One Feisty Stitch

Bjork On Colbert Nation

2012-02-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

Bjork is one of my favorite artists. .. she is so creative, doesn't give a hoot about what others may think of her, and she has managed to maintain a child-like curiosity about life and the world. I would bet she plays a lot!

Here is an interview with her while on the Colbert Report (another favorite of mine) and then her performing live...

The Colbert Report
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Gerbil Wheel or Heart Path: Which One Are You On?

2012-01-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

The gerbil wheel.

I've been thinking quite a bit about my life this past month. Alas, probably due to the fact I am two years shy of 50. Nothing like 'middle-age' to get you on the path of re-evaluation. And I've realized something. Much of my life has been spent running the gerbil wheel. Oh I've been busy, busy, busy doing "practical" things, always in motion but I never got even close to living the life I wanted.

Don't get me wrong, I've had a pretty decent half-life: worked in a professional theatre in Chicago; helped rescue abused and neglected exotic animals in California; director of a non-profit providing mental health services for abused kids; met and befriended interesting people; traveled and lived overseas several times; established close ties to family members; and maintained good health.

But there was always something nagging at me. A tiny voice telling me this is not where you belong. I think my main problem is that I am a people-pleaser and I hate disappointing them, particularly those closest to me. I've made some incredibly important decisions based on what I thought others wanted me to do, expected of me and sometimes for the plan and simple fact I didn't listen to my gut.

How did that pan out? Well instead of pursuing a life in the creative arts I opted for what my dad wanted me to do, something practical, like International Relations and Business Management. I would carry on that charade for several years, but then something would happen and I'd chuck everything and find myself back in the world of theatre or design. Then I'd get scared and a good paying job would come along and I'd chuck the design and go back into administrative work! And the entire cycle would begin again. That's what I mean by the gerbil wheel...constantly moving and doing but never getting anywhere.

So this year I am opting for something different, the heart path. MY heart path. And that involves creating and designing. It's going to be tough, I have to give up on job security (mind-numbing and soul-killing as it is) and jump. Intellectually I know the net is there, I've always provided for myself, but it's scarey as shit. The one thing I know for certain, if I don't do this, it will be the one regret of my life. It takes great courage to do what you want to do and ignore all those people and internal voices telling you to do otherwise. But I think I've got it in me. So, wish me luck!

This is the path I want to be on.

What about you? What path have you been traveling?

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." e e cummings

Eiko Ishioka: A Visual Tribute

2012-01-27T21:40:00.000-08:00

Eiko Ishioka

I was sad to hear of Eiko Ishioka's passing. She was Japan's premier costume designer and most certainly one of the world's greatest costume designers. Ishioka's list of movie credits include The Cell, Dracula (for which she won an Academy Award for best costume design), The Fall and most recently Mirror, Mirror the new Snow White film directed byTarsem Singh.

Other fabulous work included: costume design for the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony; costume design for the Broadway production of Spiderman; and collaborations with Bjork, Grace Jones and Cirque du Soleil

Here are some photographs of her work so you can appreciate her fabulousness.

Costumes from The Cell...

From The Fall...

From Dracula...

From Mirror, Mirror...

Interview with Eiko Ishioka...

Bjork Video Cocoon...

Friday Finds: Bees, Bees, Bees

2012-01-27T14:19:00.000-08:00

There is just so much cool stuff on Etsy! Here are some finds for this Friday featuring one of my favorite subjects. Enjoy and have a great weekend.

T-Shirt (by Critter Jitters)

Asymmetrical Bee Earrings (by Shy Siren)

Baby Booties (by Rain Rain Rain)

Bumblebee Rain Boots Bookmark (by Bookmark Your Page)

Bee Friends Print (by Croworks)

Dog Collar (by Cody’s Creations)

Hip Flask (by Liquid Courage)

Honey Bee Brass Cuff (by Jezebel Charms)

Honey Bee Pendant (by The Little Chickadee)

Honey Bee Notecards (by The Grey Fox Studio)

The Joy of Books

2012-01-26T18:49:00.000-08:00

This a cool video about one of my most favorite things in the world...books. I can't possibly imagine how long it took to do this stop action short, but it was worth it in my opinion!

Motivational Monday: Team Hoyt (get out the tissue)

2012-01-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

Sometimes life can get ya down...you struggle, seemingly get nowhere and before you know it you're throwing yourself a huge pity party. Well, this is the video for you! Or for anyone who might be feeling a tad bit self-indulgent with the "oh woe is me" drama.

