2. My creative outlets

 Hi, so you've seen my self portrait but I feel like it's time for a formal introduction. 

When hanging out with my friends from high school, we were played a game of "we're not really strangers" and  one of my friends asked "what is the best compliment someone can give you?" my two friends replied with "funny"-which makes sense, because they are- and I replied with "creative". 

Creativity and my creative outlets run my life so I thought what better way to introduce myself than to rate my creative outlets in order of my favorites. These are subject to change based on what era in life I am in, so here is what I feel the order is now.

7.Knitting 

Knitting is one of those things that are soooo satisfying-until you have to count. I first learned how to crochet and picked up knitting a few years ago because I like the look of knitted sweaters more than crochet sweaters. However, so far I've only ever finished smaller knitted items such as scarves and boleros. I put it last on my list because I don't do it that much, I have other alternatives that are quicker and more enjoyable 

6. Crocheting:

I have a particular soft spot for this outlet because it was the first craft I learnt when I was in 2nd grade. This is a craft that has been a constant in my life. I may leave it for a couple months, but I always turn back to my crochet hook. However, the reason why it is so low on the list is because I don't love the look of crochet wearable items. I love making crochet blankets and ponchos for friends.

5.Journaling:

I fall more into the junk journal space rather than the meditative journaling. I do like to vent on paper every now and then but more than anything, I love an elaborate spread of pressed flowers, old cards and cute stickers to memorialize an event. 

4.Machine Knitting: 

When I picked up knitting, I ultimately did it with the idea of trying out colorwork and intarsia knits. After trying a colorwork knit for the first time. I soon realized it was beyond my expertise (and it wouldn't be within my expertise any time soon)I began to look for alternative methods I could use to get the results I needed. This was when I found out about machine knitting. I was obsessed with them for months. After a while of watching and saving, I invested in one and I LOVE IT. It solves my problem of not finishing knits because I can get through knitting much faster on a machine. Now it is still extremely time intensive and hard to learn- which it why is it so low on the list. I love machine knitting but only have time to do it during holidays which is why I have chosen it as my number four.

3.Woodworking/alternative methods

This is a new creative outlet I have found. I work at the school's makerspace and that means I had to be certified on  the woodshop machines. This is not a skill I was interested in learning but one I am extremely grateful for as it has been extremely useful to decorate my apartment as a college student with expensive taste. 

2. Sewing 

Sewing is one of my huge loves and up until recently was my favorite creative outlet. I love sewing and all the processes that go into it . I also love clothes and fashion, so sewing is an amazing and more affordable way to bring my vision and taste to life. The only reason I did not put it first on the list is because I haven't had as much time to do recently so it hasn't been my most recent option for a creative outlet.

1.Graphic Design 

This is my current go to creative outlet. I study graphic design in school. But learning graphic design has given me more tools to express myself. I love graphic design because it is so convenient, we have phones and computers everywhere and they are easier to translate to social media. I literally use it to design things as unserious such as part flyers to more serious things such as class projects. It is one of those things I find myself in a flow state while doing.

I hope over the next semester, I get to show you some of the results of my creative outlets- and possibly even pick up some more creative outlets.