Always on the Verge

Recently we were having breakfast at a favorite local eating spot (Great Full Gardens, in case anyone is interested) when I was delighted to receive this cup for my coffee.  It felt like a wonderful start to the day and also planted a seed of an idea about what influences how we see things and consequently how we feel. The idea got fleshed out a few days later when I brought home a newly painted wine glass and had to give it a trial run:

Traditional thinking would say that the optimist sees the glass as half full and the pessimist sees the glass as half empty. Hmmmmmmm…..

If I was handed this drink in a bar I would see it as half full but would probably not be happy as I would want it to be fuller.  Optimist?  Pessimist? Realist?   Party Girl?

Let’s look at another situation:  Middle age.  The glass of years tells me that being only half empty is a good thing.

What I am left with is a reminder that, as with most everything, it is not just how we see things but how we make judgements about things that really influences our outlook. So, in addition to being intentional, I guess I will be adding nonjudgmental to my list of 2015 goals.

Peacefully~

In keeping with my resolve of being intentional and thinking about what I undertake, I have had a few weeks of not getting much produced but have been very busy, none the less.  There has been a spate of life events that have kept me away from my usual pursuits. It has been a time of connecting/reconnecting and, in some cases, reaching out to provide support and sustenance. I am thankful that I have the time and means to do this.

And, in the process, there have been some lovely moments. For example, the other morning while I was assisting in Kindergarten the class was working on developing the concept of animal classification. The teacher had spent some time talking with the students about the characteristic of mammals and birds and how to tell them apart when the following exchange occurred:

Teacher: Look at the picture I gave you and try to figure out if the animal is a mammal or a bird.

Chloe: (looking at picture of a raccoon) It’s mammal.

Teacher: How did you figure out it was a mammal?

Chloe: Because my mom and dad told me I’m a genius.

Hooray for Chloe’s parents! She had such confidence in herself you could tell she had really internalized their comment. It also reminded me of how powerful our conversations can be – especially with children.

So, even though the past weeks have been more about people than projects, I did manage a few bits of creative time in my studio. And, while it did sort of funny taking photos of photos, I offer a glimpse…

A while back I posted a picture of the yarn I had chosen for a new knit-along.  It has been a bit slow for me. For some reason this is not a satisfying project.  I think it is the repetition of pattern.  Sure, there are cables, but they just seem to go endlessly on and on. I am determined to finish, but it may be good to put it aside a while.  However, I am very happy with the lovely color of the yarn. The red is not too overwhelming and little slubs of purple give it a pleasant pop.

There was also a great sale at my favorite fabric store and since I had been contemplating a gift for my niece who is expecting her first baby this spring I went shopping. I especially like the cloud-patterned fleece I will use for the back.  Sweet dreams!

Last post showed you the beginnings of the fabric beads I was working on.  It was a fairly lengthy process in that you have to wait for each layer of ornamentation to dry before moving on.  And, as many may know, I am not good at waiting as I like to keep moving along toward a finished project. In fact, I have totally ruined some things because I couldn’t wait for things to dry.  (Add this to my list of lessons to work on this year…)

In this case, I was more patient; and it paid off.  I especially liked doing the wire wraps. Not ready to tackle serious jewelry yet, but this was fun.

So from this happy success I moved on to working with my new fabric paints.  I went to a dying session at the International Quilt Festival back in November and had been eager to give it a try.  So, I ordered the materials they suggested and followed the directions given.  Well – not so hot:

The keys have been in my stash for quite a while, and I still have intentions to use them.  As for the fabric, the jury is NOT out – Yuck! I am putting this venture on hold for now.  It needs more time to percolate in a corner of my brain until I see a clearer utilization for this technique.

But I do have some other things to share: The “social knitting” I was doing (a cowl for a friend) is complete.  Love the color way. Oh – social knitting means I can do it while I am with people as it doesn’t demand my full attention.  Some of my friends call this idiot knitting, but I avoid that type of phrasing.  Brain engaged = not an idiot.  Besides, with all of the knitting I do while we are in the car or while I am watching football, I would be considered a true moron!

Received the luscious yarn I ordered for the aran sweater.  I see a stint of winding in my future.

Also have a knit-along in the works.  It is a cabled scarf and will be great practice for when I actually take on the two sweaters I have been charting.  The yarn I chose for the scarf is shown below.  I think everyone needs a pair of red gloves and a red scarf (maybe even a hat) to wear in the winter.  Brightens up those dreary days.

And finally, I found a great pattern for yoga eye masks.  I have wanted one since we came back from Taos.  Every yoga studio I went to there used them routinely.  Not so much here in Reno, so I set about searching online. The lavender buds are ordered and the fabric has been selected.  Buying flax seed today.  Namaste!

This project was inspired by my Creative Connections group.  They issue a monthly “challenge”; for January we are to make something using less than a 1/2 yard of fabric.  I have made fabric beads before (note the small grouping of uniform beads in the lower left corner of the paper), but am experimenting with a new wrap method and incorporating recently purchased fabric paints in metallic colors. I am also going to try some fiber and bead & wire embellishments.  Too much at one time?  We’ll see.

First of all, I apologize for being MIA during December.  After our road trip there were many home front activities and responsibilities to attend to. Loved the preparation for having family here: baking, decorating, shopping.  The blog got put on the back burner…but I am now ready to jump back in and reconnect.

Never one to make New Year’s resolutions (my tendency towards discipline and striving for consistency does not need another layer of guilt), I have been contemplating how I would like to creatively engage with a fresh calendar.  I have been reflecting more and more on what “stuff” ends up on my plate and how it actually gets there. I have a small poster by my computer that says, “You must absolutely do what you love or you run the risk of doing nothing at all.” So true for me. How many times have I taken on projects that appealed on a superficial level and then got relegated to storage tubs while I occupied myself with anything else that helped me avoid the fact of their existence?

So, this year I am going to be more thoughtful and intentional about my choices. As of today, I am playing around with the fabric beads shown above and following knitting projects:

Big Cable Cardigan. The pattern had to be translated into English, so it has a few glitches and the text does not always match the cable charts. After a first attempt using just the text and some help from a knitting friend I have gone back to redo the chart – twice. (That means I will be starting over for a third time.) I am sure it will be worth it in the long run…

Another sign hanging not too far from where I am sitting right now says, “Being creative is not a hobby, it is a way of life.” I think the essence of this message says that creativity isn’t so much about ending up with a product as it is about the process. With that as inspiration, I am giving myself permission to be more experimental in my approach and to allowing for more adventures and excursions.  I am thinking that means I will do more practicing than producing, and I like the feel of that.  From photography to yoga and meditation; from fiber arts to choral group; it is exciting to NOT know what I might learn on the verge.