Some new artwork

I've been working like crazy, between real work

and motherhood!

I'm the calm in the center of the storm. The still spot surrounded by paint, paper and inspiration. Homework does not exist, houses are clean and dinner is cooked.

Ahhhhhhhh!

Yeah right!

Clothes on the line

Can't wait to get to warmer weather and hang the clothes outside. This is not of my home but of one I found last summer while out taking photos. I'm begging hubby to put up a clothesline for me, is there anything better than the smell of sheets fresh from the sunshine? It reminds me of being a little girl and weaving my way through the line smelling the combination of soap and sunshine. The way the light came through my grandmother's aprons, sheets and flowered shirts. There is something so comforting and homey to me to see clothes on the line. I also remember my mother bringing in "frozen" jeans when it really was too cold to be hanging things out or the second "wash" things got with an unexpected rain.



Sunshine days, dappled sunlight, the smell of clean!



Here's to Spring!

Journal Issues

I will admit it openly - I LOVE getting new journals! This is the current pile some started some waiting to be filled and this doesn't include old journals that are filled with stories, sketches, day to day happenings. There's just something about an empty journal that makes my heart beat faster. I keep them mostly inexpensive, treating myself once or twice a year (Birthday & Christmas) to something special and perhaps leather bound. I prefere no lines but those are hard to find unless you just buy a sketchbook, and I have done that. My pens are just as important. I love fine tips, multi colors, sometimes pencils and sometimes what I call and "inky" pen, a pen with a nib and ink cartridge. Recenly I bought some ink and have a calligraphy set that I'm starting to use. Mostly for letter writing. LETTER WRITING! you say? Well yes. Sure I can send an e-mail, a twitter, a blog, but don't you just love going to the mail box and finding a lovely envelope with handwriting addressed to you? I know I do and I figure if I write one I might just get one back. I tried to do and exchange on facebook but sadly only a couple of people were interested. It may have looked more like an event than exchange. I'll try again.

Since I was a little girl I've loved the act of writing. Holding pen in hand paper blank and welcoming before me. First it was short stories and romantic stories of having the most handsome popular guy fall in love with me, ahem, my character. I was overweight and never dated so my fantasy dating life was full and varied. I wanted to be the only girl in "The Outsiders", stand on a hill in the Scottish Highlands waiting for my love. Journaling is also where I do my best thinking. I'll come up with answers to stuff as I'm writing and be very surprised with the outcome. It's like the unconcious comes through, as if my hand, pen and paper are a conduit to the universe. (cue X-Files music here) Speaking of X-Files, weren't we? One of the best screen savers I ever saw in the workplace was "The answer is out there, but we are in here....." Just thought I'd let you know.

Back to the journals. Whenever I get a book that requires me to do written exercises I am thrilled, I get to go buy and new journal, for a reason that can be justified. It doesn't matter that I have three or four journals that have not been started yet, one must be purchased for that specific purpose. Heaven. I'll even go on about nothing in my nightly journal because I'm liking the way my handwriting is looking and the feel of the pen in my hand!

Yes dear friends I am a journal (and magazine) aholic. Proudly displaying journals and finding new homes for them. And if someone makes me go to a 12 step program, well then I'll just have to get a new journal to track my progress!

Oh and the special occations I wait for? My birthday is on March 28th :)

Love,
Heather

Sometimes out of nowhere, like when you're going to pick up your son from school there is a moment of grace. A moment when you look into the eyes of something beautiful, the car behind you waits while you block the road taking a photo and doesn't honk. Finally I had my camera and the opportunity at the same time. Serendipity. I love that word. I love words.

Opportunity and the tools isn't that what art and creativity is all about? Being creative doesn't have to mean each time you sit down you create a masterpiece. But if you sit down and keep creating the right moment may come along where you create your masterpiece. Something that speaks to you, touches you in a way that other things do not yet if you kept yourself away you never would have surprised yourself with your wonderfulness.

Remember, no masterpiece was the first piece of art the artist did. Keep creating and find your masterpiece.

Heather

Bread baking on a cold afternoon

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Little ball of kneaded dough ready to rise

After rising, being divided and rising again ready for the oven

Nicely browned loaves

Ready to cool for butter and jam and tomorrows french toast!

I'd forgotten the pleasure of making home made bread. The smell of the yeast the kneading watching it magically grow and then this unbelievable smell of bread baking in the oven. I've had a bread maker for years and had always used that but nothing beats doing it all yourself. I promised hubby french toast with home made bread for his birthday so tomorrows breakfast will be fabulous! If you've never had home made bread french toast you owe it to yourself to do it at least once, it's the best you'll ever have, a little milk, egg, vanilla and cinnamon! YUMMMM!

I think I may get into baking more of my own bread, whole grains etc. Nice to know exactly what is in it. The only thing is you tend to eat more of it because it's so delicious.

Does anyone else enjoy baking on cold rainy/snowy days? There's something of a connection to the past to do this. Thousands of women use to wake up each morning and make the bread for the day even turn churn? the butter ( I won't go that far) for her family. My son often asks me "Mommy did you make this with love?" Today I can say yes from start to finish.

Heather

Snowy day after school

What does one do after several snowdays and it's back to school?

Why have a tea party of course, along with the March Hare!

Tea, Milk, Sugar, Cinnamon toast and silliness. The perfect welcome home.

Words are Powerful - Especially to ourselves

The Pigs are flying

Because of one Person

All I want to do lately is create all the time, I'm in my own little world. To paint and sew and make, they allow me to express myself so clearly. I can be a little all over the map trying to pick one thing so there are usually several projects going at once. Things pop into my head and I need to figure out a way to create it. Sometimes even having to get out of bed at 3 am when I'm lying awake just to jot it down or sketch it so my mind can rest.


I want the passion, the feeling of letting go that art is bringing lately. Bein g true to myself and especially my inner creative self. Letting the artist take flight (thanks Kelly Rae). So much wants to get out of me like my whole body has woken up and said FINALLY! I AM and Artist, not just my sister and nephew but me too. In my own special way. I don't have to limit myself to one thing. I can paint, do mixed media, embroider, quilt, make stuffed animals and dolls, sculpt figures. All of it. I am and artist and it's like admitting it AND accepting it for the first time. It's not saying i am and artist, in a shy embarassed way. It's claiming it, knowing it, feeling it and trusting, it. In so doing my whold being is screaming YEHA! Let's do it, and it's spewing idea after idea and revealing talent after talent. To the point where I am constantly surprised and amazed. I had no idea, none. It was always a wish, always a dream and you know what? The reality is even better. It feels amazing , wonderful and humbling. I'm not trying to be someone else or copy their work. I am allowing what I feel and need to hit the canvas, be it actual canvas, fabric, clay or thread.



Believe what you say and say what you believe. Feel it deep in your bones, deep to the light of your soul. When it's right you will know. Oh boy will you know. Thank you God for bringing me to it.





Love to all,

Heather