Mandalas

So first I was visiting Daisy Yellow down in Texas . . . . and I watched her Mandala Madness video
found here  .  Her videos are always inspiring, creative and have great music.  You will not be disappointed. Then I ventured out on my own and created these.  It always feels great to have completed something artistic. My days are filled with helping people and documenting on a computer so it is a great escape to do something like this.   Give it a try.

Maple Maple Maple

" Before the budswells, before the grass springs, before the plow is started, comes the sugar harvest.  It is the sequel of the bitter frost; a sap run is the sweet goodby of winter" 

John Burroughs

So for maybe 4-5 years now we have been tapping trees and making our own Syrup. We usually get between 1-2 gallons  of Syrup - 40-80 gallons of Sap, we just can it in Jam jars in different quantities. We all have our jobs in the  process.  Tapping, collecting sap daily 1 or 2x. Boiling the sap down, finishing it off, canning it, and of course baking with it and consuming it!  Fresh Maple Syrup on good vanilla Ice Cream just can't be beat!!!  Get out and find your local Maple Farmer if you live in the Northeast.  Yum Yum Yum!!!  One of our favorite spring family  traditions!!!

Inspire me . . .

“The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are.” Thomas Dreier (1884-1976

I hope that my children have and are still learning this.  It may not be easy to accept those that are not kind, courteous and helpful but always lead by example.   We never know what else is going on in someones life.  Do they have enough food and shelter, are they loved or are they in an un loving relationship.  Are they or a loved one battling with illness or financial struggle?  It is hard to know.  I think it is especially hard when someone in a customer service position provides poor service, but it leads me to ask why? We absolutely all have bad days, it is how we handle them that makes all the difference.

Meet Maggie . . .

This is the beautiful Stray that came to our door early in December went away for awhile and then back in ernst in Early February until we finally had to make a decision and do something. A trip to the vet so she was safe for everyone and then we brought her in to see what would happen.  We already have a dog and 2 male cats, the vet was not that optimistic that it would be a good fit.  Almost a month later everything seems to be going ok.  Maggie seems to be my middle childs cat - he puts her to bed every night and gives her lots of love for a 17 year old. She is young- like a year and very playful which everyone is enjoying.  Running around the kitchen chasing toys and going in and out of a paperbag.  Lots of love and joy to be given and received.  We are glad to have Maggie join us here at Chestnut Hill !

One Little Word 2014

Breathe

Breathe

Breathe

Breathe

Breathe

Breathe

Breathe


***** I have for several years now been inspired by Ali Edwards  and chosen "One Word" something to focus on for a year and to grow with, explore and live.  Past years have included Joy, Focus, Organize . . .
This year I choose Breathe.
I am not sure where it will take me but it is the word that speaks to me. There is a lot of change happening over the next year and I am sure I will need to stop and Just breathe on more than one occasion.

breathe

verb (used without object), breathed [breethd] Show IPA , breath·ing.

1.

to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.

2.

(in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds.

3.

to pause, as for breath; take rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe?

4.

to move gently or blow lightly, as air.

5.

to live; exist: Hardly a man breathes who has not known great sorrow.

 “Sometimes it's the same moments that take your breath away that breathe purpose and love back into your life.”
― Steve Maraboli, 

Gingerbread 2011

Things change and then they remain the same.  We have been making Gingerbread Houses since before kids. I am not sure exactly what element of the making is attractive . . . certainly the candy attracts the young folk but the element of creativity keeps them attracted as they grow  older.  We always make enough houses that the adults can participate and that is great fun.  I like the colors that are part of the candy palate and I think the ability to make patterns. To be able to create 3 dimensionally is actually not a common  activity.  Most things we do are 2 dimensional or 1.  Years ago these house makers were not strong enough to squeeze out the frosting. . . . now they are so strong that they collapsed their house, then turned it into a "meltdown"  more was added than in this photo. It is all good, the creativity the magic, the friendships and fellowship shared around the Gingerbread table. 

Index Card A Day at Daisy Yellow

Over at Daisy Yellow Tammy has put together a creative summer for everyone. Daisy Yellow is promoting do an Index Card a Day ( ICAD) not much space or time to sneak a little creativity in . I started about June 2 and have misplaced my early cards. My cards range from sketches to collage to water-colored . . . . in other wards anything goes. I do not have a lot of time most days but this has been working out well. I encourage everyone to give it a try. Daisy Yellow will give prompts weekly or you can do your own thing. My cards are a mix of both. A few prompts from Daisy yellow and then cards reflecting what is happening in our lives at that time.

