My So- Called Handmade Life

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Episode 24: Still Learning

On my blog: www.myso-calledhandmadelife.com
On instagram as @mysocalledhandmadelife: https://www.instagram.com/mysocalledhandmadelife/
On Ravelry as mamatronic: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic?set=&columns=&view=thumbnail&page=&sort=status%20completed_%20status_changed_&search=
my Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mamatronic/albums

Join the #WingItKAL: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/my-so-called-handmade-life/3866229/1-25

It will extend past February!

My Question for you: What are your 2019 goals? How'd you do on yours from 2018?

Stuff I mention in Episode 24:

My Ravelry group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/my-so-called-handmade-life

Nutritious Movement: https://www.nutritiousmovement.com

Diastasis Recti by Katy Bowman: https://www.amazon.com/Diastasis-Recti-Solution-Abdominal-Separation/dp/098965396X

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin: https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-happiness-project/about-the-book/

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1594634726

Walking Gone Wild by Dami Roelse: https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Gone-Wild-Lose-Trail-ebook/dp/B07CP29BHS/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547495994&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=dami+rotelle+walking+wild

Me and My White Supremacy Workbook by Layla F. Saad: http://laylafsaad.com

Verses on handling racism from either perspective, references only because Youtube won't let this description be too long:

Proverbs 27: 17- Iron sharpens iron, Matthew 22:39- love your neighbor as yourself, James 5:16- admit your flaws, 1 Peter 4:8-11- we can forgive and encourage someone trying to change, 1Corinthians 12: 25-27- because we're equal, if one of us suffers all of us suffers, Galatians 6:2- Carry on another's burdens, Leviticus 19:15-18- speak up or you're guilty too! and don't bear grudges, Philippians 2: 3-16- value others above yourself, Ephesians 4: 2-6- be humble, gentle, and patient with love, Romans 12:3-13- review your actions soberly, be devoted to helping others. Luke 6:27-28- bless your enemies, Genesis 1: 26- we are all made in God's image, Revelation 7: 9-10- what heaven will look like.

Instagram accounts with stories and posts on diversity in craft community:

Ocean by the Sea: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18020913880018475/

Sukrita: https://www.instagram.com/su.krita/

The Color Mustard: https://www.instagram.com/thecolormustard/

BSF International in person or online groups: https://www.bsfinternational.org

test knit for Shannon Cook: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrG3fXJFtch/

Ruperto by Anna Maltz: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ruperto

Buffalo Brioche by Xandy Peters: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buffalo-brioche

My Cumberland by Jennifer Kelley: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic/cumberland

My Selbu Modern by Kate Gagnon Osborn: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic/selbu-modern

Makes me think of how I want to knit Alaska by Camille Descoteaux: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alaska-6

from Knitting Without Tears by E.Z.: https://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Without-Tears-Easy-Follow/dp/0684135051

My Bus Stop Sweater using EZ's formula: http://www.myso-calledhandmadelife.com/2014/11/bus-stop-pullover.html

Inspired by My Neighbor Totoro: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbor_Totoro

Some good free fashion templates for knitwear/ crochet design: https://www.idrawfashion.com/croquis/all-free-fashion-templates/

My Wing It KAL yarn; Briggs and Little Heritage: https://www.yarn.com/products/briggs-little-heritage

Vinterfjell sweater by Skeindeer Knits: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vinterfjell

Phoenix sweater by Libby Jonson: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/phoenix-18

The Way Back Machine to find old cached web posts: https://archive.org/web/

Throw Back Hallmark Hall of Fame or Lifetime Movies:

Love is Never Silent: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089510/

Wildflower: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103266/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Episode Easter Egg: http://www.blackdiamondsandpearls.com/news--entertainment/malcolm-jamal-warner-and-the-famous-gordon-gartrell-episode

Friday, January 4, 2019

Episode 23: 2018 Wrap Up

Info on the Wing It KAL: https://www.myso-calledhandmadelife.com/2018/12/the-wing-it-kal-blogmas-day-16.html

The Wing It KAL on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/my-so-called-handmade-life/3866229/51-75#73

our WingItKAL projects in the Ravelry Group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/my-so-called-handmade-life

a No Frills by Petiteknit: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/no-frills-sweater

combined with Balloon Sweater by PetiteKnit: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/balloon-sweater-4

Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-folded-poncho

a Tegna by Caitlin Hunter, modified without horizontal purls: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tegna

Itty Bitty Pretty Sweater by Maison Dene with bobbles: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/itty-bitty-pretty-sweater

Mociar Cowl by Audrey Borrego lace stitch: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mociar-cowl

to replace lace in another shawl pattern.

Then there are vests, oversized colorwork sweaters, a mashup of shawl patterns, and more.

And just because I love you here is Bugs and an interesting Monster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cpX3qrzRfk

Friday, December 21, 2018

My So-Called Handmade Life Ravelry Group- Blogmas Day 21

You know how "I'm just here for the knitting." has basically become a meme? Well, I'm not just here for the knitting, though I'm quite obsessed with it. I'm also here for the talk and inspiration.

Together, you and I, have decided a Ravelry group would really compliment that. So... ta da!!!

