Whatevers...

OK--I've been binge watching Korean Drama again at Drama Fever.  And making more of these "Whatevers" because I need to keep my hands busy.

 I've done a lot of little things like this over the years.  Some get a backing with a pin and become brooches; some I've stitched to one of my studio shirts; some I've given away.  I used some of my stamps for these two, and I'm working on a couple more with quotes.

I'm always drawn to this kind of work and love looking 

at the pins and brooches and tiny pieces that others make.  

Inspirations:
Hens Teeth
Julie Arkell
Ellen Devall
Phizzy Chick
Mary Stanley
Givova Brusa

and since I can't remember any more names at the moment...Pinterest, where it is easy to get lost in inspiration and forget what you've seen and who the artist was.

I forgot to include the cat toys B.E. and I made for Prim Paws this weekend.  I might need to make some more pompoms.  Hope Prim Paws is enjoying them.

I have some mail to answer, but this is my favorite from last week.  It arrived on Saturday while B.E. was here.  I sent her to the mailbox, and the letter she sent me arrived!  She was as excited as I was to read it.  :)  Obviously, Amelia addressed it, but the art is definitely Bryce Eleanor's!

As usual, Claudia says it best.

Inspiration

I love this!  Inspiring doesn't cover all the emotions this remarkable man evokes.

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An interesting article about photoshopped images of girls in Seventeen Magazine and an eighth grade girl's mission to change the practice.  Way to go, Julia Bluhm.  (found via Read in a Single Sitting)
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Work on the boro jacket continues.  It has proven more time-consuming than I initially imagined.  I've worked all day on it several days.  It doesn't require much thought, and I can watch television while sewing, but is taking MUCH longer than expected to finish.

During breaks from stitching, I do chores.  All the mundane parts of life.  I set the timer for various chores and when the timer goes off, I reward myself by going up to the studio for another couple of hours.

During shorter breaks, I sit outside and read in 5-10 minute segments.  Right now, I'm reading The Secret Lives of Codebreakers: The Men and Women Who Cracked the Enigma Code at Bletchley Park.

It is an engrossing read, not at all dry or difficult.  The bits about Alan Turing are so funny; it is tragic that his life was so short and that he received such shameful treatment after the war because he was homosexual. In 2009, the British Government issued a public apology for "the appalling way he was treated."  A brilliant and eccentric man, Turing's work laid the foundation for modern computers and helped shorten the war.

But Turing is only a part of the fascinating story of Bletchley Park; Sinclair McKay has done a brilliant job in painting a picture of the unsung heroes who spent the war doing highly secret work.  The entire story of Bletchley Park is inspiring.

The book is due out in September, and I'll post a full review on my book blog closer to the publication date.
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Looks as if this summer is going to be as hot and dry as last summer.  I'm prepared to lose plants, especially those that weren't well established.

HI HO-- time to do the laundry!

What a Woman!

You may remember Aimee Mullins as the woman with cheetah legs.  Born without fibula, her legs were amputated when she was a year old.  Nevertheless, this amazing woman went on to play sports, become a model, and an actress.

This amazing TED talk will inspire you.
Remember grey cat when he was fat and sassy? He has continued to visit, but over the last couple of months, he has gotten skinnier and skinnier.  I began feeding him, and at first, he would run off the moment he saw me, but if Edgar got out, he would follow Edgar around like a puppy. Now, he comes semi-regularly, eats, and lies down within a few feet of me when I'm sitting outside.  If I get up, he takes off.  He won't let me get close, but he has certainly gotten over his initial fear.  Sometimes at night, I hear him outside the window.  Like Lucy cat, he is very vocal.  He is painfully skinny and doesn't come to eat every day.

2012 - Welcome!

I love the Tiny House Blog!  I've been reading if for about 3 years; since before we built our cabins.  A recent post was of such a beautiful tree house; more here.  Why are tree houses always so enchanting?

A new-to-me creative place, Crescendoh!  Lots of good stuff to browse through.


Linda of Linda's Art Quilts has made a cheerful mobile of tiny scraps--it is a perfectly charming version of the prayer flag and reminds me of Valerie's wonderful Thankfulness Installation.

I love Linda's idea.  It would be great for those lovely scraps that are too small for most projects, but that would flutter in the wind in such a pleasant and graceful way, sending prayers and gratitude out into the universe.

