I've always had a fascination for the circus, but it may not be what you think it is. I will share a backstory below; it's a difficult read, and bypass it if you are one to feel too emotional.
Currently in the early stages of design, I was inspired by a gentleman who displayed Christmas Decorations featuring a circus big-top theme.
The grimy, historical circus elements deeply inspire me. Rustic, run down, and virtually everything made from scratch, such as paintings, decor, props and more, without the use of computers or fancy equipment. There's a story... waiting to be learned.
In This Article
Original Inspiration
You can watch a longer video of the decorations at this link. He doesn't talk about the poodle clouds, but look carefully. Daniel shared this with me, and I said, "OMFG, there's a giraffe, too!
Gays Tend to Be Over The Top
Maybe stereotypical but I find in my sphere, gay man tend to go over the top when it comes to decorating. From what I have seen, it's primarily the guys who never had kids, and their money goes towards eccentric, out-of-the-box creativity.
Daniel also has the bug for this type of decor. He does get jealous when other gay man go so extreme in their decor. They are the Jones' of his personal nemesis.
We both love the decor, but I lack the eye for coordinating things together. I also lack the desire for the hours and days it takes to do such big Christmas installations.
Like others, Daniel will install themed regions in the house, such as the Flying Pig Mobile, 10 feet long, over our kitchen island. Unlike over-the-top decorating gays, most of the decor is plastic, so we don't cry if one or two hit the ground, as we are not worried about them shattering.
The Beginning of the Journey
Also inspired by the original Crochet Peppermint Throw. I had a plan to do new photography, but I had done it in Green and White, and I was really inspired by it. After watching the other video with the circus theme Christmas decor, I thought... hmmm, maybe this is the start of something new.
You can see that the start of the new design has this look, but it shifts and takes a different conceptual direction.
Testing the Design
My YouTube Journey Members will get access to these instructions as I write them out to test them in real time and gather feedback. It's part of their membership level and access.
The crochet diagram is going to be challenging to do, I can feel it as I am unsure how to execute such a complex design, but feel the design may be up to 40 pages with graphics, pictures and written instructions to guarantee a successful stitching story.
I ran the initial stages through a photographic filter, and the pastel version is incredible. I may have to find the same real colours to make it real.
The prototype is using Red Heart Super Saver with a 5.5 mm / I/9 crochet hook. I am choosing colours at random during the design stage, but I will get more serious about colour coordination the second time I make this for testing, and then maybe make a third one with a completely different colour story.
The Circus Came to Town - Back Story
As a child, I lived across the road from the arena where the circus would come to town. The circus came, but we were unable to go as we couldn't afford it; however, the elephants were in the parking lot, which we could see, free of charge.
I don't recall how many there were, but as a child, they were majestic; the dark side of the circus revealed itself. The only time they could move around without being shackled was during the performance itself.
As a child, Dumbo, the movie, hit hard with the mother being shackled and confined to a trailer. Compassion and empathy are sacrificed for entertainment. Even as a young child, I could see it.
Seeing the elephants shackled, unable to move except to shift their body weight. It wasn't easy to see. My heart broke for the elephants. They don't have the life they deserve.
Seeing Cirque Du Soleil a year later. With no animals, artistic creations, costumes, storytelling, humour, and talented performers. It changed my view of what the circus could be, and it was more entertaining and without subjecting animals to entertainment.
An elephant named Tyke broke loose in Hawaii in 1994. I cannot bring myself to link the video clip to my article. I don't cry often, but my gawd, watching this unfold makes me cry. The elephant, trying to break free of its shackles to escape the torture and routine of performance, is beyond my emotional capacity to bear. They are not meant to perform and live within shackles, and when free, are prodded with a highly sharp poker at the knees and calves to do what they are told. It's abuse and cruelty, and probably a few other choice words I have.
The elephant was shot as they couldn't get it back. Watching the life suck out of this elephant, wearing the ridiculous costume when it's trying to get away from its abusers, leads me to think something I have heard before. "There is a special place in hell for people who restrain these creatures and use them for performance for financial gain!"
Have you completed this project. Show me!