Reflections from Halo Quin

I'm done with just buying cheap, basic clothes, would like to make my own and make mine more interesting - a step towards bringing art into every part of my life. Thoughts:
Own clothes... knitted rectangular cardigan (must look up how to knit different textures with wool).

Embroidery on trouser pockets (take needle and thread to Italy with design ideas and sew happily to self at siesta time! Should get some embroidery thread and sort out a small selection of needles/etc to take. Minimise luggage, maximise fun.)

Wrap trousers... I'll need to buy material for these so I think these should wait until I've finished some of my other projects.

Really want to use materials I've been collecting, so a mental inventory reveals:

Glass pebbles - have wanted to try out the magnifying magnets idea I saw someone do for a while... must keep an eye open for nice designs, maybe doodle my own.

Wool - various colours - can use for cardigan! Yay! Will make nice patchwork style design. (must check knitting needles are good size)

Air-dry clay. - Can't think of a use now... might see if small brother wants to make models with me at some point.

Mosaic Kit: just waiting for me to sit down with newspaper and hammer... and a couple of hours. So probably Wednesday.

Nice patterned squares of fabric: A patchwork shoulder bag?

Oooh - I have chinese style patterned silky material I got to make a pencil holder. Might make a purse or something instead as I can imagine the art materials making the fabric dirty real quick. Or maybve a knitting needle case. That'd be sensible.

Wool! Next week Mother and I are thinking of doing some felting again - I really enjoy that.

Must look through button tub to see if there are pretty ones I can use as trimmings.
**********************

As per previous post, in the past I've worried that I've got too many arty projects on the go. I'm finding, instead, if I really think about it, that they help me relax and make me smile. Its time I'd otherwise spend non-productively, and I like feeling productive. (This evening, while listening to my 'learn Italian' CD and watching a couple of Torchwood episodes, I've rolled balls of wool into neater balls, ready to use.) Is this need to feel productive healthy? I guess it doesn't generally have a negative impact on my life, and in fact results in positive outcomes (pretties!) so it can't be too unhealthy. Thankfully my 'productive activities' are fairly relaxing... winding wool is frankly therapeutic - and gives me something to fiddle with.

If all goes well this will have the added benefit of cutting down the stuff I need to carry back to Uni at the end of the summer as well! :)