for my birthday

I think I might try barking

something I have never done…

and drink my morning coffee

from my cardinal cup.

Turning 66 . . .

2023 has been a very full year. I said yes to many wonderful projects which somehow seemed to pile one on top of the other. I admit it took more out of me that I thought it would.

I wanted to be part of EVERYTHING and the choices, so timely, brought with them energy and adrenaline to fuel the journey.

I am home resting these days and finding my way back to a quiet winter routine. I have had a great year with the most profound takeaway : allow more space between projects !

Now that I am feeling somewhat restored my first work is (other than cleaning my overrun studio) to write about this year that has so quickly flown …

I will start with the gift of teaching …

My classes bring joy and I love being able to offer them. It takes a lot of preparation to make them sing.

Taking time to decide where to focus the practical learning, what the emotional elements of the class will be and adding a few new ideas will hopefully create a personal experience for each participant.

Next I make something

Something I feel can hold all of the elements or I choose a piece I have already made that seems appropriate. This solidifies the ideas and develops the plan more clearly. Then I begin to write the outline and take some pictures.

Before I begin a workshop

I take two weeks to focus and organize. I practice the processes (often designed months before), order materials, sew garments and pack supplies and equipment. When I travel I have wonderful help to gather the needed materials locally for the class. It is astounding how much stuff it takes to be “free in the moment” to play!!!

We often laugh about our stashes and perhaps our ‘borderline artistic hoarding’ … after doing this work for more than thirty years I have too much stuff for too many ideas and containing it is no small cupboard of simple itemized things. I often plan a big purge and begin by opening the first box to discover exciting forgoten treasure to play with ….

Perhaps in the future there will be a “simplify your piles of materials workshop” I could partake in …

Some of the most memorable moments are when the task I am attempting to demonstrate does not go smoothly … slowly surprising, then embarrassingly funny – so real, and good to find out I am learning right along with everyone else ….

Here is a slide mix up from this years classes…

So, if you have an inkling or an itch to try this artistic form …

I am planning to hold three week long workshops this coming year: SPRING on Vancouver Island, SUMMER in Nova Scotia and FALL in Wisconsin.

I will post the dates and links for how, where and when to sign up as soon as I have them!!