#creativerootschallenge

A little late to @knitroots #creativerootsweek1 party, but: a moment to introduce myself. As M, I'm an Artist and Maker, Thinker and Writer, Dreamer and Do-er, based out of Nashville and loving my community. ✨In considering three reflections about where I am in my creative journey...✨1✨Working for myself again after a few years - everything from speaking about creative practice to living it fully as a professional Maker of prints, animation, and artifact - which is its own joy and its own unique fear. It's hard to navigate at times while also navigating grief, growth, and change, but I'm embracing the transformation in all of its manifestations and trusting that the world will move with me. ✨2✨Though I work for myself, the work is not just for myself: the drive to transform community in this creative process is stronger than ever. I find myself continuing to be drawn towards initiatives and projects that call all of us forward into action in our own strengths, and which seek equity and access for all as we go. I'm trying to live good and do good and make good. May we build bridges and make friends as we go. ✨3✨ I am also digging deeper on what Maria Popova described as "an uninterrupted intimacy with my own mind." I have been challenged to be more forgiving and assertive of my own needs and directions: to lead myself with the same compassion and intention I give towards others. It has allowed me to really push for and accept creative opportunity and nontraditional movement in a way I did not always embrace in myself before, and I'm excited for that, too, as it manifests itself in creative ways. I'm choosing that endless journey towards my fullest self, and that's a good place to be. . . . (...and in the spirit of that fullest self, just in case you thought I was a creature of wealth and taste...here are a few more completely weird moments that nonetheless encapsulate my nature. I wouldn't be myself without them!) #creativerootschallenge #makersgonnamake (at Nashville, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CE2un1HBYEQ/?igshid=bdy8luznaxhf

Be your own hype person and show your best feature, skill or make that gives you the most confidence. 👍👍👍👍 That was the #CreativeRooksWeek16 prompt from this week’s featured maker: Kate aka @oneofakate I like to think that communication is my best feature😉. When I look at the photo that I’m about to post, I tend to look for something that is or can be relatable to everyone to talk about. Something that shows that I am a regular person…someone that you can relate to. I try to be upbeat, positive, and more than anything else, I want to make you smile. 😊😊 I am older, and I am plus sized, so it is important for me to show that everyone is beautiful, and everyone should be proud to take pics and show off their gorgeous makes. In the picture, I’m wearing the #DoveDress from @madebyhaileybailey… When I was selected to test this pattern I knew that I had to incorporate beads into the design. She gave me permission to do so and I spent hours beading the bell section of the sleeves. I was soooo excited….the sleeves were a success…Unfortunately, the beads didn’t show off too well in the pics. It’s beautiful in person and if you close up on the sleeves you can see the beads. I love beads and I especially love crocheting with beads. Hummmm, maybe I should’ve said that beading is my best skill. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Pattern: The Dove Dress Designer :@madebyhaileybailey Yarn:Yarn Bee’s Soft and Sleek in the color Linen #CreativeRootsChallenge #creativerootsweek16 (at Maurice, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJUvPpGr74P/?igshid=bfkrrf3og9j2

When I read Week 13’s Creative Roots Challenge: “What creative influencer on Instagram would you like to extend some gratitude towards?” there was one particular person that immediately came to mind….. Roseka 👍 aka @handmadebyroseka Roseka (we call her Roe) is a fellow tester (who has recently started designing her own patterns). 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I want to let her know publicly, 📣 how much I appreciate all that she has done for me and how much richer my life is with her in it. 🙏🙏 It was Roe who took my hand and gave me advice on how to get into the pool of pattern testing on Instagram. Just one short year ago (although the year 2020 has become the nightmare that never wants to end), I signed up for my first pattern test through Facebook. During the test all of our communication was through Instagram so I had to create an Instagram account and jump right in. Like a duck out of water…I was totally clueless.🤦🏻‍♀️ The test went smoothly and it was a great experience. But, once the test was over, I was stuck. I knew that I wanted to test other patterns but my question was: “Where do I go from here?”🤷🏻‍♀️ Roseka was a fellow tester in that pattern test. It was Roe who virtually took me by the hand and guided me to the people that she tested for and suggested that I apply to be a tester for them as well. So, it was @handmadebyroeseka who helped me get into the crochet testing world and introduced me to the best crochet designers in the world. Since then Roe and I have become great friends. We Zoom weekly along with other tester friends (from around the world) that we like to call #cromies. Roe’s daughter even calls me her “Cromie Grandma” Go to @handmadebyroseka please follow her and check out her designs. I’m excited to report that I’m in the process of testing her latest creation: “The Stained Glass Tunisian Sweater” coming out in a couple of weeks. Thank you Kelly @knitbrooks and Maressa @maressamade for this great prompt that allows all of us the chance to publicly thank those people that have enriched our lives.  #CreativeRootsChallenge + #CreativeRootsWeek13 *Pattern: Sweet Diamond Cardigan * Designer: @handmadebyroeska https://www.instagram.com/p/CIM0c6yBd6x/?igshid=1i75pxbvh5tlc

