February Wrap Up

February is done.

I can't believe how fast it went by. Even with an extra day. But the month is in the history books. Here's what I did:

• 2 Books read
• 15 days of Writing- down by 6 days
• 4 business quilts longarmed
• 3 personal quilts done
• 2 art shows, attended
• 19 World of Wendy Lu blog posts
• 3 Wendy B Quilts blog posts
• 13 Netflix movies/series
• 29 Faces challenge- drew, painted 29 faces
• 2 projects done- bat ornaments, bunner door hangs

I started a huge project today. I was busy designing patterns. I hadn't done that in a long time and at one point got a little frustrated but I continued to work at it. Will be at it again tomorrow. Etsy shop opening has been delayed until this new project is well underway. Sorry about that but I want things to be very nice.

Not bad. But there is always room for improvement. I feel fine. I'm ready to get back to creating many things. I missed creating things. Now I've got a brand new month to see what I can do.

Done

29 of 29 Faces. I did it. I finished an online challenge. I didn't get to use new or other media but that's okay. I stuck it out and finished. Ahead of time because I did this one last night. I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking it out.

#29faces

29 Faces

Faces 27 and 28 of 29.

#29faces

Snail Mail Art with Faces

I finally finished a project that I had started some time ago. I asked friends if they would like to receive a piece of art in a letter. Eleven responded and I finally got the last three pieces done. Two are faces so I used them as part of my 29 Faces. I really like doing small pieces. I may have to do more. My friends seem to like them.

#29faces

Art Show

Last week I delivered my bats and bunners to a local shop, The Fiber Company. Usually when I go downtown, I visit people who are in the general are. A friend who owns a bead shop, Studio 2. Haven't seen her in awhile and we're going to plan a play date. Work with some polymer clay, metallic paint, and make some molds. Then I went to Earthbound Arts and talked to another friend I haven't seen in a month of Sundays and we got a chance to laugh and talk shop. I had fun. They both told me that they enjoyed seeing my posts on Facebook, what I was working on. I was a little shocked because I didn't think anyone was paying attention. It was nice to know that someone was. Now I'm going to have to step up on the creating thing.

That Friday evening I went to my first art opening in, well, I don't know when the last time it was that I went to one. A friend was having I guess her first real art exhibit. I followed her through grad school. She started out in clay and is now doing mixed media using found natural items, paper based clay, and handmade paper. Again, I saw people I hadn't seen since the dawn of time. It was a very nice exhibit and you could actually touch things.

My friend Nicole Uzzell.

This was one huge basket made from local vines. So big, I wanted to put in roving, wool, pillows, grab a blanket, a glass of wine and a book. I could get so comfy in that.

This is a hanging piece that started out as sweatshirts and t-shirts. She cut them up, added clay, paper pulp, and glue. It was wonderful how the light showed through, casting shadows. The pieces moved and when they hit each other it sounded like a wood wood chime. Very cool. It would be great hanging from a tree or porch during Halloween.

Parts of it looked like bone, sinew, and tendons. Yeah, that sounds creepy but this is me you're reading about.

And this one was funny. It actually spun around. Also casting shadows. It was a lovely exhibit and I got a chance to get out of the apartment and studio to recharge my creative batteries. I will make it a point to go to more this year. Being free also helps.

29 Faces - Home Stretch

I'm keeping up with this challenge. And it's almost over. Here are the latest ones. Still channeling Amedeo Modigliani.

#29faces

My Work Table

It's been awhile since my work table looked like this. It was scary and exhilarating and fun at the same time. I hadn't felt that in a long time. How long? Three years long. Eek! Yep, I looked back. Way back. I'm grateful for my blog because I was able to go back and see when I was the most productive. What did I do differently? The time when I had a regular job, I got home, ate, and got busy. I designed and made things. Cool things and for whatever reason I lost that. Well now, I'm working my butt off to get it back.

