Some Purple Passion

I've been very creatively challenged for many months now. It seems I've lost my desire to create. You have no idea how hard that statement is for me to make. I have always created and have always HAD to create. It's just who I've always been and what I've always done.

I'm not sure - but I think I got to a point in my wool work where I was feeling like I was just pumping out product because I had to - not because I was enjoying it. I work a full-time job in addition to working my creations. I'm not using that as an excuse - because many other people do the same - but I think I just became exhausted and burned out.

While cleaning through some things a couple weeks ago, I ran across some of my first wool experiential pieces. When I looked at them, they were all individual pieces - nothing amazing or earth-shattering, but what many of them had in common was the extra detailed work.

Suddenly it hit me - maybe what I'm missing is not the creating - but perhaps the enjoyment of relaxing, spending as long as I needed on each piece, and the joy of putting more detailed, loving care into each item.

I'm going to move forward trying to balance the need-to-get-done and the want-to-spend-time-on pieces. There is enjoyment in both. With balance.

Anyway....here's a little peek at one of my first items - a small clutch/coin bag. I hand embroidered flowers and leaves on the front and the word "Grow" on the back with simple blanket-stitching around the entire piece. I still love the great shades of purple. [Well, duh, of course I would. :-)]

The Red Bowl - Wool Heart Version

I ran across some wool hearts that I knitted [is that a word?] and felted some time ago. I thought they might be fun to see in the red bowl series and I just couldn't wait until Valentine's Day!

Excuses

I've been struggling for quite some time with health issues. Nothing life-threatening, but debilitating to me. I've barely had energy to do my basic duties let alone giving myself time to let my creative self live.

I'm working really hard to overcome this down time in my recent life and will continue to do so. But I just read this tonight and it screamed "YES" to me. I'm tired. Yes. But I'm more tired of making excuses for not living life the way I want to.

I'm going to do my very best to pull myself back around and get back to my normal self.

PS. Stayed tuned - I did a little cleaning this past weekend (yes, it's STILL my year-to-clear!) - and I found some of my first wool work. I plan on sharing a few of the pieces with you. Oh....and the Red Bowl Series will be back!

Here a Bomb, There a Bomb

I love yarn bombing. It's strange. It's odd. It's interesting. It's fun. It's playful. And it often makes me smile.

But this is one yarn bomb I certainly never expected to see. A plane....bombed.

Black and White Mysteries

Help me. I've been totally hijacked this weekend. I've been held hostage by a Perry Mason weekend marathon.

I don't know what it is about the old black and white shows - but I just love them. I love the feel, the styles, the decor, the fashion, the innocence. Knowing that everything done today is because of the talent that paved the way.

I've enjoyed seeing familiar actors on the many episodes - and even had to refer to the web to figure out who some of them were. Oh my - the one that was most fun to see was a quite young, clean-shaven Ken Curtis. Who knew?

Loss of a Good Friend

My heart is so sad today. My loyal friend, Charlotte, was sent to a restful sleep this afternoon. An early morning visit to the doctor found multiple health issues with my 12 1/2 year old girl. 

I had to make an extremely difficult decision - but the doctor assured me that it was the right one to make at this point in her life. She's been a very good friend and companion to me and I will miss her terribly.

I snapped her photo this morning before we left home. I must have had a feeling deep in my heart that I may not have another opportunity to do so. Now I have to begin my journey of adapting to a very suddenly quiet and empty home. 

Fit for a Princess

I saw this adorable little crown in one of the latest issues of Mollie Makes. [I do so love that magazine!]

So...I couldn't help but think of a friend of mine who loves to be a princess [I previously made her an all-wool full-size crown!] and knew I had to make her a finger-puppet crown as well. It stands 1/2" high and fits wonderfully on my index finger.

My friend, Sally, lives in another state - and I haven't sent her the royal crown yet - but I'll have to get it in the mail to her soon. Most likely, her finger is feeling quite naked without it.