Like a moth drawn to a flame 🔥 I’m a heat/light seeker. When I walk into a room, I’m going to look for the sunniest place and that is where I will sit. I just love the warm feeling that only sunshine 🌞🌞 can produce. This week’s #CreativeRootsWeek11 prompt is all about setting the mood for your creative process. In my home, the sunniest 🕶 place is the south facing window in the breakfast room. I used to sit at the kitchen table to do everything from homework, to reading, to eating meals, that’s where you would always find me…that is when I wasn’t at work, chasing the kids, or doing housework. And even though it wasn’t that comfortable, that’s where I would crochet. When my children left home, I decided that I didn’t need a kitchen table and a dining room table, so I converted that breakfast area to a sitting room, with a wicker loveseat and a bookcase to hide my fiber arts tools when my grandchildren come to visit. There are reasons for why I chose wicker furniture… • I can easily manuver it around the room for best sunlight • Its long enough so that I can keep my pattern, yarn and hooks right beside me. there’s plenty of room to hold all that frogged 🐸🐸🐸yarn and not worry about it falling on the floor. And yes, I did have to frog 😤a whole section because my count was off by 1 stitch 😱 • But most of all ….the frame of the loveseat is close enough to the ground so that my feet are not dangling off the end. (short legs). From this area, I can also look out the window and see nature at its best. My other crochet must have ...is my podcasts and headphones.🎧 I used to be one of those who would watch TV 📺 while I crocheted🧶. But podcasts have recently become my jam. Today I’m working on a test for @nameste_crochet It’s the Blythe Dress. I hope you join us for #Dressember #CreativeRootsChallenge + #CreativeRootsWeek11 (at Maurice, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHoXp6VBPGy/?igshid=v9xjdi9v7sl4

#CreativeRootsWeek10 prompt is “What was the project and/or moment that propelled the passion to create”?👍 Oh girls, you have delved deep into my soul and touched my core with this one.❤️❤️❤️❤️ I am going to take you back in time to the 1950’s. My family lived in a somewhat rural town in southwest Louisiana. There were still many “mom and pop” stores that were set up in the front part of their homes🏡. My godmother had a maternity shop and my grandmother had a baby shop that specialized in handmade clothing. I think I told you once before that I used to go with my grandmother to people’s homes to pay for and pick up handmade things for her to sell in the store. Even though I was only 5 years old…..I loved that store and was in awe of every single detail put into those handmade items. Pictured above is an original from my grandmother’s shop. This christening gown is over 60 years old😱. It was worn by me and every other family member that has been christened over the past 3 generations. It doesn’t matter if you are a boy or a girl…it’s a tradition. Please take the time to zoom in on the pictures so that you can see the detail and care that was put into making this gorgeous garment. My grandmother and my mom knew that they were asking for trouble if they gave me needle and thread🧵…I mean I had 2 bratty little brothers and it wouldn’t take much for me to turn that needle into a weapon….So to stop the constant nagging and temper tantrums, they gave me a 4 mm crochet hook and some acrylic yarn 🧶and the rest is history.  #CreativeRootsChallenge #CreativeRootsWeek10 (at Maurice, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQkiklrGnl/?igshid=1d6boj22cxmuh

