. I've found that I really only need a couple of rulers and I do like my hexagons and easy Dresden templates.
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•     What are remnants  and fat quarters, and what can I make with them? 
•   Remnants are pieces of fabric one yard or less. Usually they are offered at a discount.
•   Fat Quarters are pieces that equal a quarter yard but are 20" x 18" instead of 9" x 40". They are almost always 100% cotton and are typically found in the quilter's department.  
•   §  Gifts - rems and FQs are just the right size for making small gifts, bags, pillows, potholders, water and wine bottle covers, soft body dolls. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.



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•   §  Repairs - they are also great to have on hand for repairs. Rather than paying the price for a hunk off the bolt, check the remnant bin for a suitable fabric to patch a garment. I also prefer this to pre-made iron-on patches. By the way, the smallest amount that sellers can cut for purchase is 1/8 yard or 4.5 inches. Depending on the fabric, you may find a rem for less than you would pay for that 1/8 yard.

I hope this helps you get ready for your next trip to the fabric store.

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My.. Buh... BABY!

I'm getting ready to finish a project. I'm sort of putting it off. It's a bit like launching your baby to kindergarten. However, it's paid for, so I simply must finish it. I have to start finishing it. There are only two steps left: rounding off the corners and attaching the binding. I'm excited and scared. Will my friend like it? Will it be the first of many such projects? My hands are shaking with anticipation.

Why does completion scare so many? Isn't that what we strive for: finishing the hat? Closing the deal? Getting a degree?

I'm also on tenterhooks because I'm waiting to find out if I've been accepted into the East West Massage Therapy Program at CenterPoint. All of my transcripts are in, I had my interview, I have recommendations in, including one from my therapist who thinks this is quite possibly the best thing I've ever pursued. I'm nervous. Everything seems to be falling into place. Again. I tend not to believe in omens or signs of any kind. The last few times I thought I was getting signs, I was sorely disappointed. Now I'm sorta anti-omen. I get scared when things seem to go my way and fall easily into place. Sure, I know I'm a nut job, but we all knew that already. I should know sometime next week and I'm freaking out.

Okay. Time for a deep breath and to head down to the studio with the "Happy Accidents" quilt. Time to prep that baby for launch...
10...9...8...7...6...5...

Be well, do good - Mid-week Edition

Wellness defined is a "state of balance or alignment in body, mind, and spirit. In this state, we feel content; connected to purpose, people, and community; peaceful and energized, resilient and safe. In short, we are flourishing."

If you've been following along so far, you'll know that last year I had a nervous breakdown. My life was way out of balance. I'm working on finding balance and wellness this year. Part of that is working on my art and another part is trying to find a connection to a purpose.

I'm feeling very much in tune with my path as a massage therapist. It's something that will allow me to be with people and to serve them on their path to wellness. I really don't know why I didn't think of this before.

That's not entirely true. I was forcing myself into acting which, while important to me and something at which I'm certainly  talented, always seemed to feel like I was doing it for someone else. I've been doing "what was expected of me" for a very long time. Not to say I haven't rebelled in there at times. Not only did I outwardly rebel by not even going to auditions and doing things many people do when they rebel (smoking, drinking too much, general unruliness) but last year my body physically rebelled on me. It's only now as I look back at my life I begin to see that what some people may have thought was my rebellious behavior was really me finding my authenticity in a world where being like everyone else was most desirable.

I wanted desperately to walk into a casting office and have them say, "I like you, you're different." What I was told to do was figure out who I was like. What already famous actor was I most similar to in looks, personality? Which character in what show was I? Was I a Rachel or a Phoebe? I couldn't see myself as anyone but myself and that posed a big problem. Me, myself and I simply weren't good enough. For over 20 years I've been struggling with who the heck I am. I've gotten to a point where, if I don't sort this out and soon, we're going to have trouble beyond a nervous breakdown.

(potty mouth warning)

It's scary as shit trying to figure this out. All the times when I strove to be my authentic self, there were always people telling me I couldn't do that. Casting directors, agents, boyfriends, friends, family, everyone has had an opinion about who I am supposed to be - except me. I've only dipped my toe in the authenticity pool and every time I was bitten. Sometimes by tadpoles, sometimes by piranhas. So I've been afraid of myself for a very long time.

