Finally Normal

These pictures were taken during the snow storm we had November 21st. We got about half a foot of snow. It was all gone within three days, and temperatures hit their normal range for our area at this time of year. (They had been running above normal.) Thinking about that and the United Nations Climate Summit led me to this interesting article. What's the difference between global warming and climate change? There is a lot more information on the website about the various situations and questions relating to issues involved.

Global warming, by the way, refers to the overall temperature of the planet. It is not meant to indicate temperatures in specific locations.

Today marked the beginning of the summit. The agenda is an ambitious one, but very necessary. You can find out more at UN Climate Change Conference. I hope you will check it out.

Until next time, I wish you peace.

(Note: I provide links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply affiliation by me with any site.)

Bridges from Past to Future

When I was a small child, my grandmother did a lot of embroidery work. Around the same time, she showed me how to sew on buttons and tried to show me how to darn socks. After she died, I inherited many of her supplies, including embroidery threads, buttons, needles, and darners.

From my other grandmother's supplies, I inherited a sewing basket my aunt had made.

These things bring me great joy, as I use the supplies and remember the women whose hands touched them in the past. I have also had the pleasure of showing my children how to do the things my grandmother taught me, and thus, had the opportunity to talk about her and my experiences with them.

It pleases me, too, to be able to sit quietly during weather like we have been having feeling connected with the past and creating anew for the future. I hope you have the chance to sit and enjoy quiet moments.

Wishing you peace.

Snow and Winter Activities

Just like much of the northern section of the county, we were visited by the heavy snow the last couple of days. While we did not get the kind of accumulation that has been hitting the northeast this winter, our area did receive around half a foot of snow (somewhere between 5" and 8" according to the National Weather Service).

 

This is how the snow looked yesterday afternoon.

 

 

This is how it looked earlier this morning. While we had been well below the average snowfall for the season, this event brought our area up to within an inch or so of normal accumulation. It is extremely odd to have it so late and that fact broke a record set back in 1931 for the heaviest snowfall in March.

 

Of course, this is just the kind of weather that makes many of us (myself included) want to stay inside, enjoy the view, and do other things. I have finally gotten back to organizing the studio, again. This past month, I have been unable to work on that because I was working on this:

 

This baby quilt proves the adage about getting fabric when you see it. The bug fabric in the pinwheels was purchased at the first Chicago International Quilt Show. At the time, I had no idea how I would use it, but I did know I had to buy it. When my niece and her husband asked for "bright colors" for their first baby, I knew why.

The pattern is an adaptation of a Project Linus quilt from "Quiltmaker" magazine, called "Hopes & Dreams." I adjusted the size of the block to 7" and changed the direction in order to make the pinwheels. The quilt worked out to a 40" square.

I hope you enjoy.

Until next time, I wish you peace and all good.

 

Dreaming

It seems a barrier has been crossed. This week I had several vivid dreams of projects I want to do. One is a quilt series. Another was the beginning of a story, made even more incredible by the fact that it is in a genre that I have never considered working in before. Altogether, the fact that I am dreaming vividly and remembering the dreams is a reminder that I have attained access to an area of creativity that had been out of reach for a while.

Another thing I was able to do this week was go through a few of the items in my studio to weed out some of the things I will no longer use or which no longer interest me. The journey I have been making towards discerning my direction really helped with that, as I found it much simpler to distinguish whether or not something would help me towards my goals.

On another note, according to a report I heard today, the weather is five weeks ahead of schedule. The birds are all in spring plumage. I was lucky enough to catch one of the grackles in his glory this last week.

We have also been visited by cardinals, robins, sparrows, black-capped chickadees, and a red-winged blackbird, among others. Simultaneously, the apricots, forsythias, daffodils, and hyacinths are blooming, and the lilacs are beginning to set their flowers. It is all quite amazing, if rather scary, especially in light of the fact that the southwest and west are currently experiencing winter weather and heavy snow storms.

It has given me much to think about and will, undoubtedly, be incorporated into my artwork, at some point. For now, I am still slowly moving towards greater productivity and enjoying the creative process.

Until next time, I will you peace and all good.

Snow Days

Since I live in northern Illinois, I was one of "fortunate" people who experienced heavy snow and winds this last week. On Wednesday, all of my family members had a snow day. It was unusual for all of us to be home and feeling so relaxed. Since we had no obligations for the day, we were able to do whatever we felt like doing -- without guilt!

Early in the morning, I decided to try taking some pictures of the blizzard. To my surprise, a rabbit decided to pose for me. It appeared to be trying to find a warmer place to wait out the storm. Since the rabbits don't usually come through until dusk, it was quite unusual.

I did have an opportunity to spend some time quilting, and begin to do some serious thinking about what I will do after I "retire" from the day job. It is my hope that I will be able to begin selling my artwork, again. Simultaneously, I have a deep desire to "make a difference" in some way. I want to get more involved in social justice issues, again, but haven't yet decided where or how I would be most effective.

Is there an issue that is close to your heart? How would you or do you make a difference? How would you or did you decide what to do?