The Passing of Time and the Necessity for Change

When Franki Kohler shared that Postmark'd Art had turned 10 years old in June, I was surprised. As a charter member (there are only 6 of us left), I had not realized that 10 years had passed. What does that say about me?

Postmark'd Art provided me with a wonderful opportunity to grow in a supportive community. I also made some wonderful friends and was treated to some pretty incredible art.

For this round, I signed up for the "symbols" group. It will be my last trade with the group. Leaving was not an easy decision but a necessary one. I realize that I need to focus on making meaningful art and that I am not going to live forever so it is time to let some things go. I highly recommend getting involved in some kind of trading art group. Have you belonged to one?

I rust dyed the background fabric then lightly painted some of the areas to make the tone-on-tone checkered pattern more noticeable.  The palmistry hand is an old wood block print which I used TAP (transfer artist paper) to apply (text too). The two additional fabrics are a batik and a piece of blue linen. It was fun to make and I hope all who receive the card are happy. Now I will work through my bittersweet feelings.

How One Things Leads to Another

While working on my power point presentation for On the Same Page Literary Festival, I needed an image for Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories (an oral history project that I had given more than 10 years of my life) and remembered a quilt I had made. It was for Lynn Krawczyk's 2008 Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit with the theme "With One Voice." Artists were asked to give voice to all the good in the world by showcasing a person or organization that they felt contributed to making the world a better place. Ninety-four artists answered the call.

As I was looking through the catalog, I was struck by how many people I know now that I didn't know then- Liz Berg, Mimi Holmes, Linda Boone Laird (essay in Quilts in the Attic), Heather Lair (essay in Quilts in the Attic and fellow Postmark'd Art participant), Catherine Lamkin (interviewed her for Q.S.O.S. and have remained friends), Ann Louise Mullard-Pugh (our quilts hung next to each other for the Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece traveling exhibit and I also interviewed her for Q.S.O.S.), Diane Petersmarck (interviewed her for Q.S.O.S.), Bonnie Smith (member of my group CLAW (Crossing the Line: Artists at Work) and a good friend), and last but not least Patty VanHuis-Cox (member of my heARTist Trading Cards group). And while Ami Simms and I knew each other then we are much closer now. It's just too cool.

So I have an image to illustrate all the connections in my life and I took a nice trip down memory lane. Who could ask for anything more?

Inspiration Struck- No Joking

I was so amazed that my suggested theme, Deck of Cards, for the new round of trades for Postmark'd Art was embraced by more than half the members! This round we are doing the suit of hearts with a joker added. I got the joker! I was so excited because I knew instantly what I wanted to do.  I bought this rubberstamp by All Night Media, Inc. more years ago than I can remember. It took me a while to track it down and I am not even sure the company exists anymore. If I remember correctly Plaid Industries bought them Anyway, inspiration struck and I answered! I am happy with my postcard and it feels good to be done just a couple of days into the trade. Hopefully my playing card will make those who receive them happy. I like the message too! I certainly have had moments lately where I have needed to lighten up. How about you?

I have been asked often why I like making small art. This is especially asked by people who cannot imagine being able to create anything interesting that is small. I think any time we do something often, we get better at it. For me, it is not just about creating but being able to share. By sharing/belonging to exchange groups, I am also exposed to new ideas and different styles. Creating small art is fun, doesn't take a lot of time most of the time and it keeps my creative juices flowing.

This is my contribution to Off the Wall Fridays.

Heather Lair

Yesterday I learned that Heather Lair had died on July 3. I "met" Heather through Postmark'd Art and got to know her even better when I interviewed her for an essay, "The Oldest UFO," in my book, Quilts in the Attic.  It was wonderful to have a Canadian quilt story and one with such a rich family connection. Who knew hoarders existed in the late 1800s was one of our favorite jokes.  Heather shared so honestly about her mistakes while she worked on the quilt. We touched base not too long ago and I teased her about the quilt still not being finished. I hope that someone in her family does take up the cause because it was Heather's desire that it be finished one day. Her death is a loss also to the quilt world. She was wildly talented and a very kind and caring person. I will miss her.

