"If you would like to enter a quilt or try your hand at our Fabric Book challenge, that would be great, submission deadline is September 17th. Remember all you need is a photograph..the item need not be finished until drop-off on Sunday, October 4th" I know these words, I've written these words, I've told other people these words......why did I never really READ these words! The item must be finished by...all you need is a photo right now....this is like a credit card for the Artist!
You see, I've been in a slump, a creative drought, lots of stress in my life, a few health issues, etc. So, I really wanted to enter a fabric book, except that all the pictures that normally float around my head with completed projects, seem to have vacated the premises.
And what do most of us do when we find ourselves short at the end of the month...or in a creative vacuum...we pull out the plastic, or our digital camera whichever is closer and we say "put it on our tab!" I've been pulling fabric, dis-manteling silk flowers, trying out fabric paints, free-motion stitching, all in an attempt to force the creativity. This could leave a mark, and not the fun, funky kind normally found on your latest piece!
So, here's what I think...I need to remember to breathe..I need to remember to trust myself...and I need to remember to Never Ever do this again, after all I've got to pay my tab in full this Sunday,and I'm a little afraid to see all of the creative IOU's in there!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Root Canals...inspiration?!?!?
Root Canal today at 12:15...inspiration quickly following! Okay, maybe quickly isn't the best word but it does follow! When I get nervous, which even after 3 root canals I still do, it helps me to change my focus, think about something else.
I remember listening to an interview, can't remember who it was, but this struck me.."The quality of our lives depends largely on what we choose to pay attention to..." It's true, we all know that if we are certain that there is something negative about a situation-we'll find it no matter how hard we have to look, and while we're looking so hard for the bad how many really nice things have we ignored, not noticed...because we were only focused on the negative. The joy is missed.
I've missed alot of joy in my life, I am sad to say. I get caught up in the worry and the "what if's" and I forget that while I am focusing on the scary or unknown or negativity..I am missing the laughs or the words of comfort or the moment at hand.
Plus, while I am worrying I am NOT creating. Well, let's correct that, I am creating but it's bad stuff like headaches and sleepless nights, hours of stress. I want to create the good stuff, like hand created Christmas gifts, or a sketch of a wall-hanging, selecting colors for a new piece, things that help me de-stress, breathe easier, actually help me deal better when the real problems arise!
Which brings us back to the Root Canal. I was so nervous and anxious that I didn't do myself or my husband any favors. I didn't really enjoy last night and I walked around like a mope this morning. So while in the chair, I thought you have to calm down, you have to think of something else..and slowly images of my sewing room came into my head, then projects that I haven't touched in awhile, plans for an Art Day with some of the girls from work started to materialize and before I realized it my hands weren't clenched together so tightly, my shoulders dropped, and my breathing got easier.
Changing my focus to something creative changed the quality of my life at that moment in the Endodontist's chair. I just wish I could remember to do that a little earlier...I'm working on it. After all, just like so many projects in my sewing space, I am also a work-in-progress.
I remember listening to an interview, can't remember who it was, but this struck me.."The quality of our lives depends largely on what we choose to pay attention to..." It's true, we all know that if we are certain that there is something negative about a situation-we'll find it no matter how hard we have to look, and while we're looking so hard for the bad how many really nice things have we ignored, not noticed...because we were only focused on the negative. The joy is missed.
I've missed alot of joy in my life, I am sad to say. I get caught up in the worry and the "what if's" and I forget that while I am focusing on the scary or unknown or negativity..I am missing the laughs or the words of comfort or the moment at hand.
Plus, while I am worrying I am NOT creating. Well, let's correct that, I am creating but it's bad stuff like headaches and sleepless nights, hours of stress. I want to create the good stuff, like hand created Christmas gifts, or a sketch of a wall-hanging, selecting colors for a new piece, things that help me de-stress, breathe easier, actually help me deal better when the real problems arise!
Which brings us back to the Root Canal. I was so nervous and anxious that I didn't do myself or my husband any favors. I didn't really enjoy last night and I walked around like a mope this morning. So while in the chair, I thought you have to calm down, you have to think of something else..and slowly images of my sewing room came into my head, then projects that I haven't touched in awhile, plans for an Art Day with some of the girls from work started to materialize and before I realized it my hands weren't clenched together so tightly, my shoulders dropped, and my breathing got easier.
Changing my focus to something creative changed the quality of my life at that moment in the Endodontist's chair. I just wish I could remember to do that a little earlier...I'm working on it. After all, just like so many projects in my sewing space, I am also a work-in-progress.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
the little boy on his first day of school colors flowers in all colors and the teacher tells him that he is wrong, that flowers are supposed to be red and green leaves are green. But he sees all the colors...she doesn't really appreciate that. In the end, the hope is that we can teach our children that "there are so many colors in the rainb
ow, so many colors in the morning sun, there are so many colors in a flower so let's use every one"
Saturday, July 25, 2009
A new Mantra
What happens when a blog seems to "go dark"..when there aren't any updates..nothing new on the page for months and months....I was always bummed when I had found really cool blogs that I read at least once a week, and then waited for new entries that never seemed to come. I've done the same thing here.
