Now that I have a porch, I take advantage of the crafty decorating possibilities!
We get at least a hundred trick or treaters,mostly the under 5 crowd, who are a little confused by all the theatrics, but definitely go the sweet treats.
Elizabeth has been felting for just a few years, but she translates her 20 years experience as a children’s clothing designer, into colorfully seductive and playful accessories items.
With lots of humor and passion, she shares with me her self taught techniques for wet felting.
I have a passion for horses. I fell madly in love at 40.
I love to be with them, smell them, ride them, groom them, feed them, and learn from them.
After being invited to a prestigious horse show called “The Hampton Classic” in Long Island one summer, I found myself the next morning calling the only stable in NYC, and arranging for a 30 minute lesson.
I spent the next few months leaving my office at lunch time, grabbing a quick subway ride to the upper west side, and taking the risk of personal injury, as the sign clearly stated, into my own hands.
Without explaining the entire experience both good and bad, I would just like to note that my way of dismounting the horse at the end of the lesson was to fall.
I had no “seat”, my balance was pitiful, and I couldn’t figure out how to steer, but my passion, please excuse the pun, was unbridled!
Over the past ten years, I have only fallen more in love.
I will also admit fully to the fear that comes over me every time a book a lesson and find myself throwing a leg over my next mount.
Some of that fear is well grounded in some terrible spills and injuries that have happened.
But most of it is a mixture of fear and excitement, of the possibility once again of making this connection, of making ‘art’.
I found this quote today cruising around the net. I know nothing about Scot MacGregor, and his riding background, but I broke into spontaneous applause when I read the following:
“To be a trainer you have to love horses more than you love yourself. For a certain part of the day you have to become a horse in mind and action. You learn to speak to them and love them in their own way. You give to them your leadership, support and love and you ask them to give you an explosion of controlled animated energy that gives them status, praise and pride. These are my friends and they help me to create art.” ~Scot MacGregor
This is a must have book for all, whether you craft or not!
Faythe traveled 19,000 miles across America documenting the emerging DIY community and the lifestyle they live based on creativity, determination and networking.
Their eagerly awaited documentary film of the same name will be released early Spring 2009. Until then, enjoy this heartfelt, grass roots book that introduces you to artists across America, and their love of craft!
Today I need to revitalize myself, not be drained further.
Today I need to focus on my authentic voice, one that will rise above the panic and fear.
Today I am inspired by the following quote:
There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly to keep the channel open. Your do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. — Martha Graham
above: An inspiring pioneer of dance, Ms. Martha Graham
It immediately appealed to the deadline driven part of me! When I need to get a project or task completed, I assign a deadline to it. (I also give myself 2 legitimate extension periods!)
I have a personal belief that when I feel stuck somewhere in my life, whether it’s creatively, socially, financially, or physically, it’s time to ‘shake it up‘!
What exactly does that mean?
Sometimes that literally means going out for a run, or dancing to Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation pumping full blast in my studio, forcing lots of ‘bad air out and good air in’.
Other times it takes the form of biting off more than I think I can chew.
Yes, taking on something that under other circumstances I would say “No Way”.
Just the act of accepting a new challenge brings my antennae back up. (A strong visual from my childhood of Ray Walston on My Favorite Martian)
Here is a list of some of my past 30 day Big Bite challenges:
1. Absolutely No TV viewing. 2. Do aerobic activity 45 minutes everyday. (even if it’s 11:15pm ) 3. Hire a freelance assistant, immediately. (that one had a huge impact!) 4. Sign up for an online dating service and commit to going out every Monday and Wednesday. 5. Meditate 30 minutes a day.(even if it’s 11:30PM) 6. No consumption of alcohol or other self medicating substances.
7. Eat nothing past 7:00 PM each evening.
The point of all of this is not to torture or make things worse, but to “clear the pipes” and get the flow moving again. Basically, tricking the brain by keeping it so busy with the new challenge it forgets what was gumming up the works before.
So, all of you out there who are in need of a ‘Big Bite’ 30 day challenge, the National Novel Writing Month is a good place to start. Commit to 175-pages (50,000-words) over 30 days!
Lot’s of great support on the site, and ways to check in and even a completion certificate!
I’m sure you will have lots more to show than a novel at the end of the month.
As my BFF, Susan Lomuto, writer of Daily Art Muse reminded us all the other day… DO IT!
Shake it Up! Take the challenge!
PS. Let me know what kind of Big Bite Challenges you come up with!
Now that I have a porch, I take advantage of the crafty decorating possibilities!
