Tuesday 26 November 2013

soft and hard edges

Since these next few pictures were taken, we've had a bit of snow, just a bit.

It was so nice to see the morning sun rising that I ran out to catch these shots.
 The glare created a metaphorically pink bubble on the lens which I thought was rather fitting for the state of mind I was in.
 
Turning, I could see the silhouette of our property in shadow across the street,
 garage on the left, house on the right, and the chimney of Forget-Me-Not Cabin in the middle
 
The next day brought the clouds that would bring the snow.
 
the roiling sky.
 
I'm still working on an embroidery in thread on paper in my altered book that I started last week with a day off yesterday. Today will be day 5 and I must say, I'm ready to move on, but won't until I've tied up...a few loose ends. Oh those puns keep coming. I've got so many ideas I'd like to jump into. But this piece needs some attention before I abandon it altogether. I seem to get into these endless projects sometimes. They usually happen when I jump in without much direction, hoping somehow they'll come together, but often have inherent problems like the fact that this is way out of my comfort zone with the geometrics and hard edges.
 
Day 2
I'll show you more soon

 

Keeping peace in our hearts,
I wish you love


Wednesday 20 November 2013

a pale November sky


It's been trying to snow. That makes me happy.
There is a spot in my heart for the first snow. There are so many false starts here that I get to savour that feeling a few times...

The following pictures are from the book I have been playing in or "altering":

weaving and cutting out
 
more weaving with stitching
 and then some freehand embroidery with a stamp on the gessoed text
 
the back of the same embroidered page with a blurry stamp that I gessoed over
and a facing page, gessoed as well, waiting for inspiration
 
embroidering an older piece that I abandoned last winter
as I wait for the gesso to dry and more inspiration to come
 
Quiet, reflective work
a crow flies by the bare branches of the ash tree
a pale November sky
I smile for you
 

Saturday 16 November 2013

altering


Two weeks! How lax I've become, as all I seem to care about these days is my latest explorations in my new old altered book. This "New Edition" of "The Collector's Manual" was printed in November 1935. That's 78 years ago! I am amazed at both the world and myself that these books have been considered "throw-aways", and that I have come to this point in my life where I can take advantage of this fact rather than trying to save every book that comes into my care. This is part of the life-changing that I inferred at the end of my last post, for I do, indeed, feel richer each time I embrace reality rather than fighting it.
 


There is such a grace to November, robed in her gentle grays that bring vivid contrast
 to the warm colours that remain after the wind and rain,
broken open to her golden heart in the light of early morning.
 
 the Spiritual Laws of the Universe
as defined by Deepak Chopra
 
 
  • The Law of Pure Potentiality
  • Take time to be silent, to just BE. Meditate for 30 minutes twice a day. Silently witness the intelligence within every living thing. Practice non-judgment.
    • The Law of Giving
    Today, bring whoever you encounter a gift: a compliment or flower. Gratefully receive gifts. Keep wealth circulating by giving and receiving care, affection, appreciation and love.
    • The Law of Karma
    Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind. Choosing actions that bring happiness and success to others ensures the flow of happiness and success to you.
    • The Law of Least Effort
    Accept people, situations, and events as they occur. Take responsibility for your situation and for all events seen as problems. Relinquish the need to defend your point of view.
    • The Law of Intention and Desire
    Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment. Make a list of desires. Trust that when things don’t seem to go your way, there is a reason.
    • The Law of Detachment
    Allow yourself and others the freedom to be who they are. Do not force solutions—allow solutions to spontaneously emerge. Uncertainty is essential, and your path to freedom.
    • The Law of Dharma
    Seek your higher Self. Discover your unique talents. Ask yourself how you are best suited to serve humanity. Using your unique talents and serving others brings unlimited bliss and abundance.
     
     
     
    Peace

    Saturday 2 November 2013

    a warm november morning

    How pleased I am that it is November.
    For me, it is a "free" month. A lay low month. A time to settle in.
    My little studio is almost ready for use. How I long to hide away there with my new altered book project that is for me alone. No class to guide me but my own intuition.
    An escape into a world of small.
     
    The giant hydrangea bush is in its most gloriously magical and romantic state
     
    this morning's dawn has brought a surprising gift of warmth
     
    This starburst of soft red is a welcome sight, but really must be over-wintered in the ground
     
    And me? I'm just a shadow of my former self
    but all the richer for it!
    peace