Not much to share today. Random photos of my Thursday.
Paperwhites in a sunny window, working hard in preparation for their upcoming show . . .
. . . The beginnings of a nature collage . . .
. . .golden autumn out the front window . . .
. . . more preparations for Silver Bella next week . . .
Today's meditation . . . "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15)
Last weekend there was quite a bit of wild in my life. Family and I took a 16-mile overnight backpacking trip into the wilderness of Big South Fork (refreshed spirit and sore legs!). And then son and I took in a movie...a really good movie...that one about the wild things. And here are the three most important lessons learned from 'Where the Wild Things Are'...
(1) It's not easy being in charge
(2) You can't fix everything
(3) You need a mom
But back here in civilization, I'm busy preparing for Silver Bella which is coming up sooner than I thought and why do I not ever learn my lesson and check a calendar and actually count days, ya know? Ugh, it is not good or easy going through life with absolutely no concept of time (really, what is wrong with me?). So my usual problem is my problem still. And that is my many projects started and not finished. And it's finishing time, it really really is. Here's a peek at some of my fabric journals in all their unfinished-ness...
And boy oh boy am I missing my college girl today. So it is to her I dedicate this song by one of her favorite artists. (and hey, girlie, you could answer my calls!...oh forget it, no way is she reading this...)
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee." Those are rich words. They are focused on others and not on one's self which seems to be pretty prevalent these days and I'm getting so weary of all the self-absorption. Others. Not you. When oh when will we figure that out?
I am honored to be the feature in this month's "Artist Portfolio" in Somerset Studio. One of the art pieces I created for the article is based on these words. This piece will eventually make it back to my home and will hang as yet another reminder to focus where focus is due.
I am re-reading the biography of Amy Carmichael whose motto was "Love to live. Live to love." I like that. That's a good motto. The Somerset article, written by Ricë, a girl who loves to live, tells more about my view on life, art and even a little on raising children. So enough on that, except to say I'm honored to have had this opportunity.
And so now would be a good time to do something nice for someone else (even--ouch--someone you don't like).
"May your trails be
crooked
winding
lonesome
dangerous,
leading to
the most amazing view."
{ edward abbey }
1. Make a sketch.
2. Adhere interfacing to back of linen piece. Transfer sketch to interfacing with carbon paper. Then start stitching by hand or machine or both, using transferred lines as guides.
3. Add embellishments like buttons, beads, etc.
4. Stand back and say 'ta-da!'
