More ABC's of Life

Thanks to everyone who asked to see more of my ABC's of Life books. These books have been so much fun to make that I am now doing a series with quotes. These books have also allowed me to use different bits of things that I have saved- birthday cards, parts from the calendar I made a couple of years ago, junk mail, etc. Enjoy!

More on the ABC's of Life

When was the last time you were really excited and engaged in something? For me it has been quite a while so it has felt so good to be playing and creating the ABC's of Life accordion books. Thanks Marie for making this one of our trades! I have actually completed two! The first one helped me learn and figure it all out. The second opened me up to more possibilities. Can't wait to see what the third one brings.

It has been great doing something that I want to do instead of something that I should be doing. I think my long period of navel-gazing is over. I continue to clear the crap that has cluttered my life. There are still plenty of things that I could clean out and I will.  I know that this is a lifetime endeavor. Dealing with so much loss in the last year and a half, my bereavement forced me to be still, giving me time to reflect and reconsider every part of my life. I still feel fragile. I do feel lighter and firmly believe that art heals.

I have decided to create some other smaller books filled with quotes that I love. A continuation on the theme but not tied to letters of the alphabet. It feels good to be in a creative zone again!

The Universe Had Its Own Ideas

Saturday I quickly finished all my errands so I could go to ClaySpace. I have started a new sculpture that was calling my name. Unfortunately as I was pulling up to my house, there was a fire truck in front of my house and a fire marshall's car in my driveway. The roofer working on the house across the street had set the roof on fire with a torch. Thankfully no one was hurt, but I could not leave my house for nearly three hours. I had to carry my groceries from my car which was parked several houses down from mine. Melissa and Joe, the owners of the home, were incredibly calm. Melissa even joked about how the saga of the fallen tree (put a hole in their roof last year) was never going to end. At one point, I think every boy in my neighborhood was standing in front of my house watching all the activity across the street. Exciting times but not much creativity.

Listening to the Creative Habit

Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven't the answer to a question you've been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you're alone in the whole house? Each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully.
       -  The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster

Today I was asked how I am able to accomplish so much. The reality is while I do get a lot done, there is always things that don't get done. Lately it has been blogging. It is all about choice.  Having commitments help. Having something new to get the creative juices flowing also helps. The side trades with heARTist Trading Cards certainly keeps my creative juices flowing, stretches me as I try new things, and being part of the caring community of artists is a blessing. I find that when I do not do something creative even if it is just making small art, I feel out of balance- as if something is missing. And while this has probably been the case my entire life, I feel it more acutely lately.  I think it has to do with getting older and valuing my time more.  I am loving every minute I create. How about you?

No Excuse Approach

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offerings.
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
                                      -Leonard Cohen
 
While I love that spring has finally arrived in all its glory, I have been experiencing terrible allergy problems. The worst I have had in years. Hopefully once all the trees have finished dropping pollen, I will be less fuzzy and congested. Thankfully the crashing sinus headache has lessened. Thanks to everyone who expressed concerns. I definitely feel the pull of blogging again.

I have continued to make 4" x 4" collages. It is a great way to jump start a day. I added ants to this one because I am also suffering through an ant problem in my kitchen. Ack! Looking back through the collages, I can see how I was feeling and/or thinking about when I created them. It has not been easy to experience life with less energy and to put what energy I have into creating something, anything. At my pottery class last night, everyone seemed to be experiencing a lack of attention or frustration. Is it something in the air? My plan was to make boxes but after the first one, I switched to making a mask. Mission accomplished! I was focused and successful. I felt much better and went home happy. The "no excuse" approach to creating is working! Off to make some more art. Do you create something everyday?

Jeu de lettres or Playing with Letters

In an effort to get control of all these little bits of paper in my life, I came across this wonderful quote by Gerard Charriere, a Swiss-Trained Typographer and Book Artist.

If you choose a delicate typeface, don't put something with it that will overwhelm; it is a marriage. You can play with letters until they become part of the design. I like them to be very clear, with lots of space, each letter to make a statement. Sometimes I call my work 'Je de lettres" or playing with letters. I arrange them so that each one stands on its own, like in a bunch of flowers, yet never overcrowding. It is a balance. I see it when it works.

