Monday 21 March 2016

Memorandum Monday

Quite a 'feat'

A sock is finished.  Just one.  So the knitting needles are still out ready to make the next one.  I've learnt a lot along the way; from the basics of juggling several knitting needles at once to how to do a Kitchener stitch to close up the gap at the toe.  Now, although this feels like a huge accomplishment, it's also been a bit of a trial run as I can see where I can make many improvements.  The whole process of how it comes together is clearer now and I can see how it all takes shape.  Let me be the first to tell you that mine are nowhere near as neat and precise as Sian's are!  I need to tighten up my tension, or maybe use a smaller needle and I'd like to have a go at using a circular needle to avoid the slight change in tension where I move from the end of one to the beginning of the other.  Look at me, already planning my next pair!  I liked the fact that it didn't take long to make either, when you only have a few stitches on a needle, the rows soon fly by.  And I also liked the way that there weren't huge lengths of stocking stitch to do as I am easily bored! 


So that's what I've learnt since we last met
 
Liberation Day
 
In a moment of madness, I signed up for Liberate Your Art 2016.  I loved the postcard exchange that we did a while ago and thought that this sounded fun too.  I do love receiving Happy Mail!  So after signing up, I wondered what the heck I was going to use for the images on my postcards.  I am rubbish at the drawing/painting side of art, but with a bit of imagination wondered if photos of some of my quilts would be appropriate.  Does sewing constitute art?  Plus a few photographs that I'd taken which I quite liked.  I had them printed, wrote my messages on the back and sent them off before I changed my mind.  So what have I learnt this weekend, now that the first ones from other people have started arriving on my doorstep?  I have learnt that there are a lot of very talented people out there and I fear that the poor people who receive my postcards are going to be a bit disappointed!  I'll know better for next year!
 
But I wanted to also mention something else that caught my eye this weekend. 

Friends

One of the blogs that I follow had an interesting discussion post this weekend.  The blog is called 'A Beautiful Mess' and the post is hereIt's about making friends on the internet.  Something that would once upon a time have been considered a bit odd and I'm not sure that my husband always understands how I can have a friend that I've never met. 
 
But it's very true that before blogging, your group of friends was limited to the people you met in your own locality.  When I was first married, I met the wife of someone I went to school with who happened to move round the corner to us.  We got together for a meal one evening and found out that we had so much in common.  She became a firm friend and my partner in crime as we discovered various crafts that we wanted to learn.  Oh the fun we had at lace making - we were by far the youngest ones there by about 40 years - and I've never met anyone locally since who would have fancied having a go at some obscure craft.  Her husband very thoughtlessly found a job which involved them moving to the New Forest and although she enjoyed going to evening classes with me and spending Sunday mornings at local craft fairs, her loyalties appeared to be with her husband and she moved away. 
 
The person who introduced me to blogging was my dear friend Denise, her enthusiasm for scrapbooking was contagious and before I knew it, I'd ordered a scrapbooking kit off QVC, bought various cutters, alphas and glue and was signed up to on online class with Shimelle.  The rest, as they say, is history.  I've 'met' so many people through blogging that I would never have met in real life.  And whilst my scrapbooking mojo packed up and left a couple of years ago, I've discovered other crafts along the way that I would never have had the confidence to try without reading blogs of those who have the same interest.  The pile of quilts that is growing in my lounge is testament to that.  I would never have even thought of trying quilting if I hadn't seen the work that Abi showed on her blog.  And through sharing that on my blog, I took part in the Friendship Quilt project, which in turn meant forging more bonds with fellow bloggers. 
 
There are people whose blogs I love just because of how they write; their personality shines through and you just know that they are people who would be fun to spend time with.  I love the way a little community forms, to support in times of hardship and also sharing the good times.  They are no less friends than those people we know in real life.  Please do have a look at the Beautiful Mess blog post and let me know what you think!

