Well, it’s been pretty quiet around here. My muse might have missed the flight back home from Hawaii in January. She sure hasn’t been in my studio. So I thought maybe I could call her back if I started going through my fabric.
I spent a day going through most of my fabric pieces, and organizing them AGAIN! This time I pulled out some pieces that spoke to me. These are all pieces I’ve printed over the years. I just pinned them to my design board until I got the rest of my fabric put away.
Then I wanted to see if I put some fabrics together if she’d return. The following are colors I usually don’t work with. Maybe that’s what she wants me to do.
I was drawn to the orange and purple, but I also love this collard greens leaf print and searched through my stash for what would go with it.
Love that set, but I’m really drawn to the orange and purple. Now to leave that first group of fabric on the wall, and see what she wants me to do with it.
Meanwhile, Spring is coming. The Lenten Roses are always the first to show, and they are just beginning to bud. Won’t be long and they’ll be open. I am getting so excited about getting out there, and cleaning up the garden.
I’ve continued to read every day. I ended last month reading these three. I recommend Kindred, a historical, science fiction book. I chose Raven Black because I’ve never read anything by Ann Cleeves, and I like the Vera series which is based on her books. But I was disappointed. As for mysteries, I compare all of them to Harlan Coben’s books which are hard to beat.
I am continuing to read these two, but they are slow going and pretty heavy. Four Hundred Souls is a little easier because each chapter is a different writer. I’m half way through it, and hope to finish it by April.
I’ve been focusing on African American authors, and have several more I’ve purchased from Thriftbooks. I’ve decided that since I am reading so many books that I will only read once, I visited the local library where I’ve not taken out any books in years. I’ve found that their due dates help push me to finish them. The Vanishing Half was my first library book in years. Another one is waiting in the wings, and two more are on hold!!
I always read several books on vacation, but usually when we get home I don’t take the time. I’ve decided I’d dedicate at least 30 minutes in the morning to reading. I’m rediscovering how much I love to read. As a child, during the summer when it was too hot to play outside, I’d sit in the room with the air conditioner and read through the arm full of books I had checked out from the local library. I’m so glad to bring that joy back.
Meanwhile, my heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to the people of Ukraine. Now I want to read more about that country and their incredible people.
I’d love to hear how you call back your muse. Thanks for dropping by.
When I lose the muse, I find that having a deadline for a new project sometimes jump starts me — or not. Or sometimes I just pull out fabrics that I love and arrange them on the floor until some combination sparks my interest. Don’t worry, she’ll be back!!!
I love the orange and purple combination, Lynda! It just might be the out-of-your-usual move toward finding your muse again … or in your muse finding you again! Perhaps she has stepped back a bit so as to not interfere with your pending spring garden time. Sometimes digging in the dirt has helped me find my muse when she has “taken vacation.” In past years I also found neighborhood and woods walks with my beagle to be a great way to see the world with fresh eyes, and, occasionally, I found my muse in unexpected places. Beagle boy crossed the rainbow bridge on 12/31 early hours, though, and so far solo walks the past 2 months have not worked the same magic. Last week I dyed some cotton yarn for an upcoming crochet project, and have had a few quilt-related “aha” moments during the zen of winding skeins into balls this week, so hope springs eternal that the heart and mind will be ready when the muse returns. Whatever works for you is a good thing. Thanks as always for sharing your journey!
Sherrie, Thanks. I am excited about the orange and purple but they make me want to create some more fabric to go with them!!
Jane, She’s been gone for awhile, but I know what you mean about how gardening helps. So sorry to hear about your Beagle boy. I can imagine how those walks would be so different now. I’ve been yearning to walk in the woods instead of just around the neighborhood. Once it warms up I hope to get out in the trees. Don’t you just love those aha moments? Thanks for your tips and thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Lovely fabric. I love printing, but sadly I can’t sew how ever much I try. I just look at a sewing machine and it dies on me. Sadly my muse went walk about two years ago. I can’t find her anywhere, it must be sunning herself on a beach somewhere with a rum in hand. x
Kathy, Thank you. I’m so sorry your muse has left. Maybe she’s waiting for the weather to get better. I always have had trouble with sewing machines. I just never had any patience for it, and I was so anxious when I sat down to sew. But the more I’ve sewn, the more I love to. In fact, I’ve not sewn now since December and I’ve really missed it. I just bought some new thread that I’m going to test drive next week. Thanks for dropping by.