I'd like to say that a lack of motivation or creativity had nothing to do with it, that it was just the craziness of life, working longer hours, trying to take care of our household and my Mother-in-law's at the same time..you know being responsible..but it's all of it...it becomes a vicious cycle...I am tired after work (I know going into my sewing space would really help-but have to take care of so many other things...maybe tomorrow), then tomorrow comes and before I will let myself do something for me..I have to take care of everyone else, cook, manage the bills, house chores, so then I finish with everything I'm supposed to do and it's 11pm, I could go upstairs to my space for my time...but man am I tired....
I could add to this, but I think we all get the picture. It's time for me to break this vicious cycle!!! Yes, I have a lot to do-we all do- but I have to make sure that I take care of myself because pretty soon I may not have anything left to take care of anyone else.
The best thing I can do for me, is to go into my sewing space, my creative place, Beth's Clubhouse, a my husband calls it. This is where I remember how to breathe again. I can feel my shoulders relax. I love looking at all my fabric and threads, the colors and textures, the bits and pieces I collect. Slowly, I am reminded who I am, and when that happens my imagination comes back, I start to sketch or knit or sew or anything else I can think of. I remember pieces that I are all done in my head, I just need to get them into fabric and thread and beads and wire and plastics and all sorts of fun things! You should see the portfolio in my head, I just wish it were in my hands.
I realize how important creativity is to my life and who I am, therefore it is on the same level of importance as eating, sleeping, and breathing. So, this is my resolution, my challenge to myself, my new mantra, if you will....I will do something creative every day-no more putting it off until tomorrow-even if it's for just 5 minutes. Jot an inspiration down in a notebook, capture images with my digital camera, get out my numerous sketch books and just color, write on this blog...... it doesn't matter what I do, it matters that I Do!
Who says you have to wait until New Year's Eve to make resolutions? By this New Year's Eve..I want to be well on my way to being less stressed, healthier, happier, and holding more of my pieces in my hand than in my head. :)
I'd like to say that a lack of motivation or creativity had nothing to do with it, that it was just the craziness of life, working longer hours, trying to take care of our household and my Mother-in-law's at the same time..you know being responsible..but it's all of it...it becomes a vicious cycle...I am tired after work (I know going into my sewing space would really help-but have to take care of so many other things...maybe tomorrow), then tomorrow comes and before I will let myself do something for me..I have to take care of everyone else, cook, manage the bills, house chores, so then I finish with everything I'm supposed to do and it's 11pm, I could go upstairs to my space for my time...but man am I tired....
I could add to this, but I think we all get the picture. It's time for me to break this vicious cycle!!! Yes, I have a lot to do-we all do- but I have to make sure that I take care of myself because pretty soon I may not have anything left to take care of anyone else.
The best thing I can do for me, is to go into my sewing space, my creative place, Beth's Clubhouse, a my husband calls it. This is where I remember how to breathe again. I can feel my shoulders relax. I love looking at all my fabric and threads, the colors and textures, the bits and pieces I collect. Slowly, I am reminded who I am, and when that happens my imagination comes back, I start to sketch or knit or sew or anything else I can think of. I remember pieces that I are all done in my head, I just need to get them into fabric and thread and beads and wire and plastics and all sorts of fun things! You should see the portfolio in my head, I just wish it were in my hands.
I realize how important creativity is to my life and who I am, therefore it is on the same level of importance as eating, sleeping, and breathing. So, this is my resolution, my challenge to myself, my new mantra, if you will....I will do something creative every day-no more putting it off until tomorrow-even if it's for just 5 minutes. Jot an inspiration down in a notebook, capture images with my digital camera, get out my numerous sketch books and just color, write on this blog...... it doesn't matter what I do, it matters that I Do!
Who says you have to wait until New Year's Eve to make resolutions? By this New Year's Eve..I want to be well on my way to being less stressed, healthier, happier, and holding more of my pieces in my hand than in my head. :)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Salt, crayons, and irons..oh my
I love experimenting...looking at something and wondering what else can be done with this object.. ."What would happen if..." just may be my favorite phrase. And, if you're like me, you've used adhesives, a variety of water soluble stabilizers, inks, paints, seemingly un-necessary plastic objects, and wire. No, not all on the same piece, but hey you never know. And something is sagging, fading, or just not looking very happy. (I experience this personally on certain days when I look in the bathroom mirror, but I digress.)