I've made these critters before and I thought it would be the best small project to do to get back into the groove of things. Bad Wendy and the monkey were trying to poo poo my efforts. I told them to find a corner and be quiet. Sometimes you can't rush the really cool things you want to do after being away from it for so long. When I found out how long it had been, I cried. Three years gone; not creating anything. I mourned. Creating is like breathing but I guess I was underwater during that time. Now I've broken the surface. Doing the doggy paddle. And that's okay. Or maybe I was knocked out like Sleeping Beauty and Good Wendy threw paint brushes, paint, and maybe a sewing machine at me and I woke up.

For the past couple of months, I thought to myself that I've got to get back to making things. I've got to get that spark back. That it's okay to start back up, small. I gave myself permission to start small, with something I was familiar with. And now I'm ready for the next thing.

My St. Patrick's Day bat ornaments. I love bats and these make me happy.

And my bunner door hangs. I like them too.

There were plenty of times during the creation of these little guys where Bad Wendy was trying to get me off track. And I worked very hard at being in the moment. One stitch at a time. One little piece that goes next. I was so tired when I got done. My brain screamed at me. "What the heck do you think you're doing?" I answered back, "I'm using you." Maybe someone will buy them. Maybe not. But the creative floodgates have been opened. At least a bit.

One day at a time. One project at a time. One step at a time.

More Faces!

Who knew. I may just finish this challenge after all. I decided to channel Amedeo Modigliani, one of my favorite artists.

#29faces

The Battle Continues

This past weekend wasn't a good one at all. Along with the crazy weather, I just couldn't get anything done. I did work on bat ornaments but that was it. No writing, no artwork, no dolls, no quilting... Zippo. I don't know if it's because things are going in a different direction or if I just needed to rest. Or because of all the rotten news I've been getting. The wife of my last uncle was buried this past week; my mom's last good neighbor passed away (she and her husband were the first people my mom and I met when we moved into our house, they were great neighbors); and my last aunt is in the hospital. My mom came from a large family. She is number thirteen of fourteen. The last girl in the family. I guess it hit me. They're gone.

I grew up in a wonder and wacky and talented extended family. Now that I look back, I am so grateful for having been a part of that. That huge thing. From the problems, hang ups, marriages good and bad, being there for each other, getting together for birthdays or just whatever. How we would all get together when someone visited from out-of-state. The cookouts, relatives playing live music, the laughing, and dancing and storytelling. The hugs. The life lessons. The encouragements they gave to me as a child.

I truly miss that.

Are they watching me? Rooting for me to keep going? Are they together making music, laughing, and dancing? Waiting for the time when we're all together again?

Maybe I should get back to writing my memories of them down. The stories that they've told me. Before I forget. I guess this past weekend was for me to take time to stop, remember, and thank them. It's not time for me to give up just yet. They wouldn't want that.

Bat Ornaments

Last week I got some bat ornaments started for St. Patrick's Day. I'm a bit ahead of schedule. Better not smile too much.

Somehow I ended up with more heads than bodies. Oh well.

29 Faces

I caught up with my 29 Faces. Sort of. I'm back to being down two. The challenge continues. These were done with a fountain pen.

I also like adding little stories to go with them.

#29faces

29 Faces

Finally got a chance to catch up on my faces. Not really working in a challenging medium. Maybe over the weekend I can paint one.

#29faces

29 Faces

I am behind. What else is new? I may be down but I am not out. Here's 3 and 4. Number 3 is Buckey who likes ducks. Yellow ones. And Number 4 is Dovey who has a dilemma, to shave or not to shave. Probably not. Both are done with mechanical pencil.

#29faces

Patterns

Oh my gosh! I got these patterns that were on sale. I love Downton Abby, the Regency Era, and costumes, period clothing in general. On my list for the year is to start making me some items to wear. I didn't really play dress up when I was a kid but I want to do it now.

Almost Forgot

My second batch of snail mail art. Things are starting to arrive at their destination and so far, everyone seems very happy. A mash up of St. Patrick's, voodoo doll, and aliens.

29 Faces

Being a glutton for punishment, I'm attempting the 29 Faces challenge. A face a day in February using new media or familiar. Here are my first two. Both are done with mechanical pencil.