Etsy

Just a quick post to let you all know that my Etsy shop is open. I'll be adding as I go along, and eclectic mix of needlework, photos and mixed media. Invite your friends. Thanks for stopping by.
www.atmygrandmothersknee.etsy.com
Heather

I cannot believe that this little boy is now in kindergarten! That little baby we brought home 5 years ago now gets on the bus in front of our home and is gone all day. It is amazing how time flies. Everyone always tells you but until you have one of your own you never really understand.

I watched him get on the bus with such mixed emotions. Joy at this big milestone of his life and the things he will learn and be able to do. Sadness that never again will I have him so little and all to myself as I have. Thoughts of I didn't do enough with him while I had him. All those times I didn't feel like playing Star Wars. Excitement that I was going to get time in my studio uninterrupted to have my playtime.

I managed to hold it all together until the bus pulled away then sobbed my way back to the house. The first day was much harder for me than for him. Thankfully no teary I don't want to get on the bus drama. And I did not follow the bus to school! I made plans to go to breakfast with another mom. Lunch the next day with a friend I haven't seen in much to long. Today I will finally get into the studio to play.

No one tells you how difficult motherhood is. Oh you get "It's the toughest job you'll ever love." But they don't tell you about the part where you're sitting on the kitchen floor crying because he just wont listen. Or that you will leave a full grocery cart because they are throwing a tantrum. Or that it's actually mommy who needs the time out. They also don't tell you how wonderful it is to have him crawl into your lap to snuggle and say I Love you mommy. Or that the first time they call you mommy tears will burst from your eyes.

It's a roller coaster ride, this parenthood thing. Days you couldn't imagine them not being in your life, and days when you really can imagine them not in your life. Wouldn't trade it though. The smell of his hair after being in the sun and playing is something that should be bottled and sold.

We're onto the next phase, homework, school pagents, terribly funny plays and the joy of learning and exploring. I just hope that I inspire him to follow his heart, think outside the box, appreciate beauty and being different, respect of all and dream big then bigger still. I want him to learn early that if you can imagine it, it can be done. It took me 40+ years!

I love my little man. And wish him all the joy and pain and triumph that life has to offer. But go light on the pain okay?

Out of the loop

So yes I am still alive and kicking. It's been crazy since getting back from AZ, first my sons birthday his 5th was a week after I got home, trying to get back into the swing of things and we've decided to get divorced. Not easy but necessary for our mental health and Declans.

I had fun in AZ it had it's own beauty big sky, great sunsets etc. but just not my cup of tea. I prefer rolling hills, lush green landscape and big oaks and maples, oh yeah, and grass!

The best part about being out there besides my laser course was the fabulous women I met there. We got a long great, laughed went to dinner, had a party, supported each other and just had a great time. I think the women at the laser institute really set the tone, they all got along were great friends outside of work, vacationed and laughed together. If I'd like AZ better I would have moved just to have them as friends.

Back in the swing of things creating again, cleaning the studio so no small children or animals are lost in there LOL. Little man starts school in a few weeks, kindergarten, seems to quick and while I'm looking forward to some uninterrupted time in the studio, watching him get on that bus is going to be hard. My girlfriend and I have already planned to go out to breakfast and cry!

Hello in blogland. I don't have any photos as I am still away and have no place to download them. School at the Laser Institute is going really well, VERY busy 7 days a week 9-6 lots to take in. I'm missing being creative at home and can't wait to get to painting etc. I have my little water color stuff with me and just need to be brave and do it. It's a little scary looking at a little white page and sitting there with a new medium. I will make the plunge though because you never know until you give it a try.

Be back soon.......

Transitions and adventures

Getting ready to go to Arizona in two days! Haven't even started packing. I want to start another project but there are time constraints and things that actually have do be done. Sucks! Oh well I did do some new stuff this week that has been really fun and a departure from my usual embroidery and blankets. I'm so looking forward to going to AZ away for 16 days for a certification course in Lase Technology, you know hair, tattoo removal, teeth whitening etc. Must work in the mean time until my arts can support me and I might as well make good money to support my compulsive supply buying....

Anyone out there watching So You Think You Can Dance? FABULOUS! But I'm so so sad about Alex's injury. I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

Declan flollowing his heart paint swirls and potions!

Follow along people you will find I just jump all over as it comes to mind. This was also a great week because my son Declan was painting right along side me! He's loving being involved with anything creative including dancing. Flinging himself around the room, doing handstands etc. Then he said the most profound thing the other day when I asked if he wanted to take dance classes. He said: "They didn't teach me in a class mom, my heart teached me" So that has now become my new motto not feeling like I need to copy someone elses rules but to find my own. So if you hear of some home being destroyed because some chemical or tool was not used properly you'll know it was me just finding my own way!

Gonna try and squeeze in a post tomorrow before I head to AZ. Don't know if I'll be able to post when I'm there because I'll be vera busy with school.

If you can't walk a tightrope then you better learn how to fly!

My Cup Overfloweth

(Arthur's Midnight Romp)

Good morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July. We went to a party on Saturday, lovely, and just a quiet family bbq on the 4th and fireworks just down the road from us that were great.

I am just filled to the brim with ideas lately, I keep writing them in my little idea book, sketching, printing my photos on watercolor paper. Was introduced to Fotoflexer recently Love It! I don't currently have photoshop or any other type of enhancement feature on my computer, waiting until I get my own "buisiness mac, computer so this is a fun way to start. I'm painting, doing some collage trying new things making them my own but finding inspiration from all the different blogs I've been looking at and also from the lovely people who took the Flying Lessons e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts (highly recommended when she has another)

It seems like the more you do, the more you try, the more you leap in faith, the higher you soar! And I am just gliding on the wind that is creativity and joy.

I'll post photos when I'm done with what I'm working on but posted little Arthur above. A recent commission, just love him! He's embroidered by hand, loved making him fuzzy. Hope you like him too. I have a small penguin hanging that I'll be finishing soon and am starting to work on a Pirate quilt as well, plus so many others......I think I need to live to 150 to get it all done. How blessed am I?

Lovely day to all, follow your hearts desire and you will always be rich!

A space of ones own

I do so wish I had a space with windows and lots of light. Currently my studio is a little area in the basement, no windows, surrounded by stored items, kitties (they are my muses) and yes cat boxes! Not so inspiring. I'm finding more and more that I go down get what I need and drag it to the dinning room table to work, there are windows, I can keep an eye on my almost 5 year old and still get things done.

I have been driving around lately taking photographs of whatever grabs my attention and found this above photo. Doesn't that just scream MAKE ME A STUDIO? I would have plenty of room to spread out, add some window and fling open the doors I could put in a loft and hold classes to teach embroidery, mixed media, crochet etc. I'd ask to keep the clock too, isn't it fabulous? Someday!

We're invited to a 4th of July party today and currently unsocial me would rather stay home and create something, currently working on a series of embroideries from Alice In Wonderland, I'm quite excited, I just adore that movie. Will post when I finish the first, Mad Hatter. Alas, I will go to the party, maybe meet potential "clients" LOL this is how I have to think now to build the business. Extra cards in my purse.

Everyone have a wonderful 4th! Keep safe and think how to incorporate fireworks into your work and life! Mmmmwah! (kiss)