busy hands ~ works in progress

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art, beauty, busy hands, cedar tree crochet, creativity, crochet, inspiration, learning, me, yarn along

I am most myself when I am centered in a creative space. I see and feel the world differently. I am more open, more grateful, more passionate. I remain more aware of the wonder that surrounds me. Crochet is my meditation. It soothes the rough edges of my busy days. Please join me as I share the yarn I have been hooking this week.

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I am so grateful to again connect with the wonderful community of knitters and crocheters Ginny gathers together with her yarn along each week.

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Tasmania Statement Necklace, made of hand dyed linen, this piece will be finished with a chain and jewelry clasp.

This smaller version of the Tasmania Necklace is made of traditional crochet cotton and will be finished with charms, a chain and a jewelry clasp.

Cleopatra Collar ~ Made of hand dyed linen this collar is the softest shade of buttery yellow. An added jewelry clasp will serve as closure for this piece.

This smaller version of the Cleopatra Collar is made of traditional ivory crochet cotton and will be complete with a metal chain and jewelry clasp. Do you see the wings?

This chandelier necklace is a smaller version of this. I keep wanting to make this pattern over and over again I love it so.

A garden of colorful lotus flowers. These are destined to be starched and made into dangle earrings.

(this photo is terrible, sorry! it was 3 am)
These are inspired by a very traditional vintage pineapple pattern. After a good starching, these, too, will be made into dangle earrings.

Wow. What a week I have had. With my deadline for Plum quickly approaching and only a limited number of days I can dedicate completely to Cedar Tree Crochet, it seems inevitable that we would all come down with influenza. My friends have taken to calling me Typhoid Mary. I can’t really say they have it wrong. *sigh*

I pretty quickly decided that something was going to have to give, so it is that the dishes have piled up, the laundry heap has overtaken the hallway and so much progress has been made with my crochet work. Please don’t tell, but I’ve set up shop in my bed. This is the one place we all want to be, so why not? Kids are wandering in and out at all hours of the day and night, sometimes sleeping for a bit, sometimes playing quietly, sometimes reading a book or chattering away. Sneezing and coughing, too. Lots of that has been happening. Cats are lazing about, or, alternately, batting at the work I am trying to finish. Yarn is strewn hither and thither. Patterns are spread out on the floor. My work light is on a stool next to my bed. Creativity is supposed to be a messy process, right?

Despite the chaos surrounding me, I am feeling much more organized compared to this time last week. I have finally been able to clarify my vision for this, my debut collection. (Yay!) Now I am simply making items and checking them off of a list. (I’m more that half way done!) I have been working the most difficult pieces first and am progressing to items that are much quicker to produce, namely bracelets and earrings. I might actually do this!

Of course there is still all of the finishing work left to do — pressing, blocking, starching, adding bits and bobbles of non-crochet jewelry — but I find that process to be the most thrilling of all. What a joyful and accomplished feeling it will be to see all of my hard work come together into finished pieces. A finished collection.

Back to work…

Inspired by the graceful arches of ancient cathedrals and a very basic pattern, I tried my hand at designing for the first time.

I am planning on making a catalog of my finished pieces. Oh, I can hardly wait to show you how these works that are so clear in my mind’s eye look once my vision (and hard work) is complete. Everything will be so pretty!

Also made from my favorite hand dyed linen, this Peter Pan Collar will make a beautiful addition to someone’s spring wardrobe.

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My mind quiets and my well fills when my hands are busy creating something beautiful. If you feel moved to share what you have been creating, please leave a link in the comments below so we may revel in each other’s creative pursuits.