Shift Gears Already

January is almost through, and I have been in a frenzy of cutting things out. They get cut out, put neatly in a bag, awaiting the seamstress in me to ignight. I like the feeling of having a project all ready to just sit down and sew. No back and forth between the cutting area and the machine. I must admit that while I may loose some of the initial flow or enthusiasm for the project, I am attracted to the compartmentalized idea of a garment all ready to be sewn. I ponder my motivation for all this cutting:

merely because I have the dining room table fully extended?

a response to the grey days of winter which is no doubt eased by bright fabric?

a way to feel like I have used my fabric without really?

So then, as the law of nature would have it, I pile up all these cutting for use, and then a friend throws a project my way. And who can refuse a pillowcase to attempt when the fabric and pillow come accompanied with a caddy full of stamps?

Do you get in creative modes? Cutting mode, sewing mode, studio reorganization mode (I have been stuck here for awhile before the current cutting mode, embroidering mode, and etc. ?

My Ugliest (ehm charming) Block Yet

Da Bloc

Up close and personal

Some of the 30's
Not enough contrast in the block I know! I just didn't have many reds so there you go.
Snow, rain, rain, snow, rain. Wind now! Hmm, I think I will have more tea. Feeling under the weather, but wanting to do something creative. Maybe it just all stems from the love of color and since color is on vacation where I live for the month of January, I have taken to wearing fuchsia, lime green, and all manner of bright colors which are in my closet. I think these quilt a long's could get a tad addictive. I am holding to my promise that the upcoming star one will be made from STASH ONLY!

Walking for Inspiration

No sewer can linger, back arched at a machine for too long. Walks are required for mediation and advanced thought, for the clearing out- enabling focus to spin around to what is important in one's art.
This weekend I did my block of the week, and was able to carve a linoleum block stamp. I hope to do some printing on fabric soon.
I have been wavering about a decision. I attend a weekly quilt group. I feel like I have given it a good go. However, due to some of the personalities in the group, I am feeling like I would like to step back from it. As of late, there has been gossiping about absent members, harsh and bossy directions and criticism, and just an atmosphere of intimidation and making people feel less than. This comes from the baby boomers in the group. The older ladies are very sweet. I think this group which I wanted to be a growing opportunity has degraded into making me worse at my craft.
So do I just quit? I want to. I can't abide these behaviors and I don't want to become like that. That said, I do enjoy the time just that one hour, to work. So I am thinking of starting a group myself.
In life and in art it takes courage to cut out what is not working. There is a difference surely between "pruning" and just "quitting" wouldn't you say?

Opinions Anyone

I've been away. I know, bad blogger. Sometimes I feel I would rather not post than post something I am not enthusiastic about. So I have about a yard and wanted to see if anyone had any ideas about which top I should make.

I didn't get my garment sewn that weekend, but I did get it cut out. I was gladly interrupted by rare sunshine, and so the opportunity to walk in the woods arrived.

This new year is going well. I think that my luck has improved somewhat. I am sticking with my whole foods diet, and my exercising.

I have started on my rack covers, hopefully pics will follow soon. Would you believe it possible for me to be out of navy sewing thread?

So what do you think, anyone still out there, which one would you make?

Flecks of Joy

As Friday draws to the lull in the afternoon, we all know the moment, where the week seems to stretch out with the anticipation of some time off, I take a break and marvel and just what a good week it has been. Visits with old and new friends, new fabric acquisitions, a trip to the big city, a movie in the evening, the better part of a morning spent in thought while doing the dishes.

My goal this weekend is to sew a garment. So if nothing comes up, I will do so. The house is caught up, and the laundry - I really should take a picture just to prove it. Soft piano plays in the background, and I have inspiration to write. I should get to the second novel waiting in the wings. The characters are probably starting to believe that I have forgotten their moments and emotions.

I'm thinking about how we all live our lives so differently. Everyone has their peculiarities which somehow fleck off onto everyone else- if only to take for in a passing thought up in the brain that is flushed out as soon and the chin darts to the other shoulder.

What is the message that you brought to someone today. And what was it they gave to you in return?

Puttering

The table and its supplies are the heart of the home and the expression of its highest attainment in finess of living, and for the sake of all who gather about it let if be as perfect as your means can buy.

I'm getting ready for a lovely Christmas party with my friends. Except the decorations are mostly put away. We will exchange gifts and laugh, and I am hoping that a special engagement will be announced. I need to buy a gift for a person, and the only thing I really know she likes is the color pink, so that will be the theme for my gift.

I puttered in the studio this weekend, basically this and that without really achieving that much, but puttering can be useful, just time spent at a slower speed in the presence of creative material. Why do we always think we have to accomplish so much? What is this American work ethic that stops us sometimes from just enjoying? Often times we are too tired, and walk in these rooms across America just to pet things and little dreams bubble up and take hold while we arrange cords and machines and plastic tubs full of possibilities.

The unruly weather of the weekend has past, and the sun shines in on my late paperwhite and the most sluggish amaryllis that I have yet known. House plants are getting repotted this week, and the silver will be shined and stayed next to the Federal Cobalt Platinum, and I might even splurge for some roses to arrange on my cobalt, white, and silver table. I take true joy in setting a fine table, and if that be a faint mark upon the world, then alas, I will make it true. There is an impact to beauty in our surroundings, give me the tired, overworked, overstressed young people, and just for a brief moment may these girls feel that they have walked into a fine hall and dined in excellence.

I have been ruminating in this new year, what kind of quilt do I want for my our bed? I am a lover of white on the bed, and yet I do desire a quilt, but want one that is simplistic and restful and also a showcase of fine workmanship. Any ideas out there for a white Cal King quilt????

Well the preparations will continue. I find soul in the helping; in the picking up and the putting away, in the shining and the buffing, in the making lists and following through, in the dusting and the polishing and the tidying. For all that is really left are memories. And how can I help if I want them to shine?