There have been a distinct lack of posts made here over the last few months. It seemed that each new project I started, and got really excited about, did alright for a very short amount of time and then failed entirely. At first I looked at it as a learning experience and tried again, but after a few different projects crashed and burned my motivation really took a turn. My feelings toward projects grew negative and my outlook on much of what I was involved in was critical and my body decided that getting a nasty (going-on-three-weeks) cold would be the best way to return to normal.
Now I am on an adventure of positivity and gratitude. Each time someone shares a negative or critical thought, I counter it with something good that can happen as a result, or something that happened with a positive impact. While there will always be the failure moments, I can truly learn from them and I can take a moment to appreciate what the experience overall taught me. These failures may have stressed me out before, but in attempting to create, I fed my soul a bit of relaxation, excitement, and enjoyment for even a short amount of time.
FAILURE NUMBER 1:
Several months ago, I attempted to propagate roses from stems of cut flowers I'd bought. Though I knew it would be a challenge, I had built up the expectation so high that this would be a success. Ultimately, it ended up disastrous and all potential growth sections found their way to the trash. I truly believed that because I had some success with propagation in the past, this would be a snap. For the first two to three weeks I was seeing a lot of potential, and feeling a lot of excitement. However, that excitement fell by the wayside as life grew increasingly busy and I was unable to commit the time and energy needed into this project.
Though this is the last picture I took of these growing props, the only ones thriving were in the moss. About half of the moss cuttings were starting to grow new leaves and potentially new plants. The cuttings in dirt were starting to dry out and get very thin. Those in perlite, which you can tell if you look close enough, were starting to rot out and turn brown. Mold grew in some, others completely dried out, the light was consistent in all but that was about it. I do believe that I could have been successful in this endeavor if I made sure to regulate the environment as well as the commitment to being around. This will be a project I try again in the future, and hopefully it works out for me at least once!
FAILURE NUMBER 2:
Making my own clothing.... without a pattern...
When I started sewing, I told myself that I would start making clothes that I would wear; things I have wanted but can't seem to find in stores. Those items are not always a pattern that I can easily find. Plus, let's be honest, everyone who crafts things has a bit of ego telling them how amazing they can be and how cool it would be to show off their skills. Early on I made a really cute tank top with this gorgeous, fall-vibe, orange, herringbone fabric I had leftover from making a table runner. I have adjusted the straps since first making it, but I still wear the shirt and love it so much. I have successfully followed a pattern and made paperbag shorts, twice, neither time measuring myself correctly (or more accurately telling myself I am smaller than I am in a wishful thinking manner). So the shorts are cute but do not fit.
While fabric shopping, I stumbled upon this beautiful spring/summer floral silky fabric that would be perfect for a sundress. I had the fabric, I had the vision ( square neck, spaghetti strap, with a low lace up back, high waist, and two slits along the front), but where I failed was the execution. After spending an entire day planning out my pattern, with all the confidence in the world, I got to work putting it all together. There were quite a few mistakes though: not measuring how low the back would go to not expose upper booty, forgetting darts in the pattern thus leaving the top shapeless and gaping, and not understanding how the back would bunch when laced. Though I am proud of my first ever attempt at an entirely self-designed pattern, I was disappointed in my thought process and execution. I will need to put a lot more time and energy into learning more of this craft.
Not wanting to waste the fabric, I decided to make a cute shirt for gatherings and nights out. Desperately wanting this to work out, I pulled a shirt I already loved and traced the pattern, with room for seam allowance. What I failed to take into account was the difference in material; the silky floral material does not have the same stretch that my chosen shirt has. This new material probably requires a side zipper and definitely a few extra inches so as not to squeeze in my body. While it technically is not a complete fail, this shirt is not a comfortable fit.
FAILURE NUMBER 3:
PICKLES!
For whatever reason, this was actually the most frustrating failure for me. Despite the fact that I have never canned or pickled anything, despite the fact that I don't even like pickles, I took it upon myself to make pickles at home. Many people brought bags and bags of homegrown cucumbers to us and we had a surplus that we would just not get through. My family enjoys pickles but with my brother having kidney issues we need to be careful about sodium intake.
So I did research and I read blogs and articles about all the different ways to make renal diet friendly pickles. I went out, I bought mason jars and dill and all the other ingredients that I read about needing for pickles. Trying to go above and beyond, I set about making three separate styles: classic garlic and dill spears, spicy chips, and quick spicy Korean chunks.
The only success found here was actually the spicy Korean cucumber chunks, made with the quick pickle method; though I made more than necessary as I was the only one who liked them. For the spears and chips, we needed to wait two weeks before opening and trying them. Though I thought I had researched well, all the information went out of my brain in the process of trying to make them. Plus, whichever recipe I was attempting to follow was way too heavy handed on the vinegar, utilizing both distilled white and apple cider. I wasn't positive on how long it would take to keep them in the hot water, and I went way too long. The cucumbers essentially boiled and upon the first taste, two weeks later, they were soft and flimsy. I was also told if the mouthfeel wasn't enough to deter them from consuming these homemade pickles, the vinegar flavor was incredibly strong and off-putting.
Due to the fact that my brother can't have a lot of his favorite foods often, I was really hoping this would go off smoothly and he would get to enjoy them. However, it was a learning experience and something I can definitely continue to work toward mastering. Food can be such a source of comfort and joy, it is my goal to find healthy, renal diet friendly, options that don't put full limitations on food for him and anyone else in a situation like him.
Since all of these projects, I have gotten back into attempting new things. I am working on a crocheted mobile for my nephew, due in January; I'm working on a blanket for myself; my friends and I have started doing craft days and will be making spooky candles soon; I am attempting to make a replacement for a favorite baked good of mine that no longer exists at the chain it came from. Though life can get busy sometimes, I need to remember that taking this time to write, to create, and to share truly means so much to me and my state of being. Thank you all for taking this trip down failure lane with me... hopefully next time we interact it will be more successful.
Comments