Be Here

Be free to love.  I don’t let go of concepts–I question ‘em. Then they let go of me.  What is a belief, but, a construct made up by a conditioned mind.   I am alive ‘cuz that is what is here, not of a belief in something.

I work hard to stop wishing for things to be a certain way or trying to make a story in my head to fit in a nice little self-created world.  Life can only be what it is.  It will never be different than that no matter how much I want it to be.  Be with what is here.

By creating a belief, I make life personal.  Is it really personal?  Not exactly.  It will happen even if I am not here. This is the freedom that is in the Here and Now.  This is what is discovered when I face my thinking and how it creates a belief that isn’t real.

Anywhere else is just a thought derived from the “would have,” “could have,” “should have,” or “wishing” thinking mind.  Life can never be anywhere…but…here.  So today, I choose to be here–with what is here and be an active participant of life.

In the Here and Now, I come to realize it’s the only reality that truly exist.  I become aligned with love–the creative intelligence of the universe.  I continue to be surprised by the way how love changes my view of life.  When I cease to believe in things in a self-created world, I learn how to allow love to be my guide.

Right now, this very second, wonderful things are happening all over the world.  Live it. Learn it.  Love it.

My liberated Quilts for Boston blocks (shown above) are well on their way to Massachusetts.  Read more about the relief effort by the Boston Modern Quilt guild here.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Sunshine is Delicious

Sunshine is delicious.  Rain is refreshing.  Wind braces me up.  Snow is exhilarating. There is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.  任何人說陽光帶來快樂從來沒有在雨中跳舞。Translation:  Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. And the kids and I have danced in many rain.

It was a great day spent with COOL friends

and some sewing.  One quilt block down,

one more to go (maybe two.)

Yep…I couldn’t stop (and my best ideas are typically when I am out…with cocktail napkins in hand.)

This is a trial run for Quilts for Boston quilt blocks.  Oh–how did those purple got in there? Remember? It’s a trial run.

Anything goes so long I use Yellow, Blue, Gray, and White.  It could be 12.5″ by 12″ or 12.5″ by whatever.

Another way for me to contribute after To Boston with Love flags.  I ain’t a quilter; so if I can do it, you can too!  Details here..

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Live Fully. Love Openly

Love with my whole heart.

Laugh often.

And make a difference.

Every moment is a gift.

Enjoy the present.

There is nothing to get and everything to get rid of in my spiritual path.  I have to give myself wholeheartedly.

How do you  give?   For me…by not holding back.

Thanks to my friend‘s inspiration and encouragement, my hand-pierced/liberated-letter flags–love, hope–and heart have winged their way to Massachusetts and received by Boston-in-Love.

Quilters from around the world have created hundreds of hand-sewn squares in tribute to Boston. The “To Boston With Love” project will be on display at the Museum of Fine Arts for the free Memorial-Day Community Weekend.

Each mini quilt delivers a message of peace and hope, signed on the back by the artist with his or her country.  The project was a grass-roots effort conceived by Berene Campbell of Vancouver, Canada, and organized locally by Amy Friend of West Newbury.  Big or small–you too can contribute to the community art collage.  All onsite contributions will be donated to The One Fund Boston.

If you’d like to make a quilt to be included in the installation you can learn how to here.  Learn more about the free Boston I Love Memorial Day Community Weekend here.  I will be there in spirit.

Thanks, Kristin, for the local collective effort
and the beautiful group photo!

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Discerning Moments

As I became adult, what begins to distinguish me from childhood is the ability to know how much is too much and what is not enough.

Naturally, most kids don’t know limits.

While too much candy can make your stomach hurt, I can’t imagine daily life without the choice to fill the mind with words and images, ideas and images that are healthy and soothing to the soul.

These things can challenge thinking in a positive way.

Perhaps, challenge myself to read and gather energy from words that are more specific to my life.  Many choices…next to knitting, sewing, beading, playing with mixed media, hiking, cooking, photographing, etc. etc.

