This Quilt Has A Center and a History

My mom made a quilt for me when I got married. 14 years tore it apart. I wish I had a picture of it when it was new. I don't. I couldn't stand the fact that it was crumpled in a garbage bag in the closet. So I went to my parent's and retrieved all of the fabric left over and rebooted the life in it. What was left of the original is sewn into it just like batting. My mom is pleased with it and so am I.

Some Kind of Wonderful

My Cousin Jen painting this wonderful work of art! I love it so much! It feels like my baby even though I didn't give birth to it. I know I am not worthy, but appreciate it still the same. I love that it has my favorite colors. I saw a movie called Water and these colors were everywhere. It inspired me to make a quilt of these colors. There is another movie I want to see called Osama with the same colors. They are fairly heavy themed movies. I offset that in my quilt by adding suns or whimsy. I love the painting is called "Anticipation." Jen let me help name it. I picture something wonderful coming around the corner in the dark line. I love that there are bars missing from the left part of the chair. I feel like that chair. I am this chair.
I am making this quilt for someone else. I might make another for the chair.
I took a picture with one of Archer's school books. I payed extra for this edition because I loved the cover. I now need to decide whether to hang it out where everyone can see it and admire, or in my room to keep for myself. I am going to paint my room in honor of the painting.

I also love this Matisse of a women named Zorah. I am basing my self-portrait quilt off of it. The chair painting has the same colors.

I am Snow White!

Unfortunately, I am Snow White. I have so many issues with her. Don't fall in love with the Prince. Fall in love with the huntsman. He can hunt , he will take care of you, and he risks his life for you. ugh. However, no that's me.

I am also Little Red Riding Hood. I had help making the marionette in fourth grade and she usually had brown hair. Wow. In my mind she always did.




I am also the nightengale in the Emperor and the Nightengale.



I am:

purple
lavender
cookies n'cream
Dr. Pepper
birds
gardening
quilting
Wyoming
Mary Poppins (maybe Julie Andrews aka Sound of Music)
Belle (of Beauty and the Beast)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Mary Engelbreit
Sequoia trees
Ruth
Cala Lilies
Sunflowers
Heather
Strawberry Shortcake Dolls
Inside and Backward Sweatshirts
Hoodies
Care Bears
Lasagna
Jane Eyre
Pat Benatar
Shania Twain
Glow-in--the-Dark Legos
Unicorns
Misfit Toys
Strawberry Licorice
Cinnamon Spice
Long Hair
Roller Skates
The Letter "Z"
The Song "Home on The Range"
Gold, but like Silver (Copper too cool and something I'm not but aspire to be.)
Light brown, but like dark brown :)

Movies
Grease
Xanadu
Mirror Has Two Faces
One Fine Day

P.S. I'm a little Def Leppard, Depeche Mode,  and Cyndi Lauper eeck.  Maybe a tiny bit silly putty.

Seasons Of Life

Butterfly Pavillion

Archer held Rosie the tarantula. We watched butterflies take their first flight.

The Year of Silence

In case you haven't noticed, it's been a year. A year since I last wrote on my blog. A year of listening, reading and reflection.  It has also unfortunately been a year of fear. If you can believe it I've been afraid of myself. I've been afraid of my emotions, which at times have been overwhelming. I've been afraid of my creativity.

I was at a prayer and fasting retreat this weekend. I had many epiphanies and this was one. It has also been a time of some regret and missed opportunities. I have been holding myself back from greatness. I wanted to a blur and assimilate to the background. I wanted to be a chameleon protecting myself with camouflage. In doing so I lost many colors. I forced myself to see black, gray, and white only. I was feeling the categorization of the whole color spectrum exhausting and smothering me.

I have one regret from this weekend itself. I brought my brand new camera from Christmas and did not use it.  Our retreat was in a remote location placed in the windy vast space, a place where trees bend out of fear of breaking. Or maybe they bend willingly, I'm not sure. Anyway, we were in a lodge with a roaring fireplace a room full of women watching the snow fall.  It was a beautiful sight inside and out. We had two redheads in the group. One was sitting on the hearth, the other was sitting beside me. I thought what a splendid photo to have them sit by the red, raging fire harmoniously with their red hair. The thought entered my mind more than once. I let them pass me by frightened by my own passion for savoring beauty. I wanted to be the moment appreciate and let it go.

When I got home I was looking at my family photos and realizing how grateful I am to have them. I am getting older and not stopping. Someday in the future my older self would have appreciated that photograph my younger self refused to take. I have decided to do my older self a favor and stop depriving my younger self. I will still practice self-control, but I will say "uncle" sooner.

I will do the same for my family, friends, and future friends. There are many time I have withheld encouragement. This was out of fear of sounding, corny, trite, or insincere. No more I am not only letting go of the pain (which by the way I hear of all the time.) The lesser known practice is indulging in giving in to pleasure and joy. I am looking forward to that the most.