Touring Life. Who Is That Person In The Mirror?

 My little piece of Paradise -at the harbor

I have not posted an awful lot of creativity lately because I have not been accomplishing much lately.  I  thought I might offer a brief explanation about why my posts have been less creatively original than usual of late. I have considered writing this post for awhile but kept hemming and hawing about it - it's about life and aging - not about creating anything - or reading anything! I have been having lots of conversations with myself and I have been doodle-ing in paint, felt and cloth - but nothing very perfect or concrete. Nothing to post about or brag about. I appreciate those of you who stop by faithfully to have look and I want, very much, to be able to offer some fun, creative posts again! I'll be able to do that soon I think!

When I was younger my plan for aging was to do it gracefully. Oh, I always knew that I might try to force back time by vainly hanging onto my hair color - Mother began going gray at 21 and it seems that red hair often does that. I always planned that I would have energy enough to go around - though not, perhaps, the egocentric energy of my 20's when I could play at night and be up and get to work on time none the worse for wear.  I have always liked daydreaming so I figured that I would slow down a bit at some point and spend more time in that favored pursuit - along with my beloved habit of napping!

I have now gotten to the point when I look in the mirror and wonder who the person staring back at me is. When I was 45, not that very long ago, I was in the best shape of my life - running distance, lifting weights, chasing happiness; finding happiness and a new freedom to explore my life more creatively than I had been able to while I was on the 'short track' to a career. The funny thing about that career is that, although I truly loved it, when I got up the ladder a ways I found that I preferred a lower step so that I could have art in my life again rather than  larger pay check.  About 8 years ago or so my back began to tell me that I was no longer the  youngster that I had once been. Back pain, these days, is almost a cliche - and so I almost hoped it would be that for me. I had always prided myself on being relatively strong and thought nothing of moving furniture about or hefting large bags of soil or fabrics. I would ache that night but be over it the next day.

Recently - over that last several years- the pain has become much worse; much more insistent - it never stops- and much more debilitating. I have been forced to discover that it is not a cliche pain but something more concrete that that. One doctor told me that I had fibromyalgia, severe osteoarthritis and several herniated discs. Well, medication for fibro seemed to do nothing and, eventually, I just stopped taking it. I actually felt better without it! My back and neck pain were becoming more severe; keeping me up at night and graying down my days, restricting what I could manage to achieve in a day. Recently, I saw a neurosurgeon who does not think that I have fibromyalgia but does think that I have major issues in both my lumbar and cervical spine areas. It appears that I will, more than likely, require two surgeries over time - tomorrow I will hear more and perhaps have a timeline. I will be ecstatic if there is a chance that I can go back to being, more often than not at least, pain free.

Dealing with this issue has led me to thinking more about aging. I totally 'get' how some older people who are plagued by chronic discomfort may come to the point that they question what there is to keep going for. I have become much more empathetic about people with pain issues. Pain is insidious - people can't see it- so they can't imagine that you are not a hypochondriac or slacker. It has taken my friends awhile to understand that when I say I don't think I can manage doing something or going somewhere - I really mean it. Pain has no look of illness - you look the same, more or less, as always. Pain is subjective and, if you have not be there and done that, I don't think that anyone can really "get it".  I have been fairly lucky I suppose in that my doctor's have not thought that I was exaggerating - all in all - with one notable exception (a doctor who 'sized me up' without having a single look at my file) I have been well treated. Many people are not as lucky.

Tomorrow I will know more about what my near future holds and I am hopeful to be able to plan on getting my mojo back - I want to play and paint and sew and felt and journal with abandon. I want 'me' back again. I want to once again be able to look in the mirror and accept aging as gracefully as I had once thought I would. Age is a good thing really and I am grateful to be here. The only bad thing is pain - and hopefully I can lose a good measure of that!

The good thing is that when I can get into a creative flow it takes my mind away from the pain. My paints, felts and fabrics have never held as much meaning and pleasure for me - I just don't produce as much that's worthy of sharing right now - but I am having a heck of a good time experimenting! I know I will have some good stuff to share with you soon! 

We all go on this journey of aging, if we are lucky - and I think that there are a lots of issues we all face in the process. Few of us speak of the process though - it's boring, and, at times trite, but it is a reality. I would love to hear your thoughts on aging. Do you embrace it? Do you fight it? Does it bother you? Make you happy or sad? What are some of your thoughts? Thanks for sharing!

ps: if anyone has had back surgery I would love to hear your story about it.

"Pretty Little Mini Quilts" by Ray Hemachandra, Larry Shea (Editor) and Lark Books

Please remember that all photos can be double clicked for a better view!

