Wednesday, December 24, 2008

My Christmas Wishes

For each of us, my wishes are many and heartfelt. I think I wish nearly the same things every year. And not just at Christmas!

Peace...the kind that brings your heart a seamless quietude and calm.
Hope...A sense of well-being and energizes your waking and your every movement, mixed with that feeling that the best is yet to come, that God is in His heaven, and all's right with the world. Cockeyed optimism? Well, maybe. But, at Holy Mass, when I say that I "believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen ... and the life of the world to come," what's not to hope for! (ref: Nicene Creed)
Love...more than anything, I wish you the blessing of loving and being loved. May true compassion become the order of the day.
Simple pleasures...a game of Pictionary or Scrabble that leaves you laughing until you cry, the taste of tiramisu, good books, wonderful music, hugs that last long enough to really feel them, the gift of a smile from another, "Merry Christmas!" yelled with gusto by a child, thoughtful/prayerful moments under a clear night sky.

I hope your Christmas is special this year and always, with new and old memories to fill your heart.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Gift Exchange


When December arrives -- or when we arrive at December -- parties ensue!
Our Fiber Art Fusion group dined to celebrate another year of artful creating together. At our dinner, we exchanged little 5x7-inch original pieces of artwork. It is our second year, and I think we love it so much, we want to do one mid-year, "just because!"


Here is mine -- Ann Quandee chose it from the stack of wrapped art. I hope she enjoys it as much as I will enjoy mine from Judy Alexander. The color is a huge departure for me -- pinky-red, orange, even a purplish tone. I cut the pleated bit from some great fabric and pleated it in a semi-circular form. Again, from the same fabric, I cut a smaller motif, padded it, appliqued it and even added a few bugles. I find it almost impossible NOT to add sparkle, a la beads. I bordered it in satin stich with this great Madeira variegated thread. Variegated threads are a big favorite of mine -- they add lots of interest and depth without having to change thread (which would often be too disruptive to the piece). The silks and even dyed cotton fibers are great for embroidery.
I wish everyone a blessed season of love -- love for families and friends and all of God's gifts to us!