Something for the soul!

[pensnest]

Hello everyone! What a lot of interesting ideas have come up for conversation here so far! And today, it's my turn to start.

So. It is my firm belief that doing something creative is good for the soul. I realise that doesn't work for everyone—my very own Beast plays World of Warcraft instead, apparently it's possible to achieve a zen state—but it certainly works for me. Even though I'm not entirely sure that I have a soul, something about sitting down for the afternoon to paint, or sew, or… whatever, is refreshing and calming and makes me happy.

My own long-term outlets are knitting and glass-painting, or perhaps I should say, making greeting cards. I'll happily sit down for a few hours with an audio book and my array of Stuff, and end up with some new cards or suncatchers; for knitting, I'll be in front of the telly with an old and familiar DVD or something guilty-pleasure-y on the TV. (My Ravelry projects page is here: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Nestholder) Currently, I've been decorating a piece of high-character felt, which I'm hoping to mount and put up somewhere in the house.

So. What do you do that is creative? Baking, knitting, writing poetry, gardening, what? What is it that you enjoy about what you do? Do you give it away, sell it, keep it? Is it long-term, or have you taken up something new to deal with current stresses?

Pictures in comments would be grand, but perhaps we should just put one or two each! Links to DeviantArt, or Ravelry, or... wherever? would also provide some refreshment for all our spirits, I'm sure.

Comments

[therealsnape]

I love cooking, always have, and now I cook for friends about twice a week. I also like a bit of knitting, just as you say, in front of the telly, with a nice tv series (I'm a costume drama lover).

I also like to make picture books of photographs, usually two per year: one the account of the whole year, and one for the vacation. What with backgrounds to chose, formats, page layouts, features one can add, it's quite the creative process.

[mothwing]

You've mentioned these before and I think it's an excellent idea, quite the lovely way to create memories! We do photo calendars in our family every year as gifts, but a photobook is such a lovely way to have a haptic reminder of trips as well.

[pensnest]

I love the idea of the picture books. I compile something a bit like that for my barbershop chorus - this year's is going to be very strange - but there aren't usually enough photos to make it really pretty. But page layouts are fun!

[used_songs]

I enjoy sewing, especially making items for the house like pillows, throws, and wall hangings. I also like making buttons (pin badges) and smaller stitched pieces for jewelry. I also sometimes draw, make little comics for people, and paint.

I have a big hard-backed photo book about Lady Gaga that I got second hand (I really wanted it but I didn't want the photographer to make money off of me) and I have been gradually turning that into a fan book, adding pictures and text cut from magazines, writing in lyrics and quotes, and adding stickers and other ephemera. It's a relaxing hobby that's just for me and there's no pressure to finish it. It actually started out as me just trying to cover up the gross photographer (Terry Richardson) who made the book and inserted himself into a lot of the photos. Once I had done that, I decided I would just keep adding decorative details.

[lash_larue]

Your cooking and mine are different things. With the lone exception of cheesecakes, I just fling in whatever seems right and keep tasting.

I don't know why I even have kitchen scales or measuring tools.

Your picture books are among our most treasured items. They range from the warmly remembered to the absolutely astonishing. With a side of "how the hell did he take that picture?"

L

[angelofthenorth]

I embroider usually, but I'm currently doing a cross-stitch for the novelty ;)

[pensnest]

Everyone needs a change, I think! Is cross-stitch a bit of a rest, or just a different kind of thing?

[shipperslist]

I used to knit a lot lot lot but that's been dwindling down ever since I started writing more. So I guess my creative outlet is writing gay erotica? Although that's been slow lately too.

When I knit more, I tend to give them away as presents. I'm mostly into smaller projects like socks and scarves but I have dabbled a bit into the sweater country, at least if babywear counts. I like to give my knittings as gifts to friends and family which has proven pretty handy at times. I mean, when I had one basket full of finished socks, wrist warmers etc, it was easy to come up with a last-minute present for someone special.
And yeah, I do have a Raverly account but I'm not sharing it because it's on my real name.

