Hello!
Welcome to The Wobbly Line ~ 21. For the first time ever (so far), I’m compiling my ‘December’ newsletter late, and in a different year actually. I’ll be honest, I have so enjoyed remembering who I am again over the time limbo that is Christmas/New Years and am only just getting the energy back to get back to Edinburgh, get studying and get creative again. My December was pretty full on, and my paid subscribers were amazingly patient with me during this time. So here we go, my December LAST YEAR…
December ~ agenda.
Lots of life drawing
Video - one from the archives :)
A special portrait
Other ways I procrastinated from essay writing
1. Life Drawing.
A huge thank you to Sarah Dyer for her lovely Patreon zoom sessions, with the lovely Naomi Wood as life model. I wasn’t able to make these sessions live, but I always enjoy the catch-ups and seeing everyone’s work at the end - which is always incredible!! I’ll never get over how much people can do in such a short time. For the first session I used whatever colours I liked, and in the second I challenged myself to use just oranges and blues. Patreon and sessions like these are saviours when you are feeling 1) rushed for time and 2) uninspired in general - it’s so amazing to have someone organise a full session with amazing resources you can just plonk yourself down to. Thank you Sarah! Both of these sessions were videoed and can be viewed on my paid subscription.
2. Video from the archives.
A mossy voiceover video for you today - I remember this session so much in my brain and on my walk today I saw a load of fallen branches with lichen on. Even though I’m not a fan of resolutions in ‘must be a better person’ sense, I do think this time of year can be an opportunity to shake off the branches that aren’t serving us anymore.
3. A portrait from the moon.
In December I made a little video of the process of making a special Christmas portrait (on me paid sub). I’d say this is my most detailed portrait to date, with many special references to lovely things. I don’t want to give too much detail away as it’s not my portrait, but it was a personal one and one that I will cherish the memory of creating for a very very probably forever time.
4. Some extra December things.
4a. I finished Ed’s seal jumper!
I was so pleased to finish Ed’s jumper for Christmas :) This seal grey jumper has kept me company in Edinburgh since October and I will miss it, but I know it’ll be safe and warm with Ed (possibly with a few extra crumbs on). My next knitting adventure is going to be much tricker for me, with a Petite Knits tank top. I’m knitting one for my little sister, but I’m going to make myself one first in order to get to grips with new things (aka make a million mistakes on mine, and maybe only about 100 on hers). I’ve selected some beeeautiful wool for each tank, mine is going to be a combo of Rico creative mélange again in this colour and this colour. Imo’s (sister) is the most luxury yarn ever, CaMaRose Snefnug (Snefnug means snowflake in Danish which is the most adorable thing ever) in this colour. Frustrated knitting updates to follow!! P.s if anyone has ever followed this pattern before please do chime in with tips!
4b. Blues & Oranges.
I also made a small comic style narrative about the colours blue and orange. I know there’s something more to this, and I will continue to work on it and give you updates about it. I’m trying to figure out what would make Blue accept Orange. Maybe, not to be too art psych here, but it’s something I need to figure out in my own brain regarding what Blue and Orange mean to me, and why I find it hard to accept whatever Orange represents.
4c. January plans.
So, what’s ‘next?’ JB? Well, I’m heading back to Edinburgh in a few days and I’ve got some basic life admin (taaaxxesss) to do before uni and placement start up again. I’ve got a little Ed visit, and a visit from my older sis too which is so nice. In terms of creative things I reeeeeally want to get a story into the Rocket Bird books submission this year, but I know that’s likely an unrealistic goal but a gal can dream! I’m also assessing how much I can create for my monthly substack subscription so I am planning a pause whilst I figure that out. My priority though? Keeping myself as rested as I can, getting back into my dream routine of bed by 9pm LATEST! Hope you can access as many rest opportunities for yourself as possible too.
The end of The Wobbly Line ~ 21
Thank you for reading The Wobbly Line ~ 21! I’m sorry to say I ain’t sorry for the delay on this one, but I sure am pleased to be writing this again. I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for 21 months - possibly the longest creative commitment I’ve ever kept. Here’s to another year of Wobbly Lines. Thank you for being here loads. Big love, JB x
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When you said “tank top made of wool”... that is NOT what I imagined 🤣 My mind was reeling on why you’d want a tank top (for the Summer I assumed) to be made of wool... then I clicked on the link. That makes WAY more sense now. lol! Here I was thinking Brits love cozy, warm things SO much that they even wear it in the Summer, sweating their lil butts off and sacrificing for the love of wool.
Happy New Year Bethan! Well done on taking the time you needed over Christmas - it can be hard to do such a simple thing as rest. I always find it a challenge, so feel very pleased with myself when I manage it!
That jumper is beautiful! I have been knitting for a while now, and so far have selfishly only make things for myself!! But I’d like to make something for my husband next, and that jumper is perfect! What is the pattern? It’s lovely and simple! Perfect! I’ve made both the novice and other (can’t remember name!) slipover from PetiteKnit, so let me know if you want any help during the making! Xx