Declarations and Domination

Finally took pictures of my last weaving project!

First bath mat/rug log cabin experiment.

I think this one is my favorite... wish I'd been able to finish it!

Now I'm working on a color blanket to see how different colors come together. And, I'm almost finished!

It's been so long since I've updated! I'm finished with The Declaration of You. It was amazing! Really got me focused on myself and what I want to do with my life.

Here are my declarations:

I declare that doing things that make me feel peaceful, creative, intelligent, cultural, helpful, unique and innovative make me tick.

I declare that, above all, I am unique because I have an innate love of learning; I am loyal, honest, thoughtful, and encouraging, and I am a nonconformist (in a good way.)

I declare that I want to set my stage by taking the time to improve my health, confidence, motivation, and belief in my abilities.

I declare that I will take better care of myself by scheduling daily, weekly, and monthly “me time.”

I declare that success is the ability to relax because I feel financially stable and connected with my surroundings (people, nature, “home”.)

I declare that money adds value to my life by allowing me to: enjoy the little things (new foods, flowers, etc), stay connected and involved with my community, help others, give to causes I care about, and take care of myself and treat myself to some amazing life adventures.

I declare that it’s important for me to celebrate my wins (both big & small!) because it will help to keep me motivated, improve my self-image, and allow me to appreciate the steps towards achieving my goals.

I declare that I can trust my love of learning and my ability to achieve things in spite of my fears and concerns.

I'll post some declaration artwork and journal entries soon.

These next 2 weeks are going to be fantastic! On Friday I'm going to the Special Olympics with my students. Memorial weekend I will be reuniting with another Peace Corps Kenya volunteer. And June 2nd I head to Portland for the World Domination Summit!

"It's all happening!"

Weaving and Warps

I'm settling in on the Vineyard; taking care of my aunt and uncle's puppy (who has doubled in size since I'm been here!), trying to find a job (interview Tuesday), and weaving. And, I have some project pictures to share!

For my first project, I started making a bunch of samples and was able to finish the warp with a runner and two matching placemats. The edges are a bit wonky - I learned a lot about tension with this project. The table runner is made up of plain weave (white), basket weave and twill patterns (peach and lavender.) One placemat is done in twill and the other is basket weave. The basket weave placemat was done last and the thrums that I'd tied the warp with kept breaking so I had to force it. That's why it's so warped! (Get it?!) You can see the puppy (in all his gigantic-ness) in the background!

Now I'm setting up the warp for my second project. I keep forgetting to bