Ten Things for September - 2016

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As September comes to a close, I find myself settling into fall. It always feels like coming home. The stifling heat and biting insects have gone. The afternoon sunshine invites a cup of tea, and the cool evenings welcome blankets and silk scarves. 

September is slowly becoming one of my favorite months of the year and leads into several months of celebrations and beauty. 

What's bringing me joy:

1.) New strings on my guitar (thanks to my dad for stringing) - the shiny new strings and fresh clean sound is a welcome break from the old strings (one broken) that lingered for many months longer than were lovely to play.

2.) Apples. I've never understood buying apples in April, either trucked in from far away or, more likely, refrigerated since the fall. It's finally apple season. Apple picking, drying, saucing, canning, eating, peeler/slicer/corers, and trips to the orchard.

3.) After Apple Picking by Robert Frost

Etsy Shop is now Live!

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I've "had" an Etsy shop for six years. 

In that time, I've almost listed so many things. I've had pinterest boards of inspiration and ideas of things to list. But never actually listed anything.

Until today. 

Starting with paintings displayed at my show in June, and inspired by my most recent painting:

I'm excited to market my paintings in a new forum, and excited to do more custom, commissioned pieces! 

Contact me with your idea, your photo, your once in a lifetime moment! 

Looking forward to working together.

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Yarn From Rags - WIP Wednesday, September 21st, 2016

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Creating is my passion, my sanity, my sense of being "up to something", my way of contributing a little bit. I always have a few projects going, many left to the side for months or even years before I pick up the best and carry on. Here's some of what I'm working on this week:

We have a bag hanging in the closet where we tuck worn out clothing - holes, stains, tears. We could easily just throw them away but much of the material is still perfectly good. From using old socks for doll clothing, making your own fiber fill/stuffing, cleaning rags, to yarn!

Five Articles That Have Challenged The Way I Think - Summer 2016

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I read a lot of articles. Every once in a while I come across one that really makes me think, that challenges me in a new way. 

Saying Yes - What's Working Really Well Right Now

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I get it, I also have a to-do list a mile long. 

There's laundry piled everywhere in various states of cleanliness. There's flotsam and jetsam from art projects. The big ak-mak box (say that five times fast) and others that are a car/boat/house/present/fort/suitcase/rocketship/safe-from-lava are strewn about. The dishwasher is ready to be unloaded and refilled. There dried noodles on the floor of porch from a lovely dinner eaten out of doors while we still can. That's just what I can see from here.

I even get tired of hearing myself grump and stress and say no in all kinds of ways. Many days I feel like I can barely breathe under the load of work and responsibilities that are my lot at present. As with many a parent of young children, I often feel as though I've lost myself. All that's left is a wiper of bottoms, a personal servant, a house-keeper, with nary a piece of clothing worn for even five minutes without someone else's boogers or who knows what on it.

When these sticky, sometimes dreadfully behaved, buckets-of-need come to me during a minute I've tried to eke out for my own sanity with yet another completely NOT necessary request, I'm not always at my best. 

Turns out that when you say "Yes!" anyway, magical things happen. 

Eventually Everything Turns Back Into Dirt

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Thoughts on dying, sustainability, and what remains.