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For Christmas, Erin gave me these lovely place mats, napkins, and adorable owl napkin rings! Ignore the computer.

I love the colors, and the little owls are adorable!

I have birch bark steeping for a dye bath.  Later, I'll try the red cabbage (green cabbage for the New Year's meal, but red cabbage for a dye bath).  While at the grocery store yesterday, I stuffed a lot of onion skins in the bag with one lone onion.  I gathered all the loose skins I could.  If anyone was watching, it may have appeared strange, but since no one else wants them and I can use them, I carried on.

Waiting on black eyed peas and cabbage and cornbread and apple pie!

Craft: 5,4,3,2,1 things

                             

Craft has a series for the crafting community.

 

One Project You Are Particularly Proud Of:
The quilt I made for my first granddaughter's first birthday.  It prompted me to become involved with quilting and quilting blogs. I'll always be proud of that first attempt because it set me on a path I've enjoyed tremendously and introduced me to a lot of creative blog friends.

Two Mistakes You've Made in the Past:
How to decide on just two.  I'll generalize:

1.)  I don't think things through--I dive in and get busy without a clear idea of where I want to go with a project.  I continue to make this mistake.

2.)  I start too many projects at once, because when I'm in the mood to create, I get carried away.

Three Things That Make Your Work Unique:
1.)  I like using vintage or found objects in my Eccentric dolls and each one is one of a kind.




2.)  I like some whimsey in my dolls, pillows, and little quilts.

I originally drew silly birds for embroidery projects, but I've used them in pillows,
and in an art quilt based on the above pillow

3.)  And maybe the fact that I don't always plan an outcome...I let the project guide my decisions.  Sometimes this is a mistake, sometimes serendipity.

Four Tools You Love:
1.)  My sewing machine.
2.)  My scissors.
3.)  My yoga mat.  It allows me to take breaks that are relaxing if I've been bent over something for too long.
4.)  My new Dremel tool.  (I haven't really used it yet, but I love it.  It was a surprise from my husband.)

Five Inspirations:
1.)  Blogs.  Oh my, the inspiration from fellow bloggers, the enthusiasm, the encouragement!
2.)  Flea markets.  All kinds of inspiration there.
3.)  Magazines.  There is a magazine for every interest.
4.)  Poetry.  I love adding text to items.  Sometimes the poetry inspires the project; sometimes the project    
      me think of a line of poetry.
5.)  My Yoga Mat.  Often when I'm doing yoga, I find solutions to problems in my work.

Aaron Copeland

I've been listening to "Simple Gifts" from Appalachian Spring.  I know it is the wrong time of year, but I LOVE it!

Invisible Snow

Invisible Snow from Kim Kyung-Hoon on Vimeo.

I saved this quote some time ago and think it works with the video:

"I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and I will be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge." -Og Mandino

A Little Fall Flavor

Tasha, at Frugalicious Me, made these lovely, lovely burlap pumpkins.  Aren't the colors wonderful?  I think I'm in love.  Hydrangeas always speak beauty to me.  I may try to make some, but I really want Tasha's.

And have you visited Mamie Jane?  I really like this version of a Halloween/Harvest/ Fall pumpkin from a spool of crochet thread and may try making one (or two) of my own...when I finally get around to decorating for the season.  Elegantly simple.

Mamie Jane is a very creative lady.  Here is another version -- a vase!  Who knew what you could do with a spool of crochet thread!  Oh, yes, I guess I have a blog crush on Mamie Jane.

I love this little fellow!  Clarissa's Creativity Space offers a tutorial!  :)  The back says, "Cleaning Crew."

What wonderful ideas, creative and funny, you can discover on the web!

I really need to do a little house work.  Lately, I've been spending my days upstairs in the studio.  A new doll in the works.  She is little like the way she was intended to be, and I almost abandoned her, but decided that as an experiment, the project was worth continuing.  Now, I'm beginning to like her.  Will share some pics later.

What creative things have you been up to?  Are doing any Autumn or Halloween decorating?  Any ideas to share?

I'm much better at collecting ideas than actually making anything.

Thankfulness...

I love this Thankfulness Installation by Valerie Kamikubo!  Below is Week One and here is the link to the post.

Below is Week 28 -- link to the post.

Just noticed that the date 7-11-11 shows up well on one strip.  That is my zip code.  :)

Valerie's blog is Sew on and On, go take a look!  

