Boy does time fly- and in 10 short days, we send Jeffri off to the wilds of Alexandria, VA. We took a pilgrimage to Mecca (Container Store) for boxes and other moving supplies. At the counter, there was a blurb about how to survive sending your kid off to college.
How about one for sending friends off to new ventures?
Friday, April 20, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
How I spent my winter "vacation"
Well, it is a more positive spin on being on doctor ordered house arrest due to a serious bout of pneumonia. Apparently, prednisone is a great creative kick in the pants and I ended up creating 70 tarot bags. I've been playing with applique, bead embroidery and quilting for rebels techniques for a while now, but all of a sudden, it all came together. I love playing with pairing different fabrics together and working in miniature just makes it a greater challenge.
Jeffri and I often joke about locking the Inner Perfectionist in the basement with Robert's Rules of Order. I learned to do this years ago. When you have learning differences, you almost have to accept that perfection is not going to happen. It's more about the process than the end result for me. I never fail to learn from each project- and that is really what the creative process is about- at least in my little corner of the world.
The four bags pictured here came out of a personal testing- they are works of faith and a gift from Spirit and my Creative Muse. Better known as the Divinely Demanding Duo.
First is Fire Fairy. She is surrounded by carnelian and citrine beads. The original version/vision included a fairy wand with a toasted marshmallow star on top. I blame the codeine based cough syrup and thankfully, had a "revision".
Next, is Water Fairy. She has freshwater pearls and cradles a baby dolphin in her hands. Of the four, she was the greatest technical challenge. Very difficult to piece the image together. The trim is actually shells and pearls. Love the fabrics in this bag- I guess I found my inner mermaid.
Little Miss Airy Fairy with a lapis and blue lace agate wand. She was the first one to come into vision. I wish I could float above without a care in the world. The inspiration for this one? A mostly forgotten dream but the only part I remember was clearly hearing, 'LOOK UP!"
And perhaps my favorite of the four. I am a water baby by birth but a gnome at heart. I love this happy little gnome surrounded by tiger eye and peridot. He was a bit of a challenge as well, but I love the richness of the fabric and pop of the flowers in the ribbon.
Are they perfect? Not by a long shot. Do I love them- absolutely. It will be hard to let my babies go, but that is also part of the creative process. For someone's tarot or oracle decks, I hope these will provide a happy home and inspire great readings.
And the Demanding Duo is already poking me with ideas for the next crop of tarot bags. For now, I savor the rare sight of bare coffee table and not having plastic bins of fabric exploding all over my apartment.
Jeffri and I often joke about locking the Inner Perfectionist in the basement with Robert's Rules of Order. I learned to do this years ago. When you have learning differences, you almost have to accept that perfection is not going to happen. It's more about the process than the end result for me. I never fail to learn from each project- and that is really what the creative process is about- at least in my little corner of the world.
The four bags pictured here came out of a personal testing- they are works of faith and a gift from Spirit and my Creative Muse. Better known as the Divinely Demanding Duo.
Are they perfect? Not by a long shot. Do I love them- absolutely. It will be hard to let my babies go, but that is also part of the creative process. For someone's tarot or oracle decks, I hope these will provide a happy home and inspire great readings.
And the Demanding Duo is already poking me with ideas for the next crop of tarot bags. For now, I savor the rare sight of bare coffee table and not having plastic bins of fabric exploding all over my apartment.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Rising from the Tar Pit.. sort of
The first two weeks of January tend to be a challenging time of year. I spent most of the this weekend alternating between laughter and tears as I absorb that Mom left this world 8 years ago. Our relationship was good, but complicated, as mother-daughter relationships often are- she was strong willed, opinionated and her vision of my life didn't always jibe with my own. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about mom and miss her.
What shook me out of it a bit, was an email sent my my cousin in law. My uncle has alzheimers and now my cousin needs to sort out what is best for him. And, her mother is in need of surgery. Another friend just lost her beloved uncle. And my boss's younger brother is terminally ill. For the first time, I find myself grateful that while Mom's death was completely unexpected, she was spared Alzheimers, which I think was where she was heading. We were already seeing some early memory loss and other signs.
Our parents are aging- and it is a bittersweet experience. My relationship with Dad is cordial, but distant. He's very much living in present tense and happy. He has a warm, loving girlfriend and her extended family including her great-granddaughter. Life just didn't deal the cards we hope they will, but he's a great example of making every day count.