On the same piece of paper, I wrote "Pick a letter, set the timer, cut out letters from magazines, quickly arrange." I picked the letter "T," but started seeing some interesting "J's" so they got included too. The entire exercise took an hour. You can find it on the second to last page of one of my art journals. I am sure I will play with it some more because that is what I do.  It was a fun way to jump start my creativity today. What do you do to jump start your creativity?

Jump Starting Creativity

 One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words. - Johann Wolfgang van Goethe

It's always interesting how questions come to me in groups. The last couple of days I've been asked by several people how to get going. My advice:

1. Keep it simple.
2.  Get in a habit of making art. Make creativity a part of your daily routine.
3. It doesn't need to be a huge chunk of time. 10-15 minutes can make a huge impact.

I remember when Jette Clover decided to make simple collages with things she had on hand. She limited herself to a 3" x 5" index card. She made a commitment to set aside at least 10 minutes a day. She did this every day for a year.  This strategy helped her to be successful.

In 1990, Nancy Halpern decided to create a visual record of her daily events which resulted in a 138" h x 72" w quilt. Her rules were simple: "Wait until the day has begun to take share before starting the block. Finish the block by the end of the day (even if it's during the wee hours of the morning). And never work ahead." She joined her blocks vertically and each month has a row which makes the bottom of the quilt have an interesting shape. Some of the blocks were intricate and others simple. She did create an airplane template depicting westbound flights that could be flipped over to head east. A different template depicted north- and southbound flights This quilt went on to inspire lots of quiltmakers to create their own journal quilts. Actually, it still does. (The only place I have ever seen an image of the quilt was in Threads magazine's April May 1997 issue.)

I like to create and send handmade greeting cards. When I began, I tried to create masterpieces and definitely over thought the process, but with practice, I now just go with the flow, keep it simple and have fun. There is something about creating something and sending it out into the world that definitely jump starts my creative juices. How do you jump start your creativity? Are you doing something every day?

Creativity Lesson 6- Spirit Dolls

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“Art does not reproduce what we see. It makes us see.” Paul Klee

“Life is without meaning, we bring meaning to it.” Joseph Campbell

 Making cloth dolls has always been a fun and different way to play with fiber. If you've never made a cloth doll, now is the time to start! Keep it simple. Have fun!

 

Assignment #6 – Spirit Doll

In this assignment, we will make “spirit” dolls.  Does your doll have wild hair? Colorful clothes? A special name? Remember to have fun and have her reflect your spirit (could it be your secret one?)! Is she made of paper or cloth?  

If you would like a simple pattern for a doll, just email me and I'll send one along. Just note, it doesn't have a face which you have to provide.

Happy creating! 

On a more personal note. Today I learned that my friend Jan Hawley died in her sleep on January 17. It was such a shock. I remember when there were three of us on the Alliance for American Quilts board who celebrated a milestone birthday (50th) together in Louisville, Kentucky. Pat recently and unexpectedly lost her husband. Makes me pause and count my blessings. It also reminds me that life is short and unexpected things can happen so I have to make the most of it. Join me in celebrating all the good things in life.

Reworking A Quilt

You must not for one instant give up the effort to build new lives for yourselves. Creativity means to push open the heavy, groaning doorway to life. This is not an easy struggle. Indeed, it may be the most difficult task in the world, for opening the door to your own life is, in the end, more difficult than opening the door to the mysteries of the universe. --Daisaku Ikeda

When traveling I need to have handwork especially if I am a passenger in a car but the trip to my parents' home shortly after Christmas was not planned. However, I had already begun my annual end-of-the-year assessment and clean out. This year I definitely want to deal with some of my older work. While in Maine in 2009, I made this quilt during a visit with my friend Elizabeth Cherry Owen. We would sit together in the evening and watch movies and I would work on it. It's called "Connections." If you want to know my thoughts on it, visit my April 23, 2009 blog post. I didn't plan the quilt. It never felt finished so it became my road trip handwork. I started doing embroidery then added beads. Again I didn't plan any of it just allowed myself to flow from one section to the next. I am much happier! Now I really have to replace my camera as my son's camera definitely doesn't capture color as well as my dead Cannon. (I bought it for him so I only have myself to blame.) Do you ever revisit your work and change it? I don't so this was a new experience for me.

