Introspection-heavy thoughts

On a Yahoo group list there has been discussion lately about what each of us has accomplished during our lives, and in following The Artists' Way, I've been thinking about why I do what I do. What will happen to my art when I'm gone? Will it all end up at the thrift store? People talk about finding inspiration in emotions and events in their lives, but I find inspiration in colour. So am I less of an artist? Maybe this makes me someone who is just showing off technical skill, rather than demonstrating a deep artistic nature. What if no-one liked my art, I was never juried into shows, and I never won awards? Would my continuing creativity be unjustified and should I take up gardening? I have been wrestling with this concept for about three months now. I've decided that I must create. It is a deep-seated instinctual drive, and I should seek validation only within my own feelings. If validation comes from elsewhere, I must just accept it and keep going. So I am going to create, and my life goal is to use up my entire stash before I die. I better get started.

I need a break

I've done nothing creative for the last two days. If I don't get my act together I sure won't be ready for my sale at the end of March! Yesterday I ws really feeling awful so spent the day very quietly. I played on the computer and read. Today was pension day and we went shopping. I don't think I've ever spent so much on food so quickly before--and there's only two of us. So now we will eat very well for the month of March, but I don't think we'll be going anywhere or doing anything. Too bad, because it's my grandson's birthday in March, and I know he'll be expecting a gift. I asked his father what to get him, as I've become very predictable in giving him little robots to build. At Christmas I gave him a book as well--big mistake. Ten year olds do not want books from Grandma.

I guess I have been a little creative. I'm very busy planning ( usually at 3:00am) a box I want to make. I've planned it in my brain at least three different ways but I'm never satisfied, so never actually start making it. Now I've come up with yet another approach it. Keeps my brain active, and we all know that if you don't use it you loose it. and that goes for brains too--unless it's too late and it's lost and I never noticed. Now I'm babbling. See you tomorrow.

One down, two to go

Very busy day today. Not only did we have a guild meeting with an active UFO auction, but I taught a class in what I refer to as "Trapped Flowers". I fretted over the class and thought I was all ready, but part way through discovered I had forgotten to put a piece into the kits. They had been given an extra piece of something else, so I guess everything evened out. The class went well, everyone seemed happy, and the results were great. I was so tired when I got home that I slept for 2 hours, before supper. My dear husband cooked for me--what a treat! But now that the tension is off, my cold is back full force and I feel like c--p. In any case, now that the class is over, I can post pictures--once I get them taken that is!

Now I have two classes to teach next month. One is just a demonstration class but the other is on Journal quilts and I'm putting a lot into preparing for that. I'm getting very excited about it and hope it goes well. Liz H is helping out, and she is doing some really neat things with journal quilts. I still need to take more pictures to use as inspiration, and they will have to be developed, which will cost a bit. I took a list of class objectives to the meeting today to help people understand what we will be doing.

With feeling so rough, I haven't done any stitching today. I finished the embroidery for a box top yesterday, but I was feeling rough then, too, and I'm not sure my judgement was as good as it could be. I think the best bet might be to make three box tops and then use the two that look the best. If all three look good, I can always buy a third box. I had some post cards at the class today and was asked if I plan to bring them to sell at the quilt show boutique next April. I said I would but I really hope they are sold long before then! Building up my stock is really my priority job right now, but I'd rather be quilting! I sure wish I knew what might sell.

glad to be back

Thank you Linda! I missed the blog and the stupid thing just wounldn't let me in. I had to scare it with the big guns! That is --Linda! Now it's behaving fairly well, although the first time I tried it told me that my cookies were disabled--whatever that means!? Linda wants me to put up pictures, but the only pictures I've been taking lately have been of snow drifts. I'm trying to get enough pictures of the "wave " effect on snow to use the designs as inspiration for free motion quilting. This year there just aren't that many snow drifts. I think it's been so windy that the snow just blows away--at least what can be seen from highways and roads. I've also been taking pictures of naked trees. Those that know me, know that I have a thing for naked trees and take lots of pictures. I'm getting pretty good at free motion threadpainting of these trees too.

Another reason that I don't have a lot of pictues is the time it takes me to complete a piece. Most of my work involves hand stitching, and this takes time. One piece I'm working on now will take about 4000 beads--all sewn down by hand. I don't think I'm going to finish that one in a hurry!

I have also been reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Wow! Any of you who have been struggling with your creative side--in any field-- should take a look at this. I can't believe how much it's changing my life, and I'm just on chapter 3!

So, I'll try to take some pictures and try ot get them on the blog. I have some instructions, but they were for the old blog and I'll h\just have to see if they work.

Hello Again

After a hiatus, I'm finally back. I can't get in to my old blog (not that it was that old to begin with as I was just getting started), so my friend Linda created this new account for me. This way if I forget my password or how to get in, hopefully Linda will be able to access the account from her place.