Family Day

I was happy to have an extra day this weekend and spent a large part of the day in the studio. I feel like a day in the studio is as indulgent as a day at the spa (well, almost!) To be able to emerse myself in the process and be in the moment is a lesson I need to take out of the studio more often. My boys were relatively well behaved and only raced in and out on a few occasions. I am working on the last pillow sample. It is a small one and I may make another as well. This one is in the dyed finn wool...blue, orange and yellow and felts quite differently from the undyed wool in the grease. I still love it, of course. I have also set up 3 more pods that I now "just" need to felt. making the ropes is hard on the hands, but great to take out any frustrations! I will felt them when I am done the pillow and they are for my group exhibit that hangs the end of the month. Well, I am going to get kids to bed and watch some mindless show for an hour or so and look forward to tomorrow when I can once again be at the felt spa!

Valentine Birthday

Well, today was "the big day". I turned 40 on this Feb.14th. Last night I celebrated with 10 if my closest friends with a potluck, wine and lots of laughter. We kept everyone in the house up! It was the first time for some of them meeting as I know several of them from different circles. One takes a chance with such events! I seem to befriend strong women who love a good debate so there was lots of lively conversation...it all went really well and I have spent a great deal of time today reflecting on my gratitude for having these women in my life. Today I had hoped to make it to the studio, but rather had a lazy day with the kids and no cooking which was a welcome break! Monday is a holiday here in Ontario ("family day"). I will be in the studio tomorrow ready to go early and hope to get lots done. The Kingston Fibre Artists show hangs the end of the month and I need to finish up a couple of pieces (umm, actually start one of them) and get in my label information. I also need to felt my final pillow sample to send to Massachusetts. It is not "official" yet as the website is not up and running, but I will be teaching at the Midwest felters Symposium...hope you will catch me there (July). Well, my birthday "day" is coming to an end and my family will not be waiting on me as they kindly and willing did today, so I must get to bed. I will post a picture of the completed pillows before they head South. Happy Valentines Day.

Work and travel Ahead

I am having huge guilt after writing out all the time I will be away teaching over the next several months. I really want to be home with my boys. Let this serve as an announcement that come September, I am taking a long break from teaching. I always give 100% when I teach and it takes a lot out of me. I love, love, love it while I am there, but it is so difficult on everyone else at home. I am working this week on planning for my classes at Chris White's, my beautiful, talented brilliant friend and author. If you don't have her book, Uniquely Felt, buy it today. It's a keeper for beginners and experienced felters alike! I will be making samples and investing some serious time in planning on the best way to teach this as I make them different every time! Well, I'm off to the bank and to get my boys and then get milkshakes as promised!

After Holiday Sloth

Well, Christmas and Boxing day have passed and we are still moving rather slowly. My mind, however, has been spinning with new ideas and my sketch book is never too far from reach. I did spend a couple of hours in the studio yesterday and have a few "pods" ready to go. I surfed Amazon yesterday and ordered some very cool books that should be full of inspiration. I got hung up trying to decide what work would be for what show and came to the conclusion that I just needed to work and those decisions can be made later. I also need to invest some serious time into planning for some teaching in the Spring, but I need to focus on Winter work for now. I will be sending work to Toronto OCC and Tom Thompson Gallery in Owen Sound in the next couple of weeks. I will start wetting down my work in the studio today and am putting it off as it is cold in there! Well, a cup of coffee in hand, I will venture forth...

Christmas stuff

I had a wonderful evening last night. Mark took the boys to a hockey game and I went to my dear friend, Suzanne's house. Frank the farmer joined us with a box of PEI oysters, Danby shucked and Nancy and baby Margaret kept us company. Good friends, good wine and wonderful conversation. I find people's lives so interesting and the journey we have all been on makes mine seem thankfully dull. I am thankful for how open my friends are as we have so much to learn from one another. Mark turns 50 today. So hard to believe. He's headed off to work, when I think he should be home enjoying his day. I should know by now that what he enjoys is being busy and he is doing what he wants to do today. He will be home early to join us and all the things we have planned...gifts and some of his favorite food!

Hi Everyone

Hello! I know it has been a while. I have been super busy, as we all are this time of year. I have entered another juried show at the Tom Thompson Gallery in Owen Sound. Have not heard yet about it or the DIWhy exhibit, but will hear this month. I am also working on a solo show for 2011. I will keep you posted. I have several scarves and a few other pieces at the Sandra Whitton Gallery in Kingston. I have sold 4 pieces already and hope more will go. Sandra's Gallery has been a successful venue for me. It really is a nice space.

I am ticked with a "certain" other gallery that is awful at communicating...no reply to my calls or emails. I am so out of there in the new year.

My fibre sales are high with all the keen crafters out there. I am so happy to see people making gifts for their children rather than buying a bunch of crap. I am headed out today to buy a few supplies I need to make some things this weekend for teacher gifts etc...Well, I need coffee.

Whew! I'm Back!

Hi All...I couldn't log on to my blog for a while for some bizarre reason. I have just submitted an entry for a OCC juried exhibit themed "DIwhy". I had a great idea and it all come together quickly. I am happy for that, as I have a lot on the go. I have an opening in Belleville Saturday with the KFA. I am looking forward to seeing how it has all come together. My large vessel from my website is there and being shown for the first time and I think it may go to Scotland in February depending on what I do in the meantime. I have been doing some needle felting for others and am feeling in the mood to create something fun. I have found some very inspiring illustrations on the internet as well as some dools in other mediums that are stunning. Their faces keep me awake at night. I also need to create some more scarves for the holiday season...What a day today...History was made in wonderful way. Interesting times lie ahead.