Crafting in July

I've been on a bit of a crafting hiatus (at least a pie-baking hiatus) since I was away for the start of my grad school program for three weeks, although I did manage to be a little bit crafty at grad camp (as we have affectionately dubbed it - it really did feel like camp most of the time!).

We were journaling almost every day, so I was drawing and sketching a lot.

And I reinforced my journal cover, which included gluing on fabric to make it look nice.

journal!

And, best of all, we created costumes for our beings for the council of beings on the second-to-last night. It was a bit of a "get-creative-with-what's-around-you" event, though I managed to get my hands on a fantastic red straw hat to better create my costume. I chose a sea anemone as my being, and had several ideas before being inspired by some candy. . .

sea anemone!

One red straw hat, some thread, nearly two pounds of Twizzlers, and an anemone (say that five times fast!) I was. Every time someone else came into the room I was working in, I'd hear "what smells so fruity?" and "Twizzlers! I want some!". I promised folks that if they could wait until after the council, they could have some. Nearly everyone (minus one of the instructors!!) was very patient. Who says teachers can't be good students and follow the rules?

The hat was heavy - there were a lot of Twizzlers on it - so I had to practice good posture. The best part was that as I walked around, the Twizzlers moved like anemone tentacles. I loved it.

waving anemone tentacles!

By the end of the night, it was well picked-over as everyone took advantage of my aforementioned promise.

Over this past weekend was the summer Silver Threads Artisans craft show. This, sadly, was (probably) my last show. I've been participating regularly in the summer and winter shows for the past few years, and it's been nice to have a venue to sell some of the things I've been making, in addition to selling to friends and relatives. I even added a few new things for this summer - the fabric to-go boxes, and place mats and napkins (all were also an attempt to pare down my fabric collection!).

silver threads table. a smorgasbord of crafted goods.

I had a bunch of goods at the show, and even managed to sell some things! I was hoping more would have sold, though I've never had as much luck as I anticipate having. Not sure why that is. This show I mostly wanted to sell things so that I would have less to pack up and decide where to store; my new apartment is not huge, and I'll have a roommate. I would like to eventually find another craft fair/venue to keep selling stuff, and having a new audience will be nice, too. I may set up a table at the flea market here on the island once or twice before I go as I have a bunch of other random yard-sale stuff to offload, too.

In addition to figuring out what to do with the things I've been selling, I also need to figure out what to do with the rest of my sewing and knitting stashes. I have several projects in different states of completeness (or incompleteness), as well as endless ideas.  I'm planning to bring my small Featherweight sewing machine (it stores nicely in a corner or closet in its little case), as well as at least some yarn and knitting projects I'm close to finishing. Not that I'll have much spare time, but it's the thought that counts, right?

I've done a good job, I think, of culling the yarn and fabric off and on over the past few months, so I think it's mostly the stuff that I really love at this point.

fabric folded and packed tight!

almost all the yarn, minus a few bags that
already went to the sister's house

I imagine most of the materials will end up in tubs, stored at the parents and/or sister's respective homes. . . I'll just have to remember what is  packed and stored where. . .