Weaving

It's cold here, though not as cold as it is for some of you.

You can still see idiot tourists in flip flops and t-shirts trying to look cool,

but looking ridiculous. 

I'm hunkered down in the studio, loving my floors, and my cleaned up space,

and playing with materials that have sat around for ages.

I'm also avoiding chores I just don't feel like doing,

and trying to get my studio mojo back like I once had. 

Back in the days when I had booths, or taught classes, I would work in the 

studio all day and into the wee hours for weeks on end. 

Now? eh...

I seem to hop around between the purge saga, daily chores and 

napping...lots of napping. Walter has taken to sleeping along my side and hip

 while I nap on the couch. I'm pretty sure it is messing up my shoulder,

but he is soooo happy there.

Tonight he kept me company in the studio,

 while I rewatched Guess Who's Coming To Dinner for the ? time,

I wove this little basket. 

Now it is 1 am and I am wide awake and have screwed

up my sleep once more.

Doesn't help that today will be 24 years since my dad died.

My brother and SIL had left the hospital for the night,

 and I crawled up beside him in the bed 

where he had lain unconscious for nearly a day. 

I told him it was just the two of us alone now,

and he could go.

He never took another breath, and I felt his spirit, 

his soul, leave the room. 

The nurses told me it was not my imagination.

They had witnessed it themselves many times.

 

DJR was my rock, my one true certainty in the world.

I thought I had found it in one other person in my life,

but it was not true. He was not true.

I'm 70 years old and still wish I had my dad to turn to;

to help with hard choices, to gather wisdom and advice,

and to hear once more all the lame dad jokes.

Wow, I'm all over the place tonight...

"Walter, it's time for bed."

Z

 

Getting Mojo Back

 For so many years I spent days, weeks, even months

at a time in my studio   

 sewing, creating, preparing for classes, 

painting furniture, making purses,

 bags, dolls and ornaments. 

There was always something new I wanted to learn, 

or attempt, or teach to others.

Life intervened and I'm pretty sure my mojo

took a walkabout.

Oh, it returned in spurts,

but I never could just lock it down for good.

I don't know how long this will last

but for now I am free wheeling ideas in

all directions.

Taking the fodder classes has been the jumping off point,

but I've climbed the high dive myself.

This moon piece is now nearly complete;

it took some time to cover the entire canvas in moons.

I'm a cancer sign and have always had an affinity 

for the moon. Since I was little, 

when I saw the moon I would whisper, "sister moon". 

This was the test run for another I have planned.

I'll be making some fabric sunflowers later in the week,

as well as finishing the fodder challenge.

Too dang hot to be anywhere but in the studio anyway.

My fab four will be coming in for my b-day soon.

I'll have to stop playing and clean house.

Z

Gelli Fever

So I had made some more prints, and then a few more, 

and then well, you get the picture.

I repurposed an old canvas that had printed tissue on it already,

in fact for about 4 years untouched,

then dry brushed some color on, ( hated that) 

so then some torn, textured, tissue from the cold pack 

that Prime wraps around delivered fridge worthy products.

Been doing watercolor circles in a class,

 so stayed with that theme,

and cut circles out of the gelli prints

and ta da!!

It's texture upon texture.

My upstairs hall is becoming a gallery of all my class

and post class projects.

I have to remind myself that I'm the only

 one that has to like it.

At 70 ( coming up in 11 days) it's 

still a lesson I need to work on.

I've spent too many years pleasing others

 before self, and in spite of self,

 and worried about pleasing others,

Finally, I have narrowed my focus 

to a few honest and dear loved ones that matter.

I have also learned, far too late,

 to set and keep boundaries.

My mind can easily slip into rehashing betrayals 

over the last couple decades. 

They lay just below the surface ready 

to pounce at the slightest opportunity.

Gelli printing garners quick results and 

successful results more often than naught.

Great music, or a good streaming show

and the hours zoom past,

 with not a negative thought or fear.

I highly recommend any type of creative pursuit.

So good for the soul and hopefully wards 

off the age issues we all eventually face.

Throw in a couple sudokus, one mini crossword,

 one spelling bee and 2- 3 on line 100 piece jigsaws

daily and you have...

well, me

It's damn hot here but then isn't it everywhere?

DO NOT say "but's it a dry heat" 

You'll hear me scream.

Z

  

 

 

December 3

 My studio

#3 in the sorta advent

BTW none of these are in order of importance

just as they pop into my head

Many of you who have been around from the start, know 

that this is my refuge, from well...anything,

often from myself and my troublesome thoughts.