Clean Your Sink Become Enlightened

Creativity comes from looking for the unexpected and stepping outside your own experience. - Masaru Ibuka

Real Simple magazine recommended deep cleaning your kitchen sink as a step to being happier. I remember thinking "Really? Are they nuts?" Of course, this made me look at my sink, see how much it needed to be cleaned which caused the habit of deep cleaning it. It helped remind me that taking pleasure in the little things in life can make a difference especially if we look at every action as an act of creation. The little details in life especially if we change up routines can provide get motivation/confidence to create. If we live our lives believing that the possibility for inspiration exists in each moment and staying open to those possibilities, we can ignite new worlds within ourselves; a change in attitude.

Julie Sefton has been working through my creativity lessons and has been posting her efforts (photo provided) on her blog.  Check out what she has done for lessons 4 and 5. You won't be disappointed and hopefully it will provide you with inspiration. Thanks Julie!

How do you open yourself to inspiration? What small act/change have you made?

Thinking about Thinking

A conversation with my son has caused me to think about thinking again. It took me a long time to realize that I think differently than the people around me. Ideas come to me as a whole or as I call it  an aerial view of things. I am not a linear thinker (you must start with A to move to B, to C to get to D) in a world that basically believes that there is only linear thinking.  I also married a extremely intelligent, linear thinking man (got his degree in chemical engineering in three years and graduated third in his class).  I have come to also realize that constantly being told that I was/am "wrong" in my approach caused me to have a poor self image, an uneasy feeling that I never deserved my accomplishments and often was looked upon as being "difficult" which of course just makes me angry and hence "difficult." Is this kind of thinking more of a woman's way? C Diane Ealy, Ph.D. thinks so. She actually calls it "holistic thinking." When I discovered her book the Woman's Book of Creativity in 1995, it was such a godsend and helped set me on a healing path of acceptance. My question to you is how do you think? In school when you had to create an outline for a paper, did you write the paper then create the outline? That's what I did. How does your way of thinking effect your creativity? Because I believe it does and it part I think that is why I love the process.

Creativity Lesson 4: Sheild/Coat of Arms

Okay, I am in denial (Isn't that a river in Egypt?) about the fact that it is December. Afterall, I mowed my lawn and grilled yesterday! For those of you who are too busy to add this assignment to your to do list, it's okay. Do it next month. I'm not here to beat you up. I'm simply sharing and supporting you in your journey.

“The process of creation is a force moving through us, and only through practice do we learn how to cooperate with it.” Shaun McNiff

symbol: a material object representing, often something immaterial – Webster Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary

Assignment #4 – Shield/Coat of Arms

In this assignment, we will explore what we need to protect AND recharge our creativity.  You will need to take some time to think about the positive ways you protect and recharge your creative juices (time to get out your journal) then decide how to express it.  What shape is your shield? A circle? A hexagon? What needs to be on the shield? How about the color? In past, colors had very specific meaning. Green meant hope and loyalty in love. While Blue meant loyalty and red meant strength. Maroon meant patience. When you’re feeling a need to recharge what do you do? Hot bubble bath? Chocolate? Gardening? You get the idea. It can be as abstract as you want as long as you understand the meaning. 

Start looking: Find a quote, poem, book passage, or song lyric that moves you; that has meaning. When you find it, write it in your journal. You have some time so please don’t panic. Just be open. Can’t decide? It’s okay. Collect as many as you like.

 

Suggested reading: Trust the Process: An Artist’s Guide to Letting Go by Shaun McNiff

Catching Up

The Island Quilters Guild is filled with the most wonderful women. Thank you! I truly wish I could have spent more time with you. I did find it interesting that two people came up to me after my lecture/trunk show and said, "I just love how you do anything that you want [when it comes to quilts]." My response was, "What is stopping you?" I really didn't get an answer but it did cause me to think. What stops us from doing what we want?

I want to thank Sharlene Ferrin for being chauffeur.  Thank you to Debbie Shabot for sending me the promised photo and encouraging words. 

As you can see, I was able to applique many stones to complete that part of this wall hanging. I'm more than ready to begin quilting then move on to beading.