Little Journal Snippets . . .

Saturday Night after a picnic in the Park we came home and our favorite show was not on
( Bones) so we popped in this DVD From Art Journaling to ART we got it from Interweave Press I believe and you can get it as a DVD or a down load. Any way it totally inspired my daughter to get out her paints again. She did a second Tulip later on and thought it was much better- I'll have to post it soon. The DVD was very well done. It reminded me of class from Pam at Creating Nature Journals but there are definite differences between the artists as well. My daughter had a hard time getting used to a Niji waterbrush - which I totally love but I think the one she had , had to large of a brush end on it for her. The other interesting thing to me - was that in school she was taught that a good composition must touch 3 sides of the page, for me I think I might find that a bit restrictive at times. Learning. . . it is all good, good to learn new things and to contemplate old. Enjoyed the sitting and focusing on one thing - even if only for a short time. Looking forward to viewing some other Creative DVD's. We'll be checking out what the Library system has in it. Looking like a dreary day in Western NY - good day to plant in the garden!!

A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Flight to Arras, 1942

Books for 2011 Part1

So far the following have been read: ( and loved . . . . and recommended) I do think I am missing a few but hey I am doing well to have this many and to remember them . Totally loved them all. You can bet a lot of laundry has set while I have read my little eyes out. My favorite reading trick is to take my book everywhere and when I pull in the driveway at home I get it out and read a few pages . . . as when I go in the house I know that there will be a myriad of tasks awaiting my attention and there will be little to no reading time so I squeak out what I can whenever I can.

1. Aloha Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini
2. Seven Days to the Sea by Rebecca Kohn ( story of Exodus told by Moses sister and wife)
   
3. A View from Mary's Farm by Edie Clark ( collection of short stories)
   
4. A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball
5. At Home on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball
6. Love letters to LadyBug Farm by Donna Ball
7. *In the Neighborhood by Peter Lovenheim ( see this post)
   
8. The Help by Kathyrn Stockett
   
9. The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini
10. Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenrieder
11. *Black Heels and Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond

* - non -fiction

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. ~

C.S. Lewis.

Quilt Away Cananda 2011

Some people go for a "get away" weekend , I go for a Quilt Away weekend with quilting girlfriends. Although there is no doubt there is lots of sewing and quilting going on , there is also good food, drinks, chit chat and a view that is fantastic. Setting on the Lakeshore of a remote lake in the Riedeau Lakes we watched the retreat of the ice. Each day it became farther from the shore. We can only imagine what ti must be like in the summer, boats, kids swimming and voices filling the air with the joyful sounds of summer. For now it is quiet, we did no hear other cars or people, we walked for 30 min and met no one. We did see a Pilated Woodpecker and a few roadkill's. Pussy-willows of all shapes and sizes graced the roadsides in this early April. Purple was the color of the weekend as i think we all had one or more projects with Purple in them. Always a wonderful time to get away and have some quiet me time with friends sewing, quilting, cooking, reading, sleeping or watching movies! It is all good. Necessary rest for the soul . Hope you all can find some of this needed time this weekend.

The Everyday

What are your everyday sights that you would miss if they were not there?

Quilt Away

It is that time again . . . . rest, reflect, rejuvenate
Time away with friends to sew, hike, read, write, sleep, paint, journal, take pictures, eat, watch movies, whatever we want to do. Time for us away from the wonderful everyday. Time that we can build up energy stores to face the every-days. Time together, time alone, time .. . .
Hope to quilt this quilt that is hanging on the line and whatever else moves me. The anticipation is the best part!

Whole Truth Part 2

I always feel saner when . . . . . If I have had some creative time. If I am well rested, fed and have had a good a walk.


When I get discouraged . . . . . . I make sure I have had enough sleep. Try to look at all that is going well. This means I literally have to sit down and make a list sometimes.

I feel Healthy when . . . . .I eat well, get enough sleep and exercise. Get outside every day.


