Sketches and Snippets 10th January 22
52 Things to Make and Do
So it’s 2022 already. Let’s hope it’s a damn good year… I really think we deserve a good one just by the law of averages! I wish you all the very best for this new year! The last two years have been such a hard slog so I recommend being kind to yourself at every opportunity. Prioritise relaxation and doing the things you enjoy with the people you love and who knows, maybe everything will be alright.
I’ve taken a few weeks off from working and writing but am easing myself gently back to work now. Starting back always gets me in a bit of a panic like I’m beginning right from scratch and I haven’t got a clue what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s not that I don’t have ideas…my head is buzzing with them. They’re causing so much chatter I can’t think straight. So where to start? I wrote a list, in no particular order, off the top of my head these are all the things I’ve been thinking recently about making and doing. It’s a mega jumble of repairs, ideas for my house, things to wear, plus painting and textiles. I stopped at 52, so theoretically I could do one idea a week until 2023, but it would make a lot more sense to reflect and consider what needs done and what would give me greatest satisfaction, then choose one or two at a time so as not to get overwhelmed. At least it’s a starting point and I feel calmer and ready to get going now it’s written down in black and white instead of whirling around my head.
52 Things to Make and Do
Make a large over-the-body shoulder bag for carrying shopping and parcels. Use fabric from my stash and belt for the strap.
Finish the PDF sewing patterns made to own body measurements created on sewist.com. Created a pattern for a tunic with a peter pan collar, and a pair of wide-legged trousers, downloaded the pattern, stuck the pattern pieces together but instructions are minimal so relegated the project to a pile of finish later projects.
Finish the stash-busting quilt made from an old duvet. Started cutting out large hexagons from groovy vintage fabrics and a couple of Robb’s shirts which have great sentimental value. Lost the template somewhere along the way so added it to the pile of unfinished objects.
Repair Robb’s Biff Bang Pow cushion. This will be the second significant repair to a cushion I made a decade ago. The fabric has seen better days but he won’t let me through it away so I’m going to carefully cut out the applique letters and sew them onto a fresh new cushion cover.
Make a Bedside Storage Folder. Storage for phone, charger, and other small essentials which will have a closure to keep out curious cats and flap to tuck in between bed frame and mattress.
Revamp the small brown wood cupboard with the tambour door. Bought it from the excellently named ‘Decades of Stuff’ a few years ago and looking very tatty now. Needs the treacle varnish removed and treated to a lick of paint.
Paint the TV unit. Change the colour to match the pink walls. I saved some paint for the job.
Recover the ironing board. After heavy usage, it’s full of holes. Patch and recover with fresh cotton, stitching it over the original cover.
Rearrange pictures on living room wall.
Paint bathroom light sage green. Desperately needing painted after bleach left walls streaky.
Design an all-over pattern to use for fabric. Something I’ve wanted to do for years and have also have instructions for, just need to allot the time.
Make brooches and pendants with claw settings. A technique I want to learn - great instructions in Wild Jewellery by Sarah Drew.
Stick to a daily drawing routine. Doing quick 5 or 10 minute sketches is brilliant for improving drawing skills. I’d like to dedicate 15 minutes every day.
Make collagraph prints. Really love the wonderful textures that can be created with this printmaking technique. Materials are inexpensive too which is a bonus.
Learn how to screenprint. An extremely versatile method of printing for fabric or paper.
Paint 12 portraits, including 4 self-portraits. Always loved doing portraits!
Make a series of paper mache masks. Use shredded paper from the big filing cabinet clear out.
Make drawstring bags and fabric wraps for gift-giving. Create less paper waste by making reusable packaging from beautiful fabric offcuts.
Document all the plants in the garden. Do a series of small paintings and drawings with plants as subject matter to learn more about them all.
Do a series of paintings of cakes, puddings, and sweets. Know your enemy! I’m trying to cut out sugar again because of its detrimental effect on my body and mind.
Do a series of paintings of healthy food and snacks. A visual reminder of all that beauty and goodness.
Paint views of the garden in each season. Last summer I enjoyed painting views of the garden. I’d like to create a fuller picture by doing the same scenes in winter, spring, and autumn.
Make a scrappy patchwork blanket backed with grey jumbo corduroy.
Make a PDF sewing pattern for boat-shaped pin-cushions. Flat base / fabric-covered card construction / fabric sail.
Make a PDF sewing pattern for purses with 4 applique designs. write up instructions from some of my older designs.
Make undies. Fed up with not being able to find 100% cotton pants anymore so it’s time to make my own!
Make cover for cat’s pillow. Pink and orange to go in living room.
Repair wool patchwork cushion. Another older make that’s worn through after heavy usage. Remove and replace two hexagons with suitable wool replacements.
Recover 1950s footstool. Currently covered in oilcloth which is functional but not too comfy. Also add more padding.
Make a display of midcentury pottery. Find a suitable shelf to display everything together for more impact.
Make a display of old family photographs. Group together loved ones and ancestors, in family tree style possibly?
Knit a colourful jumper. Use up all the odd balls.
Create a PDF pattern for a simple soft toy.
Design two different applique cushion covers. Repair the two cushion pads that have been through the wash a million times and make beautiful covers for them.
Learn how to make flex frame pouches. Use recycled fabrics and embellish with print or embroidery.
Make cat face purses. Make using a mix of paint applique and stitch.
Make a pompom hat from recycled wool. Find online sewing tutorial for cosy tammy.
Make more wooden pendants. Use offcuts of wood and collage elements to create pendants strung on cotton cord.
Design a downloadable daily ‘to do’ sheet. Make an attractive A5 design with space for notes on essential daily activities.
Create 6 design motifs for embroidery. Could be based on continuous line drawings?
Learn how to make ear wires and make earrings in 6 designs. Something else I’ve wanted to do for ages but silver is so expensive!
Mend the green cardigan with moth holes. Repair the holes and embellish with wool embroidery.
Add colourful dots to a plain wool jumper.
Make 6 larger pouches/project bags. Use scrap fabrics to create abstract designs.
Make a new bath mat. Use absorbent materials to make a colourful mat that is also machine washable.
Make a sunshine brooch. Bring your own sunshine with you wherever you go. Printed onto fabric and backed with cork or leather.
Make a crafters tool belt with ties at the waist. Must have pockets and compartments for phone, pencils, scissors, etc.
Work on a daily series of A6 fabric collages. Use small scraps of printed and painted fabrics, work quickly and intuitively.
Take a course on Udemy.com or Skillshare.com to learn something new.
Make a circular rug. Have seen a tutorial on Youtube to make rugs from nylon string covered in cotton fabric strips, held together with crochet.
Add pockets or bigger pockets to all clothes.
Make a basic pattern for a boxy top and make myself several.
Have you written a list, or do you have any exciting plans for this year? Wishing you much success in all your creative endeavours! Thanks for reading. Julia x
I love this! When I'm looking for something crafty to do, this is the perfect list to find my next craft.
This is me too at the beginning of the year, feeling quite lost and useless. I’m doing lots of wallpaper stripping in a bid to be active while thinking stuff. Might make that list though. It’s good to have ‘goals’.