Finished!

Over 2 years and 20,000 miles of stitching, 

she is finished!

Little shadow going on, I see; will have to rephotograph and repost when I can get back to the RV.

Originally planned for a pillow, the embroidered, painted, beaded bohemian piece was stitched as we traveled throughout the country in our little RV, The Wanderer.

With Miss Wilma’s help, I added a narrow border.

She hung on a line to keep from wrinkling until we were parked for a few days and I could get Miss Wilma out to finish the pillow.

I kind of liked how she brightens the somewhat drab interior of the coach, so I decided to leave her there for now.

More than likely she will become a pillow at some point.

Needing some distraction on the road, I am currently stitching on a well-worn denim jacket. This could be a fun, ongoing project!

I have a new phone with a better camera! 

I am out of The Underground until spring. I do have a few projects on board which I hope to complete (if Handy Randy can stay in one spot for a few days.) Nearly completed is a set of placemats which is on The Wanderer which is in a repair garage about 20 miles away. Hopefully we will retrieve our home away from home early next week and we can continue our 2020 Winter Adventure.

I had it all wrong!

I thought being an artist or craftsman was about producing stunning pieces; to do that I needed focus and discipline. I tried, I really did. I would go to the studio with all the determination to focus in one medium and work on it until I perfected the process. But I had so many interests I could not focus on a specific project and when I tried to force it, the results were not satisfactory and I was not having fun. And then I would find myself dabbling a bit in sewing, a bit in card making, a bit in drawing, a bit in pastels, a bit in decoupage; you get the picture. And all the time I felt guilty and frustrated for not having discipline.

Then I had an epiphany! (Okay, I read a book.) This is the way I was created! Just as God gave me hazel eyes and curly hair, He gave me a bit of attention deficit.

Returning from our 2 month New England adventure, I went to the studio intentionally having no specific agenda, just follow my muse (actually for me that is the Holy Spirit) and see where it leads me. Guess what? I had more fun and, though not stunning masterpieces, I was happy with what I created. You see, even though I knew the process of creating was more satisfying than the finished project, I wanted the recognition of being an accomplished artist and craftsman. I tried to force myself to be something that was not part of God’s plan.

Since the first of November I have done a bit of sewing, a bit of stenciling, a bit of painting, a bit of organizing (yep, that’s a craft) and my current favorite, resin pour.

These inspirational blocks were made using photos from our travels, scrap wood and 2-part resin.

Following the directions in the resin kit it is very easy, just be sure your work surface is level (ask me why.)

With left-over resin, I created these cute little pins.

Oh, the book I am reading rereading is The Creative Call by Janice Elshiemer.

Wishing you joy and peace this Christmas season and a creative, fun New Year. Enjoy the process!