-all paths lead to the beach! by Heather Lair

Prayer Flags: Dealing with Loss

Beyond the beliefs of any religion, there is the truth of the human spirit. Beyond the power of nations, there is the power of the human heart.  - Tarthang Tulko (Tibetan teacher in the Nyingma tradition who lives in America, where he works to preserve the art and culture of Tibet)

Feeling sad continues. However, tears are becoming less frequent. Last night I decided that I had to do something other than feeling sad. When the  Prayer Flag Project began in 2011, I was one of the first people to sign on. The idea intrigued me and I made one a day for a month. Each flag represented a wish I had for the world.  I kept twelve which hang across the wall and near the ceiling on a wall in my studio and the rest were stung up in my garden until they became a part of it. I also participated in an international exchange in 2012.  Real Tibetan flags, which were a gift from my friend Carol Esch (she sent them when she learned I was making prayer flags,) hang across the windows in my studio. I have had Tibetan prayer flags in my garden many times since purchasing them support the Tibetan artists. There is something about  watching the flags disintegrate that always causes me mixed emotions--joy and sadness.

One of my favorite Postmark'd Art postcards is from Beki Ries-Montgomery of Eugene, Oregon, (made in 2006) about the prayer flags she saw hanging from the Dochu La Pass in the Kingdom of Bhutan. I don't even mind the black smug added by the USPS. According to Beki, it was a "trip of a lifetime, a wondrous landscape and a gentle, friendly people."                                                              


From the Tibetan Aid Project, "According to the Tibetan tradition, prayer flags imprinted with sacred images and mantras transmit healing energy into the world through the power of the wind. Prayer flags empowered by mantras affect natural, elemental forces on a subtle level, beyond ordinary human perception. As they fly in the wind, the flags exert a protective, balancing influence on the environment and generate benefit for all sentient beings."

heARTist Trading Cards is going to be making prayer flags as a side trade in August so making them seemed like a perfect creative activity to do for so many reasons. Each flag is approximately 5" w by 8" h. I "cheated" slightly with "be peace" because I loved the idea of something hanging off the bottom. Now I wish I could have figured out how to do it with the rest of them. I also made extras so share with friends. If you have not made prayer flags, I highly recommend doing so.  The healing has begun.

Life Can Change Quickly

I want to think again of dangerous and noble things.
I want to be light and frolicsome.
I want to be improbably beautiful and afraid of nothing,
as though I had wings.
-excerpt from "Starlings in Winter" by Mary Oliver

Late this afternoon I got word that my mother-in-law is dying. She has had Alzheimer's for more than 15 years and has not known any of her loved ones for more than 10. She is in hospice, in a coma and cannot swallow. Hopefully her passing will happen quickly. She is dying the death she most feared- the death of her mother.  I decided that I needed to concentrate on something so I decided to make my collage postcards for Postmark'd Art. When I finished, I realized that the cards reflected my mood (grey, yet hopeful) and that art does save. Make sure you hug someone you love tomorrow.

Zentangle Artist Trading Cards

I discovered Zentangles in 2009. I played around with it for a while, but it did not speak to me as it has done others. Lately, there has been a lot of talk about Zentangles especially in my pottery class. Postmark'd Art had it as a theme in the last round. I made a skull. heARTIST Trading Cards has selected the theme for May. I was too tired to do much on Saturday night so I decided to play around with making Zentangle ATCs. At first, it was tough because usually one works in a 3-inch square and Zentangles usually do not include color. The pieces just seemed to be screaming "color" to me and I like them so much better with color.  It was definitely fun to revisit this wonderful way to doodle. Not sure if I will make more cards or simply use these. Guess I'll decide closer to the trade. I will say it made me feel productive and creative during a low energy period. It most certainly helped me recharge. Now I can't wait for May to come around and see what everyone else in the group creates.

Mind Mapping

One of themes for this (our 16th) round for Postmark'd Art was "Maps." I decided to do a play on Mind Mapping which is a diagram used to visually outline information. I had learned mind maps from a journal class I took from Corless Brown Ferrara in 1993. Being a strongly visual person, mind maps are a great tool. Of course, the minute I finished my postcards I found the perfect brain material in my stash.

I love serendipity. Writer Elizabeth Berg said, "Sometimes serendipity is just intention unmasked." I was looking through the December/January issue of Quilting Arts Magazine and was pleasantly surprised to discover that they are having a Reader Challenge called "Map It Out." Check out page 70.  And while I have hundreds of things that I should be doing, I decided to get right to work on my quilt. Here is what I have so far. Please let me know if you decide to enter a quilt too!

