OR am I in need of a psychiatrist? Send for the men in white coats!!!
Now the diamond mat isn't my first large project by any means!!! If I remember rightly the sewing thread weight sleeveless jacket I made when the kids were little was probably the first.
Now the diamond mat isn't my first large project by any means!!! If I remember rightly the sewing thread weight sleeveless jacket I made when the kids were little was probably the first.
Lately I've got sick of the quick to do projects as each time they're done I have to think of something new to do. Then there's the problem of what to do with them all!!
Now the way I deal with these larger projects is quite simply down to self trickery.
First of all I NEVER set myself an end target - that's fatal for me as the end would be too far away and totally unacheivable. I therefore start to vaguely 'think' I'll start on something but never tell brain cell 3!!!
Now the way I deal with these larger projects is quite simply down to self trickery.
First of all I NEVER set myself an end target - that's fatal for me as the end would be too far away and totally unacheivable. I therefore start to vaguely 'think' I'll start on something but never tell brain cell 3!!!
I start with smallness in mind. The 'project' sets out (at the back of my mind) to be a small item. The waistcoat was originally going to be a glassmat. Then it's easy to make another small mat 'to match'!! These can then be joined up with a third (if still in the mood) and sometimes a whole set can be made before joining them up and getting an 'instant' large project. Another 'trick me' strategy I use too is to make lots of 'middles' and put them by. Then when the outer edges are done and joined a 'large project' emerges. Real brain trick is that!!!
The diamonds have been a lot more interesting as there are colours involved. If it had been two plain colours I would probably have given up ages ago. This time I have found another way (see Thursday's post) of keeping the excitement and anticipation going!!! Again trickery is the answer and NEVER let brain cell 3 know!!
With this project I had decided it was going to be the size of the previous one before I started but then I thought I'd fill in the spaces between the points - just to see what it would look like!!!
One day when most of the way through that last stage - which I called round two I had the brilliant idea of making a wall hanging for our bedroom. I showed it to Nick who then said he thought it would be a bit small. Eureka - another round (and a larger project!!!) was 'birthed' in my brain!!! Problem is now - do I show him it again when this round is complete?!?!?
With this project I had decided it was going to be the size of the previous one before I started but then I thought I'd fill in the spaces between the points - just to see what it would look like!!!
One day when most of the way through that last stage - which I called round two I had the brilliant idea of making a wall hanging for our bedroom. I showed it to Nick who then said he thought it would be a bit small. Eureka - another round (and a larger project!!!) was 'birthed' in my brain!!! Problem is now - do I show him it again when this round is complete?!?!?
Miss Jane,
ReplyDeleteI experience the same frustration between projects. I may sit for a week before deciding what project to do. I don't know if it's burnout from the previous project or just stagnation in trying to figure out the next step.
Additionally, I have a couple questions on your diamond pattern that I'll email at a different time. I wanted to tat something up and surprise you...but must check in with you first.
Have a great day!
j.
You should have it framed - then you could make it as big as Nick wants it! Nice contrasting double mat, then a frame around that - gorgeous! It would also serve to keep the dust off it - over time, dust would damage the thread.
ReplyDeleteI like your psychology - the largest piece starts with a single stitch.Or, as I have said before, "How do you eat an elephant? - Answer: with a teaspoon...."
I can't do large projects. Because I get - ooo, look a bird - distracted. And bored.
ReplyDeleteI have a bunch of UFOs, with shuttles attached, in my tatting case. I should go a pitch them and reclaim all those shuttles!
I admire you for doing such a large - and beautiful - project.
I like a big project now and then and they continually fly through my mind but I seldom actually make them. The problem with small projects that morph into big ones, for me, is that at the end, I always wish I'd known I was going to do that as I would have chosen a color that actually goes in my house or changed the size to fit in with something better. Now if I always tatted in white, I guess that wouldn't be such an issue, would it? :-)
ReplyDeleteI did my once in a life time large project which was intended to be larger; but, life and a new table intervened and it morphed into that table runner. But, ingenious daughter wanted to have it as a wall hanging, found the perfect wrought iron piece from which to hang it vertically, and had an artist friend put it all together for her without damaging the piece. I can see how a mat would turn into something larger; I’d have to use your technique to fool my mind as just the idea of tackling another large project gives me goosebumps! LOL
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be lovely Jane, keep on keeping on. . .
xx P