Chasing Owls

In the last month, I have been blessed with a gathering of owls in and around my woodland neighborhood. I am in awe of these creatures and grateful that I've been close enough to feel their presence and allowed to take their photographs. Indeed, I feel they have given me permission to photograph them. I spend many hours in the woods and rarely have I been able to be close enough to an owl to capture their beauty on my camera!

Though I do know that it is their mating season which explains their presence, I have also been reading of their symbology in a number of native traditions and truly feel they have been gathering around me - them, for a teaching moment, and me, for a learning and remembering moment. I have always believed that nature is my greatest teacher of life and these owls are no exception.

After my most recent encounter, I am convinced that the Owl is my newest totem and one I wish to take within and embody. Wisdom, quiet listening, patience, silence and grace. All of these are qualities I wish to develop more within myself as well as acknowledge where these qualities already express themselves in my life.

This owl watched as I shoveled snow during the last snow storm. I was frustrated that the storm prevented me from my plans for the day and was running quite the dialogue in my mind when suddenly there was a moment of sensing. I looked up and there sat the owl as if patiently waiting for me to quiet my mind enough to feel its presence. My response was to stop, listen and laugh as I was then aware of my racing thought process and this owl was simply witnessing, waiting and watching.

When the owl finally decided to move on, I witnessed an awesome experience - the effortless flight of an owl through the woods. She seemed to slowly lean forward, outstretch her wings and with barely a movement of her wings, she silently glided through the air with such grace, my breath was paused as I could feel the gliding within myself!

In Native Americn tradition, owls are known as those with silent feathers. After a month of noticing these majestic creatures in flight, I agree. When walking in the woods, it is not hearing them flying by but sensing them flying by that leads my attention in their direction. When they land on a branch they are so still and blend in to their environment so fully that it takes a seeing without looking to notice they are there. Thank you Owl Totem for reminding me the value of stillness in my life, the sensing without hearing and the seeing without looking!

Taking a Break with Crochet & Felt

Between taxes, work, bills, cleaning, organizing and other necessary activities in my days, I am finding that making fun and festive felted or crocheted flowers & animals relieves stress! When I need a break, I pull out some wool to create something new!

The owls above are an experiment for the perfect small toy for my granddaughter who I will be off visiting in another week. The flowers give me hope and make me smile!

The daffodil came about after watching hours of news about the eathquake and tsunami in Japan while also working on my online course I teach. I needed a break and went off to felt a flower that represents hope and prayers. My heart goes out to the many people in the middle of the devastation or those who are waiting to hear if their family members are safe.

I could not wrap my mind around what I was watching ~ it was like watching something from a science fiction movie. For me, integrating all that is happening both in my day to day world as well as in the larger world comes through making things.

Stay tuned in. I'm thinking of more animals to crochet and felt. Totem animals may be next.

No Need For Fear to Rule

My coaching session the other day centered on Fear and how fear has been a lifelong companion that I give far too much power to! The session led me to much writing about fear ~ speaking to fear and giving it permission to sit off in the corner! While writing, I became inspired to create my fear into the snake it resembled during my coaching session. My snake became a project that combined crocheting, needle felting and wet felting. With each stitch and step in the process I named how fear has shown up in my life and an affirmation of letting it go!

Do you let fear into your life? Do you give it far too much power? Does fear rule parts of your life? I highly recommend creating something that represents fear. As I created my snake, I could play with fear and actually become delighted in the silly nature of fear. Now, it can sit off in a corner somewhere in my house so that I can see it, acknowledge it and smile as I move forward without it controlling my life!

I suspect that most of the people I know would never suspect that fear has played such a prominent place in my life. Well, like the snake, my fear has been stealthy and quiet, yet there nonetheless! When my daughter was young, I didn't have time to allow fear to have a place for long. My life, then, was about doing the next thing. Now that she is an adult and creating her own family, I have more moments when fear takes a seat next to me.

I've decided that now is the time to get to know this little gremlin inside and have a serious confrontation with it. I've given it form by making it into a snake. Quite fitting actually!

I'll keep you posted with what I learn about moving forward in spite of fear.

New England Snow and Creativity

I woke this morning with the strongest urge to go on a road trip - anywhere would be nice. I love to drive and spent much of the day imagining where I could go. But alas, I returned home and went walking with my dog instead. It was snow showering all afternoon. My dog, Sachi, decided it was a good snow to taste as she walked along. This was the first snow she decided was good enough to taste. I was curious... So I leaned over the snow bank to have a taste myself. It was sweet! I never thought of snow as tasting sweet, but it was! Well, I'd rather be joyfully tasting the snow with Sachi than shoveling!

This winter in New England has left us with snow everywhere! This is the first week since Christmas that I've been able to work an entire week.

My walk earlier this morning was listening to the songs of early spring birds returning. I imagine they are surprised at how much snow there is here and so little food. Tomorrow morning, I will shovel a path to my birdfeeders to be sure there is enough for them to eat.

Every week has had a day or two of significant snow of a foot or more that involved hours (did I say hours??) of shoveling and clearing snow from walkways, the driveway and off my roof. Missed days at work are nice until it is every week. This week, I've been very happy that I've been able to work every day.

So what does this have to do with the photo I posted? It has been so cold and there is even too much snow and not enough time to go snowshoeing, which I love. So, what do I do? I come home from work and knit, crochet or make things to while away my time. I love making things! I am using up my boxes and boxes of yarn and fabrics to make space for more!

