Seasons of Creativity

      Trying to overcome my 'tendency' to leave things unfinished so, with all that in mind I have made the decision to end each month with some accountability.  Please feel free to help with  "what about...?' ha!  I almost postponed this post as the end of summer harvest has been very busy as I help the harvester with some of his projects.  August was to be 'my' month which meant my outdoor projects.  But as I was saying, the harvest... As summer ends I did finally finish:   The quilt top for the study. I began to see that the black and white blocks were too high contrast so I tried to spread them around but actually the low contrast fuzzy black and white ones are now showing up as the more troublesome.  A good lesson in value contrasts for me.  It was to be a 'controled' scrap quilt and I will be doing more along this scrappy line 'cause I obviously need more practice.  I need to spend more time working on the design w...

  I think we leave grade 12 terribly deficient.  I mean diagraming sentences,  mathematical theorums, the number of molecules in water and the ingredients for tuna noodle casserole are not going to cut it.  We need a bit more elementary psychology and not the type magazine quizzes offer to tell you what kind of fruit one is.  If we understood we are all different in spite of uniform uniforms and lock steps; if we understood that not only do we look different but learn differently; and if we understood the why of what completes the teacher's pet as well as the class clown, we might walk through life with a few less stumbles and far less bruises.  Full disclosure- I do not have a diploma except from the School of Hard Knocks and seems I am still working on my Phd!  So: How come I have a lovely playroom and NOT a roomful of completed projects to show for all my playing? I have always thought of myself as a procrastinator.  But this isn't really the w...

                                                       I am happy with the layout of my playroom.  The traffic patterns work.  I have the supplies in their corresponding areas.   The new book confirms I am doing things right.   There is a section on keeping track of UFOs and Wips that I can try. But... I am incredibly cramped in my morning journal corner.  I don't mind working in a small area but not when I have to put my journal on top of my 'other' journal it is too cramped.   So.... I am happy to back to working on this desk which I had used before I changed everything.  I had to sacrifice a book case because of the depth but downsizing is good!  I also gained a second narrow sh...

  Grand kiddo, Jolina is out for her visit with us.  She is learning to speak up in the morning planning meetings.      First thing on the agenda was to make her a journal from an old composition notebook cover.  She is not afraid to get messy!   Coming up on my agenda is Art 101 for the coming year.  A challenge for sure as I suspect we will be connecting through our private Facebook group.  I have appreciated her thoughts as I mull things over.  We will want to Make Magical Messes! Jolina has an artistic bent but also a strong domestic leaning.  She surprised her Grand Dad with a request for a doll bed at a morning planning meeting. Ha!  His daughters are gonna be so jealous as I don't recall him making them one!    We drew up a plan and laid out the fabric strips so she could have an idea of how it would come together. This old Singer is an AK 99.  She is affectionately called Agent 99 and will ...

For a pretty spontaneous gal, I am surprised by the fact that routines have become more important the more vintage I get. As the new year (2020) got underway my dearie and I began to embrace a better morning routine and with a good half of the year gone I can certainly see the benefits. We try to give each other a bit of personal space first thing but we meet for the morning planning meeting which doesn't take too long if we don't get side tracked with just good old conversation.  LOL  We can save that for after exercises and breakfast!  He is the solid and practical planner.  I am his opposite- think spacey and impractical.  His happy place is the grocery store or surrounded by his cookbook collection, pantry and freezers.  Mine is Home Sense or Michael's, or surrounded by hobby books, my stash and my art supplies.  oh, and books but NOT cookbooks!   But together we get there! It is all about balance. The Mr. is like a baby and likes bei...