[pensnest]

I'm finding it very hard to write fic at the moment, so I sympathise with the slowdown. Yes, very useful to have a basket of finished knitwear! I tend to make scarves, I'll see a pattern I like and have the fun of knitting it, then it'll be given away at some point.

[shadowhive]

Ohh that’s awesome! 🖤

I usually write fic as my creative outlet, but my anxiety lately has meant that’s been going slow. My current main thing is Animal Crossing, I’ve sank so much time in the new game already. I’m not one for making clothing patterns or anything and my island isn’t too organised, but I made a nice area for bunny day furniture outside (they’re in the shape of eggs which is so cute!)

I’m not usually artistic. My two loves are better than me, but because of the lockdown I made mum a Mother’s Day card since I couldn’t get one. I’d recently got some new pens so I used them to make this

[pensnest]

I've been finding it very difficult to write fic, too, of late. My sympathies. Bunny day furniture sounds charming - any visuals?

I'm guessing either you of Mom has cats!

[verdande_mi]

At the moment I am weaving a wallhanging. I decided to teach myself weaving last year and bought a small loom, I have used youtube to teach myself. I also crochet and I am working on two grandma-square blankets.

I am slo creative with my bullet journaling, which I find a welcome break and a nice way to take stock of my life.

I love to write as well, but over the past many years studies have taken much of the time. Photographing in another hobby, and one I have not only kept up with, but also tried to better my skills at.

[pensnest]

Weaving a wallhanging sounds like an awesome project! I bought a little hand loom and have not yet got around to figuring out what to do with it. Really, we need 36-hour days, with four extra hours for sleep and another eight for crafting.

[ruuger]

I paint and draw and do random crafts, and have been trying to think positively that since I'll be partially furloughed for the next 6 months, at least I'll have two extra days a week to do art :)

[pensnest]

Awesome stuff at that link! I really like your drawings - and is that some acrylic pouring in there? Lots of good stuff.

[mothwing]

I used to write a lot, and have gotten back into that during this lockdown. I also used to draw a fair bit and am knitting a hat for my daughter at the moment, both of which I love doing while watching telly or listening to audiobooks.

[pensnest]

Ah, another listener to audio books. Mine, alas, are mostly on cassette tapes... so many of them are failing. Well done you, for getting back into writing during lockdown.

[luckyzukky]

i've been making a TON of graphics since the quarantine started. i made a lot a few months ago but then i had to switch to linux cause my computer died, so i thought i couldn't make graphics anymore (photoshop doesn't work on linux, and i couldn't get it to run with wine), but then i realized i could just use gnu-imp so i've been using that instead.

now i make graphics like every day to pass the time, and it's pretty fun! it's mostly of idol stuff, but occasionally some anime too. i post it all to my graphics comm, yuripop!

[pensnest]

That's cool! I admire someone who can switch computer systems like that, too - is gnu-imp related to what I've heard of as Gimp? I used to do quite a bit of Photoshopping, and it's very satisfying.

[jenett]

My big creativity thing these days is that I write and self-publish romance novels (1920s with magic), which, um, takes a lot of my creative brain.

(I am so far keeping up with my higher than last year word count goal, but it's a little tricky. Currently sort of regretting that the current book is set in a hospital in 1915, and a little claustrophobic.)

I do occasional fic exchanges, mostly Yuletide and Worldbuildingex, too.

In terms of physical crafting, I knit. Currently a super simple shawl, but my biggest project to date was a blanket that went along with a 7 year long Harry Potter AU project, Alternity, which I finished in 2015. Here's a lot more about the blanket, but links to the game wiki are non-functional, sorry. (I really enjoyed doing the double sided knitting squares, but I keep stalling on figuring out a large pattern I'd like to do now.)

[pensnest]

Good for you for keeping up your output of words! And that is a most *fabulous* blanket! I'm very impressed that you did it in double knitting. Do you have a favourite side?

[smallhobbit]

I like to cross stitch - I've done cards and book marks which I've given away, my current project is not going anywhere!

[pensnest]

Oooooh! That's gorgeous! I wouldn't give that away, either!

