Banner Images (left to right) Elisabeth Andree, MacKenzie-Child, Yumiko Higuchi
POST-ITS is a weekly feature on Wee Folk Art where we share some of our favorite posts from the week taken directly from our Wee Folk Art’s Facebook page. We encourage you to share some of your favorite finds from the week. It might be something you’ve seen on the web or something you’ve blogged about or something you just added to your shop. Just tell us a little bit about your find and share a link in your comment.
Starting Small
Photo Source :: April Wu
I’ve often mentioned my past inability to watercolor. I’m not talking about the fact that I’m wasn’t good at watercoloring, I’m talking about not being able to start watercoloring. If you haven’t read them before, I have a couple of lengthy posts about my problems… or perhaps I should call them challenges. You can read about them here https://weefolkart.com/content/unrequited-dreams and here https://weefolkart.com/content/commence-art-journaling.
Anyway, sometimes our inability to begin a project or to learn something new is because it just seems overwhelming. When I first looked at a 9″ x 12″ piece of watercolor paper and all my paints and brushes, my upper lip began to perspire, I got green behind the gills, and I wound up with a paper bag over my mouth as I tried to bring my hyperventilating into check. What in the world was I going to do with that whole piece of paper?
When I finally… after almost 30 years of procrastinating… began watercoloring, I did so on small pieces of paper. I figured, how badly could I mess up on such a small piece of paper? Starting small gave me the confidence to think bigger!
When I saw this journal this morning, I thought to myself, maybe if I had thought to do this earlier, and focused on filling in one teeny tiny square with something, my watercolors may have come out years ago and I wouldn’t have wasted all that time on unrequited dreams.
If there is something you would like to do, but have psyched yourself out of trying… think small… whatever it is. Don’t think of losing 15 pounds, think of losing 1. Don’t think of painting a room, start with painting a closet. Don’t try to knit a sweater, knit a dishcloth. Don’t sign up to take a full course load if returning to school, take one class. Don’t think of making a souffle, think of making chocolate chip cookies. Don’t think of painting a large master piece, think of painting 1 small square in your planner.
Small successes give us the courage and confidence to tackle larger projects.
Is there something you would like to try but feel overwhelmed at the mere thought of it? Can you think of a way to minimize the process into something small and doable?
I have 60 years of photos in boxes. I want to organize them but need to figure out a way of breaking this down into some small and doable chunks or my photos will continue to look like my memory throw up in a box!
~Kimara~
Yumiko Higuchi Embroidery
Photo Source :: Yumiko Higuchi
I know in the past I’ve shared some of the spectacular embroidery of Yumiko Higuchi. Her work leaves me speechless.
However, today when I was looking at one of her clutches, I finally put two and two together, (sometimes these things take me a while) and it occurred to me that in order to make the beautiful clutches, she has to cut apart the embroidered linen she has sewn!
GULP! CRINGE! PERSPIRE PROFUSELY!
OMGoodness. I don’t think I would have the heart or the nerve to cut apart one of these beautiful tapestries, even to make something equally beautiful! What if you messed up? What do you do with the extra bits of embroidered fabric that are not needed to complete the clutch? What do you do with the bag when it has exceeded its usefulness?
Sometimes I’m at odds with the way my brain functions.
((Heavy sigh))
Anyway, if you haven’t done so already, do check out Yumiko Higuchi’s Galleries and marvel at the beautiful needlework. Look at those stitches. Incredible, right?
Then ask yourself this… if you were the one who embroidered these pieces, could you cut them apart? If the answer is “yes” I truly admire your bravery and courage. Guess I’m just not Gryffindor material!
~Kimara~
Crocheted Mesh Bags
Photo Source :: Elisabeth Andree
I love winter. Actually, I love all 4 seasons and I’m thankful that I live somewhere that has such notable seasonal changes. It helps me maintain the rhythm of my days and years.
Of course, truth be told, although I do embrace each season, there comes a point when I think, “Enough is enough!”. I’m now ready for the next season to greet me.
And although I do not wish time away, when I start feeling like I’m ready for a seasonal change, I begin to look forward to what awaits me in the near future.
Spring means the emergence of bulbs. It means the return of the robins and red-winged black birds. It means shawls instead of wool coats. It means planning out the gardens and flower boxes, and it means the return of local farmer’s markets.
I love going to farmer’s markets. There is always an intoxicating mix of flowers, produce and crafts. Our local market has homemade soaps, honey sticks, yard art and wind chimes. You get to know the vendors. You bump into neighbors and acquaintances you have not have seen in ages. Farmer’s markets unite communities.
Also, it means I get to use some of my favorite baskets and bags each market day. I use bolga market baskets, fair trade patchwork bags, airy crocheted totes and we have a collapsible canvas wagon to load up with flats of flowers or other bulky finds.
When I saw these crocheted mesh bags this morning, I thought… ah, perfect for the farmer’s market. These were made by Elisabeth Andree and are featured on her blog, About Crochet. If you look on the right side bar, you’ll notice she has free patterns for a couple of her bags. She also has a Ravelry site.
Make sure to check out her site and dare I say it… Think Farmer’s Markets!
~Kimara~
Laubube Fashion for Girls
Source :: Labube
I just discovered a new line of children’s clothes that fascinates me. They are handmade in Spain, and I’m not even sure they are available in the states but I find the entire look and collection irresistible.
Although not in traditional children’s colors, I find the clothes to be modest, fun and inspirational. I’m thinking the adorable skirt that is used in so many outfits could be easily made using extra wide elastic at the waist.
Of course, I wish the clothes came in adult sizes because they certainly would feel right at home in my closets!
What do you guys think… Darling or Drab?
~Kimara~
MacKenzie-Childs Cozy Corner
Source :: Mackenzie-Child
I often dream about cozy corners. Don’t get me wrong. My house is full of cozy corners BUT every once in a while I happen upon something that makes me sit up and take notice.
So, I’m sitting up and I’m certainly taking notice of this corner. Not sure if I’d like to snuggle in with a good book… say Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland or cut to the chase and simply invite the March Hare over for an intimate chat!
Whether this style is your cup of tea or not, you have to admit it is eye catching and worthy of consideration. If you are unfamiliar with MacKenzie-Childs, visit their website and online store and be prepared to be enthralled, amused and besot!
Of course, most things here are well beyond my means, but every now and then I like to stroll their aisles and sometimes smile, sometimes grimace, and frequently become inspired. These people know how to have fun!
~Kimara~