What I thought I'd be when I grew up . . . . . .teacher or hairdresser until maybe middle school, Then I had explored more and found my current Occupation of Occupational Therapy. Then I specialized in Hand rehabilitation. CHT- Certified hand therapist

A Life Is Good AWARD from Isobelle go Lightly the Beautiful Goat

1. What would your prefect day consist of?
Hum, does a perfect day really exist? Perfect is such an overrated word.
It would involve a wonderful Breakfast- that is the best meal of the day, me thinks . . . time to be creative and reflective, getting messy with the creative part - never a good day without paint/ink on the hands. It would involve time spent outside, walking, garden, sketch . . . . time to sit quietly read, knit . . . and time spent with those I love.

2. How would you describe yourself if you were an item of clothing?
I have never thought of myself as a piece of clothing. This is interesting to think about.
I think - perhaps a very warm comfortable sweater or some one of a kind handmade something. I really need to give this some more thought.

3. What hobbies are you currently working on?
Quilting, Knitting a hooded zippered Jacket, Dress for my daughter, mixed media, art journal, garden

4. Walking in the woods in wellies or bare foot on the beach?
Definitely walking in Wellies in the woods!!
Beach is ok but definitely not my first choice. Not to interested in all the sun, heat and humidity of the beach. Love the beach early AM or twilight not midday.

5. Have you ever hugged or sang to a tree?

Hugged a tree yes.

6. Growing your own veggies or nipping to the supermarket?
A hybrid of both. We grow peas, beans, Squash, Tomatoes, broccoli, . . . .
but usually buy cukes, asparagus, artichokes, peppers. . . . . .

7. Have you found anyone exciting in your family tree?

Not that I am aware of. My mom & dad go back in England North Hampton and Sheffield
The other Grand parents are England and Holland.
My grandfather used to say we were related to Mary Jemison- the White woman of the Genesee. ( we are not, but it was a great story as a kid)

8. Slap up meal in a posh restaurant or fish 'n' chips from the wrapper?

Fish 'n' chips from the wrapper kinda girl. Cheese 'n' crackers in a wayside park are a favorite meal.

9. Which element do you most resonate with, Earth, Air, Fire or water?

Earth, no desire to fly like Isobelle

10. Do you believe in fairy's?

Most definitely. Many a fairy house built over the years!!

Sugaring at Watson Homestead

Weekend of fun and time outdoors in the woods with New friends and Old friends. Collecting Sap, tapping trees, boiling sap to Syrup. Working on fun construction projects!! Wonderful weekend away- however short it may be.

This moment . . . .

Postcard Swap

So these are the Postcards I did for the PostCard swap sponsored by iHanna

I started with a large piece of posterboard that I treated like a "Masterboard" I applied watercolor, acrylics, decoupaged some pattern tissues and magazine cut outs. I then cut it up into individual 4-6 cards and started to individually create. Some I Punched out the painted area so that part of the postcard I mounted them on showed through. I stamped on them with Stazon ink, applied more paint and custom decoupaged more items on them. Finally I used my sewing machine to stitch each painted card to an old Postcard. I bought like 100 for 1.00 at a garage sale in the fall.


Sorry this last photo is vertical when it should be horizontal. Hopefully you can still get an idea of what the postcards looked like.

I totally loved doing this. I have received 6 postcards so far and I will post them next. They are from both the USA and Norway, Great Britain so far. I would definitely do this again.

Walking Quotes

Walking: One asks what I do to relieve stress- have a lot of that these days . . . . the answer is simple, I walk. ( well eat too:) )






If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk. ~Raymond Inmon


A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world. ~Paul Dudley White


Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow. ~Henry David Thoreau

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~John Muir


Thoughts come clearly while one walks. ~Thomas Mann


In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~John Muir


Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it. ~Soren Kierkegaard

Off the needles

Well the brown one I made from here called a chunky Beanie, On the right side of her blog is a spot for Knitting patterns of hers. Look there. I made it out of a nice soft Alpaca for my husband but he did not like it at all so it needs to find a new home.

The colorful one on the bottom, my daughter made, I finished the crown a little bit for her. It was made from One skein of Nepal on Circular needles. It was a fast knit for sure.

Both of these hats fit very nicely and are easy to make.

Messy parts of Holiday

The Holidays are not without the messy parts.
All the baking, pans, flour, sugar . . . . then the wrapping, ribbon, tape and paper scraps . . . . the card sending, envelopes, letters, stickers, stamps, It can create quite a messy area when you have it all out.
I would not trade any of it.
Sometimes I would like more space out of the public eye for some of the mess but that is all. The rest can stay as it is part of what makes it all a whole. It is the preparation, the waiting, the hurrying. it is almost here are you ready?