The story of this father and son team, Rick and Dick Hoyt, will kick your ass into "Just Do It" mode! So watch it and rock on with your bad self. Don't forget the tissues though!

Friday Finds: Silly Stuff for Valentine's Day

2012-01-19T18:46:00.000-08:00

“I'm Wearing Smarty Pants Today” Button (by Bay Moon Studio)

I think Valentine's Day is a bit silly. There seems to be such expectations placed on the poor thing! Especially if you find yourself in a relationship. But I say screw that and just make it fun and silly. No high pressure, seriously romantic stuff here. Just good clean fun. So here's a collection of some stuff that's silly and deserved on Valentine's Day.

Funny Valentine Gloves (by Warm Presents)

5 Little Love Monsters (by Square Gardens)

I Love You More Than Bacon Button (by Barrel of Monkeys)

Love You Periodic Table Pillow (by Yellow Bug Boutique)

Felted Scarf (by Storm’s Handicrafts)

Star Wars Darth Vader Mouse (by The House Of Mouse)

Copper Guitar Pick Pick (by Nici Laskin)

Dog Hat (by Sweet Hoots)

Kids With Too Many Stickers - The Obliteration Room

2012-01-10T06:57:00.000-08:00

I pulled these pictures from a cool art and design website called Colossal. These photos are from the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. An artist named Yayoi Kusama created a room and painted every thing in it white. A big ol’ empty canvas. Children visiting the museum were given colored stickers to place anywhere and everywhere. An ingenious way of getting children involved in creating art. The installation is called The Obliteration Room.

Friday Finds: Color Me Blue

2012-01-05T06:47:00.000-08:00

I'm not blue, I just love this color and these beautiful pieces. Hope you do too!

Ceramic Luminary (by Blue Room Pottery)

Trees and Fog (by Briole Photography)

Vintage Framed Magnetic Chalkboard (by Shabby McFabby)

Vintage Floral Dress (by Midnight Fight)

Mineral Eye Shadow (by Eternal Earth Beauty)

Glass Heart (by Untamed Rose)

French Knot Piece Fiber Art (by Sometimes I Swirl)

Lap Quilt (by Quilt Modern)

Hanging Chandelier (by Stuff by Jen)

Friday Finds: Goodies for 2012

2011-12-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Cards (by Karma Bee)

Hey there! Hope everyone has been having a spectacular holiday! Well, the New Year is upon us and I thought I would share with you some beautiful Etsy finds for 2012. Everything's in black and white, well, because those are my two favorite colors.

Paper Ornament Kit (by Paper Art by CNM)

Handmade Pillow Covers (by LynnesThis and That)

Metal Pillbox with Mirror (by Colors by Liza)

Pearls and Bows (by Passionand Paisley)

Black and White Bud Vase (by Cynthia Vardhan)

Black & White Sugar Cookies (by Sugar Sanctuary)

Ivory Cotton Jacket- Kimono Inspired (by Lilies O Valley)

Black and White Letterpress Print (by Happy Deliveries)

Friday Finds: Dreaming of A Green Christmas

2011-12-23T05:33:00.000-08:00

Greeting cards by designsbybeccashop.

As a buyer of and seller on Etsy I am continually amazed at the incredible items I find on the website. This year I made a point of trying to find all my holiday gifts on Etsy. The purpose of that is three fold: 1) I want to support other artists/crafters; 2) I hate plastic and there's not a lot of plastic on Etsy; and 3) I wanted to purchase items made in the United States.

Fabulous Finds on Friday is going to be a regular feature on my blog because I want to help support American made, hand-crafted goods. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the wonderful and unique items. You can click on the shop name underneath the picture and it will take you directly to the sellers Etsy shop.

Please note: I can't be held accountable for the availability of these items as they may already have sold by the time you read this. But do yourself and others a favor and check out Etsy. There is a search field and you can find just about anything you ever dreamed of on this site! Enjoy...

Girls organic twirl skirt in orchard blues by GypsyForest

Organic Nesting Bowls in Dusty Sage and Almond by EcoChicHandKnits

Oatmeal Baby Milk Bath-choose your scent by senchawellness

Organic Eucalyptus Soothing Soap by PiccoloParadiso


Small Bird Eco-Friendly Christmas Ornament by recycledparts

Quilting Fabrics - New Fabrics From Liz Scott Collection

2011-12-21T17:56:00.000-08:00

Liz Scott Domestic Bliss Kitchenette Eggplant ($10.45 per yard)

As a quilter and costumer I am a fabric whore! You can never have enough fabric in my opinion and there are some new cotton fabrics out there which I just adore. Here are some that I would love to get and make a quilt...any excuse to purchase more for my stash!

