keeping calm

I just had a little chuckle to myself at the description on the right "zooming towards the end". Speed, yes, at times it feels like I have been writing the thesis for an age! Other times...it....feels...so....slow. I spent the weekend preparing the document, tidying sentences, fixing references and don't get me started on my missing images. I am going to keep calm, carry on and deal with them tomorrow. Now is not the time to stress out.


Perhaps strangely I don't mind this last part - whether thesis, essay or any other long piece of writing. My particular way of working is to go through the document, make a list, cross them off. It helps me feel like I am making tangible achievements.

I remember a talk we had as Honours students about always having in mind the question "why does this matter?" - meaning, I think, keep sight of the central issue/s, remember the reader. At times I have said "why is this important? who cares?". Today I came across this article in The Age titled "World at their Tweet" (cute). It reminded me that what I am writing about does have wider implications, it is happening. I felt better.

endings and beginnings (maybe)

I'm taking a break from tidying up my paper for the upcoming Console-ing Passions conference (and also glued to the Murdoch hearing currently showing live on TV). This could be true for most people, I find that I always go through a 'cycle' (of pain?) in the lead up to presenting a paper. It starts with a sore throat which lasts about a day, then terrible fear and then the stage where I am now - excitement! Every word starts to flow on the page and I begin to imagine myself 'speaking' the words. In my own opinion I believe that I am a better speaker than writer....but perhaps I am wrong on that one. Either way, I do enjoy public speaking.

The other exciting event happening is the publication of the Morrissey book, with my chapter in it! I think the book is a fantastic collection of writing on the subject. The editors did a wonderful job. Although I have read each chapter, it will be even better when the 'real' copy lands in my letterbox. I'd also like to read any reviews, they probably will appear overseas,so forward them to me if anyone out there happens to see one.

My thesis is still chugging along. About a month ago I had this terrible feeling towards finishing it. I found it very difficult to verbalise. Many people want me to finish! I think I was nervous about being launched back into the real world (eek!), the safety of the university felt very comforting. It is a routine, I turn up to the same desk, the cafe staff know my name and drink preference. Also, strangely in my mind, I feel that the thesis is 'done' : I've lived it for so long it begins to feel as though I have finished (I haven't!). Recently though I have become very happy to FINISH! I'm beginning to see other options out there for me, outside the university. Places where I can further use my "graduate qualities".

I took a walking break last week from my desk, I have the good fortune to pick from at least four galleries on campus. I walked without really planning where I was going and arrived at the Jam Factory and saw the exhibition "Imagining Interiors" - I just had a look for it on their site and there is no information. It took as its starting point the "gothic" and in some cases, artists paired with another artist. I've noted a return to gothic recently in the work of artists within my post-grad cohort. A painting by Mary Jean Richardson of a woman with her back to the viewer, seated on a large chair, hair plaited locking her to the chair. It was beautiful, strange and haunting. The chair was also featured in the exhibition as made by Adelaide based craftsman Khai Liew.

Plenty of inspiration out there and now I might finally have time to get out there and see what is happening.

winter writing

This wintery weather we have been having in the last few days has been great. Definitely makes me want to be inside, at my desk, rather than outside.
The thesis has been progressing very nicely. I have been working to shape it towards the Final Document. Making sure the references are correct, giving a title to each chapter, even writing the acknowledgement section. At the moment I am working on my final chapter - which sadly, just isn't taking shape for me at present. It doesn't seem to have the 'flow' yet. Embarassingly, in some ways I still don't even know what this chapter is about yet. Is it to be a summing up? One of my supervisors said it could be 'future predictions' for indie craft blogging.

I know it has some comments on the aesthetics of blogging. Which, I have found, there has not been that much research on. What makes a 'good looking blog?'. How do 'we' know?

For some reason I am unable to post images today...this is very annoying!

on the horizon

Recently I went along to the exhibition 'Ornate' (it just closed on the 22nd). It was an exhibition by a group of emerging artists who all use textiles within their arts practice. While not 'themed' as such, I think the idea of 'pattern' was a guide to the artists in making their work for the exhibition. In the catalogue Sera Waters describes the process of finding pattern in everyday life - something which I think we can all relate to. It seems human nature to want to find repition and order within our surroundings.
I felt really moved by the work of Ali Carpenter - and would like to see more of her work - it featured text, with embroidery in the spaces around it. Reminding me of stars on the night sky.

