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Have you ever heard of a quilting bee? In the past, women in the community would get together and work on a quilt, thus having time to gossip, discuss the latest recipes and what the kids and grandkids have been up to. These days, much of the time getting together means watching a ball game, going to a movie or some other distraction. Why not bring back the concept of a quilting bee?

When I see my female relatives, we have so much to talk about we never even consider turning on the television. Come to think of it, most of us don’t even own an “idiot box”! I suppose building a cheesecake together or working in one of our gardens is our version of the quilting  bee.

I long for simpler times. Perhaps an economic downturn will open our eyes to the basic needs of life; communication, love and the mutual realities we share with our relatives, friends and neighbors.

Posted March 6, 2010 Comments(0)

How many times have I heard this complaint? After a little investigation, it usually turns out that the complainer has never really tried anything involving creativity. “Oh, I can’t even draw a straight line!”

As my artist mother used to say, “Use a ruler!” Creativity has nothing to do with drawing straight or curved lines. It has everything to do with self-expression, and the ability to see what is in front of you. We are humans, capable of great works of art, creating delicious banquets, and solving the riddles of the Universe. But the first step is to try.

If you have been told you can’t draw, carry a tune, bake a decent meal and so on, I would like you to prove those naysayers wrong, for once and all. It may take time and patience to turn the tide of self-negation, but it can be done!

Check a book out of the library with simple steps towards creating your first….anything! The best place to start is exactly where you are right now.

Posted December 3, 2009 Comments(0)

It’s not too early to start thinking about homemade Christmas gifts. Think you have no talent, think everyone else is more creative than you? Think again! We all have the gift to create, and there is no better time to use it than now. Not only that, if you need to learn a skill in order to make something (hand-crafted tree ornaments, cookie making and so forth) there’s still lots of time to work on it. Hone your skills now, and by November you can go to town on your Christmas gift list.

You may say time is a problem. Well, try turning off the TV! But in truth, that may not even be necessary. You can crochet while you watch your favorite show. I’m not big on television, but I have no trouble listening to music while I write, paint or cook. Whatever you do, make sure it’s just as fun for you to make as it will be for your loved ones to receive. This is a great way to save money and express yourself at the same time!

Posted September 23, 2009 Comments(0)

I’m not particularly materialistic, but once in a while there’s something I would love to own. My particular love? Handcrafted Gold Jewelry .

You may have something you would love to own for yourself, but have the idea that it is forever out of your reach. Well, I have a theory about that. If there’s something you’d love to have, there is a way for that to happen. Really! Maybe it involves sacrificing something in some other area of your life, but it can be done, and I encourage you to do it!

It can be personally empowering to accomplish that which at first glance seems insurmountable. What better way to start realizing your dreams than by figuring out a way to reach a personal, pleasurable goal for yourself?

Posted July 10, 2009 Comments(0)

I love supporting indigenous Latin American artists . Our neighbors south of the border have among them some very talented people. When we can support them by purchasing hand-crafted work, I’m for it every time. I think this should be the true “global economy.” I’d rather pay a woman in Bolivia money for a beautifully crafted scarf, than pay a Chinese factory for some dubious (possibly lead-tainted) buttons.

Not that there aren’t talented craftspeople in China, too! It isn’t the people there I’m opposed to; it’s the do-anything-to-make-a-buck mentality of big factories, even at the expense of the people who work in them. If we all took the time to discover the origin of what we purchase, consumable or not, our planet could be propelled forward in the right direction.

Posted May 26, 2009 Comments(0)

Even though I don’t especially subscribe to the theory behind “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain,” I happen to know the author’s lessons profess a very workable system to teach yourself to draw, and proficiently at that.

Years ago I picked up this book, and despite my initial reluctance due to the title (I happen to think more in terms of spiritual ability that “Brain Ability”) I did learn a lot from it. And when applying the information, I saw a lot of improvement in my skill. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

Anything that gives confidence and aides the ability to learn a new artistic skill is of interest to me. You will never convince me that you aren’t an artist! I’ve seen way too many “untalented” people emerge like butterflies from a cocoon, ready to soar on their fresh new wings of ability.

Posted May 15, 2009 Comments(0)

These are interesting times. For some they may be excruciatingly difficult, for others, merely uncertain. For all of us, change is in the air, and it might not necessarily be welcome.

We want to hold onto our jobs, our homes, our lives. It’s difficult to confront the possibility of not being able to keep up with a mortgage payment, yet some have had to face that difficult crossroad. One of the best ways I know of to keep on top on your life is to write down your thoughts. Sometimes just looking carefully at a situation can help it to resolve. At the very least, it might give you some insight, and a more philosophical look at what may be around the corner.

At the worst, it will give your children and grandchildren a first-hand glimpse of what life was like in 2009, and a way in the future for you to look back and reflect on your past.

Posted May 1, 2009 Comments(0)

I love native art from around the world. Starting with this beautiful fine art from the Caribbean I want to check out a number of sites and let my readers see what I’ve finding.

There’s something luminous about the paintings on this home page that I find quite appealing. When you can get a flavor of the artist’s environment just from looking at their work, I think you’ve really captured something wonderful. The rich colors and wonderful sense of design is especially appealing.

Thank goodness for the internet! It’s marvelous to be able to take a virtual tour of all that’s being created around the world. It’s easy to start feeling a little insular, but there is so much being done by the artists of every country that I think all of us should take a “tour” once in a while.

Posted April 23, 2009 Comments(0)

I enjoy staring out the window. Maybe it’s my basically lazy nature, but I find a lot of loveliness in my own yard, and don’t mind taking the time to let it sink in.  I heard about a woman that wrote an entire book based on the comings and goings of her family, and how she watched the world go by as she sat by the window shelling peas and folding socks.

Apparently she didn’t even read it for a number of years, thinking it was just a day by day boring account of a tired housewife. When she finally started back at chapter 1, she was astonished by her accomplishment and could see the loveliness in her own words. She rarely left the house, and most of her time was occupied with picking up toys and cooking. Yet she created a beautiful and meaningful story for herself and her children- one I’m sure they treasured forever.

I love things like this!

Posted April 7, 2009 Comments(0)

I may not do my shopping in the mall, but I do like to shop. When it became time to replace my key chain , I turned to the internet.

I’m not an internet junkie. If I have to sit in front of a computer for more than an hour I start to get cross-eyed. I’d much rather be throwing a ball for the neighbor’s dog, or walking under the elm trees lining my block.

But it can be a good tool, and that’s what I use it for. Besides, it can be a good way to save energy. Why drive across town for something you can pick up in an online store? No, I haven’t forgotten the fact that someone has to drive it to my door. However, I do believe delivery companies have a route, and my stop is on the way to someone else close by.

Posted March 29, 2009 Comments(0)