tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89857681611426884192024-03-13T23:31:16.914-04:00An Unfinished ProjectLife, art, craft and the ups and downs of getting things done.HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985768161142688419.post-65940165886465976992014-12-26T16:44:00.002-05:002014-12-26T16:44:39.057-05:00The Most Wonderful GiftAlec gave me a gift on Christmas Eve. He connected our old VCR and put in a tape of my parents playing with him and a shadow. He was 18 months at the time. Daddy was filming and Mother was talking to him about what shadows are. Toward the end of the clip my Dad sang "Me and my shadow, walking down the avenue." It was the most beautiful thing I've seen and heard in months. Just to hear my Dad's voice again and to hear my Mother sound like she used to was utterly joyful and overwhelming. It was a little moment in time that caught both of my parents' spirits and showed what kind of parents and grandparents they were. I had not ever seen that video before. In this year of so much loss and sadness, my son gave me the most wonderful gift. A lovely memory of my parents that I didn't even know existed.HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985768161142688419.post-14902299756969782582014-09-12T18:42:00.000-04:002014-09-12T18:42:46.939-04:00Losing My MotherLate in the day on September 11, 2001 I sat on my kitchen floor and talked to my mother on the phone. She listened to what I had to say. About how scared I was watching the buildings burn from my office's window. About my friend giving me money in case the banks were down. About walking uptown to meet Alan who walked downtown from Washington Heights so we could pick up Alec from school. About the irony of seeing a billboard advertising The Hallmark Channel that said "story upon story upon story. No, not the World Trade Center." About all the poor souls who died and what would happen next. We talked about so much that day. But then, we always spent a long time on the phone talking - mostly about politics (we agreed on just about everything, thankfully), but also about all sorts of things. That was thirteen years ago.<br />
<br />
Tonight my mother is spending her fourth day in the nursing facility that is her new home. She has dementia. She will probably never see her home or belongings again. They say the nursing home is a good place. I haven't seen it yet but my sister chose it and the lawyer confirms that it is a safe place. We've known this day was coming for a long time. My father's death in July took away her final anchor to reality and she has been spiraling down ever since. And the medical "professionals" have been absolutely no help.<br />
<br />
My mother was always a tough cookie. Hard to please and easy to anger. But as the youngest, and her favorite, I got a little more slack than my sisters and we had many good times together. She taught me to sew. She could sew like no one else I've ever known. She made draperies, slipcovers, clothing for my sisters and me. All were impeccable sewn and beautifully tailored. And she, unlike me, always finished her projects. No closet full of half-made stuff for her. But that was a long time ago. She can't and doesn't do much of anything now. <br />
<br />
A conversation with her in the last few years would last no more than a minute or two. Often she'd circle back to something she'd already asked. Now she is really angry and thinks her daughters have abandoned her. I've called every day but she never answers the phone. I call the nurses station and they tell me she is asleep. They say she is doing fine. I doubt it. But at least I am relatively sure she is safe. <br />
<br />
Sunday would have been my Dad's 93rd birthday and my mother will spend it without him for the first time in 69 years. Without her husband, without her home, without her mind. I feel sadder than I ever have felt before. Even worse than I felt on September 11, 2001.HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985768161142688419.post-57061032641334699222014-06-05T14:29:00.000-04:002014-06-05T14:29:47.190-04:00Swift Kicks in 2014It's time to reactivate this blog. The last post was in 2011, you say? Yes, I know but that's ok.<br />
<br />
Every once in a while life gives you a good swift kick. So far in 2014 those kicks have been coming hard and fast. Some good - my son got his first job out of college and is on his own living in Washington, DC and is happy, healthy, and has a wonderful group of friends who care a great deal about him. Other kicks - not so good. <br />
<br />
My rescue cat Alice died suddenly in January of FIP. My 92 year old father is very ill and has been in the hospital twice as well as a rehab facility. He's home now but needs full time care as he's very weak. There are more kicks that keep coming but why dwell...<br />
<br />
In the gentle good kick department I was given the opportunity to help Melanie Testa sew samples for the launch of her fabric line "<a href="http://melanietesta.com/2014/06/for-the-birds/" target="_blank">Meadowlark</a>" for <a href="http://www.windhamfabrics.net/cgi-bin/fabricshop/designer.cgi?designer=48" target="_blank">Windham Fabrics</a>. It was just what I needed to get me out of a creative slump. I haven't worked with fabric in several years
because I've been playing around with mixed media, journaling, and painting. Working with fabric doesn't give me the instant gratification that sitting down and painting does. Although my results are hit or miss, I find that sitting at my drafting table drawing and painting are very soothing. I don't really care so much about the end product.
