I love it when people get really creative and repurpose objects. In this case, artist Pete Mason creates amazing works of art (portraits, landscapes) using postage stamps. Here's the latest, a portrait of William and Kate.
And here's a
link to an article on Pete Mason (via Presurfer) at at
1800recycling.com where the artist talks a bit about his process and you can see more of his work.
What do you think? (I think I might not have the patience to do this. I'm in awe of people who can knit whole sweaters when I pretty much stop at rectangular objects). I guess we each have our strengths and talents. So have you ever or do you now dabble in art? Crafts? Writing? Gardening?
Have a great day doing...whatever it is that you enjoy.
Best Wishes,
Posts
The creativity & talent of others is inspiring. It also highlights my short comings.
ReplyDeletemarypres@gmail.com
Hey there, Myrna!
ReplyDeleteIn years gone by, I was the "happy hooker" when I hooked rugs. They are now being used in my kids' rooms and I have no desire to hook another.
I also learned to knit but could only knit scarves. Haven't done that in decades either, and again have no desire to do so.
My sewing is limited to my mending pile, and even that isn't on my "top million" list of things I like to do. I am just too cheap to buy new when there's something miniscule to fix instead.
I don't enjoy the actual "scrapbooking" process, but I DO like the fruits of my labour. I am only on 1991 at the moment, but at least I'm working on it. I am throwing out duplicate photos like crazy, as pictures really ARE a heavy weight on at least MY shoulders. I had my pictures in magnetic coil photo albums until 1989, when my 2-year-old daughter ripped them apart. I put them into new albums shortly thereafter, and then my mom died in 1995. While reviewing all of HER pictures, my sister and I wondered why she had so many pictures of just a nose or just an ear, and then I had a light bulb moment when I realized that I too had some of those kinds of photos in my albums! So I went through all my albums and pulled out stupid and duplicate photos, leaving gaping holes throughout. By this time, life got out of control and new photos went into monthly file folders instead, so I have tons of pictures/newspaper articles to sort from then till today whenever I get to them (hopefully during this decade).
Finally, I write poetry for friends and family on special occasions and for my annual Christmas card. I give a "year in review" (newsletter), but in verse. When I have commented that they are difficult to do, I have had over 20 people tell me not to stop, as they look forward to them every year - so I continue writing/printing them.
Elaine, you sound so busy! And I'd love to see pictures of your hooked rugs (I did that once. Wow! Lovely results, but sooo time consuming)!
ReplyDeleteYes, on sorting through photos. I've been slowly doing that for the past several months (hmm, why do I have this photo of an out of focus top of a Christmas tree? And whose tree was it? Could be anyone's. Or a school photo of someone I may have been barely acquainted with back when I was 6 years old. What was her name? Haven't a clue).
The problem with me is that, other than writing, I like to see results quickly, and I know that if I start a project, a book will come along and take over my life and I'll have to put the project aside. I tend to do crafty things when they're expedient. Like now, I need some extra coasters and I don't like the heavy stone things they sell in stores, so I may have to make some. Last year I crocheted some place mats for an annual breakfast we have with friends (note that they were simple rectangles). Oh, and I crocheted (or maybe I knit--can't remember) a dishcloth, but I didn't like it. Too heavy.
I've pretty much accepted that for me, writing is it. Writing takes over your life (and I love it, so that's mostly okay with me. I just make sure that it doesn't interfere with family time). As for the rest, I really want to be crafty and domestic, but there's a reason that most of my heroines tend to be domestically challenged. (Hmm, wonder where that comes from)!
I like the year in review newsletters, too. In this day and age, we often lose touch with people. It's so nice to get a recap of what's going on with family and friends.
Boy the time that goes into something like that... I have seen people use dry pasta, jelly beans, ketchup, etc.
ReplyDeleteI myself am very creative, but finding time can be a problem... used to draw alot... not so much now. Do some crafts for holidays...