[aome]

I love making stuff. I draw, bake, knit, machine-quilt, do general sewing, write (when the Muse is with me, which right now she's not), and, as of late, do PaintNite projects.

Last night I made this oatmeal bread, which we've taken to calling "Idiot bread" because it's so easy, even an idiot inexperienced baker can make it. :D There are 7 people in my house, and generally we can polish off the entire loaf the first day - or nearly, lol. I also have a favorite "Death by chocolate" cake - which is usually the standard birthday cake for most of the family members, but I've decided to make it for Easter dinner this year. Plus the usual things like brownies, lemon squares, cookies, apple pie, etc. I also am low-gluten, so I have GF adaptations for a lot of things, too.

Knitting examples: I made this cardigan in dark blue for my mom for Christmas. I'm currently working on this sweater/jumper in green, although I plan to make it crewneck. I started it when I expected to be visiting my dad, where I would have had loads of free time, but then, you know, COVID19 happened and I didn't get to visit, so I haven't made too much progress, maybe 12"/30cm on the front? I've also made socks and mittens, although neither too recently. Here is a set of mittens I made awhile back.

Quilting examples: As something to look forward to, during the lockdown, I plan to re-make this quilt for my SIL, as hers is getting pretty worn. (The adorable kitty in the pic is now fat and old, but still full of purrs.) And this is the Christmas tree skirt I use every year. :)

Art examples: I do pencil sketches, mostly of people's faces. This sketch of Bill Weasley is probably the one I'm most proud of, except for this one of my baby daughter, done from a photograph. But I was taking a drawing class for that one, and had help, lol! More recently, I've been enjoying PaintNite classes. See my tagged entries for pics.

And, uh, that's enough showing off for me, lol. *slinks off*

[pensnest]

So much fabulous! I shall have to try the 'Idiot bread' because since our bread-making machine failed I have had *no* success at making bread.

I love the cabling on that second sweater - lovely and complicated to look at. I've never had the attention to detail needed to do quilts or patchwork, so that's something I envy you. And your sketches are excellent - thanks for sharing!

[dine]

to be honest, I've not been doing anything creative - my extra time has mostly been eaten up by reading (more) fic. but I have a cross-stitch project ready to start; I just need to unearth it and get going

while it's been ages since I cross-stitched, I used to spend tons of time doing so, and generally giving away the finished projects. this one is fannish, and is intended as a gift for a friend: Autumn TARDIS

[aome]

I love the TARDIS pattern - I'm sure your friend will be thrilled.

[liseuse]

I knit and cook and bake mostly. I'm trying to improve my sewing skills - machine not hand, but The Great Entroublement put a spanner in the works because, obviously, my Wednesday evening sewing class was cancelled.

Sometimes I write fic, although my fic writing has lapsed considerably from the days when I was a student. Turns out that a 9-5 job really takes up time!

[pensnest]

I am in awe of people who use sewing machines. I mean, I *can*, but it's such a travail. Have you specific projects in mind?

[alexseanchai]

I write fanfic! (I have a bunch of fiber art stuff and some drawing stuff, but I also have a bunch of chronic pain, esp in the hands, and being unable to type makes me batshit, so I mostly do not do anything with my fiber art stuff and drawing stuff.) here is the most recent example of my fanfic:


faint heart never won fair lady (300 words) by AlexSeanchai
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Miraculous Ladybug
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug
Characters: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug
Additional Tags: Community: drabble_zone, Triple Drabble, Puns & Word Play, Possession, Telepathic Bond, Ladynoir | Adrien Agreste as Chat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng as Ladybug, Identity Reveal, Guardian Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Podfic Welcome
Summary:

With deliberation, she says, I must be out of my mind.

[pensnest]

Writing fanfic is definitely creative! I'm in a considerable slump, myself, but it is so satisfying, putting the right words together. I read your story, but as I have *no* idea about the fandom I didn't really know what was going on... sorry about that!

