This week I finally found my pattern that I won from one of Stacy's, Buttermilk Basin, promotions. It is from the series Wool Crazy for October. I wanted to make it easier, my favorite way to say I am lazy;)
I had a large piece of stiff Eco felt in black and I thought it would make the perfect background for the cat. I wanted to hang it on the wall, so the stiff felt was a good base and I found it easy to sew though.
Instead of making the whole kitty in patchwork, I just added a few pieces for fun, and kept it close to the original.
Here is my version of the kitty. Yes, it is a bit crooked;) I had to use the phone, need to charge my camera batteries.
And here is the original pattern.
The problem is, the group I belonged to is not what I thought it was. I am seeing more people making rocks for themselves, wanting the attention for what they paint and a lot, I feel is inappropriate. The group is about making rocks and leaving them, to brighten someones day. I do not see how making rocks with advertising, especially one that had the back end of a man's butt crack for plumbing is something you would put out for kids to find, as well as creepy designs, that does not say happy or smile to me. The thing that got me riled was when someone posted a photo of rock art they made, not to give, but to keep and it was done by copying a design on the internet.
So, I left a nice post about copyrights and that Pinterest is a place for inspiration, not a repository for free designs. I was being nice, not mentioning designs being used and said that people should be careful and check the source of the designs to make sure they are not from artists who are trying to make a living with their designs.
Well, not the reaction I expected. The remarks were nasty and I was basically called a bi.... and Pinterest is for people to find designs and I could see I was not getting through to them and going nowhere, so I deleted the posting. I didn't need to hear that kind of negativity or meanness from a group who states they are there to make people happy. Then I quit the group.
Now here is where you come in, I am wondering if I should start a new group. I have been wanting to do something like this, I love the idea of leaving gifts for people to find, like when I did pillows for Christmas. If I do a group and use RI in the name, it is just for my state, so maybe a name that anyone can use and add their state abbreviation, or country to that. My original idea was SmileRI, and using a heart instead of a dot above the i. Then when you make something, you can put the name on the back or on a tag for sewn or handmade items. It will be for the joy of giving and the fun of seeing the person who finds it.
For now it is an idea, and I would like to know what others think, if there is enough interest and I can work out the details and set up the site on Facebook. Please let me know your thoughts and ideas that you would like to see, in a group like that.
For now, here is what I am working on. I thought it would be a quick project but the orange did not want to go on nicely, so I have been putting on coat, after coat. I will be putting silly faces on them, so that will have to be done and then the finish, so they will have to wait till next weekend to get hidden.
They are not perfect in the color bands, but I think they will look fun with the faces. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Debbi, your cat is wonderful I love the modifications you did on it. I always feel that the pattern is a suggestion to one to help explore creativity. I rarely follow the colours of designer as many do fall in my realm of peace.
ReplyDeleteLove your idea of the painted rocks. Not something I would necessarily do but I'd love to join and be a cheerleader to the group. Who knows maybe I'll have to jump in! Your idea of SmileRI is fun for tourists to find them and recall where they were placed. I'd also add the year to it.
Your candy corn rocks look great to me can't wait to see what faces you put on them, maybe one or two should have glasses for children who wear them to hopefully find.
Have a great weekend!
Your Halloween kitty is just too dang cute! Enjoy it! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the candy corn painted rocks too! I remember painting rocks when I was in kindergarten...maybe even preschool...the teachers cleverly referred to them as "handmade paperweights"...and us kids gifted them to our parents...it was a cute and fun way to be creative! Enjoy!
I don't have anything decorative for Halloween other than a few purchased lanterns and a fabric ghost that hangs. Rather strange because that is my birthday... But lately the holiday has caught on big time with shops here in Tokyo and already there are decorations going up. 50 years ago, no one knew much bout it and ghosts were taboo. Your car is cute. Maybe this year I need to think up an idea for a runner for my coffee table.
ReplyDeleteI would have been pretty disgusted to find people like that in a group supposedly doing good. I don't think something like that would catch on in Japan ... but one never knows for sure and the culture is changing all the time.
Your cat is wonderful as are you candy corn rocks.
ReplyDeleteLove the cat. I really like the idea of creating and leaving for someone to find. A time back I found a small quilted heart in Scottsdale AZ (I now live in AZ from RI) and it was so nice. I would like to know more about the project if you could share.
ReplyDeleteI love that cat, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the new group you're thinking about - keep me in mind if you will.
It's quite sad how abusive some people can be on social media - don't take it to heart since they are the ones who seem to have the need to vent for whatever reason.
Have a good 'rest of the weekend'. It's windy and cooler here and makes me appreciate long pants and shoes. lol
i love your stones and although i'm nowhere near I think a little group that focusses on what you are wanting to do sounds great..... sadly there are always people out for their own piece of the limelight.... I'm like yoiu and just knock out negativity ... we really don't need it..
ReplyDeleteHugz
I love all the rocks you've done to leave for folks to find...that's a great idea to start a group...you'll be so inspirational...I'm no longer a Halloween person but the cat is great!
ReplyDeleteOh, I like the cat. I had not seen the pattern but then I have not really been on her site much lately.
ReplyDeleteSorry you had a problem with the rock painting group. I have left a group that was not what I thought it would be. I just want everyone to play nice and get along.
LOVE the name ... SmileRI. Love the whole idea even more.
ReplyDeleteYour cat came out great!
ReplyDeleteSorry for all the abuse you had to endure. The internet can be a nasty place. Your idea for a group sounds like a winner.
Hugs :)
Lauren