Showing posts with label made. Show all posts
Showing posts with label made. Show all posts
Friday, April 14, 2017
Miniature Entry Advice That Made a Difference
Miniature Entry Advice That Made a Difference
My favorite quote by the late Maya Angelou isnt from one of her poems, and in fact theres not even a trace of it (that I can find) online.
It came from an answer to a college students question about changing the world. She told the student that if you want to change the world, start by making your bed every day.
Why?
Because if you havent got sufficient will and dedication to do that one simple thing, you might want to reconsider whether you have what it takes to reach your more ambitious goals.
You dont have to agree with her about this. But I do. And its one of the only pieces of Advice from a Sage Thinker that has made any damn difference in what I do with my day.
Available link for download
Monday, April 10, 2017
Me Made May 16 Sign Up Here!
Me Made May 16 Sign Up Here!
Can you believe its time for to sign up for another Me-Made-May?! Maybe youve challenged yourself during a Me-Made-May before, maybe you havent. Either way, if you would like to improve your relationship with your handmade wardrobe, please read on and consider signing up...
What is Me-Made-May16?
Me-Made-May16 (#MMMay16 for social media interaction) is a challenge designed to encourage people who sew/knit/crochet/refashion/upcycle garments for themselves to wear and love them more. The me-made and self-stitched challenges have been taking place for six years now and they work on both a personal and community level. The participants decide the specifics of their own challenge, so that the month is appropriate and challenging for them (more on this below). For example, a very common pledge is for a participant to aim to wear one self-stitched or refashioned garment each day for the duration of May 2016. The participants can also choose to document their challenge with daily photos (though this is in no way compulsory for taking part) and share them with other participants (more on this below as well).
What isnt Me-Made-May16?
- The Me-Made-May challenges are NOT all about taking daily outfit photographs. However, many participants do choose to document their challenge with daily/weekly/as-often-as-you-like photos and share them on their blog if they have one or on Flickr, Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter if they are a member. The challenge is about wearing your handmade clothing more often than you usually do, if you choose to take documentation photos, then that is fabulous and wed love to see em, but taking photos isnt necessary or compulsory and really isnt the point of the challenge.
- Me-Made-May also isnt reason to panic-sew/make anything. This challenge is about wearing the items that you have already created, not about stock-piling more makes. However, if you want to use taking part in the challenge as the kick in the butt you need to finally hem that half-finished skirt, or rework an ill-fitting garment, then great. Remember, this challenge is meant to be fun, and panic-anything isnt fun!
- A competition. It doesnt matter how many self-stitched items you already have or havent. You can take part even if you just have one solitary self-made item! You just need to set your pledge to make it challenging for YOU, no matter what criteria other participants have set themselves.
I havent taken part in any of these before, why should I take part?
Ohh, there are squillions of reasons why you might choose to take part! They may include:
- Help yourself get out of a wardrobe rut by focusing on your lesser-worn items and creating new outfits that include your makes.
- To start integrating your self-made items into your regular wardrobe rotation.
- Find out what the holes in your wardrobe are so that you are able to use your garment-creating time more usefully in the future.
- Begin wearing the clothes that you really want to be seen in, rather than the same old things you usually reach for most mornings.
- Enjoy the excuse to finish off any lingering UFOs (unfinished objects), or to finally start a project that has been on your mind for ages.
- Discover what the rest of this large community of makers has created and is wearing in their day-to-day lives, and enjoy the support, advice and inspiration that they will provide.
Ive taken part in these in the past, why should I take part this year?
Did you enjoy it last time/the previous times you took part?
- If the answer is Yes: Then youll have lots of fun again this year, whilst challenging yourself in a different way and learning something new about yourself and your style/skills/preferences/wardrobe. You just need to think about how you can alter and/or amp up your pledge specifics to get the most out of this years challenge.
- If the answer is No: Well if thats a no because the challenge you set yourself was too hard, then that is easily rectified this time round; set your pledge so that it is tricky but do-able. If its a no because you didnt enjoy the pressure you felt to take photos each day, then simply dont worry about documenting your challenge with photos. Youll learn lots of lessons and get satisfaction from taking part in the challenge and completing your pledge, not from the documentation of it (although some participants have found that seeing the daily images of themselves has really helped them figure out what suits them and what doesnt work so well). If youd like to do a little bit of documenting, then why not just photograph your favourite outfit/garment that you wore at the end of the week, or some other version that doesnt make you feel under pressure. But seriously, if you didnt like taking part in it and dont want to try again, fair enough!