Here are some delicious fabrics from Liz Scott that would make a most beautiful quilt! All available at www.pinkchalkfabrics.com.

Liz Scott Domestic Bliss Lattice Garden Eggplant ($10.45 per yard)

Liz Scott Domestic Bliss Out Of Doors Pink ($10.45 per yard)

Liz Scott Domestic Bliss Time For Tea Eggplant ($10.45 per yard)

Liz Scott Domestic Bliss Beaded Curtain Eggplant ($10.45 per yard)

Liz Scott Domestic Bliss At the Table Eggplant ($10.45 a yard)

Road Trip Update

2011-12-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

Back from Amelia Island and the Stop at Nothing seminar. What a wonderful week. Met executives from all over the country, Costa Rica and Frankfurt. Made some friends, laughed, and most importantly learned a lot about myself. I can only hope that I will be able to attend the second seminar in the series.

One of the nicest things about the week (aside from getting to walk the beach each morning and watch the sun come up) was the opportunity to be with other individuals interested in becoming more self-aware; thus developing the ability to be a better person. Stop at Nothing offered the safe space and professional facilitators which allowed some serious introspection.

I realized I've been living and telling some terribly self-limited stories about myself. Much baggage was unloaded and my back feels so much better!

The incredible graduates from the 12-2011 High Impact Leadership Seminar.

Room #15 at the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Amelia Island, Florida. My fabulous room with three windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The beach...my favorite kind...deserted!

Proof positive I was there!

Sun coming up.

Resident pelican.

Another resident of Amelia Island.

Don't know the bird, but it's a cutie running around in the foamy waves.

Scary Santa in town.

Time Flies and a Road Trip

2011-12-03T21:14:00.000-08:00

Holy Smokes! Where did the last two months go? I can’t believe it has been so long since my last posting. Well, if there is anyone out there reading this little diddy, my humble apologies.

Had a quick trip to Washington, DC to visit family. But mostly I have been working on opening and creating products for my Etsy shop. (There is a link to the shop on the right.) I knew opening an Etsy shop would be a lot of work, but I had no idea how much work! Plus, having a full time job makes it even more of a challenge!!!

Getting logos and branding materials designed and printed; writing text for product descriptions; learning to take pictures on the new camera (still working on this one!); uploading hundreds of photos; editing photos; uploading to the Etsy site. Not to mention designing product, researching and purchasing supplies for said product, and making said product. I’ve missed a million different things I’ve had to do in the last several months to get the shop up and running.

And I have to say, I am having a lot of fun. The shop still needs much work and I need to design and create more products...but I am moving toward that goal. Slowly but surely. I am trying not to put too much pressure on myself since there are only 24 hours in a day, but I am realizing it is a never ending process and there is always something to do. Thank goodness I’m having fun! And it’s a great way to learn, not only about entrepreneurship, but about one’s self and how I operate.

Tomorrow morning I leave for Elizabeth Pointe Lodge located on Amelia Island in Florida. Here is a picture of the bed and breakfast joint I'll be staying at:

Not too shabby and right on the ocean!

This looks pretty cozy! I think I could get a good night's rest here!

Dining room where I'll be eating breakfast in the morning. I hope they have really good coffee!

A lovely spot to relax and watch the ocean.

I'll be attending the High Impact Leadership Seminar put on by the folks at Stop at Nothing. It is, according to their website, "a one-week, small-group experience that opens participants to feedback and sends them home ready to lead themselves and others through change.

It increases emotional intelligence and reinforces personal relationships, lowering stress and enabling work/life balance. Participants return with a heightened awareness of leadership strengths and weaknesses that translates into measurable, bottom line impact."

I expect to get a tremendous amount out of this workshop and it is perfect for me right now since I am wading into the waters of business ownership. I am very excited and feel incredibly fortunate to be able to attend this workshop. There will be only 10 people in the group and I suspect I will be the only non-executive there! Should be VERY interesting!

Till later,

Motivational Monday - Failure Equals Success

2011-10-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

"The fastest way to succeed is to double your rate of failure."

Thomas Watson, Sr, president of International Business Machines (IBM)

I have a Tupperware bin in which I place all my sewing failures. I like to go back and rifle through the stuff. Its an account of all the things I've tried and not done a good job at. It reminds me of where I have been. It reminds me that it is okay to screw up and make art that really isn't very artful.