Quilting and sewing are different. I am very results oriented, probably because my mother, who taught me to sew, always sewed perfectly and finished everything she started beautifully. I, on the other hand, am a procrastinator when it comes to needle and thread. I have several projects that need just a little more work to be complete. I have one project that needs a lot more work. <br />
<br />
But Melly's fabric launch gave me a chance to get back into designing and sewing. It was great fun and as a result the quilting bug is back. Just when I thought I was over it...they sucked me back in...or something like that.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I am guest blogging on Melly's blog on June 12th as part of the blog hop for the launch. Check it out. Below is the link to all of the blogs participating. My post is the last one. If you go to each blog and leave comments you have a chance to win some really beautiful fabric as well as Melly's book "Dreaming From the Journal Page."<br />
<br />
<span id="yiv1627155703yui_3_7_2_84_1399835302154_66"><a href="http://melanietesta.com/2014/06/meadowlark-blog-hop-give-away/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Melly</span></a><span style="color: red;"> </span>– June 2<br /><a href="http://www.sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Vivien Zepf</span></a> – June 2<br /><a href="http://www.madebychrissied.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Chrissie D</span></a> – June 3<br /><a href="http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Sue Bleiweiss</span></a> – June 4<br /><a href="http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Leslie Tucker Jenison</span> </a>June 5<br /><a href="http://jamiefingaldesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Jamie Fingal</span></a> – June 6<br /><a href="http://lyrickinard.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Lyric Kinard</span></a> – June 7<br /><a href="http://www.reannalilydesigns.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Jen Eskridge</span></a> – June 8<br /><a href="http://melanietesta.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Jacqui Holmes Calhoun</span></a> – June 8 <——-Jacqui will be guest posting on Melly's blog!<br /><a href="http://thefibernation.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Stephanie Forsyth</span></a> – June 9<br /><a href="http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Victoria Findlay Wolfe</span></a> – June 10<br /><a href="http://terificreations.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Teri Lucas</span></a> – June 11<br /><a href="http://bluenickelstudios.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Scott Hansen</span></a> June 12<a href="http://melanietesta.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Meadowlark-Blog-Hop-Image.jpeg"><br /></a><a href="http://melanietesta.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Helen Eckard</span></a> – June 12 <——-Helen will be guest posting on Melly's blog!</span><br />
<br />
So, hopefully, after you tour all the other blogs, I will see you back here with a new post - before 2017...HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985768161142688419.post-58662302384089783032011-04-06T22:24:00.000-04:002011-04-06T22:24:12.000-04:00Distracted by Shiny Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I haven't posted in awhile. But have been working on my sketchbook. No fabric painting. Just playing around with shapes and patterns using acrylic paint, watercolors and colored pencils. Thought I'd post some photos and see if anyone has any tips on working with acrylic paint. I'm using Golden Fluid acrylics. And I just LOVE the shiny gold. It's really easy to work with. But some of the other colors...not so easy. Anyway, below is my most recent painting. I know, it's kind of busy, but I'm crazy about color and pattern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_omqBixAN7vSi0cz9IC93-NdeoTTcqNaT3363mgrQhjoiNxh_cJmoMLDCmKf42SDqdrWlHQcjAE5a64tRzDL7FpIvFB6HcvYcjMFGOxKOY3f5EpufMOBDzdHWfNVpQGvYuPGj49iOiM/s1600/P4062643UP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_omqBixAN7vSi0cz9IC93-NdeoTTcqNaT3363mgrQhjoiNxh_cJmoMLDCmKf42SDqdrWlHQcjAE5a64tRzDL7FpIvFB6HcvYcjMFGOxKOY3f5EpufMOBDzdHWfNVpQGvYuPGj49iOiM/s320/P4062643UP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985768161142688419.post-47959299927324192742011-03-23T13:19:00.003-04:002011-03-23T19:17:53.846-04:00What Do Japan and A Fallen Tree Have in Common?<div style="text-align: justify;">
