Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Obama gives hope
The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forth that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Rhythms & cycles
I had a rhythm going before. Now the holidays are over and I have yet to return to my ribbon quilt.
I blame my malaise on the clutter in my life. On all the unfinished projects. On the staggering losses in my 401k and IRAs. On rain we have not been getting and wind that we have. On the holiday diet. On sugar overload.
Not that I have been unproductive. Reducing paper piles & clutter. Dusting and cleaning. Setting up files. Weeding, pruning and planting. Knocking out projects. Building a bigger design wall. Re-arranging my studio. And I've returned to my exercise routine.
I've reached a cyclic threshold. A result of the extravagance of the holidays, the hiatus from creative activity, and the start of the new year. I've made resolutions and set goals. I just need time to reorganize and refocus. Finish projects, discard items, file papers. Only enough to be creative again.
I never come close to getting everything in its place. There's always another time another year for that. I'll be back to my ribbon quilt soon and other new projects.
I blame my malaise on the clutter in my life. On all the unfinished projects. On the staggering losses in my 401k and IRAs. On rain we have not been getting and wind that we have. On the holiday diet. On sugar overload.
Not that I have been unproductive. Reducing paper piles & clutter. Dusting and cleaning. Setting up files. Weeding, pruning and planting. Knocking out projects. Building a bigger design wall. Re-arranging my studio. And I've returned to my exercise routine.
I've reached a cyclic threshold. A result of the extravagance of the holidays, the hiatus from creative activity, and the start of the new year. I've made resolutions and set goals. I just need time to reorganize and refocus. Finish projects, discard items, file papers. Only enough to be creative again.
I never come close to getting everything in its place. There's always another time another year for that. I'll be back to my ribbon quilt soon and other new projects.
Friday, January 2, 2009
New to me
Happy New Year! That's not all that's new. I have a new (to me) used Janome 6600P sewing machine.
In 1975 I had time to sew. After many frustrations with a Singer, I bought a new Bernina 830 Record. The original receipt says I paid $730 with $55 off for the Singer as a trade-in. $675 was a lot of money for me then. I made a lot of my own clothes until about 15 years ago when I lost my sewing room and my free time.
Now I am making time for art quilts.
In classes I was eyeing the newer machines. Lighter weight. Needle down. Automatic threader. Speed adjustments. Wider, longer stitches. Start-stop button. Different fancy stitches. Easier faster foot changes.
Not that my ol' girl was letting me down. She still sews well. I’d cleaned and oiled her myself. I took her in for her first service just last year. She got new rubber thang for the bobbin winder and new brushes. Not bad for a 33-year-old sewing machine.
Nevertheless, I felt it was time for a change - an indication of my seriousness about art quilts. Found a used one on Craig's list and brought it home on new year's eve.
I've packed up Bernina. But I'm keeping the ol' gal for classes. I haven't figured out all the bells and whistles on the new machine yet, but am working through the manual and signed up for the yahoo group.
This machine will not change my life or my quilting, but I feel like I have taken my art up another notch. Machisma with a new sewing machine.
In 1975 I had time to sew. After many frustrations with a Singer, I bought a new Bernina 830 Record. The original receipt says I paid $730 with $55 off for the Singer as a trade-in. $675 was a lot of money for me then. I made a lot of my own clothes until about 15 years ago when I lost my sewing room and my free time.
Now I am making time for art quilts.
In classes I was eyeing the newer machines. Lighter weight. Needle down. Automatic threader. Speed adjustments. Wider, longer stitches. Start-stop button. Different fancy stitches. Easier faster foot changes.
Not that my ol' girl was letting me down. She still sews well. I’d cleaned and oiled her myself. I took her in for her first service just last year. She got new rubber thang for the bobbin winder and new brushes. Not bad for a 33-year-old sewing machine.
Nevertheless, I felt it was time for a change - an indication of my seriousness about art quilts. Found a used one on Craig's list and brought it home on new year's eve.
I've packed up Bernina. But I'm keeping the ol' gal for classes. I haven't figured out all the bells and whistles on the new machine yet, but am working through the manual and signed up for the yahoo group.
This machine will not change my life or my quilting, but I feel like I have taken my art up another notch. Machisma with a new sewing machine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)