Sunday, July 1, 2018

A new YOP year...

Today is the first day of another Year of Projects year.  It's always fun to start anew, isn't it?


Many YOP participants will be sharing goal/project lists this week, but since I hardly ever pay attention to the list I create once I've posted it, and since, in the end, I don't find such a list motivating, I'm going list-free this time around!

That said, I'm not completely goal-less.  There are a few things I'd like to have happen (or begin) this summer.

  • I'd really like to finish my two Spicier Life Blankets.  I'm getting tired of saying I'd like to finish them, so the time has come to just get 'em done.  They're both a little over half finished:




  • And I'd like to make up some quick projects to have handy if called on to host a weekly CAL in Our Happy CAL Place (which I am one of the moderators for).  Those projects will show up here without any fanfare or explanation other than "here's what I made this week".

By the way... last week in the OHCP group this cute cup coaster was the CAL project that another member hosted:
It was easy and fairly quick - and had a video tutorial, even.  I think it might have taken me longer to weave in the ends than it took to crochet. 



  • And I'm pretty sure I want to make more hats and scarves for the Bundle UP! charity drive that happens each autumn.  Hot weather is a perfect time for making these small projects.


  • And I want to continue to whittle down my stash.  I haven't bought yarn for over 6 months, and I'd like to continue that streak for as long as I can manage it.  I'm open to buying yarn if it's needed to finish a project, but I'm finding the longer I go without buying yarn the more creative I actually become in using what I have.  I'm enjoying that.


Overall, I just plan to enjoy crocheting (and knitting and whatever other creative pursuits I decide on).  I like crocheting whatever strikes my fancy and discovering its purpose later - which is exactly what I've been doing the past few years.  

So...  watch this space and we'll see what shows up.  I don't think it will look any different from years past, really.  I'm just skipping the list.


~~~~~


Speaking of making whatever strikes my fancy...  I've been on a mandala kick lately, and here's my version of the Picarequese Poppy Mandala:


And just in case you missed it last week in the collage of many projects, this Vintage Petals Mandala got finished and I truly do love how it turned out:

It sits on my kitchen table under a bowl of garlic and onions and I love how the gold flowers peek out from underneath the bowl:

My kitchen table isn't a place where we sit and eat.  My kitchen isn't large enough for a sit-down table and chairs.  So a bowl of onions and garlic as a table centerpiece isn't as weird as it may sound.  If it sounded weird.  😉


And that's all for today!

To see what other YOPpers are up to, visit our group on Ravelry!





30 comments:

  1. Becki, I think I'll follow your example, skip the list writing and just get back to being crafty and enjoying the process. And hopefully finish my own Spicier Life Blanket as well. ;-)

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    1. Sounds great, Ella. I'm glad to finally be free of the list. Especially since I wasn't even following what was already as non-list of a list as I could manage. ;^)

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  2. Love your 'list'. I think more and more of us are doing kind of generic lists. I do not like to be confined too much. We get enough of that in everyday living. Our crafting is the one place we can be 'free'.

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    1. I'm seeing that too, as I read other's posts this week. And many seem to want to work more from their stash. That's encouraging as that's about all I'll be doing for a while...

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  3. I always love your 'surprise' finishes and all your projects! Your blankets are gorgeous and that little coffee cup is so cute! I made a couple awhile ago but they weren't as cute as yours. The mandalas are beautiful and I wrote down The Happy CAL Place as I always forget about it until you mention it. So glad you are back as I always look forward to your posts and projects!

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    1. Glad to be doing another YOP year with so many creative people, SAM. And so glad you're back to blogging after your visit from the grands!

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  4. Thanks for the blog fix! That was a true blessing. I really don't like commenting on my own post lol.

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    1. Well, it was seeing your comment that reminded me about the fix. ;^)

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  5. I love that cup coaster! Pretty mandalas..I see lots of people making them, I just have no place for them...

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  6. Love this post! Your mandalas are very pretty and the coaster is adorable. Good for you for going freeform this year and I'm really impressed with the not buying yarn for six months statement. Can't say the same! :)

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    1. Thanks, Maria. I'm kind of surprised I've gone so long. I can almost see going the rest of the year without buying new yarn. Which I couldn't have imagined before. That will be an accomplishment if I manage it. ;^)

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  7. Hi Becki you have a beautiful blog and you are very clever,love your beautiful work,well done my friend. I am also your newest follower and i hope you will visit me again and follow me xx

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    1. Hi Shez! Thank you for your kind comments. I did sign up for following your blog via e-mail. I look forward to watching all the beautiful things you make! I'll be seeing you!

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  8. I love love love your list-less idea. I was going to do that, but then, well, a list appeared. Lol. I will be joining in more with crochet this year to be sure and your mandalas are all lovely.

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    1. Yeah, I know... sometimes lists happen. I look forward to seeing more of your crocheting, Mary-Anne.

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  9. While I like the idea of giving up "lists," I find that if I'm directionless, I don't get anything done. And then there are my overzealous lists....which I wind up ignoring half the time anyway. Whatever, it works for me :)

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    1. That's what's so great - that everyone can shape this YOP thing to work for them. FWIW, I don't eschew lists altogether. Of course, lists are helpful (often necessary) for all kinds of things that need doing. And I'd never try to convince someone who finds making a YOP list profitable that it isn't. You are correct, Renee - doing what works for us is what's important. :)

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  10. Just love your Mandalas. Te two spice blankets are lovely too. I am like you whenever I do a list it gets ignored! So ii will be listless too.

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    1. Yay! Another listless YOPper. Wait. that's not what I mean...

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  11. “I'm finding the longer I go without buying yarn the more creative I actually become in using what I have. I'm enjoying that.“

    Yes! This exactly!

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    1. You are an inspiration for working from stash!

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  12. I've been on a 'use from my stash' kick for the past couple of years and am finally getting a little of it down to something more reasonable. There's still a long way to go though! My yarn stash is definitely dwindling and I did have to buy some to make a couple of projects recently.

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    1. I'm pretty sure I could go for several years without buying yarn, but I'm not sure how long I can hold out. I'm looking forward to it actually looking like it's dwindling. At the moment I can only go by faith and what the numbers say. :)

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    2. My yarn stash was very small to begin with so it's not that hard to use it up. The hardest part is finding a pattern that will work with what I have.

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  13. Oh listless sounds great, but I do like a little one myself! Can't wait to see the blankets in their full glory.

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  14. I like the idea of not being bound to a list, I however have to get some projects completed so I'll have a list this year to keep me on track. But maybe I can be carefree next year. Those blankets are just so happy and what a fun project too. I'm doing some charity crochet for NICUs but I'll have to check out the BUndle Up program, I have a lot of stash that needs to be turned into something else and rehomed.

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    1. Thank you, Allison. Operation Bundle Up is a United Way program in our county. I don't know if the term is used in other places, but I know there are similar programs in cities all across the country.

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  15. Your mandalas are fun to look at. I can't believe you have two, Spice of Life blankets going on! Man, you are patient.

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