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!

Quiet Meditation

Sitting. Quietly in meditation. Breathing deeply. Stretching.

Sometimes, my mind becomes quiet and I float off into a meditative bliss. Other times, try as I might, my mind stays active with lists of things that must be done or that would be nice to have done. Then there are the times that my dogs will lick my hands, climb into my lap or nudge me from my sitting - it is then that I laugh and finish by playing with them.

Still, I meditate daily and trust that the simple activity and repitition of sitting quietly relieves my stress and anxiety of this life of mine in a current world where stress can often be felt in the air.

My house is filled with gentle reminders of quiet meditation - photographs, altars, candles, incense and music. Outside, my gardens all have statues of Buddha, Quan Yin and even a turtle to remind me of the joy I find in meditation and that my life can be a meditation when approached with a quiet mind and a quiet intention.

I will continue my daily practice and find joy in the intention of a stress-free life with meditation as my outlet for relieving stress and living in harmony with nature, with God and with source energy that is in everything.

Connecting to My Roots and A Very Creative Summer

This has been a summer of connecting to my roots, my childhood and creativity! I've been canning everything from any and all seasonal fruits into jams, spaghetti sauces, bread and butter pickles, kosher dill pickles and more to come... I've also been writing, photographing and sewing. This photo is my latest creation - a pillow from some fun fabrics put together into a cheerful addition to my daughter's collection of pillows I've made for her over many years. This is my most fun one yet. I think I'll continue by making some festive pillows for my own couch, bed and guest room. I even tie-dyed a T-shirt! And, I might do more just for the fun of it!

I've had one of the most creative and fun summers I can remember in a long time! When I'm not at work, I'm hiking in the woods (something I do every day) and considering what creative project I can do next. Although it's been a particularly rainy, wet summer here in New England, I'm finding ways to make the best of time spent indoors.

Connecting to my childhood roots is like an obsession for me. For so many years I've done other things, in fact, anything that would take me away from what I learned in my childhood. Now, in this economy, much of what I've learned is helpful and, perhaps, essential. I am enjoying re-learning how to can anything. I'm wondering what will be next.

I am writing about projects I'd like to do this winter. I'm already planning knitting, sewing and spinning projects. I think I might enjoy this winter as well. Focusing my creative energy into what I can make is inspiring and energizing!

What are your creative projects?

A Happy Rooster!

Found this chap standing in the middle of bottles, watering cans and coco-cola coolers at Brimfield on my way out. He made me smile as I could almost hear him at sunrise waking the neighborhood!

Contemplation

I am reminded of the importance of silence and contemplation which leads to clarity and inner calm. Few words. I am following the invitation to silence.