Solstice

Today is the solstice, the longest day of the year and the first day of winter. When I walk outside, it's difficult not to agree that, in fact, it is winter. But to me, this is actually the last day of of that coldest season. Tomorrow, there will be just a little more light and the day after tomorrow, a little more still. Is that not the quietest and most powerful indication that Spring is on its way? Today, I enjoy winter to the fullest, because I know that it will soon be gone.

Wonderland

We are knee-deep in snow this week. It's so beautiful and sparkly and quiet! Yesterday, my husband and I drove our daughter up north to a Children's Hospital for some tests. Everything came back normal, so that was great, but it took us over 4 hours to get home because the roads were so bad. Today I feel great being able to stay home and walk if I want to go somewhere.

Dreams

I had a dream last night that was very scary. I dreamed that doctors told me that my daughter was a vegetable and didn't have long to live. I woke up terrified and feeling like I had been punched in the stomach. When I went into her bedroom, she looked at me and smiled; physical confirmation that I was now in my real world and no longer in the nightmare. But here's the thing: I still felt afraid. My daughter has multiple neurological issues, and we are forever going to doctors' offices and hospitals. This, of course, has it's own stressful aspects and so I have an underlying sense of worry at all times (but doesn't every parent?). But I REALLY felt the doom from this dream. It made me realize the power that my mind has to change my own reality. I mean, it was just a dream and yet I was practically in tears and wanting to cling to my child to make sure she was all right. So I ask, if my mind has the ability to manifest a powerful fear out of thin air, can I also manifest a powerful sense of hope? The answer is, "Yes." I know because I have done it. So this makes me wonder, "what is real?" I guess reality is what you create.

Now I don't want to go around with my fingers in my ears singing, "la-la-la-la-la, I can't hear you!" to anything that I find unpleasant (I'm no bliss-ninny), but I do want to remind myself to stay centered in my own truths. I know what I'm talking about, do you?

THE WINNER!

And the winner of the little birdie ornament is.....Mel, (reach for the stars). Congratulations!

I will contact you and get your address so that I can send your prize. Thanks to all of you for posting your comments and going to look at Mari's beautiful work. I plan to feature an artist every month, and hopefully do more giveaways in the future too!

A Tiny Giveaway

What is an artist? What makes a person an artist as opposed to simply a casual crafter? Is there a difference between art and craft? I'm not the holder of the answers to these questions, but I've got some loose opinions on the matter. It seems to me that passion and drive and intention are some of the characteristics that define an artist. But really, aren't we all artists in our own special way? I spent some of my years as a biologist, which I find a very creative endevour. But I digress. The reason I posed the questions above is because there is a person, who I am honored to call a friend, that is most decidedly an artist. Here are some of her creations. At first blush, they appear to be merely beautiful handiwork, but there's more. Mari, owner of Fiberwhimz, puts so much of herself into each piece. For Mari, felting wool is a process that adds her energy to her creation. She sells pendants that are full of intention. Literally. She decides the intent, and then focuses on that intent during the creation of it. The pendants are wet felted, hand beaded, and meditated upon during the whole process. Then the reverse side of the pendant holds the word that Mari focused on, so that you can remind yourself of the intent whenever you need to. That's art. That's something that gives back to you. Recently, Mari approached me about making some little bird ornaments, and she wondered if she could have some of my fabric scraps in trade for some birds. I jumped at the chance! So in honor of Mari, I will be offering a GIVEAWAY of a little birdie from Mari's shop. Just leave a comment between now and December 15th. I will randomly draw a name from the proverbial hat and announce the winner (and request an address) on the 16th. Good luck everyone, and go visit Mari's shop!

Tomboy Wallet - Bicicleta

I have finally managed to add a new design to my collection. Here, my Tomboy wallet; a bifold that has a place for cards, paper money, and coins. I think it's positively adorable, and I feel so proud of myself for finally perfecting the pattern and getting these intoproduction. They're fun to make and even more fun to use!

Feeling Official

I have been thinking about the goals for my business, and I finally decided that it is okay to not do EVERY little thing myself. I need balance in my life, and my daughter and husband also need balance in MY life. So, I decided to stop making my own stickers for packaging and order some custom stickers for my store. They arrived yesterday. I LOVE them! They're simple, but they will save me time and money. I feel so official now! I purchased 1,000 of them, so I don't think I will have to even think about more stickers for a really really long time!