Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Social isolation getting to you??? But there are so many things to do!!!

Social isolation getting to you??? I know it is to a lot of people, I've had emails from all over the world....but in a weird way I'm kinda enjoying this time. No social obligations! No trying to decide between this restaurant and that, whether or not to go to a concert, or a dance. or join a group. Instead...looking around at home and finding that... .... there are so many things to do!!! Like many people, I thought this is a wonderful opportunity to do some cleaning, sorting, throwing away. But first...being now "free" to do it, as it were (!), I thought I'll wash all my bras at once!! Something you can only do when you don't have to go out - and don't expect "company"!!
Then I started looking through my clothes and fabrics to see what could go to the thrift store....I used to live in an area that produced a lot of textiles especially the wonderful Liberty of London fabric...and it's definitely "too good to throw away" !!!! don't you just remember your mother telling you that??? so I gathered a big pile of old Liberty cotton lawn clothes:
I cut them apart, ironed the pieces of fabric, and started cutting simple shapes...then got a bit carried away!!! changing this and that and generally just having fun... like all creative people I'm plagued with the wotifitis! Now what if I cut this this way...or what if I rearrange things that way....or what if I add this other fabric.... and so I cut and sewed....and arranged...and then discovered I had enough for a nice quilt for the piano!! (or a bed!). The quilt looked so pretty...interesting AND intriguing...so I retraced some of my steps to make several short videos and put those together into a little class to upload to the Academy of Quilting, a great website that hosts all my online classes (for individual coaching apply direcly to me personally at elizabethmasterclass AT gmail.com). The new class will be available very soon, but you can sign up now if you've a mind to! It's short and inexpensive. The main thing is...take this time to look around you and become more aware of all the wonderful things that we DO have: all of nature...and all our own innate creativity. Begin by asking....What if I......? And do write and tell me where that led you!!! If you have been, thanks for reading.... Elizabeth

2 comments:

Guila Greer said...

Great post, Elizabeth! I love your clothesline photo. And I'm very confident saying that I've never seen so many bras lined up on a clothesline before. Yes, being "free" is definitely one of the perks of having to stay in place.
I've been using the extra time for various art-related activities but one of the more structured ones is a weekly watercolor class on Zoom. So much fun and so many great ideas!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Guila Greer

Elizabeth Barton said...

Hi Guila! and thanks for posting...yes ...it was fun to think - aha! let's wash ALL of them at once...
I'm hoping to pick up an online watercolor class too soon...
also want to learn pattern drafting for a pair of pants!!
but first...various projects to finish...
Happy TG and after!! Elizabeth