Also, I have been continuing to attend the Red Thread Collective meetings where we are working on a project in response to our favourite book/s. I am thinking of doing either Madam Bovary or Wuthering Heights. It is hard for me to pick a 'favourite' book but I think I could make an embroidered piece from either of these. I've been sketching and feel ready to start when I can manage a spare few hours.
A new member to the RTC does the most beautiful drawings! A link to her website. Immediately I fell in love with her illustrations - I'd love it if she published a book!

How cool is that rabbit?

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The thesis deadline is obviously approaching with each day/hour/minute...whenever I work out what my actual 'word per day' target is I break into a cold sweat! Easier to just keep going I think, even fifty words feels like an accomplishment at the moment. My reward of course is getting it done and then moving on to, well who know where.

lifting my head up again

I feel like I always need to write 'it's been a while' at the beginning of a new post. I guess I am gaining a first hand understanding of how difficult it can be to keep updating a blog.
My thesis has hit a bit of a slow patch at the moment, my supervisors have both gone overseas for a few months, so I got an extension and will meet my interim supervisor this Wednesday. Perhaps I've been waiting to see what advice or directions she has for my work. Sometimes I think it's a seasonal thing, I never feel much like working as the weather changes from warm, sunny days to grey skies.

I've been doing some crocheting lately and have really been reinvigorated by working with the crochet hook and the yarn...finding really cool colours, re-learning the skill and dreaming of new ideas. I love how it can become like second-nature and after a while your hands really take over and you no longer really need to think about what you are doing...automatic.

The Hyperbolic Coral Crochet Reef comes to Adelaide - I think the launch is this Wednesday at RiAus - and it should be a fantastic project to be involved in. I'm thinking that I will crochet some coral and hopefully get along to some of the public workshops.



The Ladies Silurian Atoll (detail). Photo © The Institute For Figuring (by Alyssa Gorelick)
I've also been really inspired by this on work on etsy by Hide the Good Scissors.



Loving the geometric shapes and the woodland animal shapes. I'd like to have the bird and the polar bear.

yes, these things do take time

It has been another tough week in thesis land. At the moment I am working on finalising chapters (and trying to ingnore any new information from sneeking in). Although I did find Jo Turney's book 'The Culture of Knitting' in the uni library and it is so good. I'm calling it both a karmic lucky find - you know when you go walking up the aisles at the library and just stumble upon the perfect book you have been hoping for - and the driving me crazy with jealousy book, as it feels like it is just what I want to write myself.

However, things have been quite grim, at times I feel on the verge of tears...I keep reminding myself that it will be over soon. That this is the most difficult part but it will be worth it.

I also found the work of artist Sally England, which has been a huge inspiration to my day. She works in 3D and 2D, using craft techniques including macrame



and the Mr Moustace cushion, which I think is just genius...can I have one for my bedroom please?



how handy, you can store the moustaches in a back pocket. So clever!

crafty royal wedding

 

I love this cross-stitch pattern by Subversive Cross Stitch and Mr X for the occasion of the impending Royal Wedding. It was included in the Independent newspaper and the free pattern download is available from the Subversive Stitch website. I am pretty tempted to give it a go myself! I love the idea of changing the 'Keep Calm Carry On' motto and visually I find the 'handwriting stitch' down the bottom very appealing. It says 'A Royal Wedding bought to you in association with the Coaliton Goverment' very clever.

 

It got me thinking about other wedding souvenirs that might be being subversively produced, so after a quick search I found Lydia Leith's 'Royal Wedding Sick Bags'.

 

 

While I'm not against the wedding per se, I think it is interesting that crafters are creatively engaging and commenting with the event.

 

and from England's OK magazine, knitted Kate and William dolls (they didn't provide information as to who was making them).

 

 

I found the link for the free pattern by Galt, so not a souvenir created by an independent crafter, but funny none-the-less.