Ok, youve convinced me, how do I sign up?
All you have to do is copy the pledge below and paste it into the comments section of this post adapted to include your details and the personal specification of your challenge before 1st May:
I, (insert name here and blog address/instagram handle if you have one), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May 16. I endeavour to wear......................................................... each day for the duration of May 2016
Points to consider when creating your pledge:
- This is YOUR challenge, write the pledge any way you want, just remember: IT IS A CHALLENGE and not meant to be easy or what you do usually. In the past I have received the odd comment saying Oh, I already do this so I may as well sign up, however those people had clearly missed the point which is to challenge yourself, and therefore they would be unlikely to learn very much or feel much satisfaction at the end of the month.
- THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION. It is a personal attempt to achieve a better relationship with your handmade creations, which you may or may not choose to share with the creative online community. What I mean is, dont set a pledge that youve seen other people make that sounds good but in reality is unobtainable for you and your lifestyle. For example, if you have to wear a uniform for work each day, you may prefer to pledge to wear self-stitched items at the weekends or days off only.
- Theres no rush to sign up immediately, as long as you do so before 1st May. Have a think for a while about your current relationship with your self-made items, then think how you might want to improve that relationship.
- If you have taken part before, or already wear a fair amount of self-made clothing and/or accessories, think how you can up the ante from the standard one self-stitched garment a day pledge. How about wearing two or more self-made garments each day? Or pledge to try making a new type of garment by the end of the month to wear on the final day? Or pledge to finish all your UFOs by 31st May? Pledge to focus on wearing your meh garments to see if you can fall back in love with some of them? Pledge to only wear separates to force yourself to get creative with your mix-and-matching? Pledge to only wear each garment or garment-combo once? Pledge to wear an outfit including one sewn or knitted garment AND one refashion each day? There are near-infinite ways to amp things up for yourself.
If you have a blog, why not re-post your pledge there so your readers and followers can see what you are up to and be inspired by your endeavour? Please include a link to this post so others can also sign-up if they are interested. If theres one thing Ive learnt from these challenges, the more people involved, the better the party!
Ive signed up, what do I do now then?
Nothing in particular until 1st May 2016, except let an underlying sense of excitement brew! You may decide to finish up that UFO, but please people, NO PANIC-SEWING/MAKING NECESSARY OR CONDONED!!
If you would like to advertise your participation on your blog if you have one, why not treat yourself to the addition of the #MMMay16 widget/gadget/button? The code can be found at the top of the right hand column of this blog. The widget/gadget/button not only looks cute, but it shows other participants/potential-participants at a glance that you are taking part this year. Plus when clicked on, it will ping you to this sign-up post so others can read what this whole damn thing is about without you needing to go into too much of an explanation yourself. If you arent sure how to apply/insert a widget/gadget/button code, check this post for explanations for Blogspot/Blogger and Wordpress blogs.
How do I interact with other participants throughout the challenge?
If you would like to see what other participants are up to throughout the month and/or show others how you are getting on then there are several ways to do so.
- Blogs. If you have a blog, then why not tell/show your readers what you are up to? Reading about others experiences of these challenges is always so interesting and inspiring. If youd like to discover some new-to-you blogs of other participants, you will be able to find lots by looking through the comments section of this sign-up post. Some participants like to post their outfit photos on their blogs, and remember if you want to do that but dont have the time or desire to post daily, you could post more manageable summaries once a week or even just at the end of the month.
- Flickr. If you wish to be a part of the Me-Made-May16 Flickr group, head over there and request membership. Ill let you in before 1st May so you can begin posting your outfits/garments from 1st May. If you wish to start a discussion over there before 1st May, please feel free to do so! If you choose not to sign up to the Flickr group, you will still be able to see all the photos added by other participants and read the discussions being had over there, however you will not be able to comment on the photos or add to the discussions. The Flickr groups are always heaps of fun and such a lovely way to see lots of participants all in one go participating in different countries and climates. Plus it can be a fabulous way to discover new inspirational bloggers and blogs to follow, and generally make some new e-friends!