As I get older I am becoming more and more comfortable with messing up and not living up to my expectations. I always have a crazy ideal in my mind when I start a project and I count every stitch that is less than perfect. But that's okay. It just fuels the fire to do better next time. I think we all need to learn to embrace our failures, because it is really only through failing that we grow and expand. Our art becomes better. We can become more focused. Half the battle of life is knowing what you don't want. So if you make some piece of crap, you can cross that off your list and say, "Well, I never have to do that again!"

So here is one of my favorite motivational quotes from Michael Jordon made into a YouTube video. We used to have this as of poster hanging in our reception area at an out-patient mental health clinic I worked at. Many of our clients were disadvantaged youth and I can only hope some of the kids read that poster and were inspired to not give up.

That's really the only failure there is...giving up. So let's never give up on our dreams, our heart's desire!

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize

how close they were to success when they gave up.”

Thomas Edison

Embracing the Void

2011-10-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

"He who has not felt the difficulties of his art does nothing that counts."

(Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin)

Been talking to several artist friends of mine recently. Don’t know if it is the change of season with its shorter days and lack of sunlight; but they all appear to be suffering from a creative slump. One friend can’t seem to pick up a paint brush, another hasn’t been in her studio for over two weeks, and another hasn’t written anything substantial since mid September.

They are unmotivated and uninspired. And to make matters worse, all three are beating themselves up with the fear stick, the self-doubt stick and of course, the self-loathing stick. “I feel completely empty inside! There’s nothing left. What an idiot to even think I had the talent to be a writer!” one friend howled.

Now at times like these I let them talk as much as they need to. Even though I’ve been where they are many, many times I know there is little I can say to make them feel better. These moments can be overwhelming. Days seem like weeks, weeks like months and still you haven’t “produced.” Our muse has gone into hiding or worse yet, completely abandoned us.

But this is untrue. We need to understand, really understand, one thing: our creative energy is a gift from the universe. It all comes from the universe and flows back to the universe. So, the idea that our creativity is finite; that our creativity can one day dry up and never return is misguided in the extreme. There is always creativity and creative energy out there. But sometimes, for whatever reason, we don’t have access to it. It’s that simple!

So, why don’t we cut ourselves some slack? We don’t always have to be “creating” and “producing.” We have choices when we’ve hit a creative dry spell. We can wallow in self-pity, self-doubt and beat ourselves up for being the artistic imposter we think we are; or we can be brave and take the time to reflect.

Maybe you need some time to rest and rejuvenate. Have you being burning the candle at both ends? Pushing yourself a little too much? Maybe you’ve been working so hard that you’ve drained your creative juices for the moment.

It helps me to remember this Zen Proverb: "The obstacle is the path."

May it help you in your efforts to remain motivated and inspired whenever you are running dry. It's always an opportunity to reflect and go deeper, thus making our art more heart-centered.

Motivational Monday: Living an Extraordinary Life

2011-10-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

A little inspiration for a rainy and gloomy Monday down here in the lowcountry.

Christmas Banner

2011-10-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I do this to myself. I've added another item to my "To Do" list. Although this one is pretty basic and it will be complete by November. I just thought it looked so cute, it would give me a break from quilting and I could learn some embroidery to boot!

What I did was sign up to be a part of Sewhappy Sewalong sponsored by Sewhappy.me. The project lasts for 8 weeks. Each week we get a pattern along with instructions for one block of the banner. On the final week the instructions will be given to put it all together! Fun idea, no?

So I finished my first block. Although I think we were supposed to stick to just doing embroidery; well I could not help myself and ended up making more work for myself. I just couldn't do it the easy way. I claim artistic license. Regardless, here are a couple pictures of my first block, I kind of like it! And I think having seven of these, all different designs strung together is going to look pretty cool.

I know that green mass on the left is supposed to be his sack full o' presents, but it looks more like a large green growth sprouting from his back!

500 Years of Women In Art

2011-10-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

Just had to share this cool video. Enjoy!

Motivational Monday: Color and Kaffee Fassett

2011-10-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

Fall colors reflected in a Vermont river.

Finally! It seems summer down here in the lowcountry is slowly grinding to a halt. Gone (hopeully) are the stifling hot and humid days where just walking outside causes you to break a sweat. Gone are the days of the sun beating down on you, frying your skin like bacon. I am not a summer person. I don't live too far from the beautiful beaches of Hilton Head. But the only time you find me walking the beach is late at night, early in the morning, during the cold winter months or, my favorite time, when there is a storm brewing off the coast.