Well, no wonder I had a nervous breakdown! Everything I thought I knew about myself was coming down around me like glass from a cracked mirror. I have the scars to prove it. I still have the occasional facial tic and my hands will tense up at inopportune times. I'm usually able to take it down a notch before anyone notices, but it's there. I've noticed that it tends to happen when I'm about to do something that "just ain't right"...for me, that is. Also when I'm tired. 

So I'm finally at a point where I don't care what people may think of my pink Bob's Big Boy hair and my weird sense of humor. There are some people in the world who just aren't going to get me and that's okay. I can take them or leave them. I'm finally making peace with that. I'm not always going to be what other people expect of me, but as long as I'm doing good and being well, I'm just not going to worry about that any more. It's too much work and much to painful. It would be so much easier if I could just be me. I'm pretty cool, actually. I'm kind and compassionate, funny and friendly, smart and sassy. Like Grover would say, "And I'm cute, too!"

My flowerpots, I hope you are able to be yourselves. If not, I at least hope you can find a way to become yourselves. 

Time flies...

This Sunday, a couple of days early, we'll be celebrating my eldest son's 11th birthday, so I've been rather busy planning his b-day gathering.

My son is a special rascal. He's got Autism Spectrum Disorder and has had some problems in the past, but he's making such incredible progress. I'm very proud of him and all the hard work he has done over the past couple of years since his diagnosis. It's not easy, to be sure, but he'll have moments of such deep intellect and maturity that I can see the man he'll become and that makes all the hard stuff seem inconsequential.

Hug your kids, if you have them. If you don't have your own, but you have a special child in your life, give them a hug.

The beat goes on...

Did you ever find a new path and have it feel so right that you start tap dancing in the kitchen?

I've been struggling with my career path for over 20 years. In my 20s, I was so convinced that I would be a Broadway star that I quit school, left my husband, sold my car and moved to New York City. I will never regret the move, but it (obviously) didn't have the outcome I expected.

I've never finished school, which has been a bugaboo for me for years. I've been to graduation ceremonies for my sister's kids and I always felt bummed out afterwards. I already struggle with my feelings of being a failure and that exacerbates it. Not that I'm not proud of my nieces and nephew. I couldn't be prouder. They're all very successful in their respective fields and are wonderful people to boot.

I thought about going back to finish my Bachelor's, but that would require retaking a bunch of classes in order to have enough local credits to graduate. I thought about changing up my degree and going after Fashion Design. I loved (and aced) the one class I took, but the time and coin required to do a full degree on a part-time basis was daunting. Also, there was no real guarantee that I'd end up as a designer. The competition is fierce and I'm twice as old as most of my classmates were.

My husband is set to retire within a few short years. Our household is going to go through a shift soon and it's going to require my picking up the financial slack. It has become increasingly clear that my dramatic and artistic pursuits aren't going to be reliable sources of income. On one hand this breaks my heart, because I enjoy entertaining and creating. I do realize that my style may not have a mainstream audience. I've made peace with that. I've also made peace with the fact that, no matter how talented I am, I may not be what the director is looking for. I'm kind of a niche girl. With a very narrow niche.

What's a girl to do? I don't want to work as a check out girl, even at Target or a craft store because I'll spend more than I make. I had that problem when I worked at Hancock's. That's part of the reason why I have such a large fabric stash. No lie. Employee discounts are a dangerous thing around me.

Well, Let me tell ya a li'l story: When I had my nervous breakdown, part of what brought it on was that I was trying to work in a creative job as costume builder. I was going to use the money I earned to start my design business, Tequila Diamonds. When that fell waaay through, blammo! I had a nervous breakdown. What I needed was a trade.

Now, the notion of massage therapy has been ruminating since high school when we gave each other backrubs in acting class. I was just more focused on the acting. The idea has come and gone over the years. Apparently I’m pretty good at giving massages as many friends have suggested that I do it for a living. It recently came to the fore when my mom gave me a salon gift certificate for the express purpose of getting a massage and the salon didn’t have a therapist on the payroll when I called for the appointment. I thought, “I could do that. I should do that.”

