Hats, caps and berets

There is something new on the horizon.  These pictures are just a sample of what is being done.  I am making samples of knitted and crocheted hats for a new project coming soon.  Stay tuned for the reveal.

Organizing the Studio

This is the agenda this week.  Organizing an already WELL stocked studio with more (crap) supplies!      Right now it's overwhelming, there will be a reveal later this month.  I'm going to spread out into the guest room (loom room) too.  How many balls of yarn, knitting needles, books, yards of fabric, paints and glitter does one 'craft junkie' need?

Quiet

This is what I kept busy with while adjusting to the quiet.  There's a void now for both lil sis and me. We decided to crochet these baskets.  I love the electric color.  It brightens the energy in the house.  I'm going to make more.

These are the finished baskets.

Busy work

Keeping my mind busy working on this.  Unpacked it and found only 4squares.  Four more are missing.  I can't wait to see this finished up.  I love this yarn.

Pursuing a Dream

Sixteen years ago I decided to change my life.  I had come to a place where I accepted and loved myself enough to pursue my dreams.  My dream at that time was to simplify my life, live authentically, raise my children in a more natural environment, restore my health, create art, live in a community of like-minded people and pursue a career that helped others and fed my soul.  I wanted to  own and operate a creative arts center using the proceeds from my high-tech business.  My goal was to provide a safe and creative environment where people could come and explore their own unique creativity and relax, release and restore their weary Souls.  I  wanted to inspire and mentor people in the pursuit of their goals, dreams and desires.  I felt that a place at the beach with retreats to the mountains would be healing in of itself  and locating the center in a vacation spot would be optimum.  I wanted to gather a tribe of healers, teachers, artists and coaches to teach and share at this center.

Little did I know that my own life had to come completely undone before I could fully realize this dream.  (I have now found that when you end a long cycle in your life and you want drastic change, every element that built that prior foundation has to come undone.)

Fast forward to today as I am turning 53 this week and my Soul is very weary.  My dream is on the horizon getting clearer and clearer as I release more and more of the old.  I have been stripped down to the bare minimum, my life is being forcefully simplified. (Remember the old adage, be careful what you wish for..). Nothing is as I thought it would be.  My parents, ex-husband and a couple of close friends are no longer on Earth to share my dream.  My older children are young adults and the baby I was carrying when I formed this dream is almost 16 yrs old.  My health and finances are debilitated.  My passion and energy are dulled due to medication and grieving.  But, I'm still here alive and willing to continue on.  Life has thrown me a few curves on the road to my dream, but here I am finally standing on a path of endless possibilities.  A new twist to this journey has now begun.

On the Road Again...

Here I am moving again a year later from the last one.  I'm tired yet hopeful.

Progress Report - Modern Granny Poncho

I just got back to Durham.  I'm supposed to be packing.  The yarn and my UFO projects have stalled my packing progress.  I just started this poncho in June.  I didn't work on it in July or August.  I am getting ready to pack it up.  Hopefully, I will unpack it in the next few weeks and finish it for Fall.  It's now 1/3 completed.  I'm still loving this more sophisticated color way.  This picture does not do it justice.  The sheen from the silk is gorgeous and rich.

Where I create....

I have been working in my studio this summer.  Creating art and writing workshop curriculum.  I'm dispointed that the workshops did not get filled as planned.  I'm not discouraged though.  It was fun to get prepared and relaunching my business and myself was invigorating.  I had been in a healing hibernation for the past couple of years and this year I was committed to putting myself out there.  Which I did in full imperfect glory.  Now, I have to switch gears again I am once again in the process of relocating.  The lady who owns the house that I rent in Durham has to sell it so I have to move out now.  Don't cry for me, I am taken care of.  The Universe is placing me right where I need to be.  It's scary, exciting and full of possibilities.  I'm moving into my studio, my happy place, 30 miles off the mainland on a barrier island.  It's not where I wanted to raise a teenager or live full time, but I'm ready for the experience.  Now I get to create and explore my artistic side unencumbered by time constraints.  I get to live my dream of  living the life of a real artist.  I'm looking forward to finally shedding my past and finding my own rhythm.  Stay tuned for the adventures...

This week in the studio

It's been a rainy couple of days so, I decided to paint.  I'm definitely not a fine artist.  I just love color, texture and making fabric.  So, I decided to practice drawing and painting on silk scarves.  Am I going to wear them, probably NOT!  Are there a lot of flaws, of course!  But, that's not the point.  The point is having fun and exploring different techniques.  I just love how the colors turn out and meld together to form a unique piece of art.

1st Camp Crafty Diva Workshop

I had a great first day at Camp Crafty Diva!  The Sun Realty space is nice and bright, great to give one-on-one attention to the campers.  Sue brought her nieces in for an 'Auntie & Me' crafting time.  Sofie wove a wild & woolly dream catcher, Maddie painted a silk dream catcher and Sue learned to crochet.  Come join me over at Sun Realty in Avon, Nc for more Camp Crafty Diva adventures.

Camp Crafty Diva Workshop Launch

It's Here!  Sign up NOW!

Hobbitat Village

I am in heaven aka middle earth/hobbit village.  I'm taking my son to register for college in a town where we have vacationed during the winter for  the past 12 years.  This is the first time I've been here in the summer and it's beyond gorgeous.  The mountains and farmland are breath-taking here in western Maryland.  I couldn't rent the cabins where I normally stay and during my internet search this place popped up.  Blue Moon Rising, a gorgeous sustainability, Eco friendly,  small print cabin village.    I'm Staying in Bella Donna Cabin, ala Stevie Nicks.  Cell phone is spotty.  PERFECT PLACE for my workshops.  High end sustainable cabin resort.  Pow wow event pavilion.  Straw bale main building.  14individual small footprint cabins.  Everything I was looking for out west in the four corners but found here on the east coast.  I'm very very happy right now.  Also, crafting a memory shawl while resting, relaxing and recycling.

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.

Something different

Sometimes you just have to let go and get out of your comfort zone. This color way was intended for someone else. They don't like the colors (still to girly) for them. Even though these aren't my traditional colors I could still see the beauty in them. But, as I get older I learn to let go, so after this sample 'I'm done!' Give the people what they want. I'm moving on to my color way.

Playing in the Studio

I'm still emotionally, physically and spiritually hung over from Arthur.  The energetic eye of the storm landed right on top of me and I'm trying to shake it off.  What's the best thing for me to do?  Of, course go to the studio and play.  I'm not a fine artist I love texture, color, whimsy and the mess.  When I'm creating and listening to music it makes my heart and soul sing.  Just what the Doctor ordered.  Painting, playing, singing.