- Pinterest. We also have a Me-Made-May16 Pinterest board, set up and managed by the lovely Jennifer Lauren Vintage who is kindly helping me out with the organisation this year. To pin your garment/outfit pictures on there, you will need to follow the board. Itll take up to two days for you to be allowed access, so dont panic if you cant pin on there immediately. Please add the #MMMay16 hashtag to your pins.
- Instagram and Twitter. No doubt due to its visual nature and how easy it is to use, Instagram is becoming a major venue for sharing and enjoying Me-Made-May documentation pics. Please use the #MMMay16 hashtag so we can see all your amazing handmade outfits.
Anything else I should know?
HAVE FUN!!!! This challenge is meant to be explorative, illuminating and beneficial, but above that its meant to be fun! Getting dressed can often be fun, and if you havent felt any clothes-based fun for a while, why not see if this challenge can help inject some of that back? Hanging out online with the other participants can be a big part of that fun by seeing what they are wearing (either by visiting their personal blogs or through the Flickr group, Pinterest board or via Twitter and Instagram) and by sharing your own unique take on this challenge.
If you are concerned or confused about any aspect of this challenge, please email me at sozoblog (at) g mail (dot) com.
Let the signing up commence!!!!!
Available link for download
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Me Made May 16 Your Pledges
Me Made May 16 Your Pledges
(divine Jenna cardi by Crafty NH Mom)
If you are planning to challenge yourself this Me-Made-May but are struggling to come up with pledge specifics that inspire you, here area few of this years pledges that may offer up some ideas. Ive illustrated this post with some of my favourite handmade garments/outfits from last years Flickr group pool (if you wish to share your documentation photos on this years Flickr group, please find it here and request admittence).
(nicely combined separates and cute compadres! By Just Sew Jenna)
I think the pledge Morocco-dwelling @janomegnome has come up with is genius and very touching. She intends to wear as many handmade clothes as possible and above all **to talk about them with non-sewing folk** and not skip the chance to share the love out of modesty or suchlike daft habits. Me-Made-May is such a great opportunity to bring the handmade and non-handmade facets of your life a bit closer!
Its good to have a reminder that Me-Made-May isnt only for sewers/sewists, or people who already have a huge array of self-stitched clothes. Ninja-crocheter @salapes is pledging to wear all of my handmade items of clothing at least once during the month of May. How nice, to give every garment you have made an airing during the challenge! What better way to assess and compare how you feel about the things you have made?
(some of the utterly perfect outfits by Len from Seamless blog)
Debbie from Sewn From The Heart has chosen the popular oneself-made garment per day pledge, but added the following that I really wanted to share with you all:
I have a number of garments Ive made since I started sewing again late last year. However, almost without fail, I make them, photograph them for my blog and then put them in my wardrobe, almost never to be worn again. I find it hard to get past that Ill keep them nice incase I wreck them mentality. To make myself actually wear the clothes Ive made will be a huge personal challenge and I really hope that it will break the cycle Im in and start to change the way I look at, and use, my self made clothes. Its fantastic that she has figured out exactly whats going wrong in her relationship with her handmade wardrobe, and is using Me-Made-may to bust out of that rut. Go Debbie!!!!
On top of the wearing part of her Me-Made-May pledge, Ashlee from This Seams Interesting has given herself an additional aim to sew up 3-5 pieces of fabric from her behemoth stash on new projects between now, April 1st, and the end of May.
So what about you? Do you want to pledge this year but find yourself holding back? Share your quandaries...
So what about you? Do you want to pledge this year but find yourself holding back? Share your quandaries...
Available link for download
Me Made May15 Days 28 31 The End!
Me Made May15 Days 28 31 The End!
Ah sad times! Heres the final round-up of documentation pics from Me-Made-May15, plus my thoughts at the end.
Day 28 (spot the cheeky feet at the bottom of the pic!)
Me-Mades:
50s day dress
Vest
Undies
Day 29
Me-Mades:
Black Dolores batwing top
Stripy Mabel skirt
Vest
Undies
Day 30
Me-Mades:
Ditsy floral Mimi blouse
Nautical Cressida skirt
Vest
Undies
Day 31
Me-Mades:
Black Bronte top
Leopard print Jenna cardi
Black leggings
Vest
Undies
Final thoughts:
My pledge this year was to wear as many me-made garments as possible (which wasnt too difficult because I do that most of the time anyway) and to wear a dress or skirt five days a week (which was difficult but I achieved it, phew!). To go from wearing a skirt or dress perhaps once a month, to wearing one five out of seven days was a big leap. I chose to do this because I want to expand the variety in my day-to-day looks; Id got into a serious rut of wearing secondhand jeans, a knit top and cardigan every-single-frikkin-day and I just wasnt happy with what I saw in the mirror most of the time. A couple of months ago a friend of mine even said You dont have many clothes, do you?, which certainly isnt true but says a lot about how predictable my outfits had become.
