Wednesday, May 23, 2012

UFO'S--Unfinished Objects

Isn't this the cutest little sweater?  It took me 2 years to complete it.  Why?  For a few reasons really, I told myself I could not knit a sweater, I put it in a bag and forgot about it, I told myself I could not knit a sweater, I was busy with health issues and other pressing projects, did I mention that I told myself that I could not knit a sweater?


I am a scarf officianado.  I can knit the most beautiful scarves, I can crochet one heck of a granny square afghan and now I can actually knit a sweater.  Ok, it is a miniature sweater for a little bear, but it is still a sweater and I finished it on May 21, 2012.  I was going through my knitting basket looking for projects that I need to finish.  I am dedicating this summer to completing UFO's.  I finished a scarf that I will show in another blog. I finished a crocheted coin purse and then I picked up the bag.
"Hmmm, what is this?" I asked myself as I looked into the bag, "Oh my goodness, it is the sweater for the little bear.  Guess I will try to finish it."  All that was left was completing the front panel and sewing it together.  I read the directions incorrectly and had to rip out a part of it twice, but I got it done.  "How am I going to fit in the sleeves", I thought.  I googled in sewing in knitted sleeves, watched a video and proceeded to work, it was really easy after I got the hang of it.


INTRODUCING BEE BEE Wearing his new sweater

Sitting on his regal throne is BEE BEE.  Bee Bee is wearing the sweater I finished.  Isn't he dashing?  This gentlebear, dear reader, is the new mascot of the Blankets and Bears program sponsored by St. Thomas More Catholic Community Church.  For the past few years I have had the honor of working as co-chair for this ministry which provides Blankets and Bears to children and adults in need of love and care. Last year we prepared over 600 packages for two shelters who help families in need.

How did I meet Bee Bee?  He was the last bear on the table 2 years ago and tears were streaming down his little face.  You see, he had no clothes, someone had stripped him of his sweater and no one wanted him.  My friend Debbie, who created this wonderful volunteer opportunity with her family and shared it with my church, gave him to me and asked me to make him a sweater.  Did I mention that I did not think I could make a sweater?  So my poor boy was a fixture on my bed for the past two year waiting for his sweater.  And now he has one.

I am so excited, everytime I look at Bee Bee it is as though he is saying, "you are my hero, I knew you could do it."  I am proud that I finally shut off the negative chatter in my brain and got busy.  What is my next challenge on the knitting front?  I hear you asking, it is Cables because I have been telling myself "I can't make cables, they look to complicated."  We shall see how long it will take for me to conquer this fear, stay tuned.

No matter how small the steps or how long it takes......change every I Can't into a resounding I CAN.

Hoping we meet somewhere on the journey....Pilgrim


Thursday, May 17, 2012

One Artist Journal

Hello friends and dear readers, I am part of a Blog Hop.  This is not any ordinary Blog Hop, no, no, no; this is my first Blog Hop and it is to tell you about a wonderful artist and friend Orly Avineri.  Orly's book, One Artist Journal, is being released today May 18th, 2012.


One Artist Journal


The following quote from Orly:
"I am excited to let you know, that my book ONE ARTIST JOURNAL has been released. As you probably guess it's my 'online journal/blog turned book' and it's totally aligned with my imaginings of it, so excited about it (-: I'm happy about the way it came out. It contains my online journal spreads meshed with my writings in a format of a real visual journal, 196 pages, full color, full bleed, explosions of colors, textures, raw expressions, and visual celebrations. It is adorned by Teesha Moore's foreword and Seth Apter's sweet words on the back of the book."

As she stated above, Orly's book is a compilation of her wonderful blog by the same name.  I have subscribed to it for over two years and have enjoyed each thought provoking moment.  I eagerly await each entry.  Some entries are awashed in color with a single thought provoking sentence.  For example:

"Not at all times." (Spread 169:  Sweet and Gentle)

Or:

"Physiological or mental, it’s all the same. It’s carried out by or taking place in my mind." (Spread 164: Dire Conclusions)
Others are have more indepth content, and to see what they are, you have to go and visit her blog or better yet, buy the book.  Orly is not telling  you what to think, rather, she is communicating what was on her mind and in her spirit that day. 
I personally met Orly in April 2011 at ArtFest in Port Townsend, WA.  Our first encounter was at a pseudo Iron Chef Competition where I spontaneously offered a play by play of her creative process as she developed a work of art from the found objects she was provided.  The next day I had the most wonderful class making post cards.  In that class she brought out things from me that I truly did not know existed.  Deep rich colors blossomed on the page and I was mesmerized.
This year I again took another class with Orly, Postcards From the Edge,  and she gave us a challenge that is exhibited on her blog and now in her book; "Create, do not Produce."  Hmmm, sometimes easier said than done.  The challenge as Orly shows through word and deed is not to produce art, she gently encourages you to remove all outside expectations and let your spirit draw you into a zone of creativity.  By turning her Blog into a book, I believe two things have been accomplished,  1.  Orly will be able to reach a wider audience with her message; and 2.  the reader will be encouraged to remove any restriction hindering the true creativity that resides deep inside.

Now let's take care of some business....
Where to find the book:(listed in order of preference)

1. The best way to obtain the book is by ordering through Orly's eStore  https://www.createspace.com/3868179
2. At her workshops in Southern California ( you can sign up for email notification of these workshops on her blog)
Orly will be giving away a copy of her book as part of this blog hop.  To be considered for the drawing leave a comment to her post on her blog http://oneartistjournal.com. Winner will be announced next Friday, May 25th.

As I stated at the beginning of this post, I am a part of a Blog Hop to support Orly Avineri's book project.  Please be sure to visit the following blogs listed below:

Donna Cetorelli: http://solegarden.com
Erin Faith Allen: http://callofthewildsoul.com
Teesha Moore: http://teeshascircus.blogspot.com

Well, there you have it friends.  In life we have to support our friends in anyway we can through encouragement, promotion and love.  So as I make my journey, know that I support all of you.

Be well...Pilgrim.