Ransom Note Postcard

I am bone tired and still feeling a need to be creative. I don't know what it is about cutting letters and words out of magazines but it makes me happy. As a member of Postmark'd Art, I was thrilled when Typography was one of this round's themes. I hadn't planned to make another ransom note and yet it seemed like the perfect activity for today. I sat on my couch, watched old movies and created this postcard. It's just the first step. I have to decide whether to use TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) or print it directly to fabric. Too tired to decide tonight. Happy and hope I can get a good night's sleep. Here's to creative dreams for all of us.

Sometimes in the Winds of Change We Find Our Direction

I love mixed media so I always sign up for a mixed media exchange with Postmark'd Art whenever it is available. This round I just could not get out of my own head. Every attempt I began I hated. I was making it too complicated. Yesterday I decided to simply begin with two fabrics, sew them together and play. It worked! I used three different commercial fabrics,  Korean wrapping paper, two different kinds of paint, a metal star sticker (hope they make it) and TAP (Transfer Artist Paper). I love adding words and quotes to my work and this one has the saying, "Sometimes in the winds of change we find our direction." It wasn't important to me to have this be a large element in  the piece but simply a part of it. The deadline was not until September 30th but I like to get things done early. I had to make five and I'm pleased that each one is a little different. I can't wait to see what I receive. So my postcards (6" x 4") are in the mail and I hope they bring joy to everyone they encounter.

Zentangle Inspired Threads Skull

I joined Postmark'd Art in the beginning because the idea of making fiber postcards intrigued me. I've stayed because it provides me opportunities to grow and try new things in a supportive environment and because I am exposed to so many amazing artists. I signed up for the Zentangle Inspired Threads group because it was so different for anything I had ever done. If you don't know anything about Zentangle, do check it out. While I purchased their starter kit, I haven't spent much time playing with it. Basically, it's a fun kind of doodling.

I gave myself the added challenge of trying to do a shape. I love skulls so I drew one and used it for my postcards. Yesterday I went to the satellite post office in a local pharmacy. The kid behind the counter could not believe I had made them and wanted to look at them some before putting them in the box. Hopefully they will make it to their destinations. If not, I got a teenage boy to track down. I will admit to a couple of moments of "what was I thinking?" and that I am really happy with how they turned out. I included a quote on the back "Locked in each human skull is a little world all it's own." by Robert Tusker which seemed appropriate.

Postmark'd Art

I joined Postmark'd Art in July 2004 which began my wonderful journey into making postcards to trade. In 2005, we had a website which was maintained by a webmaster. In October 2011, Franki Kohler, our fearless and kind leader, decided it was time for a change. Now Franki, Lynn Chinnis and I work together to maintain the website. We are serious about promoting fiber art, fiber postcards and our wonderfully creative members. I encourage you to check out the website because it is a great place to be inspired and it is not just about postcards.  

Lynn Chinnis does the First Friday Studio Tour and my studio is this month's tour. So if you want to know more about my studio space which is the second largest bedroom in my house, please check it out. I didn't even clean before taking the photos! I am happy when I was asked that the place wasn't a total disaster. I am very messy when I am in the creative zone. I drop lots of fabric and other things on the floor.

I have been writing a three part piece on postcard backs. When I began I truly didn't think I would have so much to say! The first installment was on May 30th, the second installment  will appear tomorrow June 6 and the final installment will be on June 13. 

To everyone who shared stories about people making them feel terrible about their failures, you have my heartfelt sympathy. Too many of us have been there.  A friend shared that she calls these people "balloon busters." Isn't that a great way to view them? All I can say is release those people with love and move on.

We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch.

- e.e. cummings -

This I Believe--Thoughts on Balance

Finding balance has been a discussion with the members of Postmark'd Art and inspired me to write this post.  Finding balance was an issue I too had for years. Here are my thoughts on how I came to creating balance in my life.

I remember at the end of yet another exhausting day of too much to do and too little time to actually enjoy what I was doing, I yelled out loud, "This is nuts! Things have to change." I knew it was not going to be easy to change the patterns, perceptions and attitudes that had gotten me to this point, but I was ready.

There is an old story about a hunter who is walking through the woods. He comes across hundreds of large colorful targets painted on all kinds of trees and all of the arrows on all of the targets have hit the bull's eyes! Never a miss! He's dumbfounded, amazed. The hunter goes off to search for this perfect marksman. Finally he finds him and asks, "Please tell me, what is your secret behind your perfect aim? You never miss!"  The archer smiles and replies, "It is really quite simple. First I shoot my arrows. Then I paint the targets."