Featured Knits today are inspired by the Sellwood Bridge.  Twisted ribbing on the neck and leg/arm-warmer set mimics the meandering nature of the Willamette River, which flows under the beautiful and historic Sellwood Bridge.  The pattern was designed by Shannon Squire especially to participants of 2013 Rose City Yarn Crawl in Portland, Oregon, a few months ago.   One set was in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Victoria and the other in Socks That Rock MediumWeight–in ka-POW!, pa-TINA colorway.   I loved knitting ‘em.  The bias repeats in between the stockinette fabric are just my level of enjoyment:  engaging, easy to read/memorize, no tricky bits.  Both the pattern and yarn are available at Twisted.  However, you will have to call the shop for BMF yarn–they aren’t offered online.

There’s been no big splashy stuff here lately and I can’t seem to finish anything.  But, I’m finding great delight in the small stuff.  Like this sewing project…more on that tomorrow.  I could stare at ‘em all day.

What brings you real joy?   Do that…Be that…Share that…Spend more time with that and get more joy! ♥

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Quiet the Mind

and the soul will speak.

Become aware of the importance of positive feelings and how they can improve my life.

I refuse to be involved with negative thoughts and feelings.

Upon waking up in the morning, i choose to smile and say to myself silently or audibly: “I am gonna have a wonderful day today. It is going to be a happy and successful day. I am going to stay patient and positive in every situation.”

During the day, I visualize for a few moments some life’s happy recollections and situations, a place I enjoyed visiting or being with genuine folks I adore.

When things make me angry, I wait a few seconds before reacting.

When feeling some despair, anger, unhappiness, or frustration, I try not to succumb to these feelings and let them grow.  Visualize something happy, read something that makes me happy, repeat a positive affirmation, or just try to create some happy feeling inside me.  This might not be easy as the negative feeling might be too strong; yet, I do my best…no matter how many times I might fail evoking a positive feeling.  If I persist, I will be able to change my attitude and feelings.

I may not always control the situations in my life, but, I can control and change my attitude and reactions.  Negative attitude and anger will bring negative conditions.  Positive attitude and positive feelings will improve the situation.  You bet they will.

These days, I do try to show some positive feelings toward people that I don’t like.  Granted.  I don’t need to be their friend, but I can stop being negative and allow some feelings of warmth and understanding.  Strangely, I have been surprised at their attitude and reaction toward me.

I read inspiring quotes early in the morning and repeat affirmations throughout the day such as “I am feeling happy and confident.”  ”It is so pleasant to enjoy positive feelings.”  ”I am getting happier and more positive every day.”

Keep away from negative people is the key for me.  If  I must be with them,  I don’t let their state of mind affect me. Try to be somewhat detached toward them. There is no place for their negativity if I keep filling my mind with positive feelings and thoughts.

When I am feeling down, knitting, spinning, and listening to music is great pick-me-up.

Let myself smile more often, even in difficult situations.  The act of smiling tends to clear the mind of worries, even if temporarily, and wins me the sympathy and support of folks around me.

Watching comedies, reading, and watching happy news work magics too.

Find time for meditation. Among its benefits is the ability to filter the feelings and thoughts that enter my mind. It helps me avoid negative feelings and let in positive ones.

After getting into bed at night, I tell myself silently or audibly: “I am going to have a wonderful day tomorrow. It is going to be a happy and successful day. I am going to stay patient and positive in every situation.”

Now that I kinda know how to create positive feelings, I can get creative and find more ideas to create positive feelings in my life.  How do you create positive feelings?

No Fear Shakespeare.  Nymphadora is another close-fitting sweater blouse, designed by Kessanlin, one of a handful designers I test-knit for with frequency.   The gentle gathers, an empire waist, and slightly bell-shaped sleeves are flattering enough for this plump figure.

I love the fun, clever construction.