I found a local massage therapy school that not only trains you to work at a spa or salon, but also more clinical aspects of transformative healing. They not only teach Eastern forms, but Western as well, which is more of what I'm interested in, but I can get a broader selection of tools to use and be more prepared for the job market as a result. The best part? They only teach massage therapies. I won't have to take anything not related to being the best therapist I can be. Their application process is rigorous. They aren't just looking for the most students (and their money) like some schools I could mention but won't, they're looking for the right students. I have a couple more steps to get in the door, but so far, things are looking up.

I'm not going to do any acting during this 20 month period of studying, except maybe some short, special appearance gigs. I'm still going to work on my art projects in my free time. There are times when I simply must create. I'm going to continue blogging and field tripping.

But I have to say, as I was researching schools for this path, the site for CenterPoint stood out to me. Everything was up front and honest. When I called, I received a return call within minutes and the follow up was incredibly professional and thorough. I also discovered that there was quite a spectrum of opportunities beyond the salon. In addition, I think I'll receive a host of therapeutic benefits from doing something that really interests me and helps others.

Did I finally find that elusive career? I feel I have. I've been tap dancing in the kitchen for the last few days.

So, Flowerpots, did you find your path yet? Did you settle for your career or did you settle into it? I'll just leave that here for you to ruminate upon...
 

March's Friday Field Trip

Okay, since the weather was really crummy last month, this month's field trip will be to where we were supposed to have gone in February - JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts in Edina. Please refer to the February Field Trip page for links and more information. Because I hate repeating myself. Plus, I'm totally lazy today.

I actually have some little worksheets for everyone to follow along with what I plan on talking about while we're there, so it'd be really awesome if someone showed up. It's not required, of course, but it'd be fun. 5 or 6 "students" is probably enough.

Unless we have one of our Minnesota March Winter Storms, I plan on keeping this on the schedule. Which is Friday, March 21st, 10:00 am. Come on, flowerpots! You know you wanna...

Thrifty Thursday - Here Comes Trouble!

Last week I dropped off 6 bags of things I no longer wear to my favorite thrift store down the street. I came home today with one. Now, ordinarily you might say that was pretty good. The rule is to always leave with fewer bags than you dropped off. However, I still managed to spend over my budget.

Doilies. Doilies are my downfall. I collect them. Like dust bunnies. I'm fascinated by their intricacy and if there happens to be  one (or a few) in different colors, I'm sunk.

I'm always asked at check-out what I plan on doing with all of them. I do put them on jackets and t-shirts which I hope to sell at some point. I'd like to put them into larger pieces, though. I've seen some marvelous dresses made of vintage doilies. I've been worried, though, as to how to put them together. I keep thinking that I should put them onto some sort of base (like the jackets, or a t-shirt) and then I get stuck. I get stuck buying a bunch of jackets I never wear because I want to sell them but am too afraid no one will like them to put them out to be seen and I have drawers full of doilies.

To be fair, my grandma made doilies, and I feel a bit of a connection with her when I buy them. She died when I was 12 and we were two peas in a pod. Maybe that's my real attachment to them - the reason I've never put my doily projects out for consumption (or even brought them to fruition) is because I have created a weird connection with them. Oh, dear. That's creepy. I don't like that.

Well, come this Spring, when it finally decides to show up, some friends and I are going to take pictures of my pieces and they are going up on Etsy. I've been hiding my proverbial light under the barrel long enough, dagnabbit! I've cleared my closet of the things I shouldn't hang on to any longer and now it's time to do that with my craft. My pieces aren't doing anybody any good languishing in the studio not being seen. I'm going to put that on my calendar for April. Hey! Maybe the photo shoot will be the April Friday Field Trip? Hmmm... possible...

What are your Spring Fever Dreams? Write them down - act on them!

Carry On, My Wayward Sewn...

There'll be peace when I am done!

At least that's the hope. I have been trying to use up my current stash of fabrics. I have a tendency to say "Oh, but I need more. I don't have any coordinating fabrics." Yeah. That happens a lot. In fact, today I got a package from eQuilter.com, one of my favorite websites for fabric shopping. I can't say enough about them. I've never had to return anything, so I don't know how that works, but I always get my order within 3 days.

