The events of the last month, including the snow and cold, forced me to slow down and take some time to think about things.
Snow - Day 1
Snow - Day 2
Like many of you, I find myself contemplating the events of the last year and making plans for the new one. In addition to other things, 2014 needs to be a major decision year for me with regards to direction of the business. By next year this time, I need to have decided whether or not to continue because of certain actions that need to be taken then.
This post at pomegranatesandpaper really spoke to the kinds of feelings I've been having about the process this time. I find I need to step back from the push to create for the market and do more to create from my heart. Whether I will end up spending more time in the studio or less remains to be seen. I plan to work on a number of things in 2014, including gifts, my book, downsizing the stuff I own, and experimenting with techniques. As often as possible, I plan to share my progress with you.
After making the quilt and quilt top I showed you in November, I pushed forward on three additional gifts. None of them was completed in time, though I showed pictures of their progress to their recipients. So, I can show you, too.
This is a Mill Hill Pin Whimsy kit, called "Dazzling Dragonfly."
This table runner, which has not yet had that border attached, let alone the binding, is from a kit by Sally Holzem, called "Tuscan Nights." I did alter the border strips.
Finally, this table runner is my own design. I'm currently working on the quilting. I am using a variegated thread and hope it will help the border to blend more with the center panel. There were also two pot holders that go with it, but I did not get a picture of them.
In hopes of giving you a little something to smile about, I'd also like to share this portrait of a little fellow who was enterprising in his search for food he knew was hiding on our patio.
Wishing you peace and all good.
Dianne, I am catching up on blog comments and apologize for being so tardy in responding to this. My job keeps me on the computer so much that I am loathe to be on it for home for any length of time these days.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly understand wanting to pull back and reexamine your business and art. When we lived in Memphis, I had a small business doing decoupage. Coming up with source material, supplies, craft show production completely wiped out the time I had to do any personal art making. One of the advantages of this long, cold hibernation this winter is having the time to think, ponder, and assess where our lives are headed. It really makes me happy to know that my writing causes my fellow artists to think about their own situations in a positive way!
Hi Loretta.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely understand the issues you are facing, especially since I worked in the same field before leaving my day job. In addition, I am struggling with trying to work out a balance between time in the studio and time online as I, simultaneously, decide what goals to work toward. As I'm sure you know, it helps to know what others have done in similar circumstances.
By the way, I hope your daughter is doing well. I can tell you from my experience, being a grandmother is wonderful!