We will be off shortly on our way to Baton Rouge to Max's 5th birthday party.  His birthday was yesterday, but the party is today.  They grow up so fast!

Made a mistake in yesterday's post...that was the fourth AAQI art quilt.  When we get back from Baton Rouge, I'll have to see about registering the quilts and getting them in the mail.  Mary is finishing up her little group, too.

Have a great weekend!

Maira Kalman

Watch the full episode. See more SundayArts.

Found via Drop Cloth.  And I'm so grateful because this is such an excellent look at a talented artist, who works in paint, words, fabric, and embroidery.  I loved it!

Looking for Inspiration?

Visit INDIE GOGO for more information about TAFA.

I was a member of TAFA, but kind of forgot about it.  Now the membership requirements include professional presence on the web.  I am just a hobbyist.

I suppose I'm a Supporter, as I made my contribution; can't believe I forgot about all the inspiring pieces and artists on TAFA.
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We just got some rain here!  Blessed Be!  I can't remember the last rain, and our temps have been 100+ for days.
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Still thinking about ideas for the AAQI. Mary (Fleur de Lis Quilts) and I have decided to begin working on our quilts the first week in July.  We will mail them in August.  The sale of these little art quilts goes to help fund Alzheimer's Research, certainly a worthwhile cause as almost everyone these days has either been affected personally by this disease or know someone who has.

If anyone would like to join us in our first Alzheimer's Art Quilt endeavor,  please let us know.

More information about the art quilt size requirements, etc.  can be found here.

Michele (With Heart & Hands) has a challenge - a quilt a month.  You can find more information about the Liberated Quilters Challenge here.  If you would like to see some examples, visit this link:   Liberated Quilters Challenge.

I want to see how the first one goes, but I may attempt Michelle's challenge later. I used to love making small art quilts, but haven't made one in a couple of years.

Inspiration

Found this zombie pincushion over at Art Threads, and I thought I share it with you.  It made me laugh to think of performing a little voodoo while sewing! Deborah has a tutorial for this pincushion and two others, so check out the link!

Right now, I could use a cat pincushion;  Edgar knocked over two different lamps yesterday.  His imagination must be huge; he leaps from counter to couch and goes into predator mode.  Lord help whatever gets in the way.

Here is the reason I had to take down all decorative items from above the cabinets:

The ceilings are 10 ft.  

He really is Sweet Edgar most of the time, but...

A Kindness Revolution?

I read this article the other day about giving 29 gifts in 29 days.  The concept began when Cami Walker was diagnosed with MS at 31.  Two years later, addicted to pain medications and bitter, she received a prescription from an African Healer:  give 29 gifts in 29 days.  Cami documented her experience of a month of gift giving in the book 29 Gifts.  It is now, evidently, a global initiative.  Here's a link to a CNN story about it.

Since the gifts can be as simple as a prayer, my assumption is that it is the consciousness of intending the gift that is important.  Goodness knows, we do things all the time that would fit  the category of "gift" by those standards--cooking a special meal, my husband buying organic fruit for Bryce Eleanor, a kind word here, my daughter bringing papers for me to sign rather than asking me to come to the office, my cousin packing his uniform when he came for Laddie's funeral so he could present the flag, Chris reading books so he can send the DVD to Bryce Eleanor; simple things, but heart-felt.

So...it must be the awareness of the kindness you intend--that old axiom "the thought that counts"--that benefits the giver.  Intending to make life happier, easier, better in some way for someone and recognizing the intent....

Perhaps the act of giving makes us aware of our capacity for kindness.   That is a tremendous reward, feeling the capacity and the potential for kindness.  The feeling would be a positive aspect of self-love, the ability to empathize with another person's distress and to share in another person's joy.

I know I've wandered around on this one, but what I've been getting at has to do with doing ordinary things with love, rather than the thoughtless way we often do as a result of hectic lives.  Thinking with your heart as you give the "gift."  Since we simply cannot do this all the time, our lives are so busy, doing it once a day for 29 days is a great start to becoming more aware of our connection to others--family, friends, or strangers.

The idea of the movement is to document each gift in a journal to see what, if any changes, occur in your own life.  Right now, I'm beginning to think of thoughtful gifts to give with love and awareness.  Shifting focus away from myself and thinking about what might make someone else happy elevates my mood already.  How strange the workings of our hearts and minds.

