David thinks this looks like a deranged Sponge Bob Square Pants. But isn’t Sponge Bob a little deranged already? Anyway, I made this a few months ago, just for the sake of making something quick and easy. It was a nice break from my other projects at the moment.
Remember how my theme for 2011 is simplicity?
Well, be proud of me, because I am actually doing something about it.
My closet has been purged of all the clothes I haven’t worn in at least a year, haven’t ever worn, or don’t intend to wear ever again. This includes the tan-with-yellow-pinstripes work pants I had an unnatural affection for some 6 years ago, the shoes I keep telling myself I will someday grow into (my feet haven’t grown in 15 years; rather, they’ve shrunk), the sweater I kept thinking I’d find something to wear with but never did, and the skirt my mom made me when I was a freshman at BYU and which my backside has since outgrown.
The problem now is that I have an enormous pile of donateable clothing and no desire to actually drag it down to the nearest Goodwill. All in good time, though. All in good time.
Whilst purging my closet, I decided it was time to unclutter all the craft supplies that were languishing in the back corner. Bookbinding tools, embroidery floss, needles of various sizes, skein upon skein of yarn, felt, paper, glue, colored pencils, etc. They all needed a home that wasn’t The Box From My Kitchen Aid or The Floor.
And I realized, as I sized it all up, that I have A LOT of craft stuff. For someone who does not think of herself as especially crafty or creative, I was surprised to learn this about myself.
Simplicity AND self-knowledge by mid-January? I can already tell this year is going to be mind-blowing.
Anyway, while I don’t like scrapbooking AT ALL, I do like making books from scraps of things. I can’t paint or draw, but I really like to color (I don’t care if that is childish. Coloring books rule.) and I’m still dabbling in photography. I don’t really know how to sew, but I’ve got a pretty good handle on knitting and crocheting so far. And I did get a sewing machine for Christmas (thanks again, Mom!) so maybe, now that I know where all my craft stuff is, I’ll be able to branch out a little and make some more happy pretty things.
Just as long as those happy pretty things don’t clutter up my currently immaculate–and color-coded!–closet.
And, just because I never posted pictures but I’m quite proud of how it all turned out, here are a few shots of the quiet book I made for my niece.
I really really really love that quiet book. In case you didn't already know.
I also like the deranged Sponge Bob.
Also, I secretly love coloring with my nieces and building with legos with my nephews. And building forts. I can't wait til I have kids so I have a good excuse for making forts on a regular basis.
You may want to hold onto those shoes that are too big, I keep hearing from friends that none of your shoes fit after you have a baby for a few months!
Wait! Don't toss your shoes yet–there's a good chance that your feet will grow during pregnancy.
And that quiet book is beautiful. Seriously.
Awesome. What did you as a guide for the animals?
Thanks, ladies.
Lydia: I looked for some drawings that I liked online, sketched some that I liked, made changes as needed, then cut felt based on those sketches. Mostly I made it up as I went.
I love the quiet book! You are going to love making things for your little one!