Update on my kids

Courtney turned 30 and started a new job with real adult pay and responsibilities.

Emory is pursuing a new career in film and traveling.

Samantha is finishing up her junior year and is college hunting.

Ancestor day

This is a love story.  In our country we really don't have a ceremony to honor our ancestors.  Today's a day in other countries where they honor the dead.  Those who have crossed over the veil.  I love and miss my family who are in Heaven, but I rejoice in the love, teachings and blessings that they have left me.  I wouldn't be me if it wasn't for them.  They live in the faces and actions of my children so I get to experience their energy everyday.  So today I celebrate them because if they didn't have the courage to love I wouldn't be here.

Building a Life and a Business at the Beach

Here's the story of Year 1 of Island Living!

When I arrived at the beach last August, I was numb.  I was slowly recuperating from a five year personal and career crisis due to illness, grief, financial & legal issues and hopelessness.  Moving to the beach was not my first choice.   My original intent for having a beach house was to have a vacation place where I could walk out my dreams of being an artist and teaching craft workshops in the summer to pay for this lifestyle.  Due to unforeseen circumstances when I sold my main home I began a journey of rebuilding a life.  I relocated from the Wash DC area to the Chicago suburbs.  The beach kept calling but I ignored it.  I left Chicago after a few months and temporarily moved to Durham, NC to get healthy and heal.  It was close to the beach, but I still wasn't healthy enough to get to the cottage that I had purchased two years earlier.  During this year I made a trip to Asheville, NC to participate in a training seminar.  My soul-sister friend who also lived at the beach attended this seminar with me.  I was using a walker and still not getting around well.  I felt shame at my physical condition but I was determined to participate in putting myself out there in the business world again.  I met a group of wonderfully supportive women entrepreneurs who I began to connect with on social media.  This gave me the mental and physical energy to go checkout my beach cottage.

I felt that I had to make a decision whether I was going to keep the cottage or let it go.  When I got to the beach that Memorial Day I reconnected with old friends and acquaintances.  This led to new introductions and my old goal of teaching crafts in the summer were realized.  I came back in July to set up a craft camp for vacationers at a local real estate company.  I planned on making my final decision at the end of the summer.  We had a hurricane in July which brought out all of my fears of being ill and unable to physically handle any emergencies that might arise living out on a sand bar in the middle of the Atlantic.  Instead, I met my new neighbors, connected with the community and had a great summer.  I still had a grey cloud hanging over my head which was pulling on my energy, (long-standing legal issues and my illnesses).   But, I was getting stronger everyday physically, spiritually and emotionally.  I was just getting ready to establish a more permanent residence in Durham when I was notified that my landlord wanted to sell the house I was renting there.  I was upset for a minute and didn't know what to do.  So, I 'Let Go and Let God!  I packed up once again for the 3rd time in a year and a half and moved to my beach cottage.  Enrolled my youngest in school, waved good bye to my son as he embarked on his own adventure and settled in.  My intent was to focus on getting healthy and putting myself on a fast track to wellness.  Then market myself to local businesses as a creative arts educator and business coach.

My daughter made friends immediately at her new school and began participating in school activities.  (Ok, check!  Happy teenager)  She came home one day and said that her friend's mother owned a gallery and was looking for a knitting teacher.  She urged (nagged) me to call her.  I was hesitant because I was still recovering, still needed a walker and not sure I could follow through because of my health issues.  I set up an appointment with Jennifer Johnson, owner/artist of Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn.

The rest is herstory!  If you've been following me on social media and my blog you will know that I have had a Great day everyday since I decided to listen to my inner wise voice and 'Let Go and Let God!'  My Beach Dreams have been manifesting themselves one-day-at-a-time.  I am so very grateful to my new community of friends, family and neighbors.  Thank you for your encouragement and support during this transformative year.  I'm looking forward to seeing what miracles this next year presents.  Peace!

Click on link to watch year video of workshops:

http://animoto.com/play/kmdQkuH0VAfnygdy3xE0AQ

July Crafting

July was a very productive and creative month at Crafty Diva Cottage.  We started off with a fashion shoot for @Arttowearhouse using the Cottage and Crafty Diva Accessories for the backdrop and props.  Had a great week with Sheila, Kim and Maddie knitting and laughing and having a great time visiting the OBX.  I was knitting, crocheting Totebags, scarves and making photo collages.  Finished off the month crocheting a fab tote during the Blue Moon.  I'm satisfied and spent at the same time.