For many years my husband and I have had an ongoing debate over the philosophical question - "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, does it make a sound?" He says No. I say Yes. Obviously we think in different ways. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been thinking about this question for the last few days and it's relationship to Japan and the Media. The US Media is now almost completely focused on the emergency at the Fukashima nuclear plant AND it's possible effects on us here in the US. I realize that it's been almost two weeks since the earthquake/tsunami, that the US is now involved in the Libya excursion, that we have short attention spans and, "Hey, it's all about us isn't it?!?" but <i><b>there are thousands upon thousands of people and animals who have been left to suffer </b></i>in the wake of this triple disaster. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If a disaster happens and the Media leaves did it still happen? YES, and we can't desert the survivors. As best as we can, we all have to help.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Please donate what you can:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://japanearthquakeanimalrelief.chipin.com/japan-earthquake-animal-rescue-and-support/">http://japanearthquakeanimalrelief.chipin.com/japan-earthquake-animal-rescue-and-support/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://secure.americares.org/site/Donation2?df_id=7659&7659.donation=form1&utm_source=Mar11&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Japan&JServSessionIdr004=lvnkkmeoc7.app201b">https://secure.americares.org/site/Donation2?df_id=7659&7659.donation=form1&utm_source=Mar11&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Japan&JServSessionIdr004=lvnkkmeoc7.app201b</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985768161142688419.post-48738231537496480422011-03-13T19:07:00.001-04:002011-03-17T12:19:10.171-04:00Climbing Out of the Rut One Step At a TimeI'm in a rut. A deep, deep rut. This seems to happen every time I start to work on a project. I have lots of ideas and even get started on a project or two and then...hit the wall and become completely overwhelmed.<br />
<br />
It's not as if I haven't done anything. I've been working on designing a database at work for the last couple of weeks and have been learning to use Microsoft Access. It's been really rewarding putting things together and then seeing that it works. It's creative in a way. But not creative in the way I want to be.<br />
<br />
I'm in a deep, deep rut and keep slipping down the sides every time I try to climb out. My husband thinks I need to get some exercise - he's probably right. I think I need to turn off the tv - definitely true. I've been looking at books in my library that always inspire - Twyla Tharp's "The Creative Habit" and Danny Gregory's "The Creative License." They're helpful. But then, I'm really good at using reading as an excuse to not do anything. I need to find a class to take since I always do better when there is structure. When there is homework. When there are expectations. Let to my own devices I will do...nothing. <br />
<br />
A while back I decided that to take a drawing class. Have I looked for a class yet? Not really. So, this week I'm going to do one thing. Look for a beginner's drawing class in NYC. That shouldn't be too hard.HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985768161142688419.post-37000437441048154892011-02-27T21:57:00.001-05:002011-02-28T12:47:32.468-05:00Making Art With The Skills You HaveOr to quote an unnamed politician..."You go to war with the army you have, not the army you wish you had..."<br />
<br />
It can be intimidating to read other artists' blogs, books, articles...especially when your skill level doesn't "measure up"...at least not yet. In my mind, I want to create beautiful realistic and whimsical designs like Judy Coates Perez or bold graphic designs like Jane Sassaman. In reality I don't.<br />
<br />
I spend my days as the only "non-creative" in a design firm surrounded by very talented artists. That is intimidating. In my dreams I have the drawing and design skills of my friend and co-worker Bill Hoffman. In reality I don't.<br />
<br />
But as artists we all have a choice. We can do nothing because of the fear that we'll never measure up (and for years that is what I did) or we can make art anyway. And that means working with the abilities we have and trying to improve them a step at a time.<br />
<br />
Each one of us has a unique voice and story to tell. No one can tell my story except me. So I choose to make art even if it doesn't always meet my "standards". That's my reality and that's the only way I will find my artistic voice.HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985768161142688419.post-29789740757852816612011-02-21T20:01:00.000-05:002011-02-21T20:01:47.080-05:00My Picture, My Hair and Staying 35 ForeverMy profile picture looks nothing like me. It was taken a few years back when I decided to let my hair go grey. Honestly, I hate dying my hair. It's messy, takes time, and no matter how diligent I am, at some point (usually while out and about) I glance in a mirror and see...ROOTS. Just hate that. So I stopped dying and learned to live with the grey. Got lots of compliments and had no intention of ever dying my hair again. I was proud of being authentic, bold and unafraid of aging. Well, you know how it is. Pride goeth before the fall.<br />
