"How do you make something with two sticks and string?" a kid asked me amazed that anything could come from such simple means. This thought runs through my own mind every time I see the crochet/knitting that my family members can knock out. Beautiful creations that began as balls of string. I decided this year, I would learn.
So after a quick introduction from my mom-in-law, I have set out to conquer this by loom and by hand. Good luck to my fellow gonnabe knitters...my sis-in-law and my aunts who have all said they are also ready to learn! And to my 4 year old niece who literally found two sticks and was ready to go. This should be fun!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Operation 2012: UFOs Challenge
I'm not big on New Year Resolutions. Why? Because, we try to add new things to our already long list of things we haven't been able to fit into our lives and then wonder why we give up so easily within days, weeks, or the month. So this year, I am approaching it differently. The following is my UFO (UnFinished Objects/projects) list (probably the short version). There is no way this will get done in 1 year (it hasn't in the last 2), but that's where the challenge lies. How much can I get done?
- Land a Teaching Job
Blue bathroom/painting(1/10)Blue Bathroom curtains & shelves(2/15)Ceiling Fan installs- Mother Goose Quilt
- Monday's Child Baby Quilt
- Celtic Christmas Counted CrossStitch
- Pink bathroom/painting
- Pink bathroom/artwork
- Front patio/painting
Front patio/replace concrete blocks(7/22)Front patio/herb garden(7/25)- Den/Mural & wall painting
- Den/Redo bar
Back Door/painting(5/30)- Family Tree art piece
- Fine Art portfolio (20 pieces)
- Lvg Rm/painting
- Lvg Rm/artwork
- Kitchen/painting
- Kid's Rms/painting
- Kid's Rms/Storage
- Kid's Rm/closet/painting
Kid's Rm/flooring(12/21)- Mstr Bdrm/painting
- Mstr Bdrm/rework
- Bushes & tree removal
Clean garage(5/29)(12/14)Learn to knit(2/13)- Christmas Stockings Redo
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Merry Christmas!
This time of year like many is my favorite time of year filled with wonder and playfulness! Things the rest of the year seem to lack. Do me a favor this Christmas as you gather with friends and family let go of the negative and focus on the blessings that each person offers to you. Don't worry if they can do a single thing for you, but consider what you can do to make them smile or laugh, or how to offer hope. Encourage their dreams and enjoy their presence. Reminisce on what you have meant to each other and demonstrate your love in active ways, not just in gift giving but by seeing them as they are in the moment. And then continue this into the new year!
To all my blessings out there... Merry Christmas!
To all my blessings out there... Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Since Last We Met...
It has been a month since I last posted and it has been a fight to get back to you. As each new thing gets marked off my to do list, I have this sense of "This is really happening!" I am just in awe of the transformation to the point I've been in a paralytic state when it comes to getting in my studio. Perhaps it's because all my excuses are gone. I finally have a space where I can work without having to pack up and put away everything just to function as a family. That my collection of art supplies that has been building up over the years now has a home and that I can now organize and work to complete my overwhelming list of UFOs.
Whatever it may have been, I am to the point where the real fight begins and the dream becomes my reality. What I discover beyond my looking glass is what this blog is all about! I hope you will join me.
Whatever it may have been, I am to the point where the real fight begins and the dream becomes my reality. What I discover beyond my looking glass is what this blog is all about! I hope you will join me.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Exposure
Exposure n.: a prominent, often overextended position or commitment that is considered precarious and risky.
Like any journey to realize one's dreams, there comes a moment when you have to step out of the comfort zone and take that next step. This weekend presented such a moment.
At last year's Texas Art Education Assoc.'s conference, they had presented each of the members a sketchbook. The challenge... work in it and bring it back to share with others at this year's meeting. I committed myself to doing something that would be worthy of laying it out before a jury of my peers, but when the day came to hand it over I almost backed down. It's been my pattern for a long time, I will confess. I stood there debating with myself on how risky this was. But with a few reservations from my gremlin (aka that little voice in your head that says you can't do certain things), I handed it over to the lady behind the booth.
I'm glad I did. Out of hundreds of members, I was one of the 30 or so brave souls who did. It was by no means in the same realm as many of the more experienced artist/educators (according to my gremlin), but it was mine and it was out there for all to see. I even saw a couple of people photographing a page or two.
