50 by 50 Week 3

It was fun playing with a baby photo - seeing the determination in my eyes, the defiance mixed with uncertainty. I was reaching for a Christmas ornament on a tree, and not sure whether I was going to get scolded.





For part of my life I did forget that I had a mind of my own and that I was capable of making my own decisions. I forgot that I was very good at taking care of myself. I forgot for quite a long time actually. I thought that others knew better than I did; that they had more knowledge or experience. I was wrong. I always know better what is best for myself. We all do.

Are those wings I feel beginning to unfurl?

Color Wash Experiments

I spent part of my long weekend creating more color wash experiments from the Michael deMeng online workshop that I am taking.

Here is 'Blue Barnacles':




'Cold Stone':




'Salty Sea':




'Green Goblin':




'Verdigris Crunch':



Then I used Photoshop to overlay 'Salty Sea' on a photo I took a few years ago in Colorado. Here is the result:



I am very pleased with the combination. I will play more with Photoshop - overlaying photos and artwork. I also want to play with masks and place people from my collection of vintage photos into these images. Still so much to learn...

50 by 50 Week 2

I felt like using glitter this week. I think it is fun to get gaudy once in awhile! Here is my postcard this week from my wiser self, Artemis, using glittery embossing powder on the swirl stamp patterns:



And the note she wrote me:



I have also started an online workshop on "Color Washes" with Michael deMeng. The first color wash I tried is what he calls "The Uszhhh!!!" - meaning his 'usual'. He makes wondrous assemblages. He ties the elements together using paint. You would never know that some of his elements are plastic, others are metal and others wood. He gives his work a lovely patina showing layers of age. His recipes can be found in the Color Wash workshop, or in his book, Dusty Diablos.

I used three surfaces:
1) the suggested Golden Molding Paste


2) Golden Fiber Paste


3) watercolor cold press paper


I am making a series of these washes and will keep the cards for reference when I create my own work. It is a lot of fun mixing and playing with paint washes.

50 by 50 Week 1

I am starting a new project. This year, in May, will be my 50th birthday. Therefore it seems an appropriate time to look over my life, appreciate the past and the lessons learned, and to bring that wisdom into the beginning of the second half century.

I have decided to create a postcard each week for 50 weeks from my "higher self", my "wise woman", Artemis. Several years ago, while at a Life Coaching training, I took part in a guided meditation. In this meditation I met my higher self who introduced herself as Artemis. I visit her often, especially when I need to access that part of myself that knows how to strip away the unnecessary from the truth, or when I am trying to make a difficult decision.





You may click on the photos to make them larger.

After 50 years I find myself following similar patterns in my thoughts. I have gradually become more aware of my thoughts and am often able to stop myself from heading along particularly destructive thought paths, but I still have a way to go before I am fully conscious of my thought patterns. I know that thoughts create words, which create actions, which then create my life as I experience it. So, theoretically, if I change my thoughts, then my life will change. Habits though, are sometimes difficult to break. But, not impossible...... I have seen positive results over the last few years. I have changed my thoughts of complaining, blame and self pity, to ones of optimism, joy and serenity. I focus more on the present moment, than the past or future. As a result, I am happier and more content.

Here is to a new year and new thoughts which bring more joy and happiness!

Christmas Blur

Why do I stress myself out every Christmas? Over the years I have let go of many of the things that I used to do this time of year. I don't bake cookies, I don't send cards, I don't try to hand make every present. Why am I still stressed? This year may be because I had to drive each of my children out to Dulles airport, on separate days, for their flights to Germany to be with their Dad and his family. I am so happy they are able to go, but driving in the DC area is bad enough, and during the holiday....whew! Tonight I drive out there again for my flight to San Diego. My Mom has not been well lately and I decided on a last minute trip for Christmas. I will spend it with her, my sister and my brother. I am looking forward to enjoying some time with all of them.

My stress also increased due to some work problems, and worry over my son's back pain. Also, when I get busy, I let go of my yoga and meditation practice and I don't walk or exercise as often. Doing these things help me to maintain a better balance when outside stressors influence me. So, why do I let these activities go when I get busy? Very good question.

New Year's Resolution: Take care of myself first by exercising, doing yoga and meditating, before I do all of the "must/should do's". Ahhh....I feel myself relaxing already.....

On the positive side of the holiday, I celebrated Christmas with my children last Saturday and we had a lovely day. Here is my son in his new shirt and tie.


And, this is the Brioche Stitch Scarf that I knit my daughter. Note the University of Maryland colors. Due to the popularity of this pattern at the shop, I will be teaching a Brioche Stitch Scarf class at A Tangled Skein, in Hyattsville, Maryland, in January. I am going to play with some other color combinations before the class.


Two weeks ago we had some snow and my daughter (who is participating in the Gymkana program at UMD) had some fun in the snow. In the first photo she is balancing only on her hands on the school terrapin mascot. In the second she is doing a headstand on the ice.




Merry Christmas to everyone and may your Christmas be filled with love, peace and joy. Take a deep breath..........and relax.

Fiber Cupcakes

These are wheat-free, dairy free, sugar free, calorie free, luscious cupcakes. Hand spun wool and silk and wool unspun fiber are so much healthier than traditional cupcakes! (Although, maybe not at tasty.) I found this dessert stand at World Market, and knew I had to use it to create a fanciful display. The cups are unused ice cream cups I bought on Ebay ages ago. I knew I would find a use for them one day. The mini-skeins are hand spun samples I make when I try out a new fiber, or spin on a small spindle.

Enjoy!

Ocean Springs

I arrived yesterday morning in Gulf Port, Mississippi in the midst of a rainstorm. It was coming down like an overflowing bath tub from above, and deep puddles had already formed in the car rental lot. I love rain, but yesterday was my only afternoon to explore the area. Luckily, it lessened to a drizzle by afternoon and I was able to get over to Ocean Springs.

I spent a lovely afternoon with a friend, driving around the area together. After lunch at a yummy Chinese Buffet with everything from eggrolls and Schezwan green beans to macaroni and cheese and tapioca, we headed over to Ocean Springs. We found a sweet little downtown lined with Live Oaks. At the center, we discovered a vintage drug store complete with soda fountain.


Please note that this was a very clean establishment, but I am still enamored of the blending overlays created by Cottage Arts. (See previous posts) I am really enjoying playing with these overlays and the vintage quality they give my photos.

The town has several art galleries and we enjoyed wandering around one filled with intricately hand-crafted glass art.

Later, we drove over to the Gulf Islands National Seashore Visitor Center at the Davis Bayou. It was gorgeous looking out at the drizzly marshes. The film about the Gulf Islands detailed their shifting history and variety of wild life including the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Apparently, only one out of a thousand sea turtles make it to adulthood. Most are eaten by other creatures, who especially like the eggs.

I had a great time and very nice company. The rest of this week I am in a meeting with a fantastic group of people. Intense, but good. Sometimes, it is nice to work for the government...