I also think I felt a bit lost to my current role/s. Yes, I am the mum of a crazy little toddler so comfort and movement is key, but this is my life now for the next few years. I had to figure out a way to combine those practical necessities with outfits that make me feel something closer to me when I look in the mirror. Or at least just not bored.
So here I am on 1st June, free from my pledge and still wearing a skirt! So Me-Made-May15 seems to have helped me integrate most of my dresses and skirts into more regular rotation and Ive found some good new outfit combinations. Ive discovered which of my tights Im able to wear for a whole day and which require disposal or reworking. Ive found that the dresses and skirts that can be worn with trainers are the ones that I will reach for during the week. The rest that need to be worn with nicer shoes and/or are perhaps a little more restrictive will be confined to the weekends when I go to work, and to the occasional date night.
I feel like Im still a fair way away from the wardrobe Id like to own, but this month has given me a good idea about what items will be worth the investment of time and expense to create, and what would be a waste. Im not going to write a strict To Make list because I like the freedom to make whatever I like when the urge takes me, but I am not going to make anything that Im sure wont see hefty action. I think this Me-Made-May has really helped me figure out what will and what wont get lots of use with my lifestyle as it is at present. Well fitting trousers and perhaps shorts would be a welcome addition, as would a black or navy knit skirt, and any time spent making jackets or coats will be well spent because of the frequency of wear those garments receive.
How about you? What have you taken away from participating in MMM this year (if you did, of course)? Do you feel you have a better relationship with your handmade clothing now? Or at least a bit of insight into what is required to improve that relationship? I want to thank everyone who took part and got involved in the community aspect in some form or other. Its always such an inspirational and supportive part of the year and 2015s challenge was bigger and better than ever! I already cant wait for Me-Made-May16!
Available link for download
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Me Made May15 Coming Soon
Me Made May15 Coming Soon
Listen up peops! If youd like to take part in the Me-Made-May challenge this year, the sign ups will begin in a couple of weeks. Youll be able to sign up and specify your personal pledge between 1st April and 30th April. So head back here then (if not before!) to find the signing up post with FULL details on the hows and whys of participating.
In the meantime, why not have a little think about how you might like to improve the relationship you have with your handmade clothing? Asking yourself some of the following questions might help:
- What have you made that doesnt get worn?
- Why dont they get worn?
- What things do you currently wear the majority of the time (be they self-stitched or shop bought)?
- What clothes/outfits make you feel comfortable?
- What clothes/outfits make you feel special?
- What clothes/outfits make you feel you?
- If youve participated in these challenges before, what did you learn from completing your previous pledge/s?
I really look forward to reading all your pledges from 1st April, whether you have participated in these challenges in the past or itll be your first time! Heres to #mmmay15.
Available link for download
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Me Made May15 My Pledge
Me Made May15 My Pledge
(Can I convince myself that wearing a denim skirt is just like wearing jeans?!)
Ok here goes....
I, Zoe of So, Zo... What Do You Know?, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May 15. I endeavour to wear as many me-made garments as possible each day for the duration of May 2015. Plus I will wear a skirt or dress five days per week.
(Will the weather permit the wearing of a bright yellow sailor skirt?)
There, I did it. I will permit myself to wear some of my secondhand cardigans sparingly (because so far I only have one self-made cardigan which Ill blog about in a few days time). I wont permit myself to wear my secondhand jeans or jeggings because I want to get out of the wardrobe rut Ive found myself in by following the daily formula of: jeans/jeggings + knit top + cardigan.
(Will this abandoned bandstand in the foliage print curtain skirt make me feel mental?)
Pushing myself to make more use of my skirts and dresses is going to be tough, because I dont tend to feel as comfortable in them as I do in jeans. Im hoping I can come up with different ways to wear my skirt and dress selection that will change how I feel in them. I dont want to own any items of clothing that dont get at least a few wears each year (very special and very seasonal garments being the exceptions), so I need to find ways to incorporate them into regular rotation or Ill have to part with them and stop myself from making more! I was pretty brutal recently and got rid of some skirts that, even though I had a bit of sentimental attachment to them. I have no regrets and Im now left with only six skirts (all of which are pictured in this post).
