Tag: Creativity

unraveled wednesday| 10.30.2019 …

Published on by Honoré6 Comments

Honorehat

~me, 2009~

I made the witch’s hat in 2009 for Kayla, who was then 9.  Fun to see my  then state-of-the-art smart phone. Obviously, I hadn’t (and still haven’t) perfected taking  state-of-the-art selfies…

So, here we are at the end of October…just 62 days left in this year! Where does the time go? How did 303 days unravel so fast in what seems like the blink of an eye? I know this month has almost whizzed by, partly because the last LOAD layout a day challenge for 2019 ends tomorrow. The prompts, based on Tom Hanks’ movies and career, have been not only fun but also informative. I have learned as well as enjoyed the stimulation. Over this calendar year, thanks to LOAD challenges in February, May, August and July, I’ve made a minimum of 97 scrapbook pages: stories of me, people (family & friends), places and things. I am not necessarily (at least I don’t think I am) moved by time-bound challenges: our layouts have to be posted by 3 AM, Pacific Standard Time (I’ve never been up at that hour) to qualify. I generally finish and post by 7 pm EST…however, I do think the accountability metric helps move me to completion. I wonder how I might translate that into other areas of my life?

The next 62 days are going to be busy, busy with birthdays: Norman’s is Friday, mine two weeks after that, two weeks later, Elias will be two, and then two weeks into December, my sister’s! That doesn’t even take into account Thanksgiving and Christmas preparation and celebrations! Nor the 1001 other activities: eye/dental and medical appointments, concerts and events, dates due, general life items, and projects on my calendar/planner.

Clearly, if ever, the time is here for me to call upon my better habits and say out LOUD: YES to NO! No, I won’t add a single solitary bright shiny new activity or project to an already packed list…and to that effect, I am not undertaking NABLOPOMO (even tho’ I don’t think it’s still in existence, I did post daily last November);  I am going to make a gratitude journal but it won’t be time bound, i.e, required to be completed within a 24 hour period! Saying YES to NO! will be a huge contribution to days filled with those activities that light my life and fill me up.

I’m continuing to practice the Continental knit stitch; am reading Just Mercy  and Stillness is the Key; started The Water Dancer and have several books on my phone that accompany me on my walks. I just remembered I (still ) have a Christmas stocking with a few/some rows to finish; guess I’ll resurrect and get movin’ on it again.

Joining Kat and friends for Unraveled Wednesday and Juliann for One Little Word monthly update.

Happy Halloween, y’all!

Cheers~

 

weekending| 8.26.19 …

Published on by Honoré7 Comments

The weekend was filled with two activities I most enjoy:

  1. spending time with friends
  2. stitching

Friday

IMG_9700

On Fri (8.23.19), three friends and I went to Baltimore (I drove) to see a photographic exhibit of the Women of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. The women are African American quilters who gained national attention in the early 2000s. The exhibit,  displayed at the Reginald F. Lewis African American Museum of Art, features the photography of a reknown Baltimore photographer, Linda Day Clark, .

In 2002, the New York Times sent Day Clark to Gee’s Bend to photograph the quilters @home. Gee’s Bend is one of the poorest areas in the US. This current exhibition includes portraits of some of the quilters, their families and everyday life – as well as a display of four quilts (two shown above) owned by Linda Day Clark that have never been displayed before. They are exquisite!

IMG_9699

my first Gee’s Bend inspired quilt, 2009 ~ signed by the Gee’s Bend Quilters

     I first encountered the Gee’s Bend Quilters in 2009, on my maiden trip to Sisters Oregon. My friend Pat and I traveled there to take classes, especially a workshop taught by them. T’is an experience that has become one of our fondest memories. We returned again for a second  workshop in 2011.

Seeing the photos of the women we met, their home life, family (including grand children – and the quilts) was a back to the future experience. I have had all sorts of brainstorms and inspirations about how I plan to proceed and in particular, finish the quilt I began in 2017 – my latest trip to Sister. It will tie in beautifully. Sometimes I guess one just has to wait for the Universe to converge. Stay tuned…

Sunday

IMG_9684

Sunday was our monthly Friendstitch gathering, replete with a delicious spread! And the yummiest of desserts: lemon flavored cake and cookies!

IMG_9701

Margaret’s needlepointing a cute canvas featuring a dog suggesting a walk? Theresa’s knitting a baby sweater; Michelle, needlepointing a holiday piece (Christmas is 4 months away, just sayin’) and Pat is doing a cross stitch… I think she did all of the spool of thread. I played around with weaving and knitting.