Again, I'm reminded of this video I've posted several times by Mipham--less of "what about me" and more of "what about you".... 

Little Girls and Cats and Musical Inspiration

Another visit from Bryce Eleanor!  We will be keeping her each Tuesday night.  Right now, Amelia and Chris are enjoying a date night on Tuesdays, which is really nice because he will be leaving for Iraq on May 29.  Amelia has a class on Photo Shop at LSU-S scheduled for Tuesday nights during the summer months. 

 Edgar (with Stinker being unusually curious in right corner) loves Bryce Eleanor's feet and toes.

Edgar, always curious, doesn't let B.E. get too far away. 


I've found the most fascinating site:  Sound & Spirit.  I've just listened to Ellen Kushner narrate the episode on Bells.  Wonderful!  You really should check this out! 

Now, I'm listening to her on Aging.  The programs are all a combination of research and music on each of the topics.  It is carried on several NPR stations, but not our local one, so I'm delighted to have found it!

Bits and Bobs

Sometimes, I have no ideas and no inclination to play in the studio.  Sometimes, however, I have too many ideas and not enough time to play.

One project that I'm working on requires lots of bits and bobs, so I started digging through my "bits and bobs basket" and found all of these from several years ago.  Little quilty pins I was making and experimenting with that ended up with no place to go.  They may be useful for the project I'm working on, and if not, they still give me ideas for different versions.

 Some laces and ribbons and fibers may also come in handy.

Bright Spots

I put this design board over my cutting table. It is a little difficult to get to, so I put some cheerful pieces on it just to brighten things up. Slowly, but surely, the room is coming together.

The little pennant in the middle of the top row is from Marie of ZQuilts, who sent me a wonderful bunch of gifts in the mail last year, the rest of the are some of my small pieces.

I didn't notice the shadow when I took the picture from the door to the hall. The larger, messier, more frequently used design board is behind the door--easy to access.

A little embroidery that I played with last night.
I read about the Orbital Rotary Cutter Blade Sharpener over at Ginny's Quilts. What a great gadget! Do any of you have one? I have saved a bunch of blades, and I plan to get one of these gadgets to sharpen them up.

Frugal Fridays:

Paula, the Quilter has been busy with her Frugal/Creative Friday sewing and has busted 6 yards of polar fleece. Love the project of dog beds for her local no kill animal shelter.

And Michele of With Heart and Hands made a Frugal Friday Finish of 4 UFOs.

Finn has also been busy on Frugal Fridays (I think she is the originator); I especially like the Frugal Exchange.

And remember when I posted about The Orphan Trains documentary? Michele pointed me to Finn's other blog (Riding the Orphan Train) about her Orphan Train Quilts.

I'll be checking in with the Frugal Friday bunch Frequently.

A Brand New Year

In keeping with the Creative Every Day challenge, I'm going to do a little something on this sock doll today. It has been neglected for quite a while because when I couldn't get it done in time for Christmas, it just got shuffled under stuff. You know the kind of stuff I mean, all those things that end up cluttering every spare surface in your studio or sewing room.
Amelia went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and bought canvases and scrapbook paper on sale. She then proceeded to make these adorable collages for Bryce Eleanor's playroom, which in a previous incarnation was known as the dining room.

I just love this owl!

Both of my daughters love creating, but with small children, demanding jobs, and the mundane chores we all must see to, there is not a great deal of time. They do, however, appreciate and enjoy that time when it does occur!

My New Year's wish for them is more time to spend in creative endeavors--which, of course, includes creatively entertaining and guiding their children.

Kaizen! ("改善, Japanese for "continuous improvement" is a Japanese philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement throughout all aspects of life") by taking baby steps and is what Ingrid Cummings recommends in her book The Vigorous Mind. Will I ever let up?

Nieces Katie and Megan have a hefty dose of that creative gene; Katie makes the most delightful and humorous cakes, while Megan paints, draws, makes books, and more.

The joy in all of this: that "flow," that being in the "zone" which occurs when you are working on something you love. It can be cooking, gardening, sewing, quilting, embroidery, or mountain climbing, biking, tennis, or using your people skills, teaching, learning.

Aren't all of these things creative?

From A Year of Living Your Yoga:

Living well is not about being calm; it is about being present.

