Back on dry land

Thanks for the support and love sent my way during my past few weeks of darker days.  It may not seem like much at times...a small note left in the comments section of this blog, or a little "heart" icon on a facebook post,... but it is a gathering of small and lovely things that find their way through to the heart. 

I've been creative again and creating again, and most importantly have welcomed the 'silly ' back into my daily life.  Here are few photos of what I've been working on lately, as well as proof postive that I'm well, and my heart is filling back up with the joy that is open and ready for us to take in at all times...even when we shut off our hearts to it. 

I think I almost ran myself out of thread on this piece!  The trees on the mountains in the front is all thread work!!

working on a challenge piece for an upcoming retreat...it has to include a number of different type of "stars"...perhaps I'm taking it a little too literally!  LOL

A consignment piece for a customer who bought a wallhanging a few years ago from another artist (see the photocopy above the piece) I did my best to match the style of the original artist, while still making it my own as well.

My two best girls...best friend/chosen sister, and Godchild.

Love and blessings to you all!

If we're not careful...this is what we'll be seeing more of...

Click here to find out more.

waiting for the dawn...

It has been a little dark in my world the past week or so.  Sometimes 'blue' just sneaks up on you and starts to color how you see everything, or deal with the little setbacks of day to day living...for me it has hit my patience and my compassion---mostly with myself.  And when you are easily angered by and mean to yourself, you can't be an open and shining light for others.  I miss being that light...feeling that brightness in my everyday as I encourage others in their projects at the quilt store, guide new sewers toward future projects and answer questions for those who are facing their own walls in search of a door.  I know this feeling will eventually lift...but the living in it is tiresome and I'm weary from the weight of it.

In other news, I am excited to be part of this fun event...(even if there isn't an exact time for it yet...most likely March). 

If you are an artist...or just have an artistic passion I highly recommend getting involved. 
Click HERE to learn more information....otherwise keep posted for more info on my blog, and if you have a little extra to give....send a little light my way.  I promise to return it when you need it.

Peace.

And on the 12th day....

This year I decided to challenge myself to do a personal 12 days of Christmas.  I admit, initially is wasn't anything more than a play on the popular Christmas tune of the same name.  But as is the case when you take time and focus for yourself, it became something more.

I posted each day on Facebook for the amusement of my friends and family.  During the last 12 days I've unsubscribed from a number of emails that fill my inbox, started back into a regular routine of yoga and cardio/strength training, wrote thank you cards, completed long-standing items on my 'to-do' list, updated my etsy site, took myself for long walks,  celebrated my mother's birthday to excess, made homemade turkey soup, and covered my sweetheart's office area with stickers.

Each day I wondered...would I be able to come up with something for this day?  And even though I came close to the day's end, something would always present itself.  And what I love is that now, after only a few days time, I find myself thinking each day "what will be the something that I do for myself today?".

That new habit is a gift unto itself.  But my final day approached and I wondered...what could possibly fill the 12th day slot.  The tradition of the 12 days has a few different historical references--for me the focus has become the time it took the Magi to find the Christ Child.  I've always loved that image of Christmas...the wealthy and wise seeking the meek and mild to pay respect and offer themselves....  whew...I think I made it! Sorry about that.  What was I saying?  Oh yes, the adoration of the Christ Child.  The birth of hope and light in a dark time.  And the idea of everyone gathering to offer whatever they could...be it gold or be it a lamb.  

Personally I feel more like a shepherd than a King in my everyday existence, however, I still realize what wealth I have in my life.  I have a beautiful place to live, the ability to be warm, fed, and surrounded by people who care for me. I not only work, but am also lucky enough to work doing things that I love.  So how could I pass up this opportunity when it appeared like a shining star in my world?

photo credit: Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake

A request for donations was left at the gallery where I work. for the 2nd annual Princess Ball to be held at the Hilton Garden Inn on January 21st.  It is held in honor and memory of Valicity, a young girl who was diagnosed with Leukemia one week before her third birthday.  After a good solid fight, she finally lost her own battle in July of 2010.  But to thank the organizations that helped their family through the difficult journey Valicity's parents started a Princess ball to raise money and awareness so that other families would be able to have the same help that they did.  Last year they raised over $15,000 for Angle Flight and this year they are giving to the Montana Hope Project (similar to the Make a Wish Foundation).  At the princess ball they have dress up clothes available for kids of all ages, and there are beauticians on hand to offer free hair and make-up to make anyone feel beautiful...no matter if they currently have hair or not!



So on this 12th day of Christmas I come with what I have to offer: a small child's quilt with the words "plant smiles, grow giggles, harvest love" in the border. And upon offering it, I somehow feel all the richer.

For anyone wishing to find out more info or to make a donation to Candy and Josh's fundraiser 

you can reach them at valicity4ever@hotmail.com.

Peace

Darkness and Light

 Once again the fabric of my world seems more sheer as we approach the turning of another calendar...At times I feel as if I can gaze through it towards paths not taken, goals that were abandoned or that became to hard to hold on to.  I find myself at one moment basking in the light and love of people I cherish--so present in my every day life, and then in the next moment mourning the loss of others, experiencing the pain of those close to me or of dreams that once held a large part in my heart, now fading away.  A carousel of past and present, joy and sorrow, triumphs and regrets.

I'm also recovering from the driving pace of trying to reach out and touch as many friends and family as possible during the holidays.  Which of course leads to the larger question...why do we attempt to do this only once a year?  It makes so much more sense to spread the love (as it were) throughout a year...rather than try to catch everyone up on everything that has happened within the space of one month.   But with all great questions and intentions...is there a chance that I can actually place such a thing into action?  Every year I say...."this is the year that I'm going to write letters again!"...and if my failing posts here on this blog aren't example enough, you can guess how that goal has come and gone each year.

It is hard not be a cynic when it comes to wishes for the new year, when so many of them mirror the year before and year the before and they year....well you get the idea.  But we must keep dreaming right?  We must keep reaching for those things we wish for ourselves and for those we love...even if it means another 365 days of good intentions placed in a desk drawer of stationary and stamps.

It is true that much of this year I have felt as if I'm just barely keeping up...or more often that I'm a few measures behind the tune...but when all is said and done....how can I keep from singing? 

Best wishes to you as we embark on another journey into a new year.  I hope that you find a way to realize a long standing goal of your own.  Or better yet, to be at peace with where you are in your life and to live in each moment the best you can.

Peace,
Monique

The Needle Strikes Again!

Fall is here in full force which means cooler temps, some much needed rain, and the call of quilting!

The Quilt show is now over for this year and I am humbled to say that I actually won three awards for my work!  It is a talented group of women that I am lucky enough to sew with, and I feel very lucky to be recognized indeed!  (if you want to see some of the pieces you can go to our guild's blog HERE.)

For a while I've been wanting to finish up a piece I started based off of the wheat field harvest time here in my little corner of Montana but I struggled and struggled to get the hay bales to turn out they way I saw them in my head (and in the fields surrounding me.)

I'm not sure how it happens for other artists, but there is this moment when you feel something 'click' into place and you know that whatever wall you've been struggling with just turned into a door.  The other night I heard that lovely 'click' and I ran up the stairs to my studio and grabbed fabric and thread....sure enough finally the "right" hay bale came to life and I've got the piece together.













Bolstered by my success in the fields I turned my attention to another project that I've been 'meaning' to start for some time.  A new series of small art quilts based off of photos I've taken while wandering around Glacier Park.

Here are the first two works in progress from my
"Postcards from the Park" series:

There will be more to come! 

Trick or Treats!

I'm so happy that it is time to get my cute little pumpkin and bat fabrics back out and make some more cards!

I've got a nice bunch posted on my etsy site....Please swing over and visit when you get the chance!

Tomorrow I get to head over to my 2nd year of 'dance camp'. I'm so excited to be approaching three days of twirls, smiles, good music, the chance to swim in the lake and a few friends that I've not seen in far too long. Hopefully I'll have some more fun photos to share when I get back.

Blessings!