the daily grind

the last three tuesday mornings have been a remarkable treat. i'm taking a pottery course on using the wheel at the visual arts center of richmond. ana taught jayme and me how to throw a number of years ago, and now i'm able to utilize those skills once again. each of these weeks i've found a coffee shop to sit and work in before heading to the class. it's been a treat. until...this morning...walking into what appeared to be a coffee shop, but not in the sense that you should stay. the only seating was outdoors. not cool in january weather, even for mild today. all i ask is for a seat, maybe a cushion, a table perhaps.

alas. what i am learning is that on these special tuesdays i have a little more patience. though, i do want to curl up (figuratively speaking) to that cup a joe and do a little research/reading/work to start the day just right.

am i now using my blog to vent? it's been a rough week with sad news coming in various directions. i think i'm just in need of curling up to a cup a tea tonight and taking a few deep breaths--sending out some good vibes and love to those who need it. you know who you are.

peace.

sad news

such sad news that one of my favorite young actors has died. i'm sad for his family, his daughter, his friends...sad for the hope and potential of such a young life. my head aches. i must say...it's a sad day.
see the washington post article here.

a bright star has gone out. peace.

from there to here, from here to there

each night we spend at least a half-hour reading to joseph. it's so relaxing to read aloud. i'm a big fan of children's books, a collector of many years. today we've read a number of times throughout the day. it's good to see joseph so interested in life: learning, growing, eating, exploring! that's only a teeny-tiny picture of his day, but it's a picture.

my days: i'm spending a lot of time in creative thought this week...and it seems some of it is to good use. i'm dreaming of my business. i have the etsy site online, but i'm looking to create a uniquely-me website that will sparkle and send good energy to those who visit. so...i'm interested if you know of anyone who can help with that goal!

i've been working with clay in a pottery class using the wheel, working on a new block print, making some fab felt pieces for new work, painted some 3x5 pieces for a set of cards (requested by House of Lukaya, downtown Richmond), set the groundwork for new jewelry...

okay, you get the picture. the list alone is making me weary. my focus: i'm in such need to be creative that it's getting tossed in many directions. speaking of different directions: i want to say thank you to each of you (and you know who you are) who have made my life wonderful. mind you, winter is my hardest time of the year. s.a.d. the colors outside just don't feed my soul quite the way the rest of the year does. tough time. and because it's a tough time, i tend to think a lot. i mean A LOT. too much.

long time coming: for rani, kate, laura leigh, and meredith: i'm creating something special. i want you ladies to know that i keep you with me...and though i don't always water our friendship with calls or emails or letters, i do stop to appreciate each of you. and what wonderful women you are.

simply put: i love my peeps. all of you.

peace.

for the peeps

still in process...but for my friends...

a quilt

ta da. so warm. so pretty. (i may have already menitoned the quilt i was working on for jayme.) i dreamed of the quilt a couple of years ago but the only part that made it into this quilt is the color of the back, the beautiful brown corduroy that jayme helped pick out herself. i've used moda fabrics on top, along with vintage fabric. i have sewn, cut, re-sewn, and put it all together, using a log cabin assembly to the large pieces. my own cute design, which i have yet to name. still thinking through that part. i LoVeD making this for her! i'm excited to have it in her space in Ireland. a piece of creativity to keep us in mind.

over 2008, i hope to create 2 more quilts. each will be unique. tell me what you think.

peace.

the busy bee

i've had three custom orders to complete this year and have been inspired to create these. so, rachel, here are the first to choose from. we'll chat, but you were in my thoughts as I created some of these. i'm also announcing the opening of a sister etsy site to my silvertreeart.etsy.com site. in preparing my upstairs studio i have realized that i have more supplies than i can use...and i want to share them with others. so i'll let you folks know when greenplum.etsy.com is up and running. why greenplum? they are one of my favorite ways to eat a plum...with just a little salt...mmm...

enjoy the picts. be inspired.