This studio enabled me to spend the day with Jo Packham at my home,

and have several other photo shoots here and

 I was included in magazines and a book!

Never in my wildest...

It's a hodgepodge, tiny, yet cozy.

If you search studio on the blog you will see

 many more photos over the years beginning in 2008

I added a coffee/cocoa bar this year for the visiting troops

but I've found it to be wonderful for me, and Walter 

searches the trash can daily for empty water bottles

that he can crunch on and play with. 

I signed up for two on line art classes this year

and I am enjoying that very much.

The latest is Fodder School 2, a year long class

with wonderful instructors, one new each month.

I've gotten a little behind due to holiday decorating, but 

that's done now, so I'll be paint splattered in no time.

Hope your holidays are shaping up and that everyone is able to spend time

 with family or their chosen loved ones.

Z

The Studio

You would need to be very familiar

with my studio that made it into magazines and books

to notice the changes perhaps, but 

changes indeed have occurred.

Several cabinets that were either on the floor

 or hanging on the walls

are now gone.

Inside the cabinets studio materials

have been down sized and rearranged.

The curtains are gone from the loft opening,

bringing needed light. 

They were only there to hide the backs of cabinets

that could be seen from downstairs.

This small table sits where a triple doored cabinet

 and large easy chair used to be.

Now my Cricut and Gemini 

are always out and nagging me to use.

The table can be easily pulled to the end of my

work table for when friends come crafting.

The tablecloth is temporary.

I just found the mustard paint I want

 to re-paint the top which was 

severely in need after years outside.

I know folks who haven't changed

 a thing in their homes in decades.

This I find hard to imagine.

For me that would be like always eating

in the one same restaurant,

wearing the same clothes every day,

watching only the same few shows

eating the same meals,

sleeping in the same linens forever.

I am not the same person year after year

and my environment is crucial to my 

sense of comfort and peace.

I am not a fan of wastefulness

and it takes very little money to 

be creative. In fact I am making

money as I change over my home; 

selling off many items for what I paid and 

some even for a small profit.

The two carloads to donation 

and several hundred books to local library

make my heart happy.

go forth 

be bold

Make your corner of the universe

work for you

and please your soul.

Z

On The Table Last Night

Many years ago I made feather trees and tinsel trees from scratch.

I modified the idea a bit and today made a couple out of wool.

Once I get the bases figured out I'll do a better shot.

I just shoved them into this bin to protect them for now.

Played around with beads and chains last month, 

thinking of a class perhaps?

Still just an idea as the execution 

providing supplies will be difficult .

Howie sits about a foot away from me. I had

to clear Best Bag fabrics from "his" chair.

That left paw? He pokes me with it to get a petting.

Back Up In The Studio

It's what this tired soul needed.

The world has become too vast and scary.

Lots of music, a few films.

Yesterday was all Dan Fogelberg, after I heard

there is a new musical based on his music,

premiering this month in Nashville.

Talk about memories.

oolala

Tonight Emmys or maybe just the red carpet,

and then Ken Burns 

Documentary for sure.

Best and Horrible

I'm getting lots of emails

and questions about 

Z's Best Bags

So here are a few Horrible pics.

I snapped these very quickly for 

pal Annie last weekend

as she wanted to see a few.

There are more, many more, coming.

So what you see here is the 

main part of the bag and the gusset.

Most have a different fabric 

lining like this first one.

This red is the one Annie chose,

and she already has several.

She loves these so much she carries my cards 

with her so she can hand out 

when folks comment on her bags.

(she's also my best cheerleader)

I will take more, better photos, but right now

 I'm headed to 

a celebratory lunch with pal Sue 

who has officially retired from teaching today.

(of course she could not resist 

going over to help direct traffic this am,

because she is sweet like that ) 

This looks like I shot it from the roof. hehe

This is from a corner of the studio, I set therm on the half wall.

The living room is almost 3 stories high.

Please leave questions in comments or use this email.

sstoddard3@cox.net

Best Bags Are Back

Spent Thursday and Friday in the studio

 and I'll be up there all day today. 

Finally got the urge back

 to sew up some of my 

"Best Bags".

I've made and sold a lot of these puppies,

till I burned out on them.

Every time I use them at a store I get asked about them,

and I use them constantly.

Enough time has passed

that the joy of sewing them finally returned.

My only issue is my stash of home dec

is dwindling down and my go to store

went out of business.

It may be hard to find great fabric 

at a great price like before, and each bag is 

lined/reversible and the handles are triple folded

so I go through the fabric quickly.

