MIA

My friend Sue posted that it has been a long since I have posted. Which is sooooooooooo true. It is also a long time since I have created anything. I have been in a real art slump. There are several factors that have come into play, not excuses mind you just factors that made me less motivated to do art.

1. I started a new job in November so I am not available to do art as often as before.

2. With the new job I have a 45 min commute each way, so by the time I get home I feel really wiped out and just have not wanted to pick up supplies and create.

3. I have not been taking any classes. Classes always motivate me to create and explore.

4. My art group, The Counsel of Muses, has ceased meeting due to lack of space to meet. This once a month group was a great way to explore, create and talk about art. I miss it and wish we could figure out a time and place to meet. Any ideas?

5. The biggest reason of all......My house including my art room is a total uncontrolled mess. I just dread going into the art room (can you believe that) because it is so chaotic that I can not find anything without making a bigger mess. The entire house is this way. I hate it. It makes me depressed and miserable. I am so ashamed of it, I do not let people even close friends into my house. Right now I feel stuck I don't know how to change it. I need help. Any volunteers? Hahahaha.

Pity party over....

Ok I am not the kind of person to wallow in self pity for very long. None of these problems are going to fix themselves. I have to do it. My way....make a plan that usually includes a list and tackle the problem. I am going to make several pledges and plans how to get back on the art track. Every good goal has a time line. I will outline the timeline here as a way to organize it.

1. Each day for one hour I will either create art or clean my art room. Cleaning for me means organizing it as well. Starting tonight.

2. I will ask my mom to help me with the organization because she is a wiz at that. I have asked her before but secretly I think she is overwhelmed by the project as well. Maybe my friend Anna, a gifted organizer can help me if my mom can't, which would require me to deal with my shame and guilt. Dealing with the shame and guilt might not be such a bad thing either. I will ask my mom next week when she is back in town. Sigh still dreading this one

3. Take more classes - I did go to artfest (will blog about that later) and I really enjoyed it and was inspired. I am signed up for a poly clay class at the end of April. I plan to attend art and soul in Portland(I always wait until the time of the event to sign up class and buy classes from people who can't make it since I am local and do not have to book a motel.) This goal is in process.

4. Move closer to work. Not a direct art goal but one that will essentially give me more time and energy for art as well as improve my overall mood. I am already working on this, once I get my taxes I will have the money for the deposits. So then all that will be in my way is finding the right place for me and Roux. I am going to set a date of June 1st.

5. Find more art groups or create an art group. I have re established myself with one group that meets in hillsboro at Art on a lark. I know there are more out there just have to find them. I will even look in Salem since that is where I am work. By June 1st, have found out if Salem has any such groups.

6. I will make more art dates with my friends. In the next two weeks, schedule at least one.

After reading the list, all seems very doable except the cleaning, I told you I dreaded it but it is needed.

Ok I will report back here weekly about how it is going. Feel free to add suggestions, as you can see I really need them.

Spring is here.

Here are some pictures of my most recent swap. I made these 13 flowers from scrap fabric, pipe cleaners, and some of my vintage beads. This swap is through Cooper Crow. It is really a group of women who are such incredible artists. I am just tickled to be invited into their swaps.




The pink fabric is a fat quarter of peacock material and the white petals are from fabric I created by taking an old sheet and rubber stamping on it with lumieres.


The golden rod fabric is s sheet that I got really cheap because it was defective. Still perfect for me. The colorful fabric is from a good bag I won on the van ride from Collage on Alberta to Art and Soul last October. I did not win this bag because my mom was the driver of the van, I won it because I was the only one on the van that trip. Hahaha



I learned this technique from Sister Diane at one of her classes she teach at the Multnomah Library. She does such a great job explaining the technique I am just going to quote her.

Kanzashi is the Japanese craft of folding squares of fabric, origami-style, into beautiful flowers. These are traditionally used in the elaborate headdresses worn by Geisha. But they're also fun to make into jewelry, magnets, toppers for special gifts, and they're awfully cute on a handbag.



I am not going to go into great detail about how to make the flowers just because it is Sister Diane's technique and really you should take the class from her to really understand. But I will tell you it is easier than you think.



For each flower, I cut 8 squares of fabric 3 inches by 3 inches. I cut 4 in the white and 4 in the darker color. Then I did the secret Kanzashi fold and then stitched them together. Glued on the vintage button with hot glue. Then glued the green pipe cleaner to the back and covered that with a circle of green felt. I twisted another pipe cleaner to create leaves.

See easy peasy.