materials for support

hello from my dragon!  he's working hard in his kitchen making cheese stick soup.  yum.  if you don't have the recipe, i'm sure he'll share!  here's my light and joy before you.  he's my reason for getting warm today and proclaiming "snow day".  

among the items on our "to do" today, i wanted to invite you to take a few moments to sort through unused crafting supplies.  here's why:  many of you know that i am contracted to lead support groups throughout the year.  some are for families of those living with chronic illness, while the large majority are for bereavement support.  the winter 2009 group will begin in february. 

for those who would like to participate, we are accepting donations of materials that can be used in sewing projects.  items such as: fabric, felt, ribbon, buttons, beads, needles, thread,1/2 used bags of batting and poly-fill, scissors, sewing notions, fabric markers, fabric crayons, sewing machine, etc.  you get the idea.  

richmond, va drop off locations include:  ginter park baptist church on the northisde of richmond, va, grace baptist church near carytown in windsor farms, and fleur fabrics located in the fan.  directions on each of their pages.  if you have materials to share, please do.  check out fleur fabrics' blog and info about the new fabric swap that will be ongoing in the shop.  her swap was a huge success.  (you'll see me sifting through fabric + a cool pict of my basket.)  i found some great fabric for the group there and at the richmond craft mafia's craft swap.  if you're out of town and would like to send items, you can mail them to me.  Contact me via email found on my website and I'll give you my address.  Anyone who goes to the trouble of mailing items receives one of my latest blockprint cards + magnet (as seen in the image below) as a generous way of saying thanks!

my attention is split these days among the support group planning & prep, making new wears for the gallery shops, adding plans to the book proposal, and hey--caring for the family, with a few other projects thrown in-between.  

so far our self proclaimed snow day has been really fun and productive.  joseph helped me do some printing today using the "antique wood blocks from india" that i found at the RCM's craft swap.  They are a nice compliment to some of my own not-so-antique blocks.  i'm dreaming of new prints incorporating newsprint blocks from yester-year.  if you find any, let me know.  i'm always happy to do some custom art trading!

now for an afternoon of books, hot tea, coloring, and happy times.  cheers!

a new birdie has arrived!

what joy to see a small child just after entering the world.  each is a gift.  as i was watching a sweet birdie sleep, one among her generation was being held high for mom and family to see. what joy!

my heart is full!  i am wishing friends with children good tidings, good times, and good sleep.  welcome, wren!  welcome, julia!

preview of things to come

some have asked what creative juices are flowing.  here's a peak at the spring line of brooches and the newest blockprint.  Once carved, I'll share the prints.  

the labels are from one of the tutorials on the top 100 tutorials of 2008 list i've mentioned previously.  they're great for my immediate need.  i love making my own, but will likely order some at some point...  pictured left to right:  white silk, lime cotton ribbon, and cream cotton ribbon.  this is the only ink color my printer is up to printing these days, so that narrowed my choices.  they're cute, though.

enjoy!  let me know what you think, too!  i'll be adding some really nice greens into the mix, but have concentrated on pinks, reds, and blues (can you tell?).  cheers!

in with the new...

good things are happening.  good, meaningful conversations are taking place.  friends are around us and we are feeling good.  that doesn't mean that my home is always clean or that we take naps every day.  what it does mean is that there are some professional moments of success brewing.  my wears will soon be in a new glam gallery in richmond and possibly at another cool spot.  i'll link to that space when it's officially "there".  you'll also get some sneak peaks of the work that is being made.  a page of these cool shops will come on the site, too.  long overdue.

i'm in discussion with a publishing company who maybe using one of my prints as a prayer in a women's voice compilation.  AND i'm really putting energy into a book idea i've had for some time.  i'm very excited to see what can come from each of these opportunities.  i mention it here because this is a record of the journey.  stating my hopes and movements forward is good.  the energy and focus shifts and we move forward together.  it's also a little nerve racking!  so many plans and hopes fill our minds that we don't share, it's a brave moment when we say to the world, "hey, i'm here.  i have something to offer that you want, world.  i think that what i have to offer can help, while we're at it!  so, world, welcome me. receive my creativity and let's move forward together."  whew.  no cute picts today.  just the one you can create in your mind.  

a young woman sits in her bathroom watching a blonde haired boy create his dish of the day using duplo blocks, bathtub bubbles, and other colorful toys.  she's typing to the tunes of dan zanes when she spies little eyes bent low watching.  quiet eyes.  twinkling eyes.  she looks up and her little one smiles bright, then continues cooking.  aah.  these moments are priceless.  i love my life.  even the water on the floor is good.  he's singing and building.  there's a lot of creative love in this little space.  

and folks, this wee space online is a highlight.  i enjoy hearing from you who share that you read my words, following these thoughts until the next.  i appreciate all the thoughtful blogs that i read and am inspired by.  so thanks.  

and now to finish our nightly routine.  tonight will be complete with some sewing while quietly sipping great orange spice tea of the great mother's.  love that spice tea!  she and that tea warm my heart.  read her blog if you don't already.  cheers.

out with the old...

The Richmond Craft Mafia is hosting their 2nd annual craft swap to benefit Art 180.  Join the fun of bringing your unused craft supplies to swap!  You know the ones--those great finds that have sat on the shelf for a year only to tease you.  You haven't used them, but it's okay!  You have a space to swap!  This Sunday at Art Works from 2-5 p.m.  Pick out something new and exciting to take up and enliven the creative senses.  Fabric, Buttons, Beads, Stamping, Carving...you'll find the gambit!   You are by no means required or expected to bring something to swap...and you can send what you have even if you can't attend.  It's all for a great cause!

In addition, Fleur Fabrics is offering the same idea at her first annual fabric swap.  Two great spaces to share your unused fabrics!   (Check out her blog for a super sweet sale!)  

And if you have fabrics you aren't using, I'm currently receiving fabrics, sewing notions, buttons, lace, ribbon, etc. for the winter & spring bereavement groups.  Just let me know if you have some to share.

a year of learning

i love seeing what other creative minds come up with through their blogs.  the long thread featured a "top 100 tutorials of 2008" which is great.  some of the tutorials i have read and/or used, while others are a new find.  one in particular: creating your own labels is being tried and tested this weekend.  if only my printer would perk up and allow the ink to flow!  and with new cartridges!  the nerve.  can't this machine know that i am ready to give this project a whirl, just when i was shopping online for my own labels?  alas.

sunday morning pancakes are made and we're off to a good start for the day.  here's hoping yours is filled with good food and good friends/family.

peace.