Monday, June 23, 2014

Creativity Blog Hop...



Hello!
I am taking part in a Blog Hop today, and talking about creativity.  I was tagged by the lovely Kate from Just Pootling, hi Kate!

There are four questions to answer, and hopefully they will shed some light on my creative process! So here goes.

1. What am I working on?
Crochet in general, and more specifically at the moment I am working on a tapestry crochet washcloth in a new pattern. And I am also making little knitted hearts for a new dangly thing for our bedroom. I am finding that these small projects that I can complete in a few days are giving me a lot of pleasure.  Not to say I don't like a big time consuming project, but I was having trouble deciding what to make next , so small projects are great for the interim.


2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Um, this is a hard question, I am not sure my work is all that different from others in the crochet world!  Maybe I have a distinctive colour palette?  I love to play with colour and pattern, and am drawn to stripes and things that have the potential for lots of layering of colour.  I also like 'solid' crochet, I am not into lacy, gappy patterns, so I think there is chunkiness to my work that might be a little different to others, maybe it feels more contemporary than traditional?   I like making big slabs of crocheted fabric in lovely wools and calling them blankets!  But then I like making little pretty frivolous things too!  I also like the tapestry crochet technique at the moment, and I don't see too many people using that in a big way, so maybe that's a little different too.


3. Why do I write/create what I do?
I crochet because it brings me enjoyment and I like to see my ideas come to life.  I love making things, and find I am never bored or wondering what to do, as there is always another idea to try out.  I also like making things just to prove that I can!  I get a lot of satisfaction out of making something to the best of my current abilities, and there is still so much to learn!  I am also quite surprised how good it feels to see someone else appreciate something I have made with my own hands, it gets a bit addictive this making caper!  I love crochet because there are so many creative possibilities with this craft.


4. How does my writing/creating process work?
I seem to always be doodling or writing little ideas.  My creative process seems to start with an idea, or a technique, stitch or colour combination, and then I will do a bit of drawing to see if I can sketch out how it might look in the end, and then I really just have a go!  I love trying new things out and learning new techniques to broaden my creative choices. I tend to figure out the details as I work, this means an idea can change as it  grows and becomes a real thing.  Something that looks good on paper might not actually work in reality, so I am always open to changing things when I am crocheting.  Or I might have an idea for something and do a little drawing, but not have the skills to bring it to life yet, so I like to revisit old ideas every once in a while as my skill base grows, I often have moments of ' oh I do know how I can make that now' when my skills have caught up to my ideas!  One of the best things about crochet,  it is very easy to pull stitches out and try again! 





So there you have it, a little insight into me and what makes me tick creatively speaking.


Here are 3 other lovely bloggers to pass the baton onto and continue the hop for next week -
*Heike over at Made with Loops
*Butterfly Sparkles over at Butterfly Sparkles Designs


So what are you up to today, creative wise?  

23 comments:

  1. Nice article Julie. I love the "blocks" of color that you do. I especially like the rainbow looking one above!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Enjoyed your post Julie - and of course your lovely crochet photos :-) You do have a distinct colour palette, I really love it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Really wonderful to learn more about your creative process. Great descriptions!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love love your work-maybe because I too love to work with colour and pattern instead of experimenting with different fancy stitches. I've also been playing around with tapestry crochet- in fact I prefer it to traditional crochet! You inspire me to try different patterns- can't wait to pick up my hook again today!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a brilliant post Jules - I'm so glad I tagged you in the Blog Hop. I just am so in love with your work - its so unique to you. Your photos of all your blankets piled up are just stunning.
    Have a lovely week and keep up the amazing crocheting,
    Big hugs, Kate x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful to have this little insight into your creative process!!!! Your work certainly is distinctly recognisable!!!! Lovooooooove it!!! Love your use of color!!! Have a great fun filled happy and fab week!!!
    Love
    AMarie xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a lovely post as said before it was because of you I began tapestry crochet. Although my edges are not as crisp within the pattern as yours. Love the new dishcloth pattern too. Thanks for posting

    ReplyDelete
  8. So interesting to read a bit more about you and how you work. I really do love your blankets and the way that you work which is so different from what I see elsewhere in magazines and on blogs. xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh *snap* I did my Why I Write today too.
    I love that you've focused on the creative process. Your crochet is definitely unique and you've described it perfectly. Super interesting to hear about your process. I'm in awe of how fast your beautiful items seem to work up. It's amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great post. Reallly liked your 3rd answer.

    ReplyDelete
  11. So enjoyed reading about your creative process. And so true about you being the only one currently working flat tapestry crochet. Your style is truly amazing and look forward to you sharing your tapestry patterns and tuts.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really enjoyed reading about your creative process and love your colour cominations and patterns. I picked up a book at the library the other day called Dreaming in Colour by Kaffe Fassett who you may know of, he has designed work for Tricia Guild. I'm a lover of colour and found his creative journey with colour, designing, knits, tapestry and fabrics fascinating.
    Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Brilliant post, my big love is crochet blankets, but then I also like to have a couple of little wip's on the go too...currently a large granny stripe blanket, a granny square blanket and some pretty granny bunting. Looking forward to visiting the blogs you have chosen xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Enjoyed the "visit" today and a chance to "visit" with new creative people. I'm lovin' the new tapestry pattern, are you going to add flowers to the top of those vines/leaves? The color combo is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I simply adore your blankets! I am not really a crochet beginner but I have never started a blanket because I'm scared that I wouldn't be patient enough to finish it. But now I launched a blog about my own crochet projects (colourcrochetlove@blogspot.com) and I am determined to start with a blanket. I think it will be your 'Wheels within Wheels' blanket. It really is gorgeous and even my husband who just calls everything crocheted 'yarnstuff', likes this pattern a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear Julie, your crochet work is so beautiful.......I am lucky of it and every hope for your new work! For me is the best "harlequin patern. I love all about Pierot, Harlequin and so.....Have a nice days!!!! Milena from Czech Republic :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the colour combinations you use, in particular on the diamond patterns. Loving the lack of lace too :D So many ideas running through my head now. I thank for them :D

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great pile of blankets in one of the photos there.

    ReplyDelete
  19. thanks for tagging me, I've emailed you to find out what to do! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I always recognise your creations, yes I think you have a very distinct style, love it! :) x

    ReplyDelete
  21. I really adore your blankets , how you use the color and the geometric pattern! I'm lovin' the new tapestry pattern and I would like to leran the tapestry tecnique!:::Silvia

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi there Julie! I am visiting your blog from the hop and have been really impressed by the cool things you find, brill projects and the absolute gorgeousness of your photography!! I hope you don't mind, but I am doing the hop next week and can't get anyone to agree to be tagged (billy no mates LOL) so I am going to re-tag you as I think people would really love to look round your blog. I hope you get some new visitors as a result. Regards, Cindy

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to add your comment, I love to receive comments and read them all, even if I don't get around to responding to you, I am just not that organised!