art & play

guided by a whisper

the other day we were having dinner with another family, relaxing out in the cool summer air. The question came up about the next day's plans and I mentioned that I wanted to go get cherries from the farmer's market. As I spoke these words a little whisper came from my heart that I would see my good friend there (a friend that I haven't seen for over a year). This idea made me excited, I wanted to go even more.

The next morning rolled around and K came into our bed oh, so, early (okay, it was only 7:30 but still...). I didn't feel like heading out to the market any more. We rested for a few more minutes and then it hit me again—I was going to see my friend — I needed to get a move on in a gentle way. 

Korbs and I rounded up our things and made our way out. The morning was still peaceful and heading downtown at this hour is one of my favorite journeys. We grabbed some coffee first and then off to his oatmeal, stopping to talk to the salmon fishermen, to peek at all the flowers, and to taste blueberries. 

We found a little patch of grass to stop and snack. I still knew I wanted to see my friend, but there was so much more to enjoy as well. I let the whole idea of running into her escape me. I didn't want to spend the whole morning looking for her and forget to look at all that was right there in front of me.

Music was playing, kids were running around, so many people had come out to enjoy the sun and fresh food. K and I plotted our strategy to find our last few purchases and then make our way back home to papa. As I looked up to see which stalls were around us, I glimpsed my friend. Ha! Perfect! 

a new bag

I needed a new bag. Something a bit more fun since I have been carrying a plain ol' canvas bag filled with toys, diapers and extra clothes for what seems like a long, long time. These days I just need to carry a toy or two around, phew! thank you!!! So to celebrate, I found a bag pattern I really liked and decided to treat myself to making it. Oh, so much fun! Quite a simple bag, and very well written instructions. I got a bit carried away with wanting to sew every moment until it was finished. I did need to practice a bit of self control though, with a pathology exam to study for. But seriously, sewing or studying?? 

I finished the bag the same day as my final. And as I walked to the park that evening after my big test, I laughed at how I had just sewn this beautiful big bag and now I didn't need to carry so much. I walked to the park empty handed allowing myself the space to let go of the stress of my big exam and all the work of these past few years. Lots of big breaths into the evening sun.

pants!

One thing I have been wanting to make for a long time is a simple pair of pants. I figured I could make a pattern after I learned how to sew. A few other projects jumped in line in front of those pants and during that time my skills increased along with my confidence. The pants began calling me again a few months ago and now I finally just made my first pair—whoo hoo!! It's funny, I always knew I would make them, but I never thought it would take 20 years and that I would be making them for our son.

Things don't always show up in life exactly how I imagine them, but they always show up. It does take practice and determination to visualize projects whether they are art related, like a new painting or quilt, or larger life issues such as going back to school or a new business idea. I take time just to imagine the finished piece—how it will look or how it will contribute to the current work I am doing. The more I take time to visualize and imagine, the simpler the pieces come together; the creating process becomes almost effortless.

I realize the hardest part of the work is holding tight to the intention and dream in the midst of what is life. Sometimes I can be overwhelmed by how long things take, how boring I find some of the tasks, and just how big some of the work actually is. The most powerful ally I have is the faith in myself in getting things accomplished bit by bit and knowing that all of the learning along the way is just what I need (that's why I find sharing work so important, a time to celebrate!).

It's a fine practice of having ideas/intentions/dreams and holding them loose enough to let them grow and flourish into something bigger than I can imagine.

make it easy

I was standing in the sunshine with a friend discussing art, studying, life challenges and changes while Korbin rode his skuut up and down the hill doing tricks this morning. K was making circles all over the place and laughing and then he stopped for a moment and told us "make it easy." Hmm I thought, really, that's it. Just make it easy.

I realized that so many times I decide that things are going to be hard, and then, viola, they are. So, I was wondering if I could try to see the challenges that arise as do-able instead of huge stress invoking piles that I must surmount in one giant step. Just taking a breath and seeing the roadblocks as piles of little rocks that could be moved piece by piece, bit by bit, moment by moment. I know I am capable of moving rocks, lots and lots of rocks.

here little chickie, chickie

As far as finishing up a few projects, I thought I would share a picture of my favorite little guy lately. I have always had a desire to make my sketches into sewn creatures and so I decided to take the plunge and go for it. I had my sketch scanned in my computer already, so I worked some magic with illustrator — a bit of drawing, expanding and finagling. Finally, I just had to test out the pattern and go from there.