One step after another: I am attaching a select few of those pages with this post. Most of which were my solutions to a few sketchbook suggestions for middle school students and some of my own creations. Hope you enjoy.
If I can take that next step, so can you... what is that next step for you to move toward your dreams?
Like any journey to realize one's dreams, there comes a moment when you have to step out of the comfort zone and take that next step. This weekend presented such a moment.
At last year's Texas Art Education Assoc.'s conference, they had presented each of the members a sketchbook. The challenge... work in it and bring it back to share with others at this year's meeting. I committed myself to doing something that would be worthy of laying it out before a jury of my peers, but when the day came to hand it over I almost backed down. It's been my pattern for a long time, I will confess. I stood there debating with myself on how risky this was. But with a few reservations from my gremlin (aka that little voice in your head that says you can't do certain things), I handed it over to the lady behind the booth.
I'm glad I did. Out of hundreds of members, I was one of the 30 or so brave souls who did. It was by no means in the same realm as many of the more experienced artist/educators (according to my gremlin), but it was mine and it was out there for all to see. I even saw a couple of people photographing a page or two.
One step after another: I am attaching a select few of those pages with this post. Most of which were my solutions to a few sketchbook suggestions for middle school students and some of my own creations. Hope you enjoy.
If I can take that next step, so can you... what is that next step for you to move toward your dreams?
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Hope
HOPE - The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best!
It's seems to be the word of the day... it's popped up in several places this morning and keeps jumping out at me. I had a student who seemed to have given up on life and in my feeble attempt to encourage her to reach for her dreams. She struck back with "It's not easy!" I don't remember what I said after that but her response sits in my mind. All I can think is "No, it's not. You have to fight for it."
More recently, I had a chance to work with a great bunch of middle school kids in an art room. They would say about their artwork, "I don't like it, Miss!" My response to them was, "You're the artist and the only one who can change it. I can't do it for you." And a light would come on in their eyes.
In creating artwork, I have come to realize that mistakes don't exist. What we call mistakes should be referred to as unforeseen opportunities. They offer us a choice on how to proceed. Like in art, these opportunities add depth to the person we are becoming... so it is in this that I would like to offer my readers a little bit of hope...
Dreams are not easy, but they are worth fighting for. Show up and seize your opportunities, foreseen or not.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
It's seems to be the word of the day... it's popped up in several places this morning and keeps jumping out at me. I had a student who seemed to have given up on life and in my feeble attempt to encourage her to reach for her dreams. She struck back with "It's not easy!" I don't remember what I said after that but her response sits in my mind. All I can think is "No, it's not. You have to fight for it."
More recently, I had a chance to work with a great bunch of middle school kids in an art room. They would say about their artwork, "I don't like it, Miss!" My response to them was, "You're the artist and the only one who can change it. I can't do it for you." And a light would come on in their eyes.
In creating artwork, I have come to realize that mistakes don't exist. What we call mistakes should be referred to as unforeseen opportunities. They offer us a choice on how to proceed. Like in art, these opportunities add depth to the person we are becoming... so it is in this that I would like to offer my readers a little bit of hope...
Dreams are not easy, but they are worth fighting for. Show up and seize your opportunities, foreseen or not.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Tomorrow?
Tomorrow is the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. I have been listening to the stories of those touched most directly by the lives lost that day, those who are losing everything in the fires consuming Texas, and those affected by flooding along the upper east coast and it made me wonder "what would I change if I were to have my own unthinkable moment?" But not only that, but how should I live knowing that moment could strike at any time.
My top 3 things to change would be the following: 1) Spend as much time with my children making memories; 2) Quit making excuses and putting off my life in the here and now; 3) Downsize the amount of meaningless stuff in my possession as much as possible.
How would you live life differently tomorrow? What is it you consider valuable that you would hold onto? And what would you let go?
My top 3 things to change would be the following: 1) Spend as much time with my children making memories; 2) Quit making excuses and putting off my life in the here and now; 3) Downsize the amount of meaningless stuff in my possession as much as possible.
How would you live life differently tomorrow? What is it you consider valuable that you would hold onto? And what would you let go?
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