[althea_valara]

I knit and crochet. In the past I've done some photography (this icon is from one of times I played around with a camera) but I've gotten out of photography in the past five years or so, probably because my camera was knocked off a table and now the mirror won't flip open, sigh.

Anyway! I'm on Ravelry, same username -- https://www.ravelry.com/projects/xnera -- and many of my project pages have been set to public so you can see my work even if you don't have a Ravelry account. I keep most of the stuff I make, though I've given some stuff away as well. One Christmas I brought two shopping bags worth of hats and other items to our family Christmas party and let everyone go through them to take what they wanted. It made me smile the next year when we went downtown for one of my sisters' birthdays and everyone was wearing hats I had made!

I do have an Etsy shop, but I have yet to sell anything on it, though I haven't been promoting it very well. I've been planning to potentially relaunch the store in a few days, so we'll see if it takes off now. I also have patterns on Ravelry, both free and paid. (they're cheaper at Ravelry than Etsy because Etsy has more fees). I'm currently working on another design that I intend to launch on the 10th; fingers crossed I get it done on time!

I love the idea of creative writing. As a kid my dream was to be a novelist. Well, you can't be a writer if you don't read, and for years now I've struggled with reading books. I'm slowly getting back into reading this year. I did try NaNaWriMo two years ago and had some success, but I didn't "win", and the next year as I was contemplating my story I realized the magic system I had built in it was full of holes and it all fell apart, boo. I really wish I had ideas for stories, because stories delight me so much, but I am fresh out of ideas.

[pensnest]

It is so satisfying to see people wearing things you made, isn't it! I like your idea of letting everyone pick their own gift, too. And I like your fireworks hat, though I don't crochet.

[z_badfaith]

I've been studying and working - my Uni decided to give online classes so the students don't lose the semester and I work from home, so there's that :P But that doesn't help with creativity at all most of the time.

I miss writing. I really miss writing fic, or even translating someone else's fic. I know how to embroider and cross stitch - had a tiny shop of it as well, used to sell a bunch of them or gift them to friends but stopped doing it when the depression got bad and never returned :( I did some pretty good ones, though! haha

I tried knitting, but it makes my arms hurt SO BAD, so I've been considering crocheting... if I have the time, since I still gotta write papers :P Just doing my best not to procrastinate so much here!

[pensnest]

It must be so much harder to study entirely online and from home rather than actually *at* Uni. Best of luck to you.

That's some very interesting and unusual embroidery!

[cynthia1960]

Knitting and spinning right now. I also weave, but the loft is in a state of chaos from having bathrooms ripped up, so I am holding off on that.

[pensnest]

Ah, spinning! Someone who goes to my knitting group brings along a little spindle, and it looks so clever.

[komadori]

I enjoy writing poetry and creative writing in general. Unfortunately, I haven't been doing much of that lately even though I have a ton of inspiration. I really need to get back into it because it helps feed my soul. I think the problem is that I've become too focused on the results and whether it is any good or not instead of the process and expressing myself.

[pensnest]

That's a difficult trap to be in, I sympathise. I hope you find a way to get writing again.

[brumeier]

When I'm not writing fic, I do digital scrapbook pages. At one time this was a huge part of my life, much more than it is now. I was on a design team and some months I was whipping up twenty or thirty layouts. Some get turned into books. I had a hardcover album printed up for my mom that documents family happenings in the 70s.

Mostly I just document life. Birthdays, trips, food, and lately life in a pandemic. Here is one of my recent layouts:

[jesse_the_k]

What a lovely collage.

[wpadmirer]

I planted four tomato plants. That's probably about as different a creative thing as I'll do right now.

What I need to do is finish the damn final draft of my mystery novel. It's been languishing. But I'm employed in an "essential" business - nonprofit (blood bank), so I'm still actually working.

So I'll take the hopeful growing of tomatoes as my creative project at the moment.

[pensnest]

I think that's very reasonable. I hope your tomatoes burgeon splendidly and are fruitful. I anticipate being knee-deep in home-grown tomatoes this summer, because my father-in-law, who lives with us and loves gardening, has no sense of restraint when he plants his vegetble seeds.