"Pretty Little Mini Quilts" is the latest Lark Book from the "Pretty Little..." line. These books are always little treasures that contain an eclectic assortment of whatever the "Little Book" is covering. The book itself is a comfortable to hold size of 8.24 inches X 8.25 inches (20.955cm X 20.955cm). The book's description "...more than two dozen talented designers create 31 mini quilts that look to the past as they rush forward to a fresh future...". An apt description since the books contains the best of traditional, what I like to call 'traditional with a twist, and whimsical art quilts. There really is something for everyone in this lovely little book!  None of these small art works is larger than 36 inches (91.4 cm) in length or height. 

The basics pages covers everything that you might need or want to know about how to create your own mini masterpiece. Covering what basic sewing tools you will require (measuring tape, scissors,pins, tailor's chalk, rotary cutter and mat etc etc. All types of quilting materials (cottons, linen, fleece felts, interfacings, fusible webs) are covered as is a really comprehensive section on quilting techniques that covers both machine and hand stitching and how to build a quilt; piecing, attaching borders, appliqueing, embroidering etc. A jam packed how to section that is condensed yet very thorough.

Each quilt pattern relates the things that are needed to make the quilt, the finished size, and detailed instructions for each step of the quilt journey!  This is a small book that packs a lot of enjoyment between its pages. You will find yourself returning to it often for a fresh idea or a new technique. I think it would make a welcome addition to any fiber, quilt and/or textile enthusiast!  It's available at Amazon or at your very important, local bookstore.

This is another in the 'Pretty Little" series. I've had this book for several years and love it ! 

I was so pleased and excited when I was offered the opportunity to review "Pretty Little Quilts" !

My friend Sarah Smith has this wonderful little quilt called the "Elusive Batiky Bird" in the book.

Here is an example of what a wonderful mini quilt made from a traditional pattern !

This fabulous portrait quilt is by Susan Lewis Storey

This one I consider tradition (applique) with a twist (the wonderful labyrinth)

Traditional paper piecing lends itself artfully to the making of a mini quilt!

Embroidery lends itself to one of my favorite whimsical little quilts in the book! 

It's by Aimee Ray

 

Disclosure Note:

This book was provided to me by the publisher for review purposes only - no other remuneration was received

A Prayer In Spring By Robert Frost

Ah! Finally the first day of Spring has arrived! 

These are the sort of flowers that I am looking forward to!

A Prayer In Spring 

by Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfil.

 

One note. I hate to have had to do it, but I have had to put word verification back on this blog. I was getting a horrendous amount of tacky anonymous comments. I hope you will still consider leaving a note!

Another Journal Page and A Spring Note

 First the important thing! The hummingbirds arrived at my feeders this morning. Right now it appears to be about 5 at the feeders - but I suspect that the crew will be along any day now. I'm glad that I put my feeder up when I did last weekend! Must go buy another 20 pounds of sugar this week. Spring is almost here!

This is the last journal entry for the traveling journal "love" that will ultimately be auctioned for a children's charity. Kim Owens is the master mind behind the idea.  Have a look at her group, Blissfully At Journaling for more information. It's taken from one of my photographs that I over-painted. The edges are a quarter inch pieces of silk threaded through the pages.

Hope by Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

500 Art Quilts: An Inspiring Collection of Contemporary Work. A Must Have For Any Textile Art Enthusiast!

 Front Cover

 Back Cover

500 Art Quilts is another delicious book published by one of my all time favorite art/craft publishing houses, Lark Books.  I had so hoped to be able to submit a piece for consideration for this book - but this year health issues kept me from being as aware of deadlines as I should have been and I lost the opportunity. I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to review this book because I knew that it was going to be a really important library addition.

For those of you who may not be aware of Lark books - their publications are always beautifully produced. They use high quality paper that even feels nice in your hand. I am a book sniffer and feeler and Lark books are always a pleasure to hold and page through. Perhaps one of the most important things is that Lark's photography is second to none in my opinion. Every Lark book that I have ever owned has been a keeper. Amazingly, for all of the high quality that goes into every Lark book they pricing is remarkable reasonable. No, I am not affiliated with Lark - other than having the opportunity to review this book - just a very happy book hoarder.

This 8 inch square (20.32 cm) 432 page book is filled with art - textile/quilt art - in all of it's myriad forms and fantastical colors. 346 quilt artists are represented in this book .The quilts were juried by the quilt world's own Karey Bresenhan, founder and President of Quilts,Inc. To note just a few of the artists that are included: Pamela Allen  -  Alice Beasley - Jane Burch Cochran  -  Judith Content  -  Chiaki Dosho  -  Noriko Endo  -  Caryl Bryer Fallert  -  Jamie Fingal  -  Linda Gass  -  Jenny Hearn  -  Judy Coates Perez  -  Yvonne Porcella  -  Susan Shie  -  Jen Swearington - Sarah Smith - Diana Bracey & Stacy Hurt.  The best of the best are included in this book that spans works from 1989 to 2008. The book includes a wide variety of topics;  portraits, landscapes, dream works, pictorial, abstracts, traditional with a twist and an even wider variety of techniques.