I Want a Renaissance Mind

TLC Book Tours sent me a copy of The Vigorous Mind: Cross-train Your Brain to Break Through Mental, Emotional, and Professional Boundaries by Ingrid E. Cummings, and they've asked me to schedule my review for Jan. 20th. It will be posted on my book blog. Or maybe, even here, as I'm enjoying the book so much.

The idea behind the book is to embark on a journey to broaden your mind, to learn new things or learn more about areas you are already interested in. Cummings, the author, looks on generalists and dilettantes with glee. Learning more about more seems to be her mantra.

Too busy? Cummings recommends the Japanese concept of kaizen, taking baby steps, making reasonable, not too strenuous commitments. A lot can be learned or accomplished in 20 minutes, two or three times a week--so design your own curriculum and make a commitment for 3 weeks or 3 months or whatever seems reasonable.

I'm almost through with the book now, and I've already begun a journal dedicated to the book and my journey toward a Renaissance (and Vigorous) Mind. Originally, I planned to use the handmade journal Megan gave me for my birthday as a "destination" journal--where I recorded places I'd like to visit and made notes, etc.

Now, I'm so glad I waited because the journal is perfect for my thoughts about The Vigorous Mind, my plans, my lists, my evaluations. The pages are smooth and creamy, a pleasure to write on.
The lovely handmade journal Iliana sent me was already where I recorded thoughts on yoga and meditation, so it is perfect for continuing my study of yoga.

Here are some of the courses in the "curriculum" I'm designing for myself:

• learn more about yoga; learn more about the background,terms, and about the asanas and their purposes (20 min., 2-3 times a week, for 3 months) This is just expanding on something I'm already interested in.

• include walking and weights as part of my fitness program (10-20 min., 2-3 times a week, for 3 weeks--then evaluate and decide whether or not to continue)

• read more nonfiction, especially biographies (at least one nonfiction book a month--which won't be difficult if I choose well, for a year)

• watch 2 documentaries a month on a wide variety of topics

• order some magazine subscriptions to Smithsonian and Mental Floss

• something relating to textile arts--I'm still thinking about this one, something that would broaden my knowledge or my give me a goal of some sort...

I've ordered books, checked out books from the library, and ordered documentaries from Netflix. The documentaries are on wide-ranging topics, but I tried to keep Fee in mind when I chose many of them.

The whole process is right up my alley--I'm a dabble here, read a little there, learn a little about a lot of things kind of gal. The last few years, however, I've slacked off. After retiring from teaching, I've reveled in bon-bon reading and an intellectually relaxed atmosphere.

Yet I've always loved learning (not necessarily the same thing as school) and admired autodidacts, and the timing seems just right to pursue things in a slightly more organized , yet still in a desultory, relaxed manner. Time to expand a little, mentally and physically; time to explore things that have always interested me and things that have never really been on my chart.

What else is on my long list of things I want to do or learn -- studying Italian again after about 10 years, taking a cooking class (it is never too late to learn, right?), reading my camera manual (duh!), learning about classical music, learning more about reiki, go hiking and maybe eventually make a little of the Appalachian trail in the future, go on a retreat (quilting, yoga, or just spiritual)....

Over at Kim's blog, SkybelleArts, I discovered this challenge--Creative Every Day. It will fit in perfectly with my self-challenge because a vigorous mind, a Renaissance mind, is a creative mind, and creativity runs the gamut, the entire range of human activity...

Who Do You Think You Are?

Christine Kane recently had an article in her newsletter titled Who Do You think You are? I wanted to link to it, but couldn't find the article on her blog, so I guess it was just in the newsletter. It was about that snarky little voice in your head that says you are not worthy and keeps you in your place. Kane says you should answer that voice, answer it loudly, and clearly and confidently. Affirm your strengths and your values.

I remembered it because we all have that voice in our heads that tries to prevent us from taking risks, from stepping out there, and then I ran across this video about that voice and creativity and motherhood:




Here is the link to the website and to an article about the documentary. This is a movie I want to see.

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I should always check my links. My link last Friday was supposed to be to Calamity Kim's post about dreaming about quilting, However, as Kim of Skybell Arts noticed, it did not! It does now, though as I've gone back and fixed it. Thanks, Kim for letting me know!

Reflecting

Things I love: books, sewing/quilting/embroidery, gardens, fresh flowers. Early morning fog.

"Making progress doesn't always mean continuing forward on the same path...
It may mean retracing your steps, taking an unexpected turn, or even stopping to rest and renew your spirit."

from Simple Truths for Women