Little Scraps of Magic

Figuring It All Out

 
Wouldn't you think that by now I'd have figured it out? Life, that is...what I want out of it, what I want to do with the rest of it? How to get there? And, why do I keep doing the same dumb stuff over and over? Like that second brownie I happily devoured this morning, when I shouldn't have even had the first? (But, I do have to tell you that they were both delcious!) At any rate, if I want to lose weight, I should not have been eating that brownie (those brownies!).

I just finished listening to Lesley's podcast (Artist's Sucess), and my homework this week is to set some goals..some very specific measurable goals.

And, here's my problem. There is just so much that I want to do! Journaling. Photography. Writing. Drawing. Figuring out watercolors. Can I marry the photography with my journaling? Then there's fabric, espcially working to create my own designs. And, oh, yeah...paste paper. I love, love, love paste paper.

And, that list goes on and on.

So, what parts of it are really really important to me? And what parts are momentary distractions? Geez, but I wish I knew!

But, I do - at least some of them.

A camera feels like an extension of me. I am blissfully happy with one in my hand. I abosolutely know that this picture taking is part of what ever it is that I want from this life.

And, the journaling is a huge part of it as well...both the creating of my own journals and the filling of them.

I think that the fabric, stitching, and sketching are more "interests." I'm not so sure that I really need to be doing them or is it just that I wish I could do them better than I do? So, maybe they're the bright shiny objects that distract this magpie mind of mine!

I have some catching up to do with Lesley's class, but I'm already seeing some benefits. I am keeping a "Ta-Da" book, which has jump started my journaling re-entry. I'll be relistening to both podcasts and getting my rear in gear over these next few days. And, that's a good thing.

Oh, and well, while it doesn't negate those brownies, Phil and I took our second walk this week. It felt good. It needs to be longer and I need to be faster. But, we did it, and that's a start. It's 2 more walks than I've taken in a very long time!

Slow and Meditative

He's home and recuperating nicely; the operation went beautifully. Yes, he's glad he did it (C5 and C6 spinal fusion)...the arm is now pain free! The surgical site is a bit sore, and the muscle relaxers put him to sleep. It's been quiet around here, and without work, I've pretty much lost my sense of time!

I've been itching to begin working with fabric; I simply love the texture. So, I grabbed a piece of cloth made during May's Art & Soul in Hampton, VA.

 
It began it's life as a piece of plain white muslin. Under Liz Kettle's guidance, I played with paint and gelatin printing, which is very cool stuff! The technique works with both fabric and paper. What more could a girl want?

I grabbed a few basic flosses and threads. Honestly? I really really wanted the very cool stuff! I wanted it badly.

Realistically? I need to learn the basics; the simple beginning stitches and get them somewhat under control before I treat myself to the cool stuff!

 
It proved to be the perfect thing to quiet my mind and to focus it on something other than waiting for Phil to come out of the operating room. I had to concentrate because this is not second nature to me. I had to think! I began with a backstitch and quickly discovered I needed a bigger hoop. (Back to Michael's in a few days...) Next, came the chain stitch.

My stitches are decidely wonky. Some look pretty good; others need a bit of loving acceptance for what they are - a beginner's work.

I love it though; something about it gives me great satisfaction. It's portable, and I'm thinking this piece of cloth will be worked on in many places as I play with various stitches.

I'm not sure where this piece of cloth is going - a journal cover, maybe? Considering how slowly I'm progressing, I have more than enough time to decide!