Almost Spring!!!

Its almost spring.  I know this has been a milder than usual winter for many of us -- but for some reason it seems like I've been waiting with bated breath for this winter to be over. 

So let's celebrate!  Here's a 'welcome spring' giveaway -- a petite pocket paired up with a bag filled with lavendar.  I'll announce the winner on Thursday the 22nd.

Meanwhile I'm sending you all wishes for sunny days ahead.

"Hello, sun in my face.  Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields...Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." - Mary Oliver

Insignificant?

For me there is a joy in feeling insignificant.  How many times have I stood near the sea, watching the huge waves crash ashore, looking into a vast expanse of sea before me?

How many times have I stood in the desert looking at the vastness of land with raw, rough unfinished edges everywhere?  How many times have I seen the light as it changes throughout the day?

How many times have I touched the trunk of a huge, very old tree - taking some of its strength into my hands?

It is so easy for me to get mired in my everyday life - the one that demands control or busyness or ego.  So I like feeling insignificant - looking at the vastness of the dark sky, the moon and stars the only light.  I am a very, very teeny, tiny part of this universe and putting me into my small place somehow makes it all right.

"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream." - Edgar Allen Poe

Tea On Thursday

Recently Chris and I had a 'tea exchange'.  This is the delightful packet that I received from her. 

The names are sooo intriguing: 'jardin des sens'; 'ma diva with edible gold dust'; 'secret tibetan'; 'sencha green doucqur oriqntale' and more.  The scents coming out of the bag as I laid out all the teas were enough to make me swoon.  Immediately I was transported to far off, magical, enchanted lands (and I hadn't even taken a sip yet).

And as an added bonus she sent along some lovely threads with the yummiest of colors and one of her delightful cards.

Thank you Chris - as I take a sip of 'The Noir Caravane Aux Agrumes' this morning I'll be thinking of your generosity and our friendship.

"A friend is a gift you give yourself." - Robert Louis Stevenson

Felting - Oh My!

 Elynn Bernstein

It used to be the rule that you don't wash a wool sweater in hot water.  If you did, it was ruined as it had shrunk down to child size.  Those were the 'old days' -- these days we purposely pick up a 100% wool sweater (or skirt or anything), bring it home and shrink the dickens out of it.  After that  we cut it up and stitch pieces together.  We add pieces to mixed media artwork.  We create purses, hats, scarves and any number of wonderful things.   This is definitely a case where I don't long for the 'good old days'!!  As a side effect - what a wonderful recycling tool wool has become.

 Coat by Elynn Bernstein

Then there are those who make their own felt.  This is an arduous task - taking a lot of muscle because you literally have to 'beat' the wool into submission.  I take my hat (wool felted?) off to these creative and 'strong' women.  One of those women is Elynn Bernstein.  Elynn is a member of our InspiredArts Guild.  She dyes wool, felts it and creates beautiful and whimsical pieces of wearable art.

Hat by Elynn Bernstein

I love to use wool felt on the back of my punchneedle embroidery pieces.  It is malleable and yet strong.  The texture and colors are sooo perfect for stitcheries.  Here's to a new use for an old 'product'. 

"A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Texture, texture!

A big focus in my work for this year will be texture, texture, texture.  As I work each section of a piece I hope to incorporate as many levels of stitch as possible...

...as many 'new to me' stitches as possible.

Go ahead, ask me if I'm having fun!!! 

"Little moments can have a feeling and a texture that is very real." - Ralph Fiennes