<br />
In 2009 my son graduated from high school. Lots of pictures...was that his grandmother standing next to him? Oh, wait...it was me. With my short, grey hair. I looked old. Of course, it didn't help that I was wearing an Eileen Fisher ensemble which, although quite elegant, made me look and feel kind of dumpy. <br />
<br />
I tried to let it go. I tried not to let it affect how I felt. But it did. It was a direct repudiation of the image I held of ME. I'm only supposed to be 35. No, Really! I know I'm not but that's the age I most relate to and that hair was a constant reminder that I was a lot older. I started to feel old. Wow. How shallow. Unfortunately, how true. <br />
<br />
I held on to the grey for a few more months until one day I just couldn't stand it anymore and bought some hair dye. So now I dye my hair again. I let the bangs grow out, my hair is longer than it's ever been, and honestly needs a good trim. I am even toying with the idea of cutting it really short and going grey again. But probably not. <br />
<br />
I'll never be 35 again. And I know I don't look 35. But at least I can have my light brown hair.HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985768161142688419.post-80076479499944695352011-02-19T17:31:00.002-05:002011-02-19T18:51:01.834-05:00Life as an unfinished project<div style="text-align: left;">
Unfinished projects. I have a lot of them. Some don't interest me anymore, others I feel guilty about letting languish. But they're all sitting here in my head (or in the closet) mocking me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bigger picture? Life. Life is one big...messy...unfinished project. Which is good because well, let's face it, no one wants a finished life. I like to think I'm only half way through this great adventure - at least that's my plan. But time is rushing and there's still so much to do...not sure what I want to do with my life. Which, considering that I used to "duck and cover" in grade school, could be problematic. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, I've dabbled in a lot of things - went to college and majored in theatre in the 70's (dropped out...bad idea), worked as an actress/singer in the 80's (no money...lots of great friends), took up quilting and embroidery (spent a lot of money...still haven't made any), got married and became a mom in the 90's (good idea...really hard work...costs a lot of money), went back to school for Interior Design in the 00's (discovered Charles and Ray Eames-WOW!... realized that designing interiors for rich people just wouldn't cut it), and have managed a scenic design office for many years (living wage, lots of interesting people, no real artistic satisfaction, and the annoying 9-5 routine). Hmm...one big unfinished project. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I used to be a glass half empty kind of girl. I could find a dark cloud anywhere. I thought the only things I could succeed at were the things I didn't care about. Which was true. Which is not true. Which was only true because I let it be.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Need to shake things up a bit. What to do? Write a blog. Put some ideas out there. Get inspired to finish up old things and start new things. Well, ok. That's an idea. It could work. I guess.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So here's the deal. A few weeks back I decided that it was time to make something. I bought a couple of dvds about making whole cloth quilts by painting on fabric by Judy Coates Perez (<a href="http://judyperez.blogspot.com/">http://judyperez.blogspot.com/</a>). You can buy the dvds at <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/">http://www.interweavestore.com/</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-jptpjK0ka1YvOKfyzulzCip1Ift7OoybtGPODH9P9a5gujxM043mM0XelEegumTr82XmIx-4FGsFdawAGMUzhkxz7KpPlNG0AVWsP1kr78aaLms-f3k6SvGHL7mM6XEdQGAUAtJA9Y/s1600/P2192340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-jptpjK0ka1YvOKfyzulzCip1Ift7OoybtGPODH9P9a5gujxM043mM0XelEegumTr82XmIx-4FGsFdawAGMUzhkxz7KpPlNG0AVWsP1kr78aaLms-f3k6SvGHL7mM6XEdQGAUAtJA9Y/s320/P2192340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I actually did something! Here it is - just about finished. I still have to add the binding (twisted and couched chenille thread, I think). Considering that I've never painted on fabric before and that I haven't quilted in quite some time, I am pleased with the final product. I didn't use the best piece of fabric in case I messed it up, I picked hearts because they are easy to draw freehand, and I had some issues with the free-motion quilting because I'm out of practice. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But ok. I did it. And now I want to paint more and learn to draw better so that I can really put on cloth what's in my head. Now, that's a project. Better get started...</div>HLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208627838281984582noreply@blogger.com1