Christmas Complete!

Maybe it's just cause it's the most recent but this Christmas seems to have been the best Christmas ever. I have had an amazing time with friends and family hanging out, drinking, shopping, and whatever else.
My boyfriend and I agreed that we would do two gift exchanges, one with made gifts and one with bought gifts. I insisted on this because I get stressed out shopping for other people, making things comes easier for me.
I got him an Izod Lacoste sweater (second-hand) which is awesome and the fabric was really nice, a hand cream from lush because he's into activism (I was short on time with a limited budget), and lastly an engraved flask lol. I made a book for him because he likes to write and a scarf because knitting machines make that a quick gift.

His made gift was a poem he wrote about when we first met. It was the sweetest thing ever, he apologized for not being able to make something and for being corny but it was actually one of the best gifts ever, if not THE best it's at least in the top 3.
It's funny, I've actually just been texting a friend about Bright Eyes which got us on the topic of happiness, it was definitely a moment of true happiness when he was reading me his poem.

On a different note, my sister made me a website for Christmas! It isn't totally finished or close to it... but it'll be an online portfolio. Another gift I got which will really help this is a camera! I have been taking photos of my work this afternoon but I still have lots left.

Final Assignment

The muslin was waaaaay too short, did not cover enough ass so I had to extend the pattern and change the pockets!

Conclusion

This process journal became more journal than process. I think my process includes a lot of procrastination and this journal allowed me to procrastinate. Taking a moment to just stop and think about something different for a little. Or to reflect on things that I enjoyed and write it out. When I'm successful, my process just flows and I don't spent much time worrying about documenting it and then next thing I know, I'm done and I didn't document any of it. Having an iPhone actually did improve my process documentation a little but I still need to make it into a habit rather than a conscious thought because then the thought might not end up crossing my mind until I'm done but if it were habit, I'd be able to do it. I spend a lot of time doing things that are irrelevant to my work and call it part of my creative process, conceptualization, or research. It is usually never related to what I am doing but I think it might actually help me because sometimes I end up with an image in my mind or remembering something someone said and it becomes inspiration or somehow works out a design problem in my mind. My process is largely based on procrastination, discussions I have with people that I didn't expect to hep me with my work and just thinking.
I came up with how to make my pockets in my shorts one night before bed, it just popped into my mind and by morning I had a good idea of how to construct them. A lot of the time a good idea will just come to my mind in the morning and it ends up working. I don't exactly know how to document that as a process because it worked on the first try which seems unnatural for something I've never even thought about the construction of before.
Maybe I will actually keep this up as a process for myself. It helps me get my thoughts out if nothing else.

Instrument Cave

 This is where the adventure begins, a narrow path between instruments piled high. percussion and string instruments stacked in such a way that you have to walk delicately in order to not knock anything over, sending the whole pile to the ground. As we followed the narrow pathway that took us around the center instrument pile, Doug picks up multiple instruments, playing them along the way. We find an upright bass that is taller than us tucked behind a couple things which we gently pulled out of the way to get a better look at it. Continuing down the path, we created a song between two xylophones that we called "Childhood". Nearing the end of our adventure, we found singing bowls which we spent a lot of time with, there is something very calming about the ringing sound you create and the weight of the brass bowl in the palm of your hand.

Batik Process, Genius

 This is a project I worked on for surface design 2. It is batik on silk and this is one of the two stations I set up to maximize productivity because I was creating two batik pieces. This station was for dying and drying. I would paint the dyes onto the fabric which would weigh it down and cause it to droop so you can see that I put stretchers under the sides to keep it from touching the plastic because if it did the dye would run to places I didn't want and it would slow the drying time. It was left in this position and the two hair dryers on the right were turned on while I went to my wax station which is in the second photo.







The fabric has to be completely dry in order for the wax to properly adhere to it and flow through to the other side. I added many layers of wax and dye and I wanted to get it done in a day, so this process I created was vital for completion. It happened very naturally, it developed as I started working and turned into a full system of constant work. As the studio got more busy I had to share the wax station but I was able to get the two of them done and even take photos of the process, only because I was very proud of my productivity and felt it was worth documenting. It could also be my new iPhone which lead to these photos, it really makes taking photos so easy and it's kinda sad to say it's changed me a little, in a good way in terms of school, I get process work documentation now but I still can't believe it was, in part, an object.

Future Plans

I just felt a sudden burst of process journal filling in apparently.

I've been telling people for years that my plan is to marry rich and be a housewife, and I am serious. I would enjoy cleaning the house and making simple items to decorate our place, learn to cook really well and maybe learn some home brewing. Maybe I would continue to take courses in colleges, probably something to do with animals.
I do have a backup plan though. Teaching English in South America and Asia are things I want to do anyways so maybe I would extend my stay. I used to think about joining Canada Corps, haven't looked into that for a while but I got into this discussion with people recently since I am in 4th year now so I guess I've had to think about it more than I did before.
I also enjoy the internship I have at the AGO so maybe I could work in museums or art galleries, educating school groups if I do need to get a job.

Lost Phone

I lost my old phone on Halloween. I can't say I know how I lost it because I was at a concert. I cried/laughed for 20+ minutes just because of how drunk I was and because I don't even know my bf's number. The next morning I had a test at 8:30 and a critique on my dress, it was a very long day after such an awesome/unreasonably-emotional night. Along with all my contacts, I lost all my photos, notes, alarms, and potentially my privacy; I don't know what someone might do with a phone full of personal texts. I wasn't feeling great with a horrible cold and a possible kidney infection creeping up on me but felt a lot better in my weakened and sore state the next day when I got an iPhone. It's embarrassing to realize how much an object could change my perspective, I was excited about the camera quality, the apps, and actually having a decent phone for once.
And I got antibiotics for the infection.