Here is one that I use. These Bags hold A LOT!

Back to the studio I go!

Perhaps I'll just sew till there is no more home dec

and then start on something else.

Hot and Humid here

Hurry Fall Hurry

Studio Retreat

I have retreated to the studio big time.

Blasting a little Kenny Rankin, Alice Peacock,

 One Republic.

Then Eva Cassidy,

Joao Gilberto, Adele, Warwick and

Mathis.

But still loud.

I have struggled back and forth faithful to 

 paper or fabric. Last night

I fiddled with both.

Anything to keep my mind off

the world and it's madness.

Escape Retreat Reflection

Still Here - Still Playing

Brown Paper Packages Class was last weekend

We went from these kits,

to this, in the blink of an eye.

I provide all the supplies needed,

but encourage students to bring special 

items to make their projects

more personal.

I didn't snap a pic of the two big racks of 

ephemera, papers, tapes, ribbons, tags,

tinsels, stamps, inks, etc they also use.

We were all in the living room,

since the late season heat wave

 prevented us using the new garage 

studio space.

Next class hopefully.

I had some samples left over so 

I painted and silver leafed

a branch from my 21 year old tree that

I just had removed, and then hung it above

my sink and draped

more tags and mementos from it.

I will add some teensy battery lights,

 as soon as I remember the

perfect spot where I put them, dang it.

I'm playing in the studio all week

making pumpkins

like these yummy chenilles.

also working on projects for two

 upcoming Gatherings,

and Christmas items for boutique.

I rearranged the studio about a week ago and

I am loving the new lighter, brighter area. 

I removed the curtain that kept the studio hidden.

Floor space remains the same,

 but visually much more open.

I also cleaned and purged 

every single cupboard and drawer!

I now have many empty ones which also 

makes me happy.

All the kids will be here  

quite soon, fitting in a visit,

 in between extremely

busy schedules.

WOOT!

Into the woods, er, garage

Remember when I said I was 

heading out to the garage next 

for my purge/organizing quest?

Well, I've been out there for many many days.

Purged through every box and bin

 and scrubbed and cleaned. Whew!

Emptied out six bins and 14 boxes.

Then I took one side and turned it into another

studio space for painting and classes.

This involved painting and hinging together

4 shutters, 3 coats of paint each side,

a dresser that had to be stripped A LOT

and then painted...

but the sides were too damaged,

so after all that work I added burlap to it instead.

I still have garage ceiling to paint

 and lighting and, and, and....

Stay tuned.

I'll show you my VERY organized 

garage and studio very soon.

Four carloads of stuff over to the warehouse

and Ronda and I have so much more stuff

(how is that possible?)

to sell this Saturday the 6th, 

as she is purging big time in

anticipation of a move.

Local gals, let me know if you want to 

preview and purchase early. 

You will soon get email

with details if you are on my email list.

It's going to 105 today. oy vey!

UP

So we'll leave the downstairs and head up.

Lots of favorite pieces along the way

My wee Valentine tree

the books are my Grandma's

Prints from a beloved book

I tacked up with crystal headed pins

My babies many years ago

My dad's favorite chair and his smoking stand

The gallery of photos on the apothecary

is of my parents and grandparents.

The Big Ben from my Dad represents time passing

The crystal ball of my Mom's is the future

My memory gates are filled

with friend mementos.

Bloggie Buds look for yours.

I save them all.

The pennants are for shows

( when I do them- rarely)

It keeps them free from damage

The door opening is to hall

You saw my room at Christmas

This is the entrance to my studio loft

Now starting at left of room

and working back around

Nicer and more detailed shots are in the 

WWC Organizing Book

See my sidebar

Small craft library and more studio storage

in the hallway.

My toy Steiff dog from childhood.
Ben's mouse named Angel

First guest room

Doilies and laces from family

Dresser was my brother's

My husband carved the mirror for me

The antique coverlet from my beloved city

Franklin TN

I made the off white bird quilt

Put the new pillow I made in here

Second guest room

My parents brass bed that I and my brother may

have come from? 

I made the mixed media for Hannah

On the side cabinet her

 collection of hearts

Favorite Ralph Lauren linens

from MANY years ago

I've edited the rooms down to simple palettes.

Except for additional linens all

the drawers and cupboards 

are empty for guest's use.

Purging Success!

The snowflake afghan on bed was made

by the sweet 93 year old Viola 

I cared for a few years back.

Guest rooms available for rent?

Why not?