Český kubismus

As the year comes to an end, I think we can all just skip the "looking back" thing and make sure that 2020 will soon be buried without a trace. Jokes aside, it has been a year of twists and challenges for everyone. The whole "staying home" thing didn't bother me all too much because I'm quite used to spending time behind books (or in my crafting corner). Being the introvert I am, I could tick off most recommendations of the spring lockdown without changing anything about my life at all. Why would I need to leave the house at all if it wasn't for work/school, grocery shopping or a walk all by myself?

On the other hand, I couldn't get around much even if I wanted. Being fresh out of hospital and not able to care for myself, it took quite a while to regain my independence. 

Closed borders were a blessing in some way as I planned to reward myself with a trip to Prague as soon as I'd be fit again, but since I could barely stand it was kind of soothing to know that I couldn't have travelled anyway (it's a cruel and unusual twist, but has probably kept me from going insane). However, the travel restrictions also meant that I'd end up in my apartment with no possibility to get home just to get my medication, and postponing my check-ups even when the healthcare system started working again, because I simply couldn't make it across the border... Until a couple of days before the official re-opening, when it suddenly became "absolutely clear" that students have "always" been among the exceptions for cross-border travel. I'm not a violent person usually, but I certainly felt like I could punch somebody in the face. 

Anyway, in a phase of missing Prague and the Czech Republic, I took a bunch of delica beads from my stash and created this pendant. It is obviously inspired by the Czech tricolor, with a touch of gold for the cord. And even though I'm quite familiar with many things Czech, I'll admit that I usually have to think for a moment before putting the necklace on to make sure the colours are displayed correctly. 

There isn't much to say about the design and the execution of the project, but I'll probably have to clarify that the true inspiration for the necklace didn't come from the Czech flag itself. Rather than that, it was inspired by my trips to the most beautiful city in the world, a town I know pretty well by now (well enough to navigate without maps and/or asking for help), a place that will always offer something new and give me joy just when I think of it. In an unusual twist of events, a quick visit of Prague was the last "normal" thing I did back in autumn while waiting for my histology results, as well as the first thing I did a while later when I was already within a new reality, rushing from one doctor to another to discuss further diagnostics and treatment.

What prompted the creative process eventually were Plečnik's majestic brown and golden flagpoles on the first courtyard of Prague castle, in combination with the celebrations of November 17th I could witness last year. Add Czech cubism and everything fell into place somehow. With this in mind, the first thing I was sure of upon planning the ornament was actually the combination of brown cord and golden clasp - the rest just happened, as it usually does in my crafting corner.

In yet another twist, I managed to return to my favourite city by the end of summer to spend a couple of wonderful days with my sister, wandering through the empty streets and squares - a sight so unusual and yet so wonderful. Of course, we'd visit the castle, too, and here they are: the culprits in full glory. 

challenges: 

- 613 avenue create: ATG
- a bit more time to craft: ATG

- crafters castle: ATG

- crafty catz: ATG
- crafty sentiments: ATG
- creative moments: ATG
- cute card thursday: ATG

- love to craft: ATG

- moving along with the times: favourite winter/summer holiday activity (does "going to Prague" count? Winter or summer, sunshine or rain, I'm totally in love with the city and its people. I like going back over and over again to re-visit places I've been to, as well as discover new sights all over the place. And I'm totally not checking the travel restrictions every day to make sure I won't miss the first opportunity to go back.)
- through the craftroom door: ATG
- wortartwednesday: ATG
- worldwide open design team challenge: ATG