Do you know how sometimes you need a quick fix... a CQF… a Creative Quick Fix? Well, this is the perfect antidote to the itchy fingers of crafting when you just need to create something satisfying - something quick - something that’s perfect for “that spot” that fulfils your urge to see something tangible come from your efforts.
I'm aware that a lot of the projects that I begin are long-term
projects that won’t see the light of day for days... weeks... maybe,
months. And whilst I love the creative
process and the meditative groove of a long-term project, sometimes you need to
see the fruits of your labours much more quickly than that.
Do you know what I mean?
So, this is the perfect remedy for that need. A lovely little concentration of creative joy
that gives you pleasure in the making, and delight in the viewing, every time
you see it.
It’s delightfully simple.
It’s personal. And it can be
achieved in less than 15 minutes. I kid
you not.
I was fortunate to come across an old, water-damaged atlas
at a local flea market. Fortunate that
it was old.. and water-damaged…? Well, I’m
sentimental about books and maps, in general.
I have an old atlas from my childhood, but I just can’t bring myself to
cut it up, even though I absolutely adore things made from maps. But one that’s water-damaged….? Well… I’m really just giving it a new
life. Perfect.
So, here are my (very quick) steps. Really…
You’ll need:-
- atlas page, or crafting paper, heavy gift wrap, mixed-media paper
collage, etc, etc that you love
- length of ribbon, bias binding, strip of fabric, or the
like (mine happened to be around 60in/150cm straight from my box of collected,
used ribbon)
- sewing machine and thread / or needle and thread
- lead pencil
- scissors
1. from scrap paper, cut a couple of trial triangle shapes that
please you and take them to the place where you want to hang your bunting (in
my case, a mirror in our guest toilet)
2. hold them up to see which one ‘feels right’ in the space
and to your creative eye
3. using this shape as a template-of-sorts, place it on the paper
you intend to cut up and very loosely trace around it (this is not an exact
science and variations are not only encouraged, but fabulous!)
4. cut out your triangles inside the tracing line - an odd
number is suggested (I made 7) - if you follow Nature’s example, you’ll notice
that she often repeats in odd numbers, so uneven elements naturally look ‘right’
to our eyes
5. using a sewing machine set to a straight stitch length of
3mm, or thereabouts, start sewing from the end of a length of ribbon until you
get to the spot where you want to place your first triangle and continue to sew
across the top of the triangle, so that the top edge remains hidden behind the
ribbon and not poking out over the top
6. sew each of the triangles in place with about 1 in/2.5 to
3cm between each triangle (but gauge for yourself and space your triangles in
whatever arrangement that feels right to you) and continue stitching to the
other end of the ribbon - I like the threads that hang down from the ends of
the ribbon, but you could cut them off
7. hang using poster tac - this string of paper
deliciousness is not likely to be heavy
8. go back several times during the day to admire your creative
flair
And one of the gorgeous side-effects of a CQF is that the
satisfaction it generates not only gives you joy in the moment, it can fuel/
jumpstart/ revive/ spur on your long-term projects, and creative muse in
general. It’s a win/win.
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