I made changes to the original and the second one in the works already has a few more adjustments in store. It’s fun to tweak along the way, putting to use all I have learned. And the more I learn, the more I can experiment and play.

when friends inspire

a good friend emily has taken on a challenge for the year that has inspired me greatly. She calls it the handmade experiment, all of her gifts and presents for friends and family will be made by her own two hands, whoo hoo!

After being tagged by her in a creative challenge through facebook, I decided to join in the fun. I already had a few projects for people started, and this was just the thing to help me try out a few ideas I had brewing.

I realized when I sarted that I still had a few projects in the works that weren't quite finished. It never feels so good to me to have things laying around half done. Those projects have a way of taunting me in my studio, "when are you going to finish me?!?" In order to keep the momentum growing and playfulness light, I decided to take on each of these little forgotten gems and celebrate "Christmas in May."

I always have to laugh because whenever I decide to take up a project that has been in stall mode for a few months, in my mind I believe that it will surely take forever to finish it. Really though, I spent less than a few days. And now, after just putting the two sock monkey pillow cases on my son & husband's pillows for the evening, it feels so good to have them done. And the smiles and thank yous were the best present of all!!  

let go of the tension

these days I am learning a lot of new skills at school, especially in one of my massage classes. I find it kind of funny that something that is supposed to be so relaxing can cause me so much tension.

When I am learning a new skill, whether it be in massage class or even at home with some knitting, my mind is so focused on the steps and doing it right that I am not even aware of how clenched and tight my body is. This usually happens when I am nervous about getting all the steps right, making sure I don't make a mistake. I have totally forgotten that through mistakes I can learn just as much. Of course, I want to grasp as much as I can correctly the first time, but part of making this knowledge my own is experiencing it for myself, and then figuring my way out of little messes. 

Sometimes doing it right isn't as important as getting the flow of a technique, and yet other times, the right steps are crucial. I have to remind myself to breathe so I can take it all in, absorb it into both my mind and body and let it flow out again with my own voice, my own translation.

piece by piece

sometimes there is a fine line between pushing myself and giving myself a break. sometimes I don't really know where that line is and since I am a bit of a warrior archetype (and a bit of a perfectionist), I tend to lean toward pushing through and not resting. I am learning that resting is not always about slacking, and sometimes it is the most powerful thing I can do in the moment. Not only do my projects get a fresh pair of eyes when I return, I also am not so grumpy.

I am learning these days that things seem to "happen" without my forcing them into place. I have been resting and soaking up the learning and seeing how the pieces fall into place without my getting overly involved. It is kind of like working on a giant puzzle. I could either pick up every piece and see if I can make two fit together, or I can sit back look at the table sitting in the beautiful sunshine, sip on my cup of hot chai from the D and enjoy really looking at each piece. I already know that the pieces fit, so I can take time to study them, to enjoy them here and watch at how they catch my attention. Suddenly, I will find two pieces that fit snugly together, and before I know I will find 2 more, and 2 more, and then the whole picture will be put together in front of me, just like I knew it would.  

frosty white mornings

There was frost all over the ground today, in fact, all over everything. It was so beautifully quiet this morning and frosty white it made me wish for snow days. I also got really excited about spring, wondering when the last day of a hard frost would be and when I could get those beans in the ground. I want to taste fresh peas again!

This was the first year I have taken the time to write on my calendar anything about the frost or cold. I have usually left these things up to my friends to keep track of. I have to admit these past few years of gardening have been a bit of experimentation, wonderful experimentation, with lots of tasty treats. And isn’t that what it is all about — start slow, learn a bit as I go, and keep going.

However, there are quite a few days before those bean sprouts can take root in our garden, so I will let those thoughts go and concentrate on moments like these hanging right outside my window… 

creative nesting

This season, as fall rolled in, I found myself wrapped up in lots of fun projects and I wasn’t interested in writing or emailing friends. I needed some quiet time just to create and let my mind get cozy with all the changes. At first I wanted to push my way through writing even though my heart was not in it, but then I figured, why push? And so, I created in peace. Here’s a few pics from some of the projects — hats, embroidery, crows, steggie costumes…so much to smile about.

And now with a month off from school I am ready to play!  It’s a good thing since the holidays are right around the corner!! There are lots of fun projects In piles around my house. I can barely go into one room without picking one up for a moment or two. It’s fun to see them all in various stages and know that they will all get done just at the right time.