Welcome to Banned Books Week!

Welcome to:

Banned Books Week! 

It's a thing. 

"Banned Books Week is an annual awareness campaign that celebrates the freedom to read, draws attention to banned and challenged books, and highlights persecuted individuals." As per Wikipedia.

I think it is a pretty fun excuse for bibliophiles and bookworms to nerd out. For me, it is a fun excuse to reminisce about my favorite (apparently scandalous) books. It is also a fun opportunity to challenge myself and come up with themed crochet goodies.

So... what IS a banned book? Well, combing through lists of banned books I learned that pretty much any book can be a banned if at some point in time, someone didn't want another person to read it. The books include Where's Waldo, to well, books that I shouldn't name on this family-friendly blog. And of course everything in between. But the point of Banned Books week is freedom from censorship and freedom to read.

A few weeks ago I shared this quote on social media. I wasn't sure exactly where I wanted to take this venture so I asked for favorite books in general (not necessarily banned). As it turns out, some of the favorites listed have been blacklisted at some point, who'd a thought?

"It doesn't matter what you do... So long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away." -Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 (definitely banned!) has been one of my favorite books since I first read it as a kid. I stumbled across this quote and thought about what a different meaning it has to me now. Particularly in the context of crochet and all things artistic and creative. It is one of my favorite things about crochet. With a ball of yarn and a single hook you can change strings into... THINGS! Really awesome and amazing things. And a part of me and who I am are in every single thing I make. That's what I love about creativity, each and every thing is truly unique.

Banned books week here at Kwid Creations will feature a week-long adventure of books and crochet! Every day I will feature a banned book and related crochet item. I'm keeping this broad because this isn't just limited to amigurumi.

So please join me on this journey and bring your favorite book-loving friend! 

KC Quote Whenever #1

If you are familiar with my personal blog, you will know that I have a ... er... "segment" called Quote Whenever. It started out as Quote Wednesday and because no one, not even myself, can tell me what to do, I changed it.

I thought it would be a fun thing to continue on this blog, with a more specific focus. Today is "throw back Thursday" and a perfect day to start this series with this quote from Adventure Time.

[Source] 

"Dude, suckin' at something is the first step to(wards) being sorta good at something" -Jake the Dog

Why I like it: 

Because it is true! Creating, no matter your medium, begins with suckin' at something. We tend to see finished products and think that it comes purely from talent, or luck. Some of it may, but most of it comes from patience and practice. 

My finest and favorite moments of accomplishment come from when I really really worked hard on something. Getting my PR in a cross country race, surviving my econometrics class, finishing a tough crochet pattern. They all came with practice and persistence, albeit some of it forced. 

I recently found this scarf stuffed in my sister's old dresser drawers at my parents' place. I can't remember when I made it. Probably sometime in early high school. 

Before YouTube was exploding with helpful tutorials and definitely during dial-up internet- I made this scarf. Armed with only some basics, little kwidling embarked. I remember my young mind thinking it out. How would I change colors? Secure the ends? Make a fringe? And I made something that I was pretty proud of. 

After I finished the scarf I didn't stop there. I figured I could probably make a hat too! I had no idea what I was doing, but I did my best and worked real hard. I remember the feeling of shock. I had created this with my own brains, my own trial and error. 

Of course, looking at it now I just throw my head back and laugh. 

But I remember I shouldn't be so critical. I had to suck at crochet before I sorta became good at it. It is a continual process. The more I realize that, the better I will get and the better my products will become. 

What is something that you have seen yourself become better at through practice?