(Will the stripy Mabel skirt start to feel like the t-shirt wrapped round my bum that I had hoped for?)
To go with my skirts and dresses, I did consider making some tights using Marillas tights pattern, but a recent sort out of my undies drawer unearthed a squillion pairs of tights already so it wouldnt be a good use of my limited sewing time at this point.
(Will this bow detail high waisted denim skirt prove just the ticket for teaching in?)
The challenge will generally be a great opportunity to dig out some hidden me-mades and try to find out why they dont get worn very often, and if theres anything I can do about that. Im really excited to get going and make this a valuable challenge. Ive really enjoyed reading each pledge as theyve pinged into my inbox. If you are taking part, or planning to take part, did you/are you finding it difficult to come up with a useful pledge to challenge yourself with?
(Will I feel less like Im at a childrens birthday party in the nautical Cressida skirt?)
Available link for download
Friday, March 3, 2017
Me Made May15 Days 21 27
Me Made May15 Days 21 27
Heres the penultimate round up of my Me-Made-May15 documentation pics. Expect navy, expect red, expect mustard, expect stripes.
Day 21
Me-Mades:
Slinky breton top
Abandoned bandstand in the foliage skirt
Vest
Undies
(Double picture FAIL!)
Day 22 (daytime)
Me-Mades:
Wheres Wally? Dolores batwing top
Cressida skirt
Vest
Undies
Day 22 (evening)
Coral wiggle dress
Undies
Day 23
Me-Mades:
Leopard print Jenna cardi (worn as top)
Stripy Mabel skirt
Vest
Undies
Day 24
Me-Mades:
Sailor Sencha blouse
Cressida skirt
Vest
Undies
Day 25
Me-Mades:
Staple dress
Vest
Undies
Day 26
Me-Mades:
1960s Breton top
Denim skirt
Vest
Undies
Day 27
Me-Mades:
Wheres Wally? Dolores batwing top
Nautical palazzo pants
Vest
Undies
Thoughts this week:
- Im thoroughly confused about when Im allowed to wear trouser or jeans now.
- I no longer know what I want to look like when I get dressed up to go out in the evening. I went out this week with some mama crew and felt like I was dressed up in fancy dress, the theme being Me a few years ago. Something to ponder.... Not that its an occurrence regular enough to be of any concern!
Available link for download
Monday, February 13, 2017
Me Made May15 Days 7 13
Me Made May15 Days 7 13
Thanks everyone who commented on my last batch of documentation from my personal Me-Made-May15 challenge. Theres more where they came from:
Day 7 (photographed a few days later because this outfit got totally covered in toddler vomit before I could get a shot on the actual day, which is a shame because I was wearing it with mustard tights and cardi and I thought it looked pretty put together!)
Me-Mades:
Long sleeved black knit top that is pretty boring but very useful
Abandoned bandstand in the foliage skirt
Vest
Undies
Day 8 (There was no one about to take my picture until it got too dark due to looking after a sickly toddler and therefore being in quarantine)
Me-Mades:
Bronte top
Nautical Palazzo Pants
Vest
Undies
Day 9
Me-Mades:
Captain jacket
Cressida skirt
Stripy Dolores batwing top
Vest
Undies
Day 10
Me-Mades:
Dolores batwing dress
Vest
Undies
Day 11
Me-Mades:
Slinky breton top
Cressida skirt
Vest
Undies
Day 12
Me-Mades:
Leopard print Jenna cardi
Boring black long sleeved knit top
Stripy Mabel skirt
Vest
Undies
Day 13
Me-Mades:
1960s Breton top
1960s Breton top
Mustard Marinière Trousers
Vest
Undies
Thoughts this week:
- Id prefer to have been more consistent with the photos documenting this challenge, for my own aesthetic pleasure if no one elses, but life happens so Im not going to be annoyed with myself about a mixtures of approaches.
- I almost forgot that Im allowed to wear trousers sometimes!
- My nautical Cressida skirt is wayyyy more comfy than I expected.
Available link for download
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Me Made May15! SIGN UP HERE
Me Made May15! SIGN UP HERE
Yes indeed my friends, here it is! 2015s official Me-Made challenge that celebrates all the love and hard work that so many of us put into crafting unique, special handmade clothing and accessories. If you want to improve your relationship with your me-made items, then this challenge is for you!
