KonMari method of Tidying up

Let me start by mentioning, it is not that I live in a mess, it is just that I had clothes in every closet of the house. So when it comes time to pick clothes to wear, I was all over the place.

I came across the Marie Kondo's book, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing"

I didn't even know if it would apply to any of my interest, but got the audio version from the library. I was so captivated, I finished listening to the entire book over 2 days.

And right after, I had such an urge to tidy up.

I started as the book suggests with clothes. I removed all my clothes, all over the house and put them all together. They made a huge heap on the entire bed and that itself is overwhelming to know I had so many clothes. At first, it is a little hard to figure out what "sparks joy". Then I think, I could always wear it in the studio, where clothes get messy. But after going through the entire pile of clothes, I realized, I had enough brand new T-shirts for which were not perfect for outwear but great for the lounge wear or the studio. 

I tossed out 2 HUGE bags of clothes. They went to the thrift store. Many brand new clothes, which were gifted and never fit. And many which fit once and I hoped would fit again. Keep dreaming. Also if I did loose weight wouldn't I want new clothes, rather than old clothes which fit me once upon a time? Made sense to me and out they went.

All the discarding took 2 hours.

Then went through and sorted clothes which I wear everyday when I get out, special occasions. Clothes that I wore at my shows, Clothes for home and clothes for studio. Discarded some more.

Finally came down to six small pull out drawers. I didn't have a drawer system in my closet before. Got this one from IKEA and it was perfect. Folded clothes as per the KonMari method. This took another hour. One drawer is still empty and two are half full.

As much as one likes to see before and after pictures.... I didn't take the before picture, because I really didn't want any memory of it. So here you see just the AFTER picture. And it really didn't take as long as I thought it would.

Next I tackle books!

More good news on the Blanket pattern

On Day 2 of releasing the Seashell Sock Yarn Blanket pattern, it has become really popular and was #3 in the "Hot Right Now" list on ravelry.
To celebrate, here is a 20% OFF Coupon Code: FIRST , valid for the month of May 2016.
Buy the pattern , and start collecting your sock yarn
I am also going to be teaching a class on May 24th at Makers Mercantile in Kent, WA 5:30pm - 8:00pm which will cover, making the yarn for the blanket from scraps and the pattern.
Register here http://www.makersmercantile.com/scrap-blanket-knitting-class-with-charan-sachar.html

Scrap Sock Yarn Blanket

After knitting now for 2 years or so, I thought it was time to write a knitting pattern. This one started with the idea of using scraps of sock yarn to make a blanket. Yes, I know there are many such amazing and simple patterns online and I tried my hand at a few. Each one is great and has its own charm. I am not ranting anything against them, but there were some things which hindered my progress on those.

Firstly, I was stumbling on choosing the right colors and have them evenly distributed through out the blanket.
Like other scrap yarn blanket, I could plan and distribute the different colors evenly, but then there is all that seaming to do at the end.
And you know there are always those colors which you are really not crazy about. Your eye would always go directly to that square and haunt you.
Also each square from a yarn, gets predictable after a while and the project might loose steam.
And like any blanket project, including mine... it takes time.

So, I wanted to knit up this blanket which would keep the excitement going. Using every bit of yarn and making the yarn keep changing, avoid weaving in the ends and make every section pop.

Here comes my Seashell Scrap Yarn blanket. The pattern can be purchased here

Let me tell you majority of the work for this blanket is done before even starting to knit. What you work on is creating this colorful yarn cake, using every small bit of yarn from your scraps. All bits are joined by magic knots.

The pattern emphasizes on an easy way to categorize your yarns based on color tones and making colorful yarn cakes which can be used for similar projects. You could make a simple striped garter blanket using these colorful yarn cakes.

Lots of simple show rows make the shells. Short rows in this pattern involve just turning work and working the stitches, leaving a hole. These holes make a nice border around the shells making them pop.

Workshop

For those of you who has always asked "How I create my embroidered surfaces on clay?", I am teaching a workshop at Moshier Community Art Center. Registration now open Decorated Surfaces: Slips
In this one day workshop, I will demonstrate my slip decoration techniques used to create my detailed embroiderd work on clay. Demonstrations on enhancing the look of the ceramic surface will be covered, along with an inspiring slide show showing finished pieces and techniques used for surface decoration. Students will then make their own simple and effective tool to use to create elaborate slip decora tion on leatherhard tiles. All supplies provided. Please bring a lunch.

Here is a preview

Behind the scenes... Making my knitted mugs

Many have asked me about my process and how I make my work. I do get a shocked surprise when I say that my mugs are not made on the wheel, but are individually hand built from slabs of clay.
Slabs are textured, trimmed, cleaned up and then assembled. Then bottoms added, handles added and of course the buttons.
Here is a small clipping showing the assembly of the walls of the mug. I wish I was as fast as this video. :)

Stitches West

I know it has been more than a year since I updated my blog. From my previous postings you can see that I was experimenting with knitting patterns on my work and if you have been following me on facebook and instagram, you know how busy that has made me.
I just thought instead of writing long posts, I might just make shorter posts about what is happening in the studio and what is on my needles.
So last week, I went to Stitches West as a vendor for the first time. It was a great show and got to meet so many knitters who have been following my work.
Here are some of the highlights. Visit from Stephen West of westknits designs. Love all his patterns and how he plays with colors. Though I am not so much of a neon person, I admire his courage and have knit several of his patterns. And after setup was the StevenBe and Stephen West fashion show.

 My stash enhancement. I was good and on a yarn diet. But..... Miss Babs... How could I resist those colors? And I have always wanted to knit with spincycleyarns from Bellingham, WA. Got myself a sock bag for my travel knitting from Slipped Stitch Studio.

 And here are some pictures of my booth with new garter Stitch pattern pieces. I sold out of the needle keeper vases on the first day.

I had also taken some amazing handmade buttons from potter and friend, Ginger Steele. (Also known as my Whitey mom). More on those later... I selected some for my sweaters as well. Loved each and every one of them.

Simple tool for cutting templates

My pottery work does involve a lot of slab work. My mugs, cups, boat bowls etc.. are all cut out from slabs of clay.

I have always used sheets of plastic or stiff paper on the clay and cut with my knife. Works great, but when you have to do hundreds of these it can get very tiring.
I made these template cutters similar to tile cutters. I initially got the idea from seeing a video where stacks of denim fabric were being cut into templates for legs, pockets etc... with these hydraulic cutters.

I made these cutters from wood and some out of chopping boards and metal straps. It takes time making one, but it sure speeds up the process. I used them extensively in 2014 and am making similar ones for all the pieces I need to cut.