This book is simply a must have book for any textile art enthusiast. It's a book that you will return to again and again for inspiration and enjoyment. There are quilts that with energize you , quilts that will calm you, quilts that will make you think and quilts that will make you say "WoW"! Get this book - you won't be disappointed!

Sarah Ann Smith

Stacy Hurt

Left: Eileen Doughty & Right: Ludmila Aristova

Diana Bracy

Dottie Moore

Jane Sassaman

Left: Kent Williams & Right Top: Lonni Rossi  Right Bottom: Lucinda Carlstrom

Disclosure Note:
This book was provided to me by the publisher for review purposes only - no other remuneration was received

Kreativ Blogger Award

My friend Kim awarded me with the Kreativ Blogger award! Thanks for a bright spot in the day Kim !

Now as part of the award I have to do seven things:

(1)Post the image of the award

(2)Thank the person who gave it to me

(3)Link to the person who gave it to me

(4)Tell you seven things about myself that you wouldn't know

(5)Choose seven great bloggers to give this award to.

(6)Give a link to their blogs

(7)Leave them a message on their blog



Seven things about me:

1. One of my hobbies used to sky diving

2. I used to run half marathons

3.I am descended from wonderful Irish families - with a hint of the Brit thrown into the mix!

4. I am a voracious reader and  love historical fiction, non-fiction history and art/craft books. I like
    Richard III and think he has been more maligned than he really was. Did he really kill the
    Princes in the Tower - children of Elizabeth Woodville and her king.

5. I love tea - especially herbals - and have one mug of coffee a day too.

6. I love wild birds and purring felines.

7. I am blessed to also have to have a loving husband and also the the love of a few, but supremely  
    special, friends - they all make my world go 'round.

I am giving this award to the following Kreativ Bloggers:

1. Kathy

2. Sarah

3. Lisa

4. Julie

5. Sandra

6.  Robin

7. Stacy

My Morning Visitor & Journal Pages

Last night we had some of the coldest weather of the winter - as odd as that may seem! My feathered friends were really busy this morning trying to take in some calories. We have a pair of Downy Woodpeckers (this is the male) that come to feed generally 4 times a day. They are particularly fond of suet. I remember the first time I found Downy Woodpecker feathers on the forest floor. I was in awe of the lovely rows of white dots - and did not yet know what bird they were from. The Downy's have since become one of my favorite birds and I so pleased that they enjoy visiting us! We had 8 finches on one feeder this morning too and the Juncos literally looked like a moving ground cover! I hung the first of our many hummingbird feeders up this past weekend. Generally they arrive on or near St. Patrick's day, but this year, with everything else happening so early, I think they may show up early. I wanted to be ready for them.

These are two of three journal pages that are in a 'traveling' journal. Ultimately, the journal (which is one of three different ones going around) will be auctioned off and the proceeds will benefit a children's charity. The idea was the brain child of Kim Owens  (with Jennifer Maroney) on her Yahoo group called Blissfully Art Journaling. There are three journals that are making the rounds with themes based on love, friendship and an open category. These are for the 'love' journal.

The page below includes the Albert Einstein quote that says 'There are two ways to live your life; one is as though nothing is a miracle- the other is as though everything is a miracle'. Makes sense to me!

The page below contains an ee cummings poem that I have always rather liked. At first glance the words mean little but if you say it over and over the meaning becomes more apparent - at least to me it does.

Love is a place
& through this place of
love move
(with brightness of peace)
all places

yes is a world
& in this world of
yes live
(skilfully curled)
all worlds

Small Work- More ATC's

 

I've been back on a "small work" kick. I really enjoy making ATC's because they are a challenge at times. "Faith" is felted wool embellished with embroidery and a few beads. The back is made from a wonderful customizable ATC stamp that I got from Etsy.I like having my name and address already on the stamp. It's very well made. The background is a hand painted piece of muslin that I am slowly embroidering - and I do mean slowly!

  

This next group of cards is made for an ATC swap through Roses On My Table. I am not at all good at making cards to fit a theme - I seem to work much better when I am making, simply, an ATC with no theme. The theme of this card swap is, perhaps obviously, "Alice In Wonderland". I am so looking forward to seeing the new movie with Johnny Depp and I think this was one of the considerations  when the Alice theme was chosen, Generally I pushing a deadline with these swaps - but for once I have them ready to go before they are due! I want to swap some more cards - with no real theme but have not yet found a place that is currently hosting one. Any ideas?

  

This is probably my favorite - but I am thinking that not too many folks may like it. I love doodling a la Zentangle - and that's what started me off with this card. I never realized how amazing the visions and words of author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson really were - so I was grateful to have a chance to review some of his more memorable quotes! Oh! To have an imagination such as his was!