Here's why I "had" to order from them: at the Mill End GOOB sale I found an incredible Asian print and bought a couple of yards. It has eagles, clouds and drums on it, the purple background is the most beautiful shade. I haven't a thing to coordinate with it. I looked. So I found a few things on eQuilter. Only one of them isn't a good match, but it's a lovely, only-slightly-Asian-looking print, so I'm sure I'll find something with which to use it. I may not use all of that which I purchased for the quilt I plan on making, so there's that, too.

I mentioned earlier about taking some fabrics with which I had planned on making a sundress and making a baby quilt instead. Here's the quilt top:

I still had quite a bit of the fabric left, though, so I made panels of different widths to make a skirt. I didn't know quite how to give it a waist, however. I just couldn't make up my mind. Did I want to gather it? Put in a zipper and a waistband, or do an elastic or drawstring?

Then, real quick-like, before I took all 6 of my bags of stuff to the thrift store, I went back and found a waffle shirt I had thought about donating. I put a few pleats in the skirt at the seams and in the middle of the 4 larger panels, then I figured out where an empire waist would be on my shirt by putting it on my dress form and cutting it off at the desired length. I made the long sleeves half-length and left the edges unfinished. Now I have a dress, too!

It looks better on a human.

As you can see, I'm really a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of designer. Something has to speak to me. It doesn't even have to be all that loud, either. I will also listen to all of the options it has to give me. This is where a sistah gets into trouble. I end up with so many ideas (and the materials for them all) that I have a hard time getting around to them.

This is why I decided to really dig in and get my stash busted in 2014. Yeah, sometimes I'll have to buy some more stuff. That's because my ideas keep coming. A lot of creative people have this problem, I know I'm not alone in this. It can all get to be a bit overwhelming, too. At least I'm able to come up with alternatives if something just isn't working for me. Even if the "problem" item languishes in a closet for a while. Years, even.

Fortunately, there are times when I can actually think on my feet and change a project mid-oops. Like the issue with the Hell on Wheels project. I had worked so hard on putting together the Dresden blades that I couldn't just give up. I took several small breaks, don't get me wrong. I even worked on a few other projects while I thought about what could be done with Hell on Wheels.

If you step back, you can see that the lighter sections create a star pattern within the plate. I'm not gonna lie, it was mentally and emotionally draining. I made a second one with a different main color. Then I needed a nap.

At first I was just going to use the denim. Then I thought about adding the raw linen. I ended up liking the lightness of the linen better than the blue of the denim. The half plate is the second one I had made with a star. Somehow it got out of order when I set them aside (even though I know I clipped them together in order), so I changed my mind on the design in that aspect, as well. The rectangular blocks use the remaining blades and are trimmed to make them square. The denim became a doggie bed for my mom's dog when they visit.

The final quilt top. I decided to go with a modern wall hanging instead of a  full-sized throw. I'm much happier with it this way than I thought I would be. Another happy accident!

That reminds me, I took the Happy Accidents quilt to Nikol of Sewtropolis for the quilting. It should be done in about two weeks. Then I can bind it and take it to Rachel! 

Sadly, Sewtropolis is now only an online entity. I had been planning a field trip there. But at least Nikol's still quilting and teaching. I hope to get to one of her classes very soon.

Whoops! Another reminder. Because of the bad weather, I cancelled February's Friday Field Trip. I'm just going to move it to March rather than try to put together another day. Hopefully the weather will start cooperating. It has made my various somatic neurological issues very cranky, and by extension, I've been more than a bit cranky. What I wouldn't give for temperatures above zero degrees Fahrenheit!

Well, my flowerpots, jump into your stashes and crank out some stuff!

This weather!

I don't know about you, but this winter weather is doing me head in. I feel like a hermit! It's too cold to enjoy the snow, the driving conditions are treacherous...

So I've been going down to the shop to work a bit. If I have to be cloistered away, I may as well get something done. Though, if I'm to be frank, the weather has also slowed my creative production as well. I'm very inspired by bright colors and sunshine (luckily we've at least had sunshine - even if it means frigid temperatures).  This led me to think of this scary topic: COLOR!