11 comments:

helena said...

great looking sock and I love to hear how your mind is working on technique for the next ones. I'm sure recipients of your postcards will be delighted with what you are sharing. Off to read the blog post - I agree our blogging community is a modern wonder and provides many things I haven't found locally. have a great week

Julie Kirk said...

One of my [many, poor, never-acted-upon] ideas for a book/article is how lots of criticism around online interactions seems to imply that - if only we all just stopped spending time online we'd have these amazing fulfilling 'real' life relationships. Yet - to me that's the wrong division to draw. It's very often not a case of if you weren't online you'd have more real interactions ... it's more like - if you weren't online you'd have hardly any rewarding interactions at all!

Phew ... look what you've done. You've made me come over all philosophical and ranty now ...

Anyway ... have a great week ahead. Happy socking to you.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Oh, Deb. I sure do love you.

LOVE the photo of your first sock and your bare foot waiting for the other. Well done on completing your first sock and also for learning so much along the way. It will be interesting to see how your second, more practiced sock, fits compared to your first. :o)

As for your postcard! I LOVED the photo you used and I was so touched that, even though I didn't participate in the exchange this year, you thought to send one to me so I could enjoy your beautiful mandala! Thank you!!! Your artwork is every bit as appreciated as anyone else's! Don't you forget that.

And lastly, blog friendships. I count my blog friends as some of my nearest and dearest friends on the planet! I've been so blessed to have the opportunity to meet some of my favorite blog friends in person - something I am so grateful for! You bring such a beautiful presence to our blogging community, Debs14! I am so grateful for you!!! xoxox!

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Wow! As I just said over on Sian's blog I am awe of the skill required to knit a sock. My lack of coordination with two needles is bad enough, but four?! Great job.

Sian said...

Well just look at you go! Your sock looks fantastic. It is very satisfying isn't it? You won't be able to stop..it's so easy to pick up and do a few rows. I can't wait to see what you do next.

And I received a most beautiful card today which really did lift my spirits on a very grey hard work kind of a Monday morning here. So thank you so much. Maybe we will get a chance to have a cup of coffee together in real life one day. I'd like to think so. In fact, I'm counting on it.

To the next sock!

Patio Postcards said...

Lovely sock - pretty colours. Receiving happy mail is such a treat & so rare these days since everyone just wants to tweeter, email or F/B message - I do not believe it has everything to do with age, but whether someone is crafty or not. I think crafters still like the touch of paper in its many forms. Well that is my thought anyway. Thanks for letting me tag along with a visit to one of your friends, will there be cake?

Sandra said...

I can honestly say I have some very close online friends. I've met some and hope to meet others, but like you say, personalities shine through and it's been a joy making friends online. Of which I count you as one

alexa said...

Many congratulations on finishing your first sock! It looks wonderfully cosy and I am sure that other foot is going to appreciate its companion :). I am full of admiration. And I am with you on the friendship front too. My online friendship is are every bit as real as my offline ones, and it's a joy to be able to 'pop in' online. Sending warmest good wishes for your next sock adventure!

Beverly said...

Very cute sock, bet you'll breeze through it's mate. Knitting is something that fully escapes my abilities. I participated in Liberate Your Art last year but passed this year because of travel. You'll understand once you see the final slideshow that all sorts of art is celebrated and your quilts fit perfectly into the spirit of it all. I'm looking forward to next year.

My life has been so enriched by friendships formed online. I know many people can't understand it but that doesn't detract from it's beauty and realness.

Cheri said...

My facebook friends are as real as any others to me. And often "get" me better than people I see on a regular basis. I couldn't agree with you more!

Congrats on finishing a sock - I'm in awe, never could quite handle knitting. Love the photo!

Anonymous said...

Quilts are most definitely art! I'm sure everyone you sent the postcards too just loved them and appreciated your work. Well done on that sock, I admire you working with more than 2 needles - I think that's one thing that keeps me away from doing socks but I have some on needles that I must pick up again and give another try.

I loved your thoughts on blog friends and am delighted with all the friends I've met through blogging and the old newsgroups that used to exist and treasure everyone of them.