I greet the cooler weather with such excitement. Now I can get outdoors and actually enjoy myself. Who cares if you need to toss on a hat, scarf and mittens? The air is so much cleaner to me.

To welcome in the fall for this Monday I give you some delicious eye candy from one of my favorite designers: Kaffe Fassett. His use of color, texture and pattern makes me think of the fall in up state New York for some reason. So, here you go.

Fassett's wonderful textile designs.

Fassett's mosaic, painting and needlepoint work.

How cute can he be??

Yes the chair cover is done in needlepoint!

Jeweled Squares in Blue By Cassie, Cassieblanca

Sigh! Such fabulous eye candy.

How about you? What do you look forward to now that the beginning of fall is here?

Project: FINISHED!

2011-09-28T17:54:00.000-07:00

Well I've been working on this baby for a while. Actually started her in June. But I've been busy with a lot of personal stuff, travel and putting together my Etsy shop which will open in October.

She came out at 31" x 43" and I think this is the most fun I've ever had making a quilt! I am already starting to think about another design. The next one I do I will be using different values of white, gray and black. I want to really focus on value and playing the colors off one another and I think sticking to the basics will help. I also plan on making the next one a tad bit smaller, perhaps 17" x 22". Haven't figured that one out yet.

I started this quilt using Katie Pasquini's book "Design Explorations for the Creative Quilter". Lord that book just makes me what to move to an little shack and sew my brains out!

Here's what I started with:

This is my 8 1/2" x 11" design enlarged three times. I had two copies of the design printed up. One was used as a pattern, so it was cut up into smaller pieces, the second design print remained in tack and it helped me keep track of all the cut pieces.

Once I had the quilt top finished and sandwiched on top of the batting and backing I used the defined spaces to experiment with several different top stitching styles, which was tons o' fun. Below are two close ups of the top stitching I did. Nothing too fancy, but I certainly didn't want to just end up stippling the entire thing...BORING.

The next great thing was that I stumbled onto a blog called My Sweet Prairie. She gives a fabulous method for binding the quilt. I've always seemed to struggle with finishing up my quilts as I just couldn't quite make the binding look the way I wanted to. But the tutorial offered on My Sweet Prairie broke through that barrier and I am in LOVE with the way the binding turned out. You can view My Sweet Prairie's binding tutorial here: Binding Tutorial.

So looking forward to starting the next one! What about you? What have you been working on lately?

Motivational Monday - Peace And Quite

2011-09-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

As I get older, my need and desire for peace and quiet continues to grow. I find it so necessary when the weeks are filled with work and other responsibilities. One of my favorite places to go when I'm feeling the need for solitude is a cemetery.

When I lived in Chicago, my roommate Elea and I frequented Graceland Cemetery. The 80 acres cemetery has been around since 1860 and is filled with beautiful art, architecture and a little pond. Many where the afternoons that we escaped the noise and hustle of the Windy City for serious quietude.

Graceland is the final resting place of some of Chicago's famous architects like Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rhoe. You can also find the tombs of Potter Palmer, Marshal Field and William Goodman (of the Goodman Theatre, where I worked for several years.) Graceland is a beautiful place and I miss spending time there.

Here in the south there are some great cemeteries too. I recently visited the Laural Grove Cemetery in Savannah for some peace and quiet. I share with you some of the pictures I took. Enjoy!

A child's grave, so sad.

An oak tree has grown into the wrought iron fence.

Graves of Confederate soldiers.

A reminder of the sad history of the south.

Dreamy Studio and Workshop Spaces

2011-09-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

I can't complain. I have a decent sized studio, a great cutting table my brother helped me construct, three shelving units jam packed with fabric and such, and tables for my sewing machines and serger. My studio has three walls of nothing but windows, which really is a bit of a drag. I like to hang up my quilts in progress in order to get a better look at them, plus during the summer it is hot as Hades and in February I need a space heater.

Nevertheless, I love my space...but I do sometimes fantasize about the "ideal" studio. Meaning more square footage, more walls, lots of light and all the dreamy accoutrements that one would have, if one had a limitless budget. Below are some fabulous work spaces I found online...oh to dream!

Adore this space from The Happy Zombie, looks like a 50's kitchen!:


Work Space for The Happy Zombie

I think this would be enough space for me, for now...

Sewing Room from Designs In Stitches

I could make a gigantic mess in here and you'd never know it!

Sewing Room from haconinc.com

Fun. Fun. Fun!


From http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/

How's your space? What do you dream of having for your studio?