Fiber Arts Workshop

We had a exciting morning at our Fiber Arts Workshop at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn. We learned how to make sample swatches for our new T-shirt projects. A new to the group knitter and crocheter Lynn joined us. Even Jenn was able to come knit with us. Suzanne was back from her travels abroad with tales of shopping in Provence. A group of artist from Fairfax County, Va were down shopping at the gallery. We chatted about all the people we knew in common in NOVA. The weather was great with lots of kite surfers and wind surfers at the sound. Claudia and Jane modeled their completed elegant shawls. All was good!

Samples for Camp

I spent an enjoyable time hard at work designing, creating and crafting samples for this Summer's Camp Crafty Diva which will be held at Blue Pelican Gallery & Gifts.  Stay tuned for more info.  The weather was gorgeous, just the right temperature to make and create on Jenn's beautiful porch.  Melissa the store manager was very helpful and attempted to make a sample, but we got a lot of customers.  As I was running out of ideas my 'Crafting Buddy'  Suzanne showed up and got right to work creating cloth.  We had a great rest of the afternoon crafting and creating.

Earth Day

Spent an enjoyable day with my friend Laurell exploring up the beach and visiting a garden center. We spent time collaborating and planning garden designs, pergolas and dream decks and pools. We were looking for flowering plants that enhanced nature and were non toxic to bees and butterflies. A great way to spend Earth Day.

I got my great love of gardening and flowers from my father and grandfather.  My grandfather was passionate about his extensive gardens.  Flowers, fruits and vegetables were planted every session.  I loved helping him in the garden during our summer visits.  My grandmother canned and froze all of their harvests.  My sister and I loved to help her out in the kitchen.  So I honor my 'Pop pop' on this Earth Day for instilling in me my love and appreciation for our planet.  Thanks to my cousin Jackie Sandole for sending me this new found picture of my Pop pop with my cousins many moons ago. Peace!

Fiber Arts Workshop

We had a wonderful time porch knitting this morning at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn.  There was a cool sea breeze and the birds were singing.  We were finishing up our summery triangle shawls and putting on the fringe.  Next week we will be modeling them and starting new warm weather knitting projects.  Looks like Jennifer Johnson has received a new shipment of goodies. Stop by and join us next week.

Fiber Arts Workshop

Jane and I had a great time knitting and swapping stories on Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn screened in porch.  It rained a little, the sun was shining, then more rain.  We had lots of visitors today.  Vacationers out gallery hopping.  She's almost finished with her fabulous ribbon yarn shawl.  We missed the others in the group but we had a great bonding time today.

A little off kilter

 We are already 13 days into April.  Time flys!  I have not been feeling myself these days.  I went out into the real world for a few days and got over stimulated.  My creativity is on hold.  I don't feel crafty or creative.  I feel peaceful and zen.  Enjoying the NOW.  My house is clean and organized for the most part EXCEPT my studio.  It's a creative mess.  Over the winter I brought things out of my storage unit to inventory for my summer camp projects.  My studio is small and narrow.  I LOVE it!  But, I haven't been able to get it clean or organized because it's been so cold out there.  Freezing cold in fact.  I didn't buy a heater to put out there.  Makes me nervous with all of that fiber.  Now that it's warm it's time to get in there and clean it up. I'm a Virgo so I need organized surroundings in order to calm down and create.  This winter I have been sitting in my comfy chair in the living room crafting and reading or painting at the kitchen table.  My soul is screaming to get out to my studio where all of my creative stimuli is stored.  For now I'm going to sit in my chair and finish off my Noro sweater.  Stayed tuned.

Bloom where you are planted

Change is in the air.  I have been living, creating, teaching and healing in my dream environment, my colorful cottage (on an 'at times' almost deserted island Jan - Mar) since September 2014.  I had only vacationed on my island during the holidays so I didn't know what island living was like year round.  I got the chance Easter weekend to travel to Richmond to meet family members and a new addition to our family.  I was in Heaven for 6 hours Malls, high end town centers, Barnes n Nobles, Craft stores , 5 star restaurants and whole foods store.  New houses, apartments urban centers etc.  You get it.  Normal day to day affluent american suburban life.  I hadn't experienced it in a while,  by day two I was 'I'm not missing much', day three 'I've had enough', day four 'I'm so over this' take me home.  I had a great few days visiting my oldest and my sister and her new daughter.  My middle and my youngest were home at the beach working during spring break.  (That's what island kids do, serve the vacationers over the holidays).  So I was by myself just a little bit.  I got a chance to breathe and reassess my life and the direction that I am now taking.   I realized that I don't miss my old life and my new life is just beginning.  I drove home yesterday through a deep and heavy fog, (the weather that is) going over bridges and feeling like I was moving into another dimension.  When I got to my village 'tada' the sun was shining.  These pictures sum up what I'm feeling today peaceful and content where I am and emotionally, spiritually and physically processing all the overstimulation I received by traveling in the "real world."  Nala is processing my new energy too.  She didn't sleep well while I was gone.  I feel like I'm the verge of a Grand New Adventure.  I can't wait to see how it unfolds.  My motto is 'Bloom where you are planted,' for now I am planted here.