Welcome to cozy season! Sweata weatha! The official beginning of fall (this Sunday). The seasonal shift is real with a big surge in energy and ideas.
It kicked off with Imagination Day Camp – a workshop at The Squam Art Retreat taught by me and Autumn Song.
(click the image for a larger view)
We did a bunch of exercises to spark ideas and connect with imagination. The point is to get past overthinking and judgment and dive right into action. It’s fast paced and playful. Play is creative. Clenching down hard on trying to make something awesome often isn’t and is not usually effective at bringing your personal magic into the world.
The first exercise was a mysterious box… Each person gets a little box of supplies. Everybody had 30 minutes-ish to respond to a prompt and make something. The prompt was – MOTH.
You can use only the things in the box and basic cutting and attaching tools. We had gluesticks needles and threads, scissors and exacto knives.
This is great to do with a friend either in person or by snail mail – you can create supply boxes for each other and do it over zoom or full on correspondence style.
And we made medals – awards, decorations and citations! This is a rich area for inspiration. We offered a bigger variety of materials and time. We had lots of trims and notions, vintage buttons, scraps, crepe streamers, an abundance of collage materials and paints and markers. Plus pins and some charms.
Making the medals dropped me into an imaginary world with all sorts of made up, stodgy and silly honors like : The Moth of Distinction (given only every 14 years), Golden Fungi, Outstanding Cat Lady, National Treasure etc. etc. I could go on forever. I probably deserve a medal for it.
Maybe you know somebody who deserves an award? This is a great group project with everybody contributing supplies and meeting for a couple hours.
more september project ideas
Golden rod dye – like lots of things in life I found it smelly but good. It’s just starting to bloom here and will be in abundance soon. It delivers a beautiful gold color. You can find more about my experience here and here is a tutorial here with all the DIY details.
Bookmarks – get out your wool scraps. I love these flowers and these simple heart corners. Speaking of books – my friend Katy and I are narrowing down the October scary vintage book selection for this year- stay tuned. Currently still reading the epic Pachinko and finishing Night Watch.
Wool pentagon sewing box – another great scrap wool project. Find the huge tutorial here. And while you’re there checkout the wool penny situation.
Mushrooms! I love these scrappy calico fungi by- Sarah.
Sweata Weatha – The frog pattern is free here. I didn’t make the sweater, it was a christmas ornament altered to fit stuffed frog anatomy. I found this super clever tutorial for making a doll sweater from a sock.
I feel refreshed and inspired reading about the workshop! I adore the medals and want to know all the different ones that participants came up with! Every summer, I lead a multi-generational hand-sewing class at a camp. That would be a sweet drop-in project.
Ohhhh, that view from your window! Heavenly!
I love all of these ideas! I especially love your suggestions for pen pal crafting or getting a group together to create together. =) I’m not sure I have enough crafty friends to make this happen….but I’m going to try! Thank you for your newsletters Ann. I am always happy to see them pop up in my mailbox. <3
Hi Sara!
Ask each of your few crafty friends to invite another of THEIR crafty friends. You all get to meet new crafty friends! You only need 3-5 for it to be fun and inspirational!
Just a thought…
I think even I could get super creative with that beautiful view!
Hello Ann!
I love your creative spirit.
I want to go to Imagination Day Camp!
Have you read Tom Lake by Ann Patchett?
My new favorite book!
These are fabulous!
Night Watch is my favourite Terry Pratchett novel and his Disc World Series is the fertile ground to which I return whenever I have a blank bit on the creative side. I f you are enjoying it, may I suggest Rivers of London as another delightful series? Now I must go make some medals…
When I sit and read your posts I always finish feeling happy. Thank you so much xx
Like Sandy, when I read your newsletters, what you are doing, ideas, it always makes me feel that I am “right” with my world. Thank you for the inspiration to create something new and the recipes, cannot wait to try the lentil soup!
Love visiting with you. Your emails encourage my mind! I have many of your patterns . Currently there are 6 “flies” floating from my ceiling fan.
Yes
Just finished Night Watch.
Epic, exquisite story telling.
I couldn’t put it down.
Love the Moth box idea.
Thank you for this very inspiring blog, Ann.
Kind Regards,
Cynthia
Houston, Texas
Thank you for being so generous and posting the most wonderful creative projects on your blog and newsletter. I’m turning to my scraps and needles now, thank you for the inspiration