Courage

Courage
3"x5"

Definetly something I need more of!  How I wish I could just do all the things I'm afraid of.  I know that it is too much to ask not to be scared.  Instead, I just want to the courage to do them anyways. Number one fear, rejection.  Now to put myself out there anyways.

Always



Always
3"x5"

 Once again I'm ten steps behind.  So many things I want to do, need to do, choose to do and so many things not getting done.  I'm sure I could be a little more focused in the I choose to do.  I start to feel overwhelmed.  Instead of doing something productive to solve the problem, I take a break and play games on my iphone.  Add in three trips to school a day and checking to make sure the dog isn't getting into trouble outside every few minutes.  Plus, I've become very easily distracted.  I can't think straight when the kids around, constantly talking even if it just to themselves.  Sometimes I wonder if I just need to table the big dreams of being an artist for the time being.  I'm so frustrated with myself for not doing anything well, for letting all the plates crash to the ground.  I miss the early days of creating when I was happy with myself for the littlest things.  If I found a few minutes every few days I savored it, not letting a to do list weigh me down.  I want that feeling back.  I want to feel joy and my art to express it!

Bright Skies at Night

Once again, I've fallen behind.  You know the story -- family, commitments, gloomy days. Oh, and throw in tweaking my back and being down for a week.   At the very least, every day is a new day and I can start again on the right track.  Plus, the sun is at least peaking out from behind the clouds.  It may not have warmed up, but at least there is hope. The last month has been filled with kids on spring break, our latest reveal over at Twelve by Twelve and a spring craft show on Bainbridge. 

Our newest set of quilts at Twelve by Twelve are chartreuse and  very fun so make sure you pop over there to check them out.  My quilt didn't have any deep meaning, I just had fun playing with the color.

I, of course, forgot to take pictures at the Artist Marketplace last weekend.  This was the first year that the Bainbridge Artist Studio Tour did a spring show.  Instead of being spread out in studios all over the island, we were together in the middle school gym.  It was nice to have everybody together and have plenty of space.  One problem though was the lack of cell service inside the building.  Whenever I tried to do a credit card transaction I had to run outside.  I had low expectations of the show considering it was the first year and the weather has had everyone in a bit of a funk.  I didn't feel like heading out shopping, so I didn't really expect everyone else to be in the buying mood.  I sold some cards and 5 books, earning my a profit for the day.  I also made some great contacts.  I received an invitation for a solo show at the Bainbridge Library.  I'm all signed up for next April and very excited!  I met a woman who works for Jacquard, the company who makes a lot of the fabric paints that I use.  She was very interested in my work and the idea of me creating artwork for them.  Plus, I met another art quilter who is interested in forming an art quilt group.  Now, I just need to make sure I follow up on everything.  Truth be told, I have to sneak my computer time this week.  Our family is participating in "Turn off the TV" week and we're not suppose to even use the computer.  I'll call this part of my "job" so I wont get in trouble.

The quilt at the top is the latest in my circle series.  I'm loving the magenta, purple and orange together--so very bright and fun.  I've had the background painted for months, waiting.  I pulled out my collection of fabric paper circles and started playing with colors.  The orange was the perfect compliment for the darker colors.  I added shiny orange thread and this piece of art was born.

Next on the agenda, Easter this weekend and the EtsyRain Spring Craft show May 7th at the Intiman Theater in Seattle.