The Month of Hearts

I welcome this month of hearts.  First and foremost my own which seems to be pumping along the way it is supposed to. *smile*

Secondly the whole symbol that the heart shape means to me. It means love and friendship and caring and beauty.

I wish for each of you a heart happy month filled with love, and joy -- fun and laughter.

As you can see my hands and heart have drifted back to punch needle! A perfectly quiet way to fill these cold winter afternoons.

"Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eys, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts." - Paramahansa Yogananda

New Year Thoughts

Happy New year!!   A new year always seems like a clean slate to me and after this past year I could use a clean slate, I think that a lot of us can.

Recently we had a beautiful snowfall -- it seemed like it was issuing in a lovely, soft, white winter -- a time of the year for cocooning inside where its warm and cozy.

Winter is almost like a 'time out' for everything but soft, quiet days in which to gather ideas, do some creating and just slow down.  I found this most wonderful journal which I will be starting today.  Each page has a reminder to practice mindfulness.  If I can bring mindfulness into my life this new year I will feel as if I've accomplished a lot. 

"What would it be like if I could accept life - accept this moment - exactly like it is?" Tara Brach 

My Kitchen Window

Earlier this year I decided to do all the dishes by hand.  Standing in front of the sink, feeling the warm water and suds on my hands and looking out the window as the seasons, one by one go by -- what a joy.

It has been a total delight to see the seasons present themselves in the woods behind our house.  I have to say that Autumn, which seems to have ended well before the deadline, was nothing less than a joy to observe.  Wanting to keep a 'record' of that beautiful season I filled a box lid with my two favorite leaves.  Happily I'll have them nearby to take me through these somewhat barren days of Winter.

It was as if overnight, the weather got cold and the trees shed their colorful leaves.  Each season brings its own beauty and these days my window frames bare branches, the 'bones of the trees are outlined against deep blue skies.  

"Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky." - Kahlil Gibran

November Notes

Here we are entering the month of November.  I'm glad to be turning this calendar page.  October was filled with me trying to do things I 'used' to do and giving up on them half completed.  Grrrr!  After my last 'stuff it in a box and forget about it doll' I realized that I still need/want the safety and joy of 'box lid art'.

At this point in my life I'm not pushing myself to continue working on something I don't enjoy anymore, just to say 'I can do it' *smile*. 

Over my creative life I have tried many, many things.  Some have been successful (to my eye), others not so much.  Some went the way of the weekly trash pick up and others I still have sitting here in my studio, cheering me on.  For now I'm ready to stay on my 'boxed' in path. 

As for the month of October, I so enjoyed being outside.  Crispy cool mornings, slightly warmer, sunny afternoons.  Heaven is: shuffling through the dried leaves while I walk the roads of our community; watching huge amounts of rain outside my studio window; standing in the sunshine knowing that soon I'll be wedded to our heater; and lastly letting myself start a project - stop it in mid stride - and not feel guilty. 

"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on."- Havelock Ellis

Slow and Steady

Here it is, October - one of my favorite months of the year. I am getting 'comfortable' in my new self.  

My box lid art is moving ahead -- slowly but steadily -- much like a snail moves.  But that's all right, that's just me these days.

I find I like these long, stay-at-home days.  Curled up with a good book, I savor small squares of dark chocolate and enjoy cups of hot tea.  I mustn't forget the most important thing -- a bit of art inspiration each day.

 "Let thy step be slow and steady, that thou stumble not." Tokugawa Leyasu