What is Me-Made-May15?
Me-Made-May15 (#mmmay15 for social media interaction) is a challenge designed to encourage people who sew/knit/crochet/refashion/upcycle garments for themselves to actually wear and love them. The me-made and self-stitched challenges have been taking place for five years now and they work on both a personal and community level. The participants decide the specifics of their own challenge pledge, so that the month is appropriate and challenging for them (more on this below). For example, a very common pledge is for a participant to aim to wear one self-stitched or refashioned garment each day for the duration of May 2015. The participants can also choose to document their challenge with daily photos (though this is in no way compulsory for taking part) and share them with other participants (more on this below).
What isnt Me-Made-May15?
- The Me-Made-May challenges are NOT all about taking daily outfit photographs. However, many participants do choose to document their challenge with daily/weekly/as-often-as-you-like photos and share them on their blog if they have one or on Flickr or Pinterest if they are a member. The challenge is about wearing your handmade clothing more often than you usually do, if you choose to take documentation photos, then that is fabulous and wed love to see em, but taking photos isnt necessary or compulsory and really isnt the point of the challenge.
- Me-Made-May also isnt reason to panic-sew/make anything. This challenge is about wearing the items that you have already created, not about stock-piling more makes. However, if you want to use taking part in the challenge as the kick in the butt you need to finally hem that half-finished skirt, or rework an ill-fitting garment, then great. Remember, this challenge is meant to be fun, and panic-anything isnt fun!
- A competition. It doesnt matter how many self-stitched items you already have or havent. You can take part even if you just have one solitary self-made item! You just need to set your pledge to make it challenging for YOU, no matter what criteria other participants have set themselves.
Ohh, there are squillions of reasons why you might choose take part! They may include:
- Do your handmade items often get left in the wardrobe rather than worn as part of your everyday wardrobe? Participating in this challenge can give you a bit of a nudge to help you to integrate your self-stitched items into your daily life.
- This challenge may also be useful for discovering the holes in your wardrobe so in the future you are able to focus your precious garment-creating time towards making things that will be useful.
- If you feel that what you tend to wear, day-to-day, doesnt really suit you or represent who you are, this challenge is a way to spend a month focussing on getting out of your wardrobe rut.
- You may enjoy an excuse to focus on finishing off lingering UFOs (un-finished objects), or to start a project youve had on your mind for ages.
- If you have been creating clothing for some time and already wear a lot of your me-mades, this challenge might help you to bring newer self-stitched items into regular rotation. If you tend to make all kinds of garments, you may even want to see if you can get by all month entirely without shop-bought garments.
- There is also guaranteed to be a lovely online community of fellow participants to give support, advice and inspiration.
Ive taken part in these in the past, why should I take part this year?
Did you enjoy it last time/the previous times you took part?
- If the answer is Yes: Then youll have lots of fun again this year, whilst challenging yourself in a different way and learning something new about yourself and your style/skills/preferences/wardrobe. You just need to think about how you can alter and/or amp up your pledge specifics to get the most out of this years challenge.
- If the answer is No: Well if thats a no because the challenge you set yourself was too hard, then that is easily rectified this time round; set your pledge so that it is tricky but do-able. If its a no because you didnt enjoy the pressure you felt to take photos each day, then simply dont worry about documenting your challenge with photos. Youll learn lots of lessons and get satisfaction from taking part in the challenge and completing your pledge, not from the documentation of it (although some participants have found that seeing the daily images of themselves has really helped them figure out what suits them and what doesnt work so well). If youd like to do a little bit of documenting, then why not just photograph your favourite outfit/garment you wore at the end of the week, or some other version that doesnt make you feel under pressure. But seriously, if you didnt like taking part in it and dont want to try again, fair enough!
Ok, youve convinced me, how do I sign up?
All you have to do is copy the pledge below and post it in the comments section of this post adapted to include your details and the personal specification of your challenge before 1st May:
I, (insert name here and blog address if you have one), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May 15. I endeavour to wear......................................................... each day for the duration of May 2015
Points to consider when creating your pledge:
- This is YOUR challenge, write the pledge any way you want, just remember: IT IS A CHALLENGE and not meant to be easy or what you do usually. In the past I have received the odd comment saying Oh, I already do this so I may as well sign up, however those people had clearly missed the point which is to challenge yourself, and therefore they would be unlikely to learn very much or feel much satisfaction at the end of the month.
- THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION. It is a personal attempt to achieve a better relationship with your handmade creations, which you may or may not choose to share with the creative online community. What I mean is, dont set a pledge that youve seen other people make that sounds good but in reality is unobtainable for you and your lifestyle. For example, if you have to wear a uniform for work each day, you may prefer to pledge to wear self-stitched items at the weekends or days off only.
- Theres no rush to sign up immediately, as long as you do so before 1st May. Have a think for a while about your current relationship with your creations, then think how you might want to improve that relationship.
- If you have taken part before, or already wear a fair amount of self-made clothing and/or accessories, think how you can up the ante from the standard one self-stitched garment a day pledge. How about wearing two or more self-made garments each day? Or pledge to try making a new type of garment by the end of the month to wear on the final day? Or pledge to finish all your UFOs by 31st May? Pledge to focus on wearing your meh garments to see if you can fall back in love with some of them? Pledge to only wear separates to force yourself to get creative with your mix-and-matching? Pledge to only wear each garment or garment-combo once? Pledge to wear an outfit including one sewn or knitted garment AND one refashion each day? There are near-infinite ways to amp things up for yourself.
Ive signed up, what do I do now then?
Nothing in particular until 1st May 20145, except let an underlying sense of excitement brew! You may decide to finish up that UFO, but please people, NO PANIC-SEWING/MAKING NECESSARY OR CONDONED!!
If you would like to advertise your participation on your blog if you have one, why not treat yourself to the addition of the Me-Made-May15 widget/gadget/button? The code can be found at the top of the right hand column of this blogs home page. The widget/gadget/button not only looks cute, but it shows other participants/potential-participants at a glance that you are taking part this year. Plus when clicked on, it will ping you to this sign-up post so others can read what this whole damn thing is about without you needing to go into too much of an explanation yourself. If you arent sure how to apply/insert a widget/gadget/button code, check this post for explanations for Blogspot/Blogger and Wordpress blogs.
How do I interact with other participants throughout the challenge?
If you would like to see what other participants are up to throughout the month and/or show others how you are getting on then there are several ways to do so.
- Blogs. If you have a blog, then why not tell/show your readers what you are up to? Reading about others experiences of these challenges is always so interesting and often useful. If youd like to discover some blogs of other participants, you will be able to find lots by looking through the comments section of this sign-up post. Some participants like to post their outfit photos on their blogs, and remember if you want to do that but dont have the time or desire to post daily, you could post more manageable summaries once or twice a week, which I prefer to do, or even just at the end of the month.
- Flickr. If you wish to be a part of the Me-Made-May15 Flickr group, head over there and request membership. Ill let you in within two days so you can begin posting your outfits/garments from 1st May. If you wish to start a discussion over there before 1st May, please feel free to do so! If you choose not to sign up to the Flickr group, you will still be able to see all the photos added by other participants and read the discussions being had over there, however you will not be able to comment on the photos or add to the discussions. The Flickr groups are always heaps of fun and such a lovely way to see lots of participants all in one go participating in different countries and climates. Plus it can be a fabulous way to discover new inspirational bloggers and blogs to follow, and generally make some new e-friends!
- Pinterest. After the popularity of last years, this year we have a Me-Made-May15 Pinterest board. To pin your garment/outfit pictures on there, you will need to follow the board. Itll take up to two days for you to be allowed access, so dont panic if you cant pin on there immediately. Please add the #mmmay15 hashtag to your pins.
- Twitter and Instagram. It would also be totally ace if Twitter and Instagram users posted about and discussed the challenge using the #mmmay15 hashtag.
Anything else I should know?
HAVE FUN!!!! This challenge is meant to be explorative, illuminating and beneficial, but above that its meant to be fun! Getting dressed can often be fun, and if you havent felt any clothes-based fun for a while, why not see if this challenge can help inject some of that back? Hanging out online with the other participants can be a big part of that fun by seeing what they are wearing (either by visiting their personal blogs or through the Flickr group, Pinterest board or via Twitter and Instagram) and by sharing your own unique take on this challenge.
If you are concerned or confused about any aspect of this challenge, please email me at sozoblog (at) g mail (dot) com.
Let the signing up commence!!!!!
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