19 December 2009

This is a new small quilt I've done called "Happy ME". There is a good amount of metal on it from the door latch "face" to pull chain hair, strapping , some other metal thing I liked and a bell. Most things I do have to grow on me but I've liked this from the start and even at the finish. The back ground fabric were scraps of fabric I picked up off the floor and I used some decorative stitching to hold them down, long hand stitching in rows of three and I did that blanket stitch around the edge. I really like this. It reflects my happiness around being able to do creative work now.
I am working on another quilt and I'm almost done. I'll probably have it up in a few days. I like this new one too. It's called, "You're the one".

10 December 2009

Loon Quilt

This is a new quilt I made. It is NOT an original design. Two and a half years ago, the weekend before I went to Florida to bring my parents up, I attended a quilt show in Augusta. I knew this would be my last great hurrah and I signed up for three days of classes. It was WONDERFUL. While there I bought a pattern and fabric from a vendor but never made the quilt because it seemed so daunting.
Well, we were expecting a snow storm AND I had a good book on CD so the two conspired and I gladly started and finished this quilt. Both Brian and my mother said, "Oh, that's nice". Not rave reviews. So I've decided to give it to Jane. I kind of like it myself which is unusual for me. I'm usually not satisfied with my projects. I think Jane will like it because I made it and it also will look lovely in her kitchen.

06 December 2009

Solstice cards

I have made and sent my own design solstice cards for most of my adult life. Each year I try to do a night design card with the moon in the phase it will attain on that solstice. Inside each card I write either a poem or thought that I've encountered during that year that expressed an idea or philosophy that touched my heart in some way.
This year I've decided not to send out the cards. I designed a card and chose a poem I wanted to include but can't muster the enthusiasm to make and mail the cards. I'm not sure why but I've thought about it.
This fall my dad had a spontaneous hip fracture and had a half hip replacement. His poor outlook has not served him well and he continues to decline losing more and more function. He now requires a walker and oxygen to walk. I doubt if he will drive again. I also don't think he will be able to DJ is dance at the YMCA any longer but he's surprised me before.

I have entered a new phase of my life too. All I want to do is grow spiritually and artistically. I have had some challenges lately in the spiritual arena but I am making inroads and find myself slowly finding my way back to the red road.
In the artistic realm I have found some support and encouragement from a woman I met at a craft fair. I think this will be a great union and we can provide each other with that spark that is so necessary to fresh creative concepts.

I would like to close this posting with the poem I chose for this years solstice card. No sense not sharing that with at least the handful that read this blog:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear
is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness,
that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually who are we not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people
won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
We were born to make manifest
the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And when we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson