The mildly mixed up musings of a crochet fanatic!

Will You Help Me Pick My Next Project?

10/5/2012

15 Comments

Should I make a scarf or...

Scarf #1

Source: ravelry.com via RobinBrz on Pinterest

Scarf #2

Source: ravelry.com via RobinBrz on Pinterest

Scarf #3

Source: aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com via RobinBrz on Pinterest

Scarf #4

Source: ravelry.com via RobinBrz on Pinterest

do you think I should make a shawl?

Shawl #1

Source: ravelry.com via RobinBrz on Pinterest

Shawl #2

Source: crochetuncut.com via RobinBrz on Pinterest

Shawl #3

Source: ravelry.com via RobinBrz on Pinterest

Shawl #4

Source: crochetvolution.com via RobinBrz on Pinterest

Please help me make up my mind!!
Voting is a breeze - just point and click on your choice.
No registering or logging in necessary!

In addition to my fiber offerings, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done it, why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Welcome"

What would you think if a few days after you moved into your new home a complete stranger showed up at the door with a casserole and an invitation to meet the 'rest of the ladies' for coffee the following afternoon? Would you be suspicious and wonder what she really wanted or would you accept both the time saving diner and the invitation? In 2012 the likelihood of that happening is incredibly slim. But in the 1950s, in suburban American you would have just met the Welcome Wagon! That's right. A group of women from the ladies auxiliary who would make it their business to welcome you and your family to the neighborhood. It was more than the convenience of a heat-an-eat meal, it was the opportunity to get to know you new neighbors. They would tell you things like which teahcer you want little Jimmy to have and where to get the best cut of meat. They'd let you know which dry cleaner will get your shirts the brightest white and which beauty parlor to avoid. There would be invitations to the PTA and maybe the garden club.
And you wouldn't be suspicious at all.
Community activity and support were once common place. Reaching out to strangers wasn't scary or intimidating. People wanted to help each other. When did that change? I don't think it's because we're mean and uncaring. We've just changed the way we interact.
It's a new world that we're living in. And while I won't be knocking on my new neighbors door anytime soon, I'm glad to welcome all of you to my piece of cyber-space (the cyberhood?). I'm happy you came to visit my blog, and invite you to check out what's happening on Facebook and Pinterest. We can share a cup of coffee and I'll tell you all about my latest project. I'll come over to see your place and encourage you when you get stuck. I'll cheer for your success and help you out in anyway I can. The best thing about being part of an online community and having our interaction take place on the internet? You never know when my house is messy or I'm writing in my pajamas!

Well friends, that does it for me! It's a long weekend in the states and that means more time with the hook and yarn! It also means I'll have a chance to catch up on my blog reading. I hope you'll join me as I stop by to visit these creative blogs and their link parties.

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending part of your day with me.
Please don't forget to click on your choice for my next project!

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

15 Comments

Voie de Vie link

10/5/2012 08:02:25 am

The writing response to that prompt feels like more than five minutes, and more than one sitting. :) No matter; I don't think people are mean more than they are suspicious and/or potentially nosey or just trying to figure everyone out. I know I've tried to befriend neighbors (without the cooked casserole!) and I've only been met with suspicion. C'es la vie.

I have no preference for your next project, given what you've culled the choices to - will look forward to seeing how everyone else votes.

Robin link

10/5/2012 08:31:57 am

I confess it was more than five minutes. But is was only one sitting! Once I got started I couldn't stop - even after the timer went off!
It began as a peek at a bit of nostalgia, but then I started to think about how much we have changed. How did we get here?? What has the role of the internet been? How do we define community now - all kinds of things were rolling through my brain! So I allowed myself a bit more time - even though I'm sure I could have gone on for a while! (Funny because some weeks I struggle to get just a few sentences down on the prompt!)

heather link

10/5/2012 09:16:49 am

I like the scarf options, but maybe do them wider. Kind of a scarf/shawl hybrid...

Wouldn't it be nice to know your neighbors like that? We are actually good friends with most of our neighbors, but it gets so cold here in the winter that we all run into our houses right away. Every Spring we all come back outside and find out what we've been up to! :-)

10/5/2012 11:14:20 pm

I like your (hybrid) idea! I feel comfortable enough these days with my skills that I'm not terrified to adjust a pattern to suit my needs!

It's good to know that people are still interested in being part of a neighborhood - no matter how the dynamics actually work!

Andria link

10/5/2012 09:42:01 am

So hard to choose! I love when I get to vote though, it is so fun!

10/5/2012 11:17:22 pm

That's why I need help! I have no trouble getting it narrowed down, but the final decision is tough! Thanks for playing a long!

Melissa link

10/5/2012 10:38:13 am

Love the reflective attitude of this post! One thing that really jumped out at me was how you compare your blog and blogging to a neighborhood and community! That is such a great comparison! Just based on reading this, I feel welcomed and can't wait to explore more! Dropped by from FMF!

10/5/2012 11:30:02 pm

Thank you Melissa! I spend so much time on the internet that it is as much my community as the neighborhood where I live! In both places I do my best to make my guests feel comfortable!
I hope you enjoyed your visit, and stop by again sometime!!

Cathy link

10/5/2012 01:30:55 pm

It's hard to choose only one from the selections, my personal favourite is shawl #3 but of course it'll depend on who you make it for and for what use :) ... I remember years ago when we moved into our first house, on the day of the move our new next door neighbour came around with a pot of tea and biscuits because she thought we needed it while unpacking, wasn't that sweet! I agree, true community spirit is very uplifting and that sense if belonging is reassuring :)

10/5/2012 11:35:11 pm

My thought was to make something that could be worn all day - a bit decorative, but also with a bit of warmth now that we're coming into winter... and all of these fit that description!
I'm happy to hear that you had you very own 'welcome wagon' experience!!

Pumpkin link

10/5/2012 02:19:51 pm

It was difficult choosing between shawl #2 and #3, they are both so gorgeous! I loved seeing all of the different possible projects, they are inspiring.

10/5/2012 11:38:40 pm

Thanks Pumpkin! There are so many amazing (free) patterns available both on the internet and in the library that it's nearly impossible for me to choose. As soon as I think I've got it I see something else that tickles my fancy!

WonderWhygal link

10/6/2012 12:16:18 am

ooooh, great choices. I picked Shawl 4. That design is very pretty.

Erin McDonald link

10/6/2012 07:07:20 am

I remember those days of a welcoming face with a casserole and a brief visit. We moved a lot when I was a kid and so we were often welcomed in this way. My mum was gracious and always returned the dish filled with one of her favorite recipes, but I think she didn't join in their groups all that much. She had six kids and a husband who sometimes traveled, so she focused her attention on us.
Thanks for a nice piece of writing that stirred memories!
As for voting, that was tricky. I love the pattern of scarf #3, and I hadn't thought to suggest you make it wider, but that's now my vote!

marytoo link

10/6/2012 11:55:04 am

I am old enough to remember when life was that way. I had sooo much more freedom as a child than my children were allowed to have; it really was a simpler, safer life, and I miss it in a lot of ways.
I think it's sad how now people can live side-by-side for years, and literally never even know their neighbors' names, or would not recognize them if they saw them somewhere around town.

But I do love the cyber connection. It has opened and closed a lot of doors at the same time.