View from my hotel window

Creativity Traits

I started this list more than 10 years ago and share it with my students when I teach. It is shared with no particular order and has been added to often (including many suggestions from my students). 

Which five do you possess? Which five would you like to acquire? What is missing from the list?

Purpose

Passion

Perseverance 

Enthusiasm 

Sense of humor

Open mindedness

Curiosity

Aware

Flexibility

Practice 

Able to evaluate

Willing to make mistakes

Risk taker/willing to risk

Forgiving

Value process 

Open to all your senses

Time management/concentration

Ambitious 

Organizational Skills

Courage/Brave 

Self-control

Vision

Inquisitive

Love of beauty

Love of language 

Love of logic

Love of mystery

Love of simplicity 

Imagination

Observant

Playfulness

Serious

Optimism 

Nonconformity/Free Spirit

Originality

Skepticism

Acceptance of challenge 

Alert to gaps in knowledge

Intuition

Willing to grow

Access to emotions

Self-Discipline

Sharing

Empathy/Thoughtful

Self-trust

Depth of knowledge

Patience

Resourceful

Ingenuity

Persistence

Intellectual honesty

Intellectual playfulness

Energy

Supply own momentum

Able to evaluate

Gentle

Rule  breaker

Introspective

Questions norms/assumptions

Reality testing abilities

Self-centered

Stubbornness

Confidence

Tough skinned

Playfulness/Whimsy

Self-rewarding

Adventuresome

Nurturing

Desire

Calm

Honesty/Integrity

Anxiety tolerant

Self-direction

Strength/Endurance

Focus

Compassion

Creativity- What Lights the Fire or Snuffs It Out?

I'm hearing from quite a few people about how they are "waiting for my muse to return" or something to that effect. I know the feeling. However, I think Pablo Picasso said it best, "Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working." Maya Angelou also said, "You can't use up creativity--The more you use, the more you have."

For many people thinking that they are not create or in a create slump has to do with looking at what you are doing on a daily basis differently. Arranging flowers in a vase is being creative. Doodling is being creative. Look for ways that you are being creative other than making art.

Change the story you tell yourself and others. Dr. Phil calls these "tapes" because we replay the same thoughts and words in our head, focusing on the most negative aspects. Even when I am having a bad day when I am asked, "How are you?" I always reply, "Fabulous and you?" I'm amazed at the number of wonderful conversations I've had with people. I may not be able to control much in my life, but I can control how I respond.

Try making a list of all the creativity stoppers in you life. Just being aware can make a huge difference. I remember nearly snorting my coffee with Gary Reefe sent me "C.R.A.P."

Criticism
Rejection
Assholes
Pressure

These are his creativity stoppers. Thinking of them as "crap" takes away their power.

You don't have to share the assignments if you don't wish to do so. I don't have any power to make you and wouldn't want to if I did. I will tell you that part of the reason I call it a "Creativity Circle" is because this is a safe place. Sharing also helps keep you accountable. Not all the assignments will resonate with you. Do them anyway. It is especially important for you to do the ones that don't because I guarantee you will learn something. Feel the fear, do it anyway. What do you have to lose? Or more importantly, what do you have to gain?

Creativity Circle: Personal Life Tassel

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”   Mary Lou Cook

First, thank you for committing to your creativity. I know this can be a little scary, but I assure you that this will be fun!

Began teaching this course nearly fifteen years ago to my quilt students and was given opportunities to also share with artists who did not work in textiles. It worked for them too. So you can create the assignments using any medium you wish.

Step One

Please purchase a blank notebook that is at least 8-½” by 11.” Sketchbooks are great.  If you like, also purchase some colored pencils. Don't be afraid to carry it with you so you can jot down ideas, thoughts, etc.

 

This is how it will work.

All assignments will be presented here on the first of each month. Remember you have a month to get it done. It is important that you take the time to work on your assignments and complete them. I cannot stress this enough. I am asking that you truly commit to the journey and the people who are sharing the journey.

Julia Cameron has a contract in her book The Artist's Way. I've modified her contract and offer it to you below. I highly recommend signing such a contract and posting it on your refrigerator as a reminder to not only you but the people around you. I've had many students use this as a means to get through to their families that this is important. "I have signed a contract and need to fulfill it."