Too soon the afternoon ended and we packed up til our Sept gathering.

T’was a lovely weekend and I’m so grateful to have spent it among and with friends!

Cheers~

tgif | 8.16.19 …

Published on by Honoré7 Comments

IMG_9619

thinking:  I’ve run out of steam;  made a list of 8 things to do today ~ so far I’m batting 50%. I’ve been taking it slow n’ easy…

grateful:  I’ve nowhere to be or anyplace to go today, tomorrow, Sunday …

inspiration: since Tuesday, I’ve been participating in a mini LOAD (layout a day);*  the theme is Yearbook/School Memories and it’s been lots of fun. Yesterday’s (Thursday)  topic: school lunches. Perfect ~  for this was also the day my Thursday stitching group met at Hilary’s – the brunch spread was phenomenal. Seasonal produce; quiche; and homemade peach ice cream! Yum!

fun: for this mini-LOAD, I am using a Traveler’s Notebook – it is the perfect size. I plan to use this size more often; I can feel my creative juices beginning to flow ~ who knows what adventures lie ahead?

Enjoy your weekend. And now, I’m back to creating today’s LOAD : Recess/Breaks is the topic.

Cheers~

*just 7 days compared to the month long events held February, May and October.

unraveled wednesday | 8.7.19 …

Published on by Honoré5 Comments

IMG_9492

~gingko leaves~

Not much on the horizon this week. I was looking over photos taken over the  past several days and rather surprised that the pickins were rather slim. I did so enjoy seeing these gingko leaves against the afternoon sky this past Saturday…as I wended my way home…

IMG_9453

…and this is another look at the journal. I went with an elastic band, found a small lock and keys  in my stash (who knew?) and just for fun, added them.

IMG_9455

I also added two bands on the inside front/back covers to help hold a journal in place…the fabric in the middle of the band is stretchy; hopefully, that will allow the cover to expand as my friend fills in her journal…she does a lot of tipping in of pages she’s culled from magazines, ephemera, etc… all which contribute to the journal’s growth.

Educated, the book and podcasts remain my faithful walking companions. I’m dipping into a lot of different nonfiction titles on habits and “unplugging” from the digital world. I’ll do a roundup soon.

Off to run a few errands before a 1pm hair appt…Joining Kat and friends for another round of unraveled wednesdays.

Cheers~

uraveled wednesday | 7.24.19 …

Published on by Honoré15 Comments

 

IMG_9415

I’m making a fabric cover for a journal and have hit a small, yet solvable, puzzle: how to create a closure. Could it be:

  • an elastic band, e.g., the type used on a Traveler’s Notebook? Do I have any grommets?
  • a ribbon that can be tied? Probably the easiest;
  • an elastic “frog” that fastens around a button? Can I find such an item? I can clearly see one in my mind’s eye.

I’m sure I’ll come up with the best solution. Moving right along…

On my daily walks, I’m reading (listening to) Educated by Tara Westover. It’s an interesting memoir and well narrated. I’m struck by the author’s ability to translate her vivid childhood memories  into very readable descriptive prose. I don’t normally give stars to books but if I were, I’d easily give this one 3.8 stars.

Time to take a walk and enjoy this absolutely beautiful cooler day!

Joining Kat and friends for another installment of unraveled wednesday..

Cheers~

friendstitchin sunday | 7.21.19…

Published on by Honoré8 Comments

IMG_9405

We had a delightful Sunday afternoon gathering,  a tasty lunch: salads, fruit, sun chips, desserts, punctuated by delicious orange mimosas. The day  was H-O-T, not fit for man or beast , but we were cool, calm and collected (despite the delicious orange mimosas. I know we each had more than one refill!)

Margaret – center photo – stitched the binding on a table runner and proudly displayed the  finished piece; it is lovely. Michelle stitched on a Santa cross stitch – hey, it’s almost Christmas  in July ( the 25th is just days away). Pat was cutting out pieces for a small quilt she’s hand stitching and I played with my weaving: the circular loom and the fabric weave. Nor sure what I’ll do with them but I do enjoy the process… very mindful .

Too soon it was time to go.

Friendstitchin’ Sundays: So grateful for good friends, good food, good time. We missed friend Theresa, who is  on holiday in Ireland.