Sheila's Birthday at Crafty Diva Cottage

Sheila and my birthdays are a month a part. When we were little our mother would throw us a joint party at the officers club and have us in matching dresses. Sheila thought that it would be great to honor our mother so she bought us matching outfits. It could have been corny but we had Soo much fun doing it! Love you Sheila!

Sheila brought her new baby Madysen to visit us at the beach. She and  Samantha had a great visit bonding as 'cousins.'

There was Lots of knitting at my home studio this week. Kimmie finished her scarf pronto and began a new project before she left. Madysen learned knitting basics. She's my first left-handed student. My sissy Sheila made her Career Girl bag. I loved having this girls in my personal space. Soo much fun

 Sheila knitted up a cross body bag (her favorite style).  So proud of my student.



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smiemot

Fiber Arts Workshop

Yesterday was a blast!  My sister Sheila and her best friend Kim came to visit us at Crafty Diva Fiber Arts Workshop at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn.  Sheila was working on her mini over the shoulder purse; Kim was renewing her knitting skills by making a blue scarf and later will make a felted Totebag; our regulars Claudia was finishing up the last few rows of her summer tee; Jenn revealed her finished projects, a light and airy summer beach shawl and her classy European style neck scarf;  Suzanne finished her big, bold, whimsical over-the-shoulder carryall.  We finished with a great lunch in Hatteras and a tour of Hatteras village with local resident Jennifer Johnson.  Come join of this summer for more fibery fun at the beach!

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.

Merry Christmas

We had a nice, peaceful Christmas.  Many Blessings and wishing peace and harmony for the new year.

Taking time to smell the sea

Yesterday and today have been topsy turvy.  Little and big things have been challenging and irritating.  I have a lot on my to-do list this week and I didn't need more interruptions.  I'm trying to find my rhythm in my new environment.  The old chaos tries to slip into my peaceful setting.  I let it for a few minutes, then I shoo it away.  No more holding onto negative thoughts and feelings.  'Shake it off.'  Well on top of that my daughter forgot something and I had to take it to her to her at school.  I was definitely grumbling and shaking inside.  I decided to 'Shake it off.'  On the way home I stopped and smelled the roses, observed the lighthouse, colorful cottages and pulled out my umbrella and stool and smelled the salty sea air.  How's that for finding a new rhythm.  'Pat's back'!

First finished Project

My baby finished her first crocheted afghan. It took only three weeks. Most of the work took place in three days. I'm so proud of her. Actually finishing something this large. I never finished my afghans that I started in high school. She's on to the next thing.

Mom & Me Crafting Vortex

As you know I have been ramping up the crafting getting ready to teach my summer workshops.  I've been crocheting, collaging, painting, writing , etc. etc!  School is out for my youngest and she is at home bored stiff.  She's going to be helping me out this summer, so she can't go to camp.  She has organized and reorganized her makeup boxes and trays.  Gone through numerous hairstyle changes and downloaded and read a couple of books already.

My oldest who is a full-fledge adult and working full time came to visit us and took her little sis to Katy Perry's summer concert.  My treat for both of them and she was helping me out.  She and I used to go to her boy band concerts in middle and high school, but since my health issues I can't go with Samantha, for now.  Luckily, even with the thirteen year age gap my daughters are becoming close friends.

While visiting Courtney asked me to teach her how to crochet.  She already knows how to knit but since her best friend and I crochet she wanted to learn.  I was teaching her how to crochet and it reminded me a little bit of teaching her how to drive her Barbie Corvette up our hill.  (Smile).   Her little sister chimed in and started crocheting like a fiend.  I forgot that I had taught her (my craft buddy) a few years ago.  Courtney was perplexed that Samantha remembered and was going so fast.

Now, both my daughters have a lot in common, both are sassy, snarky, smart, intuitive, confident and have a wicked wit and sense of humor.  They also are very loving, generous, considerate and creative.  Samantha is an artist through and through.  Courtney is a prolific writer and very tech savvy.  I wouldn't call them crafters though.  They like traditional, non frilly, conservative clothing and decor with a label.  They do not like my 'Artsiphartsi' style.  Courtney loves Lily Pulitzer and Vera Bradley. Samantha is all glam and MAC.

Courtney texted me the next day after work and sent me a picture of yarn and needles in a shopping basket.  She was in the craft store buying supplies to make a afghan.  Hold up!  what's going on here is this my daughter?  Then Samantha asked me for yarn and began crocheting.  Like a Fiend, up all night and using up every bit of extra neon yarn that I had.  Next, she wanted to tie dye tees.  Now I have two craft buddies.  I can't believe their color choices.  (A little Crafty Diva influence?)

After all these years we are crafting again. I guess the family that 'crafts together, stays together.'

