I suppose I should do some kind of introduction … eek … my old English teacher would be appalled if I didn’t, so here it sorta is. In April, I decided to do a 30 days crafting series. The idea came as a way to motivate me to work my needles, hooks and string more often — because I like knit and crochet and as a form of relaxation. I always plan to do stuff, start, get side-tracked by life, health and especially my job. Since I’m typically more committed when I write things down, I wrote this down (here) and now here we are, June 1st and believe it or not, I have something. 😀 Here it is:
I come from a country, where my plant life and vegetation look like
my beaches look like this 
my sunset looks like this 
and we party like this!!!!!
So it’s not hard to understand why I’m so affected by colour in my life.
As I got ready to do this post, I took a walk around my home and it’s an explosion of colour. Everywhere!!!!!
In my kitchen
In my wardrobe
in my accessories
and in my crafting.
I know for some, colour not black, white or gray can be intimidating. What works? What doesn’t work? These are two questions I get a lot. When I colour block outfits, when I blend eyeshadow, when I pick a craft project colour palette.
I’m not super special with any magical colour powers, it’s just that I appreciate colour in all its forms and I’m totally unafraid to try combinations that I’ve never tried before, combos that strike me on a whim. If they don’t work, well … then they don’t. The fun though, is in try, try, trying again until you can scream … “winner, winner, chicken dinner” 😀 . When a winner if found, it’s magical!!!! And what’s not to love?!!!! The royalty of purple, the richness of jewel tones, the crispness of white, the soothing pastels and the vibrancy of reds and oranges. I love those and everything in between; I’m even growing to love the once dreaded pink.
For the colour fainthearted I pass along the colour wheel below. I like that the producer of this image gives clear but concise information on how to navigate the elementary maze of colour.
(click for clearer image)
Although the information was primarily shared to help people colour-block clothes, it can be used for any project involving colour. Since colour is everywhere … all day … every day … it can be used for everything! Once they loosen their death grip on the fear of colour, I give them this one so they can start working with variation.
As colour relates to my crafting I operate the same way as I do with it in my everyday life — fearlessly. I choose a project, then I find a colour that’s “givin’ me life”! Sometimes I have to tailor that m.o. a bit. If I’m gifting, I take the recipient’s colour preferences into consideration. But if what he/she likes does not flatter his/her skin-tone, I ashamed to say that I sometimes try to totally ignore their wishes and use the opportunity to as a teaching moment. That sounds arrogant, but it’s really more of a gentle prodding, an encouragement to try something new (except when I’m dealing with Domonique and eyeshadow … long story for another time .. LOL).
As much as some gift recipients initially hate when I do that (cough … Domo 😛 ), I’m happy to say that so far, I’ve been 100% on the money with the colour swaps I’ve made and the gifts have been utilised … to the point where I’m being asked for replacements for some. 😛 It’s not that I’m against black, white, grey or taupe, but there are so many more colours to experience — some I’m sure we haven’t yet discovered or named. I’d dare to say that most of my “guinea pigs” had become comfortable with the lack of colour or lack of flattering colour for their skintone and were afraid to try something new.
So don’t be afraid if colour intimidates you. Get out there!!! Try a combo you’ve never tried before! Wear or craft with a solid you’ve never thought of trying! It’s simply amazing to see, as I weave yarn and stick, or yarn and knitting needles and most recently, embroidery floss and tapestry needles, the finish product that emerges. The interplay of colour and design — amazing! Just like us, each colour is unique, individual and there’s a place in our everyday or crafting world for each of them. Make space!
“The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color. Our entire being is nourished by it. This mystic quality of color should likewise find expression in a work of art.” ~ Hans Hofmann
D'NALI 
You surely do use a lot of color. So do I! I love color too, it’s obvious if you take a peek into my wardrobe, and the various crafts I do.
My last project was a crocheted tam; perfect for my dreads I might add. It was a pattern test for a lovely crochet designer on ravelry. I posted pictures on ravelry, and on my site. I’ll be wearing that hat around the house this summer. Since I have a big head, I had to add more chains so it could fit. My next project for myself is a hat, this one will be knitted and I’m using a lot of color.
Over the next few days, I’ll be working on a crocheted bag for my daughter’s third grade teacher. Although there is a ton of colorful yarns I’d love to use, I want her to use the bag, so I’m sticking with earth tones, since I know she wears those. I’ll add a bit of color by adding crocheted and knitted flowers as bag embellishments; not too many, but enough to add a bit of pizazz!
I can’t wait to see how you work your colours — in your hat and with the bag for your daughter’s teacher. 😀
Love the 30 days of craft idea. I ain’t thinking about you……gentle prodding……since when? Well, if you had that ootd section you could do some makeup tuts…..I’m just saying.
You should try it — the 30 days of craft. How about it? 😛
I’m totally ignoring you with this everlasting request for OOTD (outfits of the day) and makeup tutorials. Totally ignoring you.
I’m sitting here stunned looking at your yarn collection. That’s enough to take you through the rest of the year. Or to Rhinebeck, lol
Reminds me I need to Replace my pots & pans. I’m transitioning out of nonstick since I cook so much the surface gets scratched & I hear they’re no good for you anyway.
And what you’re seeing is just part of it — the worsted group. True that photo contains yarn for one log cabin blanket, 1 sweater and some other accessories, but it’s a daggone shame. So no purchases for me until Rhinebeck!!!
We gotta work out what day we’re going, October will be here before you know it!!!!