The first part of each assignment will be sharing of the previous month’s completed project you can do this on your blog or by sending me a photo. For those of you posting it on the blog, send me a link. Photos and links are due one day before the first of the month.

I will also be suggesting books for you to read. Use your library to check them out. There will also be optional field trips.

Please honor this gift. If you are not a follower of my blog, please become one. Please leave a comment if you plan to join this journey.

 

“Wherever you are is the entry point.” Kabir

Assignment #1 –Personal Life Tassel

In this assignment, you will create a tassel that will reflect who you are and what you love. Time to clean out your junk drawer(s). Find all the little treasures, the flotsam and jetsam of your life that you have tucked away (pins, buttons, beads, a leftover earring, keys, anything you can tie onto your tassel) and get them out! Please also think about where you would like to hang your tassel so you can see it. Remember to have fun!
 

9” – 12” metal or wooden ring or anything that you can hang things from (many students have used old embroidery or quilting hoops)

Ribbons, cording, and/or fabric

 

Specialty threads and/or yarn

Your treasures

Scissors

Large-eyed needles to help you attach your items

Thread to sew items 

Have any questions, feel free to  contact me with any questions or concerns.

 

Creativity Contract

I, ___________________, understand that I am undertaking a guided encounter with my own creativity. I commit myself to the duration of the course. I commit myself to reading, outings and the fulfillment of each month’s tasks.

I, ___________________, further understand that this course will raise issues and emotions for me to explore and deal with. 

I, _________________, commit myself to excellent self-care- adequate sleep, diet, exercise and pampering- for the duration of the course.

Sign___________________________

Date___________________________

 

40 Ways to Stay Creative

This week five people have asked me how I stay creative. One was a soon to be junior in high school which made me particularly sad. Someone had really crushed her creative drive. Most of the people started by saying something like, "I'm not creative like you," or ""I'm not creative." I didn't have a quick answer so I decided to make a list (no particular order, just how things popped into my head) and share it. I'm hoping you'll share your ideas too because I am sure that this is not a complete list.

1.  Make lists.
2.  Stop trying to be perfect.
3.  Carry a notebook everywhere and use it! (Don't forget to have a pen too.)
4.  Step away from your computer.
5.  Watch a foreign film.
6.  Clean your workspace.
7.  Collaborate.
8.  Surround yourself with creative people.
9.  Keep a journal or two or three.
10. Join an exchange/trade group.
11. Take a class outside your field.
12. Go somewhere new.
13. Play. Don't think of creating as "work."
14. BREAK THE RULES.
15. Finish something.
16. Do something that scares you.
17. Be open.
18. Shut off your T.V.
19. Doodle.
20. Make mistakes. Lots of them.
21. Start a blog.
22. Teach someone something you love to do.
23. Make something useful. (My thing seems to be making tote bags.)
24. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
25. Stop comparing yourself and/or your work against others. There will always be someone doing something better than you.
26. Do something silly.
27. Make do. Use the supplies you have on hand or limit what you allow yourself to use.
28. Say "what if?" and act on your answer.
29. Research something that interests you.
30. Set a timer for 10 minutes and see what you can accomplish.
31. Work in a medium that is less familiar to you.
32. Be kind to yourself.
33. Take your camera with you everywhere. Take pictures. Lots of them!
34. Remember that we are cycling beings. There will be highs and lows.
35. Have fun!
36. Show up.
37. Creative things with a friend(s).
38. Go on a retreat.
39. Release a past hurt.
40. Go with the flow!

By the way, the photo is of some African bracelets that I purchased to help women earn a living. They became stretched out and I was no longer wearing them. Last night I was thinking about circles and balls when the idea came to me to see if I could create a ball with the bracelets. It was an interesting exercise and made me think. Of course, my husband of all people asked me what I was going to do with it. I think that may be the most frustrating question I continue to encounter. Really what does it matter?

Journal Fun!

I love to play with paper and stickers. And a day with my friend Barbara is heaven! It's been more than six weeks since we got together again. Today we transformed $1.00 journals into gifts for family and friends. I got 10 done!  It was just what I needed. I'm ready to dive into some new projects. For me, this is just the thing (mindless play) to get my creative juices flowing! How do you get your juices flowing?