I found out that no matter how much time, effort, and sweat you put into a piece, not every product does what it says it will do. I've also learned that sometimes you really SHOULD read the directions, and sometimes maybe you just shouldn't have gone there in the first place.
So, here's a few things that you probably already figured out. It always takes me a little longer.......
1. Using Seta Color paints(which I love and highly recommend.) Be careful if you use salt and the paint. Table salt is so fine that after you've gotten the effect you want, you think you have it all off, you don't. If you sew with that piece, as I did, and that fine salt goes down into your sewing machine-which you can't see, and let's say you have one of the worst weeks in terms of humidity, it isn't pretty what happens. Rust forms quickly. I was shocked when I saw the damage. After a visit to my sewing machine repair shop, I had to buy a new bobbin case, and although I always cleaned my machine after a project I have to do it more often. I was very lucky. If you use salt-use a bigger grain of salt, or just quickly rinse the piece. I have friends who have been to classes where they show you this technique and don't tell you to make sure you get rid of all of the salt. (Funny side note, my friends said that with all of the experimentation I've done with my machine, sewing metal, wire etc, they were shocked that I hadn't done damage before!
2. Old kitchen appliances are not always the best sewing room tools. I know this may sound funny, but I try to look at things in a different light. Not always successful. So, when my old food processor had only 1 blade left, I thought.."Wow imagine how fast I can crush crayons up in this! I'll be melting these suckers onto a piece in no time" Once the ringing in my ears subsided and my sense of smell returned-who knew crayons could be so potent-the last thing I wanted to do was add heat-I wasn't sure I could take anymore. It's also tough to clean crayon wax off those sharp blades, the little spatula they give you really isn't up to the task......
3. In our house, we have 2 irons. This is very important. After using fusibles, ironing over paints and inks, or using the iron to help heat wire so you can manipulate it easier, it isn't good to use the same iron for, let's say dress shirts before a big meeting at work. Plus, having two or more ironing board covers you can switch out is good too, stuff just seems to spread and seep when heat is applied and it never stays on the protective sheet you put down on the board. You just have to remember to switch them....all I can say here is..... my poor husband.
I love experimenting with fabric, and wire, and plastic, and all sorts of fun things. It's my way of recycling and creating something new all at the same time, plus I ilke things that have a history! So, I think I'll just keep on experimenting, and learning and finding space on my walls for my own little gallery. My poor husband....hey does anybody smell crayons....
I found out that no matter how much time, effort, and sweat you put into a piece, not every product does what it says it will do. I've also learned that sometimes you really SHOULD read the directions, and sometimes maybe you just shouldn't have gone there in the first place.
So, here's a few things that you probably already figured out. It always takes me a little longer.......
1. Using Seta Color paints(which I love and highly recommend.) Be careful if you use salt and the paint. Table salt is so fine that after you've gotten the effect you want, you think you have it all off, you don't. If you sew with that piece, as I did, and that fine salt goes down into your sewing machine-which you can't see, and let's say you have one of the worst weeks in terms of humidity, it isn't pretty what happens. Rust forms quickly. I was shocked when I saw the damage. After a visit to my sewing machine repair shop, I had to buy a new bobbin case, and although I always cleaned my machine after a project I have to do it more often. I was very lucky. If you use salt-use a bigger grain of salt, or just quickly rinse the piece. I have friends who have been to classes where they show you this technique and don't tell you to make sure you get rid of all of the salt. (Funny side note, my friends said that with all of the experimentation I've done with my machine, sewing metal, wire etc, they were shocked that I hadn't done damage before!
2. Old kitchen appliances are not always the best sewing room tools. I know this may sound funny, but I try to look at things in a different light. Not always successful. So, when my old food processor had only 1 blade left, I thought.."Wow imagine how fast I can crush crayons up in this! I'll be melting these suckers onto a piece in no time" Once the ringing in my ears subsided and my sense of smell returned-who knew crayons could be so potent-the last thing I wanted to do was add heat-I wasn't sure I could take anymore. It's also tough to clean crayon wax off those sharp blades, the little spatula they give you really isn't up to the task......
3. In our house, we have 2 irons. This is very important. After using fusibles, ironing over paints and inks, or using the iron to help heat wire so you can manipulate it easier, it isn't good to use the same iron for, let's say dress shirts before a big meeting at work. Plus, having two or more ironing board covers you can switch out is good too, stuff just seems to spread and seep when heat is applied and it never stays on the protective sheet you put down on the board. You just have to remember to switch them....all I can say here is..... my poor husband.
I love experimenting with fabric, and wire, and plastic, and all sorts of fun things. It's my way of recycling and creating something new all at the same time, plus I ilke things that have a history! So, I think I'll just keep on experimenting, and learning and finding space on my walls for my own little gallery. My poor husband....hey does anybody smell crayons....
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