In the process of making booties, wash cloths, blankets, quilts, salves and lotions, I finally created my Etsy store ~ something I've wanted to do for a long time. My first listing is a PDF of my directions for the booties that I make for my granddaughter and for gifts, hence, the photo above! Next, will be some of the booties I've already made. They are so luxurious! I may have to make myself a new pair since winter doesn't seem to going anywhere soon...

Posting all of this here is my commitment to myself to list more over the next few days. I would love to see my Etsy store become a place where I can sell the things I make. Which gives me even more inspiration to keep creating! I can only use so many wash cloths myself!

I am making a list of the things I love to make or have already made. Next is to list them. Please check out my Etsy store. My "seller" name is '1wisewoman'. Go to etsy.com and look for me! I would love to know what you think and then tell your friends.

I'm signing off for now. I've got a knitting project to return to!

Dryer Balls

I love working with my hands and creating! Creating helps me clear my mind of the stresses in life. Sometimes I find that creating something somewhat mindless helps release my emotions while keeping my hands busy.

This weekend, I opened a box of yarn that I had spun and might not use to knit something. What to do with it all? Then the phone rang and I learned that a friends mother had just died. Even though we may know death is coming, when it actually happens and is final, there is no preparation.

My heart ached for her and reminded me of my own mother's passing less than a year ago. I still grieve, miss her and it all comes in waves. I needed something mindless to do that might also mend my heart and calm my emotions.

I opened the box of yarn and began to roll the skeins into balls. Each skein made a ball about the size of a baseball. Rolling yarn into balls is a totally mindless activity and just what I needed! In a very short time, I had over 20 balls of yarn. My emotions of grief and sadness turned to delight when I looked at the basket of colorful yarn balls in front of me! Now what?

I was inspired that my sadness and grief had turned to delight in the process of creating. Since I've been nearly obsessive about felting in these last weeks, I've decided to felt the balls of yarn.

Now, I have a collection of felted balls of yarn ~ great for dryer balls!

Instead of using dryer sheets that break down fiber & fabric over time, dryer balls made from yarn do the same thing while saving both clothing and money.

I continue to be inspired by ways to use what I have around the house to create functional and fun things, saving money, being eco-friendly and having fun all while I process life's events! Whenever I make something new, I remember my mother and know I am carrying on her memory, her legacy and all she taught me throughout my life. I like that and feel satisfied!

The World of Felt

I can hardly believe it's been over a year since I've posted anything! 2010 was a full year... my mother passed away in May after a courageous battle with cancer ~ I miss her tremendously; in June, my beloved Romeo also passed away and went where all dogs go to keep watch over us; and in July, my grandaughter, Sophie, was born. From December of 2009 until now, my time has been full with family events and much travel.

Well, I am back on board and am inspired! My mother's life and death has reconnected me with my love for texture and creating things whether it is with fabric or yarn! Each piece I make I feel her presence over my shoulder and I find myself smiling alot and remembering my childhood with her.

Now that the holidays are over and all my gift projects are finished I am planning next years gifts. My latest passion in the world of texture has been using my bags & bags of wool to explore and make felt!

Of course, some of my prompting to use wool has been a result of a moth infestation over the summer in some of the bags of wool that had been left unused. Now that the moth problem is solved, I've been focused on putting an enormous amount of wool to use. There are only so many hours in a day to devote to spinning ~ which I do dearly love!

I came across some felting books during a visit to one of my favorite yarn stores and returned home to give it a go. After my first piece, I was hooked. After the second piece, I find I am spending more and more thought time planning the next piece. My first few pieces have been wet felting. And now, I am exploring dry needle felting. I am hooked!

I can't believe I have never done felting before! It is so rewarding, creative and full of endless possibilities!

Even more importantly is the life metaphor that felt gives me with each piece. Life is so much like the process of felting. First, there is the raw wool... the texture of the wool excites me! It is like an empty canvas ~ full of potential. The felting process takes time and involves all my senses as well as the elements of fire, water & air with the wool being the earth element. Felting involves taking the wool after being cleaned and carded and laying in layers with fibers crossing in each layer, arranging colors & shapes with an underlying sheath for support and thickness. Then apply hot soapy water with pressure and slight agitation to loosen the fibers, letting them mingle over time. The finished product? Something that is somewhat planned and the rest a result of the creativity of the elements at play on the fibers.

The exciting and interesting part of the felting is pulling back the cloth wrapping to see what has emerged!

I'm focused on exploring and perfecting the process. I'm enjoying using the wet felting process to make sheets or canvases of felt. Then I use dry needle felting to add even more refined design and texture to the sheet. Next?

Well, my mind is running wild with ideas of things to make with the felt sheets. I'm thinking... warm booties for Sophie?

Stay tuned for what's created next.

I love being surrounded by animals! They teach me how to relax, how to play, how to love unconditionally and, generally, how to live my life. I am forever grateful for each and every one of them - they are truly my angels!

I've wanted to use this photo for my Christmas card now for several years. "Kisser" is forever the relaxed cat. She moves slowly and loves to be loved. A bit overweight because she also loves to eat and takes each bite with intention and total enjoyment.

This photograph encompasses how I like to spend holidays - relaxed, not going anywhere fast and taking long naps. It is the antithesis of what most of our culture seems to do around the holidays.

As we move into the holiday frenzy of shopping, visiting family & friends and, generally, being more stressed, may you take the time to simply stop and relax, let go of stress and know that the holiday celebrations can be simple. Give gifts that have meaning - something you've made, something that expresses your gratitude for that person being part of your life or a certificate of service, like cooking a meal, to be used at some point during the year. Celebrate the gifts that surround you without over spending and creating more stress later.

May your holidays be filled with the joy and peace of the season! Celebrate quiet moments with family and friends as well as with yourself.

Blessed holidays everyone!