When asked how I felt about the new year, my answer was disconnected. My resolution is to reconnect. And figure out how to make my days count for something more important than moping in my own tar pit.
What shook me out of it a bit, was an email sent my my cousin in law. My uncle has alzheimers and now my cousin needs to sort out what is best for him. And, her mother is in need of surgery. Another friend just lost her beloved uncle. And my boss's younger brother is terminally ill. For the first time, I find myself grateful that while Mom's death was completely unexpected, she was spared Alzheimers, which I think was where she was heading. We were already seeing some early memory loss and other signs.
Our parents are aging- and it is a bittersweet experience. My relationship with Dad is cordial, but distant. He's very much living in present tense and happy. He has a warm, loving girlfriend and her extended family including her great-granddaughter. Life just didn't deal the cards we hope they will, but he's a great example of making every day count.
When asked how I felt about the new year, my answer was disconnected. My resolution is to reconnect. And figure out how to make my days count for something more important than moping in my own tar pit.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Bullies need not call here
There is no place in our world for bullying anyone- for any reason. Done. End of Rant.
Friday, October 28, 2011
PAY ATTENTION!!!!
This one is a rant. Last weekend, my hatred of cell and smartphones was 100% confirmed, justified and I will avoid buying one. My car and I nearly became hood ornaments for a Mercedes SUV. I find myself angry- and that is building on frustration from an earlier encounter.
But I digress. Woman in SUV, with a baby in the car was too busy yakking on her phone and backing up full speed out of a parking spot to bother looking behind her. She was so engrossed, she failed to hear my horn blasting to get her attention. There was no other place for me to go, given other drivers were pulling out of spaces as well. Finally, she wakes up, slams on her brakes missing T-boning my driver side by 2 inches. And proceeded to get in my face, telling me it was my fault she nearly hit my car.
I offered to call the police and she settled down. Maybe had something to do with the fact she had least 2 drinks with lunch? No apology. What the hell is wrong with people? To drive intoxicated, distracted and put your child, yourself and others at risk? Very scary.
How I miss the days before those damned phones became a focus of our lives. Only a few weeks before, I took a day off to spend with a friend- who proceeded to spend the greater part of the day texting on her Droid. It drives me crazy when I am at dinner with people and they are more involved with the !@#$ing phone than with me. Ok- I get that your business requires it- but I consider it extraordinarily rude. Check before we sit down- or once an hour if you must, but if someone takes time off to spend with you, put the bloody phone away.
Worse are the distracted drivers. NO phone call, text message or email is more important than focusing on what's happening around you in a moving vehicle. If you are driving, I beg you to put the phone down. Hands free too- people get involved in the conversation and end up too distracted.
As for the woman who almost killed me last weekend- I forgive you. Now please for your sake, your child's and everyone else out on the road around you, stop using the phone while you're driving and call for a safe ride home.
But I digress. Woman in SUV, with a baby in the car was too busy yakking on her phone and backing up full speed out of a parking spot to bother looking behind her. She was so engrossed, she failed to hear my horn blasting to get her attention. There was no other place for me to go, given other drivers were pulling out of spaces as well. Finally, she wakes up, slams on her brakes missing T-boning my driver side by 2 inches. And proceeded to get in my face, telling me it was my fault she nearly hit my car.
I offered to call the police and she settled down. Maybe had something to do with the fact she had least 2 drinks with lunch? No apology. What the hell is wrong with people? To drive intoxicated, distracted and put your child, yourself and others at risk? Very scary.
How I miss the days before those damned phones became a focus of our lives. Only a few weeks before, I took a day off to spend with a friend- who proceeded to spend the greater part of the day texting on her Droid. It drives me crazy when I am at dinner with people and they are more involved with the !@#$ing phone than with me. Ok- I get that your business requires it- but I consider it extraordinarily rude. Check before we sit down- or once an hour if you must, but if someone takes time off to spend with you, put the bloody phone away.
Worse are the distracted drivers. NO phone call, text message or email is more important than focusing on what's happening around you in a moving vehicle. If you are driving, I beg you to put the phone down. Hands free too- people get involved in the conversation and end up too distracted.
As for the woman who almost killed me last weekend- I forgive you. Now please for your sake, your child's and everyone else out on the road around you, stop using the phone while you're driving and call for a safe ride home.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Birthday Mischief
My inner imp took over during dinner with my family on Wednesday. It was prompted by a Facebook conversation Tuesday night. My little sister in spirit wants to give me the everlasting birthday gift of a tattoo.