The yarn isn’t perfect (relating to gauge) but it’s best I managed to meet deadline in a rush, a week before Christmas.  Most disappointing is the shortage of yarn!  Yep, another pet peeve I encountered: Less weight/yardage than labeled. 9 hanks/50g each, I should have 450 grams in all. Yet, I started out 384 grams with 10 grams left in the last hank. This is the worst amount of shortage I’ve ever had–66 grams–a whole hank plus shortage!!!!

I have a couple more of Louise Hardings’ yarn in my stash; after that, I vow never to buy yarn from this company again!  But, then, I love that yarn…maybe I should bring the scale with me and weigh each one of ‘em before buying.  How about that?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Above Life’s Turmoil

In the storm, I find peace.

In the midst of chaos, I  find calm.

Amid the noise, I find some quiet.

In times of worry, I am assured and given comfort…

For I am loved, blessed, and so very grateful, always.

Seamless Poema in The Fibre Company Arcadia (Wild Onion) is knit from the top down, featuring a pretty, elegant Aran lace pattern on the sleeves.  It looks like lace…cables…but the truth be told, it’s only a simple combination of YO, knit, purl, K2tog & SSK stitches.   Instructions are included for ¾ length and full-length sleeves.

Because of its top-down construction, the body is easily adjusted to various body types.   Besides adding one extra waist decrease, another 2” for torso, waist increase at every 10th row plus one extra increase, I included 1” short-row to front (4 wraps/turns,) matching tucked seam before border to hem and cuffs.  Don’t get me wrong when I modify a pattern, which I often do.  In no way a design flaw…I am just anal about my finishing.

I love Vera Sanon‘s elegant designs and rarely say no to test knitting whenever she posts and/or asks.  Her instruction is simple and clearly written, with great layout.  Should an issue arise, the designer is always available for Q&As…very supportive, thoughtful, and genuinely loving.  Here is a truly super woman of my time!  Besides working a full 40-hour-week as a school teacher, teaching workshops at yarn shop locally and in Las Vegas on weekends, she cranks out at least one new design a week (sometimes more!)

Don’t believe me?  Take time and browse through her 100+ design patterns here.  I am sure you will find at least one project that pleases you.

About the lovely, silky yarn…this is one of my few pet peeves:  Less weight/yardage than labeled.  I’m no mathematics genius.  Out of 7 hanks/50g each,  I should have 350 grams in all.  Right?  Yet, I started out 342 grams with 31 grams left in the last hank.  8 grams or 24 yards less than labeled. Companies like Stonehedge Fiber Mill would have sold this at 30% discount as “irregular.” Nuff said.

What are some of your pet peeves?

How are you doing today/tonight?  My knitting peeps and I had a fabulous field trip to Sisters, visiting The Stitchin Post

and having lunch in Clearwater Gallery.  Yep.  It’s true.  Open Door may not be on the main street of Sisters, but, that’s just one of many attributes that make it so delightful.  It’s a place where I instantly feel at home, thanks to the friendly welcome from manager and staff,

the beautiful decor and tantalizing aromas wafting in from the kitchen.  On my third day of fasting, I gave myself permission to order a cup of roasted carrot and ginger soup.  I was not disappointed!  Neither were my friends with their food.  A warm, inviting place that encourages me to slow down and enjoy meeting friendly residents of Sisters, peruse beautiful art…thank you for the GIFT to the community, Dan & Julie Rickards.

Rest of the afternoon was as exhilarating and adventurous as the first half of the day with Caitlin and my mushroom-guru friend Julie.

Hope you are surrounded by peace, lots of love, and happiness.  Sending you good vibes and warm bright light-from my heart to yours.

Sorry for a flood of posts…I’m catching up on a week’s worth of posts that didn’t go out as scheduled last week.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

The Thought of Sharing

When working on my designs, I often think to myself, “I need to remember to share this idea with everyone.”  Funny how blogging pulls that out of me…sharing techniques, ideas, and inspirations.