The marksman trusted himself and knew wherever he aimed, with clear intention and honest effort, he would always hit his mark. Running around trying to do it all, I was missing the mark. I knew that I needed to be fueled by the desire for self-knowledge and the courage to move forward and explore knowing that there was no end product or finish line. It truly was about process and connecting to my life in a meaningful way.

We choose how to live our lives. We create our own reality. In other words, I had to take responsibility.

I have always believed that we do what is important to us. I needed to take some time and really think about what was important to me. Was I choosing to be an object in my life, letting others tell me who I was and what I was capable of being or the subject of my life, determining my own destiny? What did I want out of this life I have been given?

I started a journal that tracked my activities for the day (which I continue to do). How was I spending my time? The journal put it all in black and white for me to see. After a month, I looked back through my entries and honestly evaluated.

I bought a small white board (it's actually purple) and put it on my desk. It has a running list of things that I want to accomplish and who I want to be. It helps remind me what I have determined is important and helps keep me on track.

Saying "no," has always been hard for me and it's always been comforting to I know I am not alone.  Having been fascinated by the studies on how language influences behavior and a writer, I know the power of words. So I decided to say, "I wish I could, but I can't," instead of "no," when presented with something that I was tempted to do, but for whatever reason was not something for me (remembering what was important to me). This helped keep relationships open and it was much easier for me because I truly wish I could do it all. I know I cannot.

Step away from the computer! I started charting the time that I spent on my computer--e-mail, reading the messages on the different list-serves, Facebook, surfing the web, writing my blog, etc. I was shocked how much time was being eaten up by sitting in front of my computer. Time I would never get back. I started noticing how often people who said that life got in the way so they couldn't meet a deadline were online continually posting all over the place. This helped me to limit the time I spend online.

Don't answer the phone! I use to feel that when the phone rang, I needed to answer it. I didn't matter that I was doing something important, I would stop and answer it. I found all too often that while it was great connecting to the person on the other end, I lost the connection to what I was doing. Or worse, I would pick up the phone to discover a telemarketer. In other words, my time has value and I need to use it wisely. I have an answering machine and I can call people back.

Letting go of people is another thing that has always been hard for me. I came to realize that too many of my relationships while my support, work and efforts were wanted, I was not truly valued.  I wasn't one of the "cool" kids. It took a really hard, painful lesson for me to finally get "it." No more would I stay in a relationship where I was not valued completely. No more giving away my talents to be put in a corner. I now release with love and I am finding that the people in my life are truly wonderful and help me grow instead of making me feel bad about myself.

There is an old Polish saying, "Sleep faster, we need the pillows." It reminds us that there are some things that simply cannot be rushed. I feel life is one of them.  I worked on slowing down. Being present.  I find working (still not totally there) one this skill cultivates and promotes, patience, relaxation and a deeper connection to myself. I stopped multitasking. Whatever made me think I could do more than one thing at a time and do them well? I find I accomplish more and I'm happier with the results.

I worked on self-forgiveness. I didn't look at working toward attaining balance as a need to "fix" myself (I was so tired of thinking of myself as broken), but as a way of being fully who I am and embracing who I will become. Silencing the inner critic was easier some days than others. Reality is layered, like an onion. And to quote Carl Sandburg, "Life is like an onion: you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep." Asking questions is one of the ways you can peel off the layers one by one, to find out what is really real for you. Questioning draws out your truth. Revelation is part of the payoff.

At first making the changes was difficult but over time--as I consistently worked to change--I found that my life was much more fulfilling, I was happier and I was accomplishing more not less.  This is not to say that my life does not get out of balance from time to time. That is life. However, it is no longer a way of life. 

Spring Back, Fall Forward

I was in the quilt shop yesterday looking for fabrics for a quilt that I will not be able to share with you (more on that in a minute). There were a group of three women who were complaining loudly to anyone who would listen (and those of us who did not) about Day Light Saving Time occurring. I for one like the idea of it being lighter at night. I am very much like a sunflower which follows the sun trying to catch every available ray of sun. I wonder why these women seemed to need to complain for a good 20 minutes. Yes, I know losing an hour of sleep is not easy for some. I don't remember how to change the clock in my car.  However, this is a sign of winter ending and I am going to rejoice and dig out the car manual.  I am also thankful that after two extremely long winters, this one promises an early spring. The maple trees are budding two weeks early! By the way, this is another thing we can thank Benjamin Franklin and it also saves energy.