My Craft Buddy

My Craft Buddy is gone:  just a few short years ago I couldn't craft in peace.  I had a little craft buddy who wanted to learn every craft that I did.  I could count on her to quickly capture the new technique and make it her own.  She began knitting at age 2 mastered it by age 5, channeling ancient potters at age 31/2 and sewing, weaving, drawing by third grade.  We loved sick days and snow days, the perfect time for mom & me crafting.

 She was marketing and demonstrating for me at craft shows.  Now she is gone.  She's moved on to creating flawless makeup and hair selfies, dying and styling her own hair and her friends hair, turning my kitchen into a beauty salon, and frequenting the MAC counter for 'just one more lipstick, please!'  She has perfected the perfect eye liner and lashes, she's the go to girl for getting a makeover.  Sometimes I can get her to reluctantly model my knitwear designs.  It must be 'selfie' style though.  She can't stand my 'itchy' yarn and bright colors.

 But, last night she came back for a minute.  We had terrible storms and I was working on my neon granny throw to calm my nerves.  When she came into my room I was surprised to hear 'Mom, wow, how long have you been working on that I love it!'  I realized then that my Craft Buddy hadn't gone anywhere she just moved on to a new phase.  Which I call 21st century 'Glam Crafting'.  (Also, she's been influenced by Watching too much Bravo.)

A Neon Easter

After spending a wonderful Easter weekend with my family and friends it was time to decompress and get back to business.  I mulled over and over and over the chart on the right.  My health is progressing and I am healing, but much slower than I want too.  I want to jump right into my purpose and passion.  I can't do it now it would be like jumping in with two left feet.  The foundation is weak, I don't want to build a new empire on a weak foundation.  So, I have to focus on healing and building a new sound structure for living.  

After being in my head for a few days I picked up the knitting needles and crochet hook and continued creating new fabric.  The funny thing is I am a yarn junkie.  Only handspun, hand dyed artisan(very expensive) yarn works for me.  I love, love, love it!!  My family NEVER wants me to knit or crochet anything for them.  They say the yarn smells, is too scratchy and too colorful.  So, this year I bought some craft store yarn (as I held my nose) that my daughters liked and made them berets, cowls and gloves this year.  They loved the cheap non-verigated yarn.  My sister came and loved them too.  What? 

 Now, this cold winter I changed the colors in my room.  Very bright, vibrant and almost neon.  I bought cheap neon craft store yarn (only because I love neon).  Then decided to make two traditional afghans with these very contemporary colors.  They would knit/crochet up fast on large needles.   The yarn is washable (since the dog lays on my bed) and was a perfect match with my bedspread and curtains.  Over Easter my eldest daughter, my sister and my son (wow) put in a request for these neon colors.  I was floored!  How could they!  I have shelves brimming with gourmet designer yarns (and I do mean brimming) and they want $3.25(on sale) craft acrylic yarn.

I was stunned to say the least. 

 But, as I always told my kids while they were in school and they questioned their teachers, 'give the people what they want'!  

Mom and Me Time

There are many roles that I have taken on in this lifetime, daughter, sister, student, entrepreneur, artist, wife and mother.  The one role that I feel is truly my life purpose is that of a mother.  I have been a single mother for the past fifteen years.  There are a lot of challenges involved, lack of sleep, lack of help, lack of energy, lack of time, lack of support you can go on and on and on with the lack song.  There is one thing that you have an abundance of and that is Love!  Love from your children and Love for your children.  There are many times that I wanted peace and quiet to be left alone.  But, the kids continue to push the boundaries and insist that their presence be known. Finally,  I stop whatever I thought was important and cave into the hugs and kisses and the 'I love you mommy's'.  They make the 'lack song' go away and my heart sings a new song of 'Love and Joy.'

For most of my life I have been using journaling and intuitive collage to express myself.  Here is a collage that I made that represents 'motherhood' to me.

For throwback Thursday here is a picture taken during my first year of single motherhood about 15 years ago.  P.S.  my two youngest children were born around valentines day.  How about that for Love!

Snow day

Snow day in the south.  Or, rather ice...

Mama's Chair

No family room is complete without a space for Mama to relax, regroup, read and create.  This is my new space.  I finally have a comfy, cozy chair all to myself.  For the past 27 years I've shared all of my sitting spaces with wiggly arms, legs, hugs and kisses.  But now that my kids are almost 'growed up' I have my chair all to myself.  It feels strange, spacious and scary all at the same time.  This is my new space of the future where I'll sit, dream, nap, knit, read, chat and contemplate new beginnings.