I have read often how artists are afraid to share “too much” or are constantly worried that others may copy their ideas.  I find that I actually WANT people to create what I’m making–or if I’ve learned about something that works–it’s so niffy, cool to pass that knowledge on.

Creativity is like the fish and loaf story in the Bible.  As I share my ideas, I feed others’ creativity and then they are inspired.  They, in turn, want to make something wonderful.  As they share, their creativity continues to encourage others…and so on.  Don’t you agree?

Even if I create something that you’ve made, mine will be ME…yours will be YOU, as we all have our personal style and our work will always reflect that.

So today, I choose to not hide my light, little talent I may have, or ideas for fear of others “stealing” it away…I will forge ahead and give it away so I may be inspired to always be creating something new and wonderful to share that will be uniquely ME.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Do or Do Not

There is no try.  Kill fear by taking action and build on that confidence.  A real decision is measured by the fact that I’ve taken a new action.  If there’s no action, I haven’t truly decided.

Ideas alone don’t bring success.  The habit of putting ideas into action is now.

There is never a right time. I can ‘t wait until condition is perfect or put off tomorrow what I can do today.   The most difficult time to take action is the very first time.  After the ball is rolling, I’ll build confidence and things will keep getting easier.

I know. The longer an idea sits in my head without being acted on, the weaker it becomes. However, acting without thinking would make me look like a doer, instead of a thinker. A good idea will grow stronger; stupid ones will go away.  I prefer to wait a week before acting on it.

Instead of stimulating the amount of ideas, I much rather set the target to filtering my ideas internally before polluting the environment.  I will start my creative motor mechanically.  I will sit down and write, put pencil to paper, brainstorm, doodle…By moving my hands, I’ll stimulate the flow of ideas and inspire myself.

I will be a doer, seize the initiative, and live in the present.  Today, I’m taking positive steps to creating a new mind space based on this very solution. Cheers!

The dress coat I mentioned earlier is being dried (will be a long while as it’s heavy, dense…and very cold out.)  It gave me time to think and came up with a solution.

Through a seamstress’ lens, the pocket needs to be relocated from bottom to where the white napkins are placed. But, “How?” you ask. Of course, “steek” and “patchwork,“ I tell you.

Where’s that pair of magic scissors?  lol

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Door of Perception

What is or is not?  Lately, I’ve been challenged to think about the idea of how what I know affects the way I see things.

If seeing came before knowing, how would that change what I thought about what I was seeing?

Confusing?  Stay with me here.  Imagine Garcia Lopez de Cardenas, a Spanish conquistador, riding his horse around Colorado River in 1540 and come about this immense hollowed pit–a gigantuous cavity now known as the Grand Canyon–never knew of its existence.

How amazing was his unearthing experience.  Did his heart skip several beats?  Did the conquistador see a worthless desert wasteland, nothing more than a barrier to political expansion?  Or, did he foresee the opposite extreme–the modern view tends toward the romantic, reveling in what we today perceive as the remarkable spirituality of the gorge?  Did he freak out that the Spaniards back home–not even friends or family–would believe his startling impressive discovery?.

Have I been deprived of truly experiencing the Grand Canyon or other stupefying sight?  What about my everyday encounters–things that I know or think I know?

Today, I dare  to approach life–to see people and things–leaving behind my inkling of what something should be.  I challenge myself to simply experience life for what it is.

What makes your heart skipped a beat today?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

No Jibber Jabber

…had way too much fun at the Ninth Annual Fiber Art Stroll in Sisters, Oregon.

After visited 13–out of 27 fiber art sponsored stops–within a 3-hour stroll, I’m too pooped!

Just enjoy the slide show I made for you.

Sew many photos and slide shows ahead…so little time.  If you have a few moments, do take a walking tour of beautiful downtown Sisters and enjoy over 100 quilts in local shops. Or visit The Old Mill District in Bend where quilts are also exhibited in more than 20 locations. All fun, fabulous, and inspiring. ♥

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)