Stitching My Story

2011 Art Book (re)Read of the Month: March

January 2011: The Confident Creative by Cat Bennett

February 2011: The View from the Studio Door by Ted Orland

March 2011: The Art Spirit by Robert Henri

"The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable."

~Robert Henri

Contemplating Another Degree....

With my textile degree finished and my graphic design program only needing another year, I am thinking ahead... wondering about getting my master's degree. I've sent for a bunch of catalogs and am having a blast reading and dreaming about the possibilities.

Ready or Not.... Here comes 2011!

 

My word for 2011 is:

BREATHE.

I need to remember to stay present in the moment... to slow down and be mindful.

 

My motto for 2011 is:  

REMEMBER WHO YOU WANTED TO BE.

 
2010 was a year of significant changes (understatement... understatement.... understatement). Some of these changes led me off of my intended and authentic path. I was having trouble recognizing myself there for a while, but I think things are headed back in a good direction.

 

My GOALS for 2011 are:

1. Begin classes for my Graphic Design degree.

Textiles will always be my first love but, in five days, I start on my graphic design degree. I can't wait!

2. Maintain my current fitness level... and build on it.

2010 saw major improvements over the previous year in my dedication to running regularly (I just heard my running buddies snicker. I am referring to the past YEAR... not the past week). This year I want to hold onto that momentum and build on it. I want to work up to one weekly long run of 10 to 15 miles.... most weeks.

3. Participate in the Sketchbook Challenge.

This should fit in nicely with my other goals, don't you think?

4. Complete the 2011 reading list that my friend Debbie and I decided on.

  This is January's selection... More titles to come!

5. Come together CREATIVELY more often with other people.

Some ideas so far: going to ARTFEST in April, joining a knitting group (hear that BFF?), volunteering at the local arts organization, taking felting classes with Cindy, Betsey, and Hilary when she is in town, maybe finding my way back to a quilt guild meeting or two. I love the quiet and safety of my studio, but I think I need to step out a little.

6. WRITE WRITE WRITE

I am committing to writing 3-5 days a week. No excuses. Butt in chair... middle-aged-reading-glasses on nose (I bought five pair last night)... pencil in hand. This is actually the hardest goal to put down on the list. It makes me want to run and hide under a blanket. It's the goal that is MOST outside of my comfort zone. (p.s. it doesn't have to be A LOT of writing to count... whew... typing that part made me feel better).

7. Say YES to family.

Dad's death was a painful reminder that time together on the planet is finite and precious. As a friend once wisely told me, "keep the main thing, the main thing".

Dear DC and the Units...

You are, and will always be, the main thing.

8. Drink more water.

This one sounds the simplest, and may actually end up being the hardest.

I do love my diet coke *sigh*

9. Make sure my BFF knows that she is INDISPENSABLE, IRREPLACEABLE and LOVED beyond measure.

Honestly... I hit the jackpot in the best friend department. I can't imagine doing this life without you, Cindy.

"zo"

10. Take good care of dear cowboy.

This man has gone over and above the call of duty this past year. Losing dad and job changes made being my husband in 2010 a WEE bit challenging (understatement... understatement.... understatement). I'm going to try to do a better job of being a fully functioning HALF of our team this year. I love you, DC.

I am wishing you a happy, healthy, creative new year.

A Painted Canvas Journal...

One of my goals for fall has been to spend 15 minutes daily drawing and writing. Sometimes it's easy and I do more... sometimes the "15:15" staring up at me from my daily to-do list FoRcEs the marks onto the pages of my journal. Either way, I find that following through on the commitment changes how I feel about my day much the same way running does. I feel a sense of accomplishment and my busy head quiets a little bit.

I made this journal with nice heavy pages. It holds a pencil and pen for both drawing and writing. Tossed in my bag, I am ready for my daily tasks anytime.

Wanna join me? It doesn't have to be drawing or writing, and it doesn't have to be two different activities. My BFF committed to 15 minutes of piano practice a day.

How would you fill 15 minutes?

The YES List....

If I'm remembering correctly, it was a long ago Oprah show that got me hooked on the idea of YES lists (who else could get a girl hooked on something like this?!). Basically, you chose five items that you will say YES to whole-heartedly. If something comes up and it isn't directly related to one of the items on the list, it needs to be carefully considered before making a commitment of any sort.

At the time, I was a mom to four wee ones and I was spread pretty thin. These lists provided me with a way to prioritize and focus my time and energy. I still love YES lists, and I've continued to make them over the years. They help keep me from taking on projects and activities that I don't realistically have a spot in my day for. It doesn't mean that something not on the list doesn't get my attention or that it's not important, it just means I THINK before saying yes to it.

Despite various plays on words, most of the lists I've written over the years are basically the same...

DC {dear cowboy} and the Units {my four children}

Creativity and Stitching

Health and fitness

Financial Stability

and Home

This quilt design is taken from a YES list doodle in one of my journals. 

What five things would you put on your YES list?

 

   

“The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

by S. Covey

Everyday Reminders...

If an Exercise Hurts....

Work is not working. I don't even recognize myself. Changes are coming......

My word to focus on for 2007....

BALANCE


"Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life--learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some."

Robert Fulghum

Happy New Year!!!

~2007 Resolutions~

1. Beef up by hitting the gym regularly... I want MUSCLE and lots of it!!!
2. Make a journal quilt EVERY single month with the theme of: the first year in our new house (if you don't see one posted by the end of each month, please e-mail me and ask where the heck it's at)
3. Learn to solder like a pro (I bought new solder and flux yesterday... I'm going for smoooooooth)
4. Run at least 1000 miles (down from last year's goal, but I need a realistic number to go with a full time work schedule)
   
5. Blog regularly.... Though not as "hands on" as visual journaling, this is my true-blue jOuRnAL and I want it to go on and on and on.
6. Get in the habit of eating healthy again: drink more water, get my sugar cravings under control, and make dinner for REAL (something I've found hard to do since starting work in September).
7. Clean out and pare down...... Less STUFF.... One closet, cupboard, cubby, container, pocket, bag, room, drawer, etc. at a time.

My main goal for the coming few months is to find BaLaNcE. I need to fit work in without letting it take over everything else.... including momming, gurlfriending, running, wife-ing, creating...... I'm not quite sure how I'm going to do this yet, but I am determined to find a way.

Someone is reading my mind and posting it on her blog....

I can so relate to this post.... and I think the first comment left is truly beautiful and inspiring.


"Tracy.... Where did you go?"

My new mantra:
JUST DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING

I really do like my job. I just feel as though the things that I have happily defined myself by for so long have faded into the background. It's a little scary and more than a little disorienting.