Now back to my quilt. I have tried to understand the reasoning of not sharing quilts for exhibition for years and I am still no closer. When I talk with my art friends about this subject, they simply look at me like I am from another planet. They don't get it either.  All I can say is that if I want to play, I must play by the rules so I won't be showing you anything concerning my Memories of My Childhood quilt.

And thanks to Marti for setting me straight that my ATC has a martini glass. Learned something new.

I can share with you that I signed up for the 4 x 6 2 exchange through the Art House Co-op. It was free and since I love making postcards, I thought it would be fun. You make a piece of 4" x 6" art, send it in with a SASE and they send you a 4" x 6" piece of art. I decided to send in one of the postcards I made for the Postmark'd Art group exchange this round. The theme was quotes and I chose the Chinese proverb, "A bird does not sing because it has a answer, it sings because it has a song." I'll share what I get in return. Now it's backing to appliqueing for me. Enjoy this glorious day! I am.

Postmark'd Art and Tote Bags

Postcard by Marjorie Lee Jin En McQuincy

Postcard by Lynn Chinnis

For those of you interested in tote bags, I have made a page (just under the header) with my posts concerning them. I am sorry that I got away from finishing my tote bag construction posts and promise to post tomorrow on closures.

I have belonged to Postmark'd Art since its beginning in 2004.  It was the first online group that I ever joined and I had never made a fiber postcard. Belonging to the group has been an incredible learning experience. I have gained some wonderful friends, stretched and grown as a person and an artist because of this group. We have recently relaunched our web presence. Franki Kohler, our leader and organizer, Lynn Chinnis and I are working with the group to continually add new content.  If you are interested in any way about fabric postcards, visit the website. I promise you will not be disappointed!

Postcard by Franki Kohler

I belong to a postcard exchange group Postmark'd Art and this round I signed up for the theme Poetry.  I have loved poetry for as long as I can remember. While the group voted for the theme only one person signed up to join me. I hope she likes the card. I combined my love of poetry and a poem I recommend all the time and revisit often. It's called "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver. It's worth revisiting regularly for the provocation of these lines:

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do 
with you one wild and precious life?

Tea Time

I'll admit to being shocked and pleased that my Tea Time postcard for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative's auction is $70 and there is still time (auction ends 10 p.m. Eastern on the 10th). Please consider visiting and bidding on any of the wonderful quilts and postcards that are available. This is a great nonprofit organization that is dedicated to finding a cure for Alzheimer's by funding research.

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative Auction

Eight members of the  Postmark'd Art group have donated postcards to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative auction. I personally donated 5 postcards and hope that you will support the effort of this incredible nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure by giving grants for research by bidding on either a postcard or a quilt. The auction ends on the 10th. Thanks!

Earth

I am fortunate to belong to a wonderful postcard  group called Postmark'd Art. We started doing element exchanges where you create a 12 x 12 inch piece based on the element then cut it into six 4 x 6 inch postcards. This exchanges element was "earth." For weeks I kicked myself for signing up for this exchange because I could not come up with an idea so I simply stopped thinking about it. While I was digging out my mailbox for the third day in a row, I was thinking about how much I was looking forward to digging in the dirt when suddenly I got the idea to needle felt. Once I got going all the stress and worrying that I had been doing evaporated. I even used some precious felt from my beloved Georgia (country not state) and lots of other roving that I had purchased but never used. I also felted in the little felt balls that were on one of my sweaters! It was almost as good as playing in the dirt.

Fire!

The Postmark'd Art group selected fire as the element for this exchange and I jumped at the chance to participate.  It was a lot of fun except that I now have the Johnny Cash song "Ring of Fire" stuck in my head. The piece is 12 inches by 12 inches and it will be cut into six (4" x 6") postcards. I'll mail off 5 and keep one for myself. When the exchange is over I will have 6 examples of how to create fire. How cool is that! I used raw edge applique for the flames and needle felting to create some smoke. I also used my Derwent Inktense watersoluble ink pencils to add color to the tips of the yellow fabric that I used. I love this group and couldn't image not having the exchange. I can't believe we're on our 10th round!