I have always thought of myself as a very creative person...I've painted, drawn and been artistic from an early age...I studied Art in school and even taught art for several years...I was a Home Economics teacher and so I've sewn, crocheted, knitted, pretty much done it all...for the last few years I've been into quilting which takes up as much time as reading does for me. I really do need to get back to painting, tho. As far as gardening I help my daughter in her garden when I'm visiting until I see an earthworm (which gives me the creeps ) and then I'm done!
ReplyDeleteColleen and Jackie, I am in awe of anyone who can draw. That's an amazing talent, one that requires a way of "seeing" things that most of us (including me) don't possess.
ReplyDeleteAnd quilting? I love quilts and I used to have an aunt who had a quilting frame hanging from her ceiling. She made me a double wedding ring when I got married.
As for the earthworms, Jackie, I'm with you. Eww! I don't want my fingers touching anything that slithers.
Myrna,
ReplyDeleteYou won't be seeing pictures of my hooked rugs, as the rugs have died through the years. I keep cutting back the edges where the yarn wears out (after duct taping the backs till they wear out too). I wanted to chuck the blue one in my son's room, but he absolutely loves it and refuses to let me touch it. He's 25 now, so I am grateful that he appreciates my efforts (or at least likes the colours!).
LOL re you also sorting through photos. I know how you feel!
My sister crocheted coasters for me years ago. Eventually they curled, so I sewed them together with thread and made hot plates out of them instead.
As for your unliked dishcloth, can you sew it together to hang in the bathroom for soap? Someone crocheted me a little bag (with ties at the top) years ago, and I still put all my little bits of soap in it (plus larger ones that don't look nice "enough" when company is coming over).
I also try to think outside of the box and reuse items for other purposes. I want to use up other items until they are absolutely positively gone. For example, I only buy one kind of deodorant for me and my husband, as I can put the container in my microwave when it is almost empty, and the "stick's" contents will melt into a liquid that can be poured into the top of the next deodorant (and will harden almost immediately). (It is the Original Mennon Speed Stick.)
Another example is shampoos. My girlfriends give me all their shampoo and conditioner samples from hotels, etc. I pour them into my squirt container, mixed with dollar-store shampoos, and use that. When the sample container is "empty", I put water in it, shake it up, and pour the little bit of soapy fluid into my squirt container too. Then I toss it in the cutlery section of my dishwasher before it goes out in the recycling, nice and clean.
Elaine, you must have my number. LOL I was just looking at some soap scraps yesterday, trying to force myself to throw them away because they were too small to use. I'll have to try your dishcloth suggestion. And when my dish soap gets too low to squeeze out, I put a bit of water in the container and put it down by my utility sink for those times when someone spills something on their shirt and just needs a slightly soapy bit of water to wash it out before a stain sets. No point in wasting, is there?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea with using your dish soap remains! I'll have to do that too! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI do the same with barbecue sauce and ketchup containers. When everyone else thinks they are "empty" (and I know they are not), I swish water in them and use the thick liquid in my macaroni and cheese recipe. (As for my recipe, it is just ketchup - sometimes with BBQ sauce and sometimes without BBQ sauce - with some water mixed in to make it a little thinner to pour, plus shredded cheddar cheese and boiled pasta. That's it! Ketchup mixture is poured thinly on bottom of Corningware dish so macaroni doesn't burn, then macaroni, then cheese, and repeat with sauce as last layer. Cook anywhere from 350-425 degrees - depending on what else is cooking in the oven at the same time - anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. Easy schmeezy. My own recipe.)
Wow--that is creative, and it is definitely the "stamp" of a patient person : )
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was "the greatest cook ever", and she was also wonderfully creative and talented with a needle and thread. She used to make the school clothes for my mother and her sister. She would make her own patterns out of brown paper bags, and she used whatever fabric, even flour sacks, that was available. She made them quite a few "broomstick skirts". Gran was a very great influence on me, and I also love to cook and sew. I even did custom sewing for years, making clothing and collectible cloth dolls. I also made quilts, pillows, and custom-tailored western shirts with embroidery and pearl snaps.