Art, Craft and Needlework, July, 2023

[Harriet]

Creative things of beauty aren't always perfect.
(who knew? ) They may not be structured just so. They don't always turn out a certain way!
Sometimes they say, "Surprise!"

Nancy had a dishcloth turn out a bit "Wonky" last month, but that's okay. She likes it anyway.

"Wonky" is a word that's gotten into creative chat a lot in recent years. And often with the idea of more forgiving methods of construction in the first place. Or looking at our work and being happy with things that aren't so exact.

wonky: adjective
askew, awry, cockeyed, lopsided, skew-whiffturned or twisted toward one side

(no, I didn't know the word, "skew-whiffturned". It's a British word or phrase often used for textiles like men's ties being off-center or their toupees being not-quite-centered on the head!)

What creative items do you make that might turn out wonky but be fine?
What materials (like paint?) are fun when used in a free-spirited way?
Do you have a project that turned out wonky, but is beautiful or creative anyhow?

Did anything get MORE appreciation because you sorta made a mistake? Or were actually winging it?

[Nancy]

My wonky dish cloth was fine except one of the points at the seam so barley noticeable. but because I made it I see it.
This hot weather is a great time for knitting up a few things for the holidays especially smaller items.
Scarves, hats, sox, slippers what have you.

My creativity room is a fright so I am trying to do some rounds in there to free up surfaces.
I have side tables to paint dgd likes to paint when she is here so this will be a great project for her & me.

[Harriet]

Wonky projects - in doing patchwork, I've sewn a LOT of very structured House blocks over the years. Still, one of my most fun projects was making some "Wonky Houses" with various shapes that didn't all seem to make sense, like every roof differently cut on the spur of the moment, but somehow it came out right because you just squared up the sky, etc., when you were finished. I had come across ideas like this in work by Bonnie Hunter, who also does even wonky lettering in quilts. I did not know Gwen Marston had an earlier book on similar work. (1996)

Dd-now-24 enjoyed the Wonky Houses. And I use a photo of one we made together as the icon for "Home" (our house phone line) in my cellphone's contact list even now. Makes me smile.

The times I've made a mistake and then somehow managed to "fudge" it or camouflage it and make it look like "I meant to do that" - SO many times, lol. Applique, for instance, can cover a multitude of oopsies. One thing about taking the stitching out - you never really get credit for the time you spend doing that, do you? LOL! Maybe making something wonky and fun out of mistakes uses time wisely?!?

[Nancy]

I have another dish cloth underway and it is half done.
I've been painting on some things got rocks washed and set up a work space outside to paint them.
I painted a small project a short mini create and legs on a side table to go with the deck decor.

[Nancy]

Question I am trying to remember the fabric name like burlap loosely woven cotton but not as course for a table cloth.
I and to make and fringe. Sail cloth maybe.
Sewing projects omm for Aug.
mend fuzzy blanket
table cloth
bags to seam up
upcycle feed sack bag and apron

[Twins' Mom]

linen, Nancy? but it wrinkles and is fussy about washing/dry cleaning.

Broadcloth is probably too light weight for a tablecloth.

[Nancy]

I thought of linen but the threads are too thin for what I am thinking of.
Thanks Harriet.

[Harriet]

Baking has been a creative outlet again here for me and for dd43. It's no coincidence that it's at the same time that the new "Great American Baking Show" is available to watch, lol. I just love those programs, but I must admit the regular British program is better than the various "new" ones like children's, celebrity, other places. The holiday ones are just about as nice as the regular ones, just over too quickly.

The mending basket is filling up again - both alterations and repairs.

[Nancy]

I have two point left to do on this dishcloth 8 rows should be able to finish that up this week. Done.
Started another will finish it up next month.
These are shades of orange.

[Nancy]

I have cut corners off the table cloth fabrics for the deck and it is great decor accents and bright spots of color.
I did not find the linen fabric but have some other I can use.

Looking forward to JoAnn's for more fun fabric looking.