When I think of a brand, I think of a business, some way of creating things to make money. So, at first I thought that I didn’t have a brand. I mean I don’t have a business, nor am I in this to make money. I created my instagram page to be able to show off my makes. Which in turn lead me to the world of crochet testing. Here I have found a home. I have thrived and blossomed as a garment tester and I am addicted. My ultimate dream would be to have sample garments on display in yarn shops or better yet on websites and/or magazines…. Am I crazy or what…I would do it for free if you just give me the yarn! My Brand… my Hands!!! These are the that describe my brand: 1. My hands….they are worn and wrinkled, filled with years of experience, yet not nearly fulfilled with where I want to go with my skills. 2. Crochet tools and projects depict my dedication. The background is just a sample of the garments that I have made so far in 2020. There are 20 garments in total…I just couldn’t fit them all in one pic. I also wanted to show some of the range of colors that I use for my garments. I like to let the garment tell me what color it wants to be. 3. Passion…You might not see passion with just a glance, but if you look closely at my hands and look at my work, you can feel the passion I have for this art form. A passion for combining the skills from the old with the ideas of the young to carry this art form for many generations to come. I am in the process of trying to brand the hashtag #seasonedstitches Many of us who are more "seasoned" (experienced) are not encouraged to make garments because we don't know how to find modern designs that are appropriate for our style and/or body type. Frankly, we don’t have the social media experience to know what is out there. I want #seasonedstitches to be the first place to go to find inspiration and encouragement. A place for designs that are appropriate for wearing to work or casual social events (like school functions, casual events with family, and church) and where they can be found. So, as you can see, I don't have a business, however I do have a goal with a purpose. #creativerootschallenge #creativerootsweek2 (at Maurice, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFGGnhDB9qO/?igshid=86jn290ihy04

When I think of a brand, I think of a business, some way of creating things to make money. So, at first I thought that I didn’t have a brand. I mean I don’t have a business, nor am I in this to make money. I created my instagram page to be able to show off my makes. Which in turn lead me to the world of crochet testing. Here I have found a home. I have thrived and blossomed as a garment tester and I am addicted. My ultimate dream would be to have sample garments on display in yarn shops or better yet on websites and/or magazines…. Am I crazy or what…I would do it for free if you just give me the yarn! My Brand… my Hands!!! These are the that describe my brand: 1. My hands….they are worn and wrinkled, filled with years of experience, yet not nearly fulfilled with where I want to go with my skills. 2. Crochet tools and projects depict my dedication. The background is just a sample of the garments that I have made so far in 2020. There are 20 garments in total…I just couldn’t fit them all in one pic. I also wanted to show some of the range of colors that I use for my garments. I like to let the garment tell me what color it wants to be. 3. Passion…You might not see passion with just a glance, but if you look closely at my hands and look at my work, you can feel the passion I have for this art form. A passion for combining the skills from the old with the ideas of the young to carry this art form for many generations to come. I am in the process of trying to brand the hashtag #seasonedstitches Many of us who are more "seasoned" (experienced) are not encouraged to make garments because we don't know how to find modern designs that are appropriate for our style and/or body type. Frankly, we don’t have the social media experience to know what is out there. I want #seasonedstitches to be the first place to go to find inspiration and encouragement. A place for designs that are appropriate for wearing to work or casual social events (like school functions, casual events with family, and church) and where they can be found. So, as you can see, I don't have a business, however I do have a goal with a purpose. #creativerootschallenge #creativerootsweek2 #smeenybeanieknits (at Maurice, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFGFXHEBEcL/?igshid=uwjck68a892z

✨So excited/motivated/inspired by the #creativerootschallenge and @knitbrooks #creativerootschallengeweek1 reflection/selfie prompt! ✨Hi. My name is Angelica (Angie) and I am a serial project starter. Through this creative reflection I have realized that I get so excited about projects and the possibilities that I cast on All. The. Things. and tend to bounce around, (or move onto the next in the excitement) and my other WIPs/UFOs sit in tote bag purgatory for the rest of time. If I’m making something as a gift for someone else I’m motivated as hell but when it’s for me I tend to let it drag on and on and on... ✨Throughout 2020/quarantine I’ve had quite a bit of time to reflect on so many aspects on my life. For the longest time I’ve wanted to start an Etsy account/brand and I finally took the leap into the stages of brainstorming/research, trying to figure out what I want my brand/content to be for/about. It’s still in the baby steps but it’s given me a direction towards something instead of treading water. ✨My knitting/crochet mojo has been nonexistent most of this year (a lot of us can relate, am i right?) and I find that in the fall my desire to do all the fiber arts kicks into overdrive. The promise of crisp autumn days to come has me planning out Christmas gift ideas ahead of time! The mojo is slowly but surely coming back! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 . . . #knittersofinstagram #crochetersofinstagram #knitbrooks #creativerootschallengeweek1 #creativerootschallenge #serialprojectstarter #madelinetosh #lornaslaces #lionbrandyarn #westknits #noknitsherlock #skeinanigans #heatherboyd #greenletterday #bonbon #gnomeiswheretheheartis #heavenearthandseashawl #starflakeshawl #minihexieloveactually #northeasterlyblanket #thanksmomforthephotoassist (at Salem, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CE0ZdE2gn9R/?igshid=1mglbyd5jf54b