It made me think of the stencil that was done years ago in Little 5 Points, while I was working in Atlanta. I wimped out, but the tattoo artist was gracious and gave me the stencil in case I changed my mind. It is tucked away somewhere in my apartment- it is actually a very beautiful drawing of a Zuni bear.
A generous, tempting offer from Sarah- but I am not in the market for ink. What I couldn't resist was a golden opportunity to devil my dear old dad a little bit. Must confess, that was a lot of fun last night.
I so rarely indulge the imp in me- and it did keep the conversation flowing through dinner. Truly, he was horrified at the idea, but I got the feeling he was egging me on as well.
It did get me thinking though- I know a lot of people with ink. I've read both of Kat Von D's books and admire her considerable artistic abilities. A friend of mine had a bi-lateral mastectomy at 32. Instead of reconstructive surgery, she translated the garden that she loves and was a vital part of her recovery into a tattoo celebrating her 5 year free anniversary. A former co-worker of mine actually went to Miami Ink and got tattooed by Chris Nunez. While I wouldn't have picked what she did, it was an amazing bit of art.
Certainly see the appeal- just can't get over the fear of the needle. And I rather like my pale, ink free vampire like skin.
No, I have no desire to lose my tattoo virginity, but maybe I'll change my mind for my 50th birthday!
It made me think of the stencil that was done years ago in Little 5 Points, while I was working in Atlanta. I wimped out, but the tattoo artist was gracious and gave me the stencil in case I changed my mind. It is tucked away somewhere in my apartment- it is actually a very beautiful drawing of a Zuni bear.
A generous, tempting offer from Sarah- but I am not in the market for ink. What I couldn't resist was a golden opportunity to devil my dear old dad a little bit. Must confess, that was a lot of fun last night.
I so rarely indulge the imp in me- and it did keep the conversation flowing through dinner. Truly, he was horrified at the idea, but I got the feeling he was egging me on as well.
It did get me thinking though- I know a lot of people with ink. I've read both of Kat Von D's books and admire her considerable artistic abilities. A friend of mine had a bi-lateral mastectomy at 32. Instead of reconstructive surgery, she translated the garden that she loves and was a vital part of her recovery into a tattoo celebrating her 5 year free anniversary. A former co-worker of mine actually went to Miami Ink and got tattooed by Chris Nunez. While I wouldn't have picked what she did, it was an amazing bit of art.
Certainly see the appeal- just can't get over the fear of the needle. And I rather like my pale, ink free vampire like skin.
No, I have no desire to lose my tattoo virginity, but maybe I'll change my mind for my 50th birthday!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Day of Rest?
I tried.. really I did. After attending one of the best parties ever yesterday, I am tired, in pain and sorely need down time to regroup for the work week ahead.
The best I managed was a lazy morning, reading in bed until 10. And then I started to feel guilty about all tasks on my to do list- which were dancing merrily in a can-can line through my head. There's only one way to stop it- get up and tackle the list.
On the list: finish restocking supplies, organize the walk in pantry, start the tidying up for the cleaning service, go through fabric, repair a pendulum and oh yes, take some down time.
My resolve was good. I took care of the pantry. Then I went down for the mail and all my to-do motivation was shot to hell. In my box were some reordered pendulum supplies, our long awaited Fantoid decks FINALLY, and the worst temptation of all... a brand new tarot deck ordered from Europe. And I can't open it until our April Tarot class. Yes, the suspense is going to be unbearable. I don't think I can even open the envelope because then it will be all to easy to open that deck.
Which leads me to my question of the day... when did we stop honoring our Day of Rest?
The best I managed was a lazy morning, reading in bed until 10. And then I started to feel guilty about all tasks on my to do list- which were dancing merrily in a can-can line through my head. There's only one way to stop it- get up and tackle the list.
On the list: finish restocking supplies, organize the walk in pantry, start the tidying up for the cleaning service, go through fabric, repair a pendulum and oh yes, take some down time.
My resolve was good. I took care of the pantry. Then I went down for the mail and all my to-do motivation was shot to hell. In my box were some reordered pendulum supplies, our long awaited Fantoid decks FINALLY, and the worst temptation of all... a brand new tarot deck ordered from Europe. And I can't open it until our April Tarot class. Yes, the suspense is going to be unbearable. I don't think I can even open the envelope because then it will be all to easy to open that deck.
Which leads me to my question of the day... when did we stop honoring our Day of Rest?
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