 

unraveled wednesday|someday maybe…

Published on by Honoré8 Comments

 

IMG_8617

I love gardens. Especially the English garden kind. I am not a gardener… at least not yet. I am at best, a wanna-be gardener…and every year, I think, perhaps this year? Spring has been especially lush this year. The gardens – both kept and unkept- spectacular. I suppose in many ways, quilting might be considered a form of gardening…and that’s probably a big stretch…

Right before the quilt show, the above book arrived on my doorstep: I’d ordered it; I don’t recall how it came to my attention. Perhaps a siren call. I’m not even sure I’d ever heard of the author. She is one of  America’s best known garden writers, has a blog/garden weekly podcast, away to garden.com

I am delighted  the book is in my possession: I’m not only learning but also enjoying reading about gardening year round…and the photos are superb. I’ve toyed with the idea of garden as my word for the year. Perhaps 2020.  In the meantime, I will continue to savor the book , listen to the podcast and contemplate future options.

IMG_8618

Knitting, stitching needles and sewing machine have all been quite idle ~ I’m still recuperating  (from the quilt show).  I am also gathering new creative toys and ideas. One new toy: a circular weaving loom. I now have three types of weaving looms to play with over the summer.

Actually, as I think about it, my creative garden list is growing by leaps and bounds…but as with a garden, one has to be vigilant and ever tending or else wind up with weeds. Guess I’d better get busy…

Joining Kat and friends for Unraveled Wednesday!

Cheers~

 

sometimes mondays| 5.13.19 …

Published on by Honoré7 Comments

IMG_8569

are for catching up…

The 2019 quilt show, May 2 -4: Our work actually began May 1 when we set everything up. The show featured a display of more than 200 member-made quilts;  the infamous peddlers’ table; the raffle quilt and two raffle baskets – each filled with all sorts of quilting supplies and Sew Unique – a colorful array of quilted gifts and novelty items for sale, ranging from fabric postcards to tea wallets, matching hot pad/mitts, etc. New this year, in a room all alone: Quilts for Sale – over 30 such, ranging from early ’40s to 2018! We sold about 95% of inventory!  The quilt show was a little later than usual due to Easter. Also happening that weekend: the International Sheep & Wool Festival and as we expected, some of the Festival goers also came to our event… especially since there was rain Saturday morning (the S & W Festival is an outside event). All in all, I’d say quilters, knitters, spinners, weavers had a nirvana weekend.  I was plumb worn out come Saturday at 4 pm.  I arrived home in time to watch the Kentucky Derby with barely enough energy to cheer the horses on! Not that I really cared. But. the Excitement. You. Know! I spent all day Sunday in a semi-vegetative state …

IMG_8216

Monday, back to Columbia for the quilt show wrap up and awarding of Viewers’ Choice ribbons. My friend Betsy won two first place ribbons; one for this bargello quilt. It’s quite dynamic … and large!

 

IMG_8214

Last week, I also documented the Week in My Life and began a long deferred project: purging excess stuff in my creative spaces. I’m really pleased with efforts thus far. And, I’ve been smitten by a new quilting technique and I’m eager to explore it plus I’ve a list of 13 -15 quilting/stitching projects I plan to finish by summer’s end …

May  is also another LOAD – Layout A Day – month; each day, we have a prompt that is designed to stir our creative juices and help us get our personal memories documented. So far, I’ve been on track…so far. As I type this, I’ve not a clue about what memory I’m going to document for today; the prompt is superstition, such as throwing salt over your shoulder, crossing your index and 2nd finger, etc…If the prompt doesn’t produce a memory, not a problem – we can tell any story we choose! Works for me …

IMG_8535

Kayla’s high school life will soon be over : Prom, May 24 and Graduation, May 29. How can that be? Seems it was just yesterday she was three years old, sitting on the arm of my chair, listening to me read “Wide Mouthed Frog …

It’s good to be back! And guess I’d best get a moveon with today’s layout!

Cheers~

 

my word |4.30.19 …

Published on by Honoré6 Comments

 

IMG_8050

(Dogwood @ Franciscan Monastery, 4. 24.19)

Spring 2019 has been exceptionally lovely, albeit a tad cool, but colorful and delightful, nevertheless. My April was filled with lots of lovely time spent outdoors…

Habits are interesting: hard to both make and break. Habits challenge and reward. I am the sum total of my habits :

  • I am creating and/or refining habits, activities that contribute to a healthier and  happpier ME – happier is not to say that I am unhappy ’cause I definitely am not;
  • I am creating a new daily groove…spending my time and energy engaged in activities and habits that spark joy, fill me up, and move me closer to reaching my  creative goals;
  • I am creating habits that contribute to a happier/better life for me, family, friends, and those who I encounter on any given day.

I am ready to continue my journey. But now,  @ 2:30 pm, I’m going to take a lovely walk outside on this 81°F day!

Joining Juliann and others for a One Little Word update.