(join the group on Ravelry)

I stayed up til 1 am, sitting askew at the desk due to Christmas box stacks, learning how to add text in photoshop for a Ravelry badge and banner. Geez Louise, the crick in my neck is a testament to my love for you guys. No, I won't be opening my web design business anytime soon😐

So, guys! We finally have a place to do knit-alongs and share inspirations and obsessions. I'll do my best to be present there, as making connections online is the whole point of the group. But I'm also about to make some big, blog tech changes, which usually involves weeks of staring at the computer screen with tears in my eyes. Please be patient with me. Why, Blogger!?! Why!?!

It's a big step to make a Ravelry group. I realize most of the people I know in real life don't even know what a Ravelry is, but you guys do. It's my favorite thing about the internet. Period. So I'll do my best to keep up with things and respond. Other than all that blog code business, I should have plenty of time, but lots of podcast viewers have assured me you're also very capable of talking amongst yourselves. So things should be fine.

Introduce yourselves in the My So-Called Handmade Life Group to each other and/or start posting prospective projects for the #WingItKAL (more details on that coming, but lots of info is here.)

My Only Christmas Knitting- Blogmas Day 20

My Christmas gift to myself this year was to not knit any gifts. I will probably make a few once the holiday is over, but no stressing and knitting all-nighters for me this year.

I did see a testing call from Shannon Cook for her new cardigan pattern, and had no choice. I keep imaging myself wearing it over an old fashioned shift as I step out of the cabin to check on the horses.

(more on Ravelry, Instagram, and Flickr)

So I'm well past the swatching phase on this, but still no where near acquiring that cabin or those horses. Maybe for Christmas....

I'm using Patons Classic in Natural Mix. I can't believe I got gauge on all the stitch patterns with just on needle. Even more amazing, is the fact that I'm several inches in and still on gauge. Miracles do happen, just not the cabin and horse variety.

Have you seen the images Shannon has teased on her instagram? Sigh. It's as nice to work up as it is to look at.

Blog Rage- Blogmas Day 19

It's a thing. And I'm feeling it. If you've been frustrated recently because my blog won't let you comment, you aren't alone. Myself and everyone else, other than the chosen few who seem to get through, feel the same way. Sorry about that.

2018 has been the year of tech frustration. With every new thing I tried, there was a cascade of cause and effect that led to many hours of me on the phone with Apple Support or GoDaddy, or just staring at the computer screen in a stupor.

I'm looking into switching blog platforms soon, so be patient. You can always comment on Instagram, Ravelry, or Youtube if you'd like. If you're feeling extra generous, pray that I don't lose family photos, comments, or blog copy when I make the switch.

If you've made the switch from one blog platform to another, please give me any tips or advice. That is, if you are allowed to leave a comment. Good grief.

By the way, have you ever heard of Springer Rage? It's weird.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Roid Week part 2- Blogmas Day 18

I was one of those kids that loved looking through family photo albums and still do. The film record of someone else's memory became the basis of my own. I even made my friends look through them with me. This is probably why I gravitate toward vintage cameras.

Several years ago I started collecting Polaroids and other vintage cameras at thrift stores or online. They were still really cheap then. I spent hours on Flickr forums learning where to find a certain old type battery or how to use available film for a camera whose film type isn't made anymore.

I started bringing my twin lens reflex cameras and contraption on hiking trips. My husband sometimes wore a backpack dedicated to vintage cameras so I could grab them easily. I had each child hike while holding photos from my 210 land camera as they dried. Amazingly, they don't hold this against me.

I went to great lengths for what you might find mediocre images. But they are magical to me. Even mundane bits of daily life seem special when preserved by these. These particular bits of life, with the exception of the last image, were plucked up by my Polaroid Sx-70.

I have a nice DSLR but nothing it produces moves me as much, unless it's the digital record of the image I get through argus 75 lenses, via a homemade cardboard contraption. Even a small, slightly out of focus, polaroid photo with roller marks seems more real than anything stored on my computer. It is in my hand, though.

(more on Flickr and Instagram)

Roid Week 2018, part 1 - Blogmas Day 17

Back in September, I had an avoidance day. You know, the type where you don't want to face people or responsibilities. One where you don't think about your troubles and instead hyper-focus on some trivial or materialistic thing. Healthy, no?

So my focus became maintenance and film gathering for my vintage cameras. I pulled out my old cameras for cleaning and ordering new parts, etc. (I talk about them and show some images on Podcast episode 18. You can find lots of them in various Flickr albums, too.) Among all the little bits and bobs I ordered was film for some Polaroid 600s and my SX-70. I had never actually used the 600s before so I was excited to hear that The Impossible Project, now Polaroid Originals, was putting out a more consistent, if pricey, film.

When Roid Week came, in October, I tried using my new (to me) 600s. All of these were taken with them. Eh, not so great. The blur is totally my fault for moving or being too close to the subject. But I gotta keep it real and showing you the worst ones I took for Roid Week 2018.

It was a consistent film. The inconsistency was with me. I'm used to the SX-70 and how close I can get to a subject. But really, I'm not even used to that because its been a few years since I held a polaroid. There was no way I could take a selfie for a photo challenge (Strange Brew Creative Photo Challenge) without blur. That's okay I didn't particularly want a selfie anyway.

And I guess I forgot dogs are the worst subjects in the world. My dogs that lie around 22 out of 24 hours a day, suddenly have to run and dance and feel alive like the Solid Gold dancers when the camera is on them.

(more on my Flickr, and Instagram)

I'm looking a little underwhelmed with the polaroid 600 here, but flops I still like these images. They make me think of my first attempts at photos with my Kodak Disc camera. Remember those?