I know. A lot of people are afraid of color. Silly, you say? Not really. Especially here in my area. Whole neighborhoods are built with beige houses, white carpeting (in Minnesota? Really? Not smart), brown furniture. Even if the furniture is a non-neutral color, it's a muted, muddied, grayed color to make it neutral. Yuck. I would kill for a fainting couch in purple velvet (like Willy Wonka's top coat - Gene Wilder style).

My front door is yellow. Not pale yellow, nor is it tinged with gray or brown. It is YELLOW. I searched and searched for the right, true hue. I finally found it. Of course, I had to put a few coats of primer over the deep pink I originally had. The primer was the color my neighbor liked. She was disappointed when the yellow went up. Luckily, I live in a city where I can do that and I don't have to abide by neighborhood association rules. I know of a woman who kept having her watering can stolen and finally discovered it was the "wrong color". The association president also informed her that she couldn't grow tomatoes because they aren't aesthetically pleasing. Come on, now.

I know a lot of people who only wear neutral colors. It's easier, they say, they don't have to think when they get dressed in the morning. Everything matches.

It's this sort of conformity I've never quite been able to swallow. I doubt I would've been labeled as a non-conformist in school, though as I look back with friends they do say I always did my own thing. I may not have had the purple mohawk, but my friend, Nikki did. I may not have worn bondage pants, but I did wear plaid ones.

I'm not saying you have to go nuts, but why are people afraid of color? We're surrounded by it. Why should we be content with putting on neutral plumage while a cardinal, a gold finch and a blue jay sit on our windowsill? They don't have a choice but to be naturally bright, but we do! Why should we cover ourselves in grey flannel while a cerulean sky and turquoise waters envelop our world? Why be afraid of wearing color? Why is the corporate world so afraid of color? I could never work in a corporate job. I'd wither and die. I also don't think you have to be a dramatic designer or artsy fartsy like I am to be colorful.

For example, I have a blazer I found at a thrift store. It's an Asian brocade in teal, gold and coral. When I wear it, I'm always complimented. "I LOVE what you're wearing!" The compliment is always followed by, "It's really you. But I could never wear it."

When I finally asked a friend why she felt that way, she went on about how she wore neutral colors most of the time and just didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to herself - in case she looked stupid.

I didn't know if I should be insulted or not.

I'm pretty sure I don't look stupid when I'm brightly dressed. In fact, I have an over-abundance of confidence when I do. I'm happy and outgoing. It's when I'm in something dark and/or drab that I pull into myself and feel awkward. Even if someone did think I looked stupid, that's their issue, not mine.

I also don't do it to gain attention. I can do that all on my own. I'm loud, funny, opinionated, smart, and some have even said I'm striking to look at even without all the fun clothes. That came out wrong, but never mind.

It's sort of like when I'm in a show. I don't quite feel my character until I've had my first costume fitting. Then I know how that person is. Costuming is a bit different than real life, of course, but what are your clothes if not the costumes for your life? I'm not saying you have to get all Hallowe'en-y and steampunk-y on a daily basis. That's a heck of a lot of work. But, as I've said previously, even putting on jeans instead of staying in my pjs has made a difference in my productivity. If you want to do costumes, get into a Cosplay group. But in your everyday life, reassess your wardrobe. Do your clothes make you happy? Are you purposely blending in? If so, why?

You have a color assignment, flowerpots. Yes, yes, you do. For the month of March, bring some more color into your world. Put a hyacinth on your desk. Wear purple earrings. Wearing your beige corporate uniform? Fine. But wear cobalt shoes and a print scarf. Instead of simply wearing green or orange on St. Patrick's Day, wear a rainbow. For the love of Judy, be bold. If that's too scary, get a pair of brightly striped socks and wear them under your boots so no one knows they're there but you. For one month, don't worry about wether or not you look "stupid". If someone says that, it's their problem, not yours. You have no control over what people think, that's just a fact of life. You do, however, have absolute control over how you feel about yourself and how you react to those boring, gray people. Surround yourself with Spring and you'll find that proverbial spring in your step.