Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The Happenings in my Office/Studio


I know you aren't going to believe this (given the typical state of my compulsive need for the creative, and my tendency to the unfinished project) but I actually have very few unfinished pieces in the queue right now.

I started the quilt above, for a sweet baby named Mira, in October last year. It was a pattern from this book, given to me as a gift several years ago. (I've been a big fan of Alicia Paulson for nearly a decade.) I tend to avoid quilts… I love making the top, but the quilting and binding make me want to cuss so I put it off… until last month. I tried this tutorial for machine binding, and honestly, it was so easy that I may make this the Year of the Quilt. I was thankful to find it. Mira was born in November and I was hoping to finish it before she went to college. Now I can't wait to bind a top I made several years ago. Really, if binding is what gives you the heebie-jeebies in quilt making, check out that link.

In February I crocheted these cabled wrist warmers for my BBFF (British Best Friend Forever), but forgot to take a picture. I'm including the link in this post because the pattern is FREE, and very easy, yet satisfying. I think I may make myself a pair, since winter is carrying on the way it is...


I've been doing a lot of watercoloring lately. Experimenting as I get ready to teach my co-op kids, and the classes I'll be teaching at home.

Honestly, I never considered myself much of an artist when it came to drawing and painting, but three things changed my mind:

1. I read Drawing with Children, and it has totally changed the way I think about drawing.

2.  Teaching art to children requires a lot of tempera and watercolor, and I need lots of practice.

3. My friend, Julia, gave me a watercolor kit for my birthday, and my dad encouraged me to use it. (I'm grateful to both of them!)

Right now I'm drawing a lot of flowers. They are easy and colorful. Perfect projects for a frigid almost spring. (I'm done with saying winter.)



About two years ago, when I lost my mind with anxiety,  I found a photo of a cracked vase with a flower in it, in a magazine. For some reason it spoke to me. I cut it out and plastered it above my work table as encouragement. I loved that picture. I think I felt a little cracked myself, but was doing my best to remember that beauty can come from broken vessels, if we allow it. So I kept the clipping.

Eventually, (thankfully!) as I got better, and things got moved around in my studio, I took the picture down and tucked it into a drawer. Last week I was thinking about what might inspire some watercolor practice, and I remembered the blue vase. This is my current unfinished, but happy, project.

2 comments:

Gretchen said...

Ah, the cracked vessel. Thanks. I needed that reminder. Currently holding up all my broken pieces to our Jesus to do with what He will. Adore the "almost spring" mentality. Also, if you really need a quilt binded, you just need to fly out and visit me. No tutorial needed. :)

Jackie said...

Oh how I wish I lived close to you! Savannah has shown such an interest in art and all things creative....I would hire you in a second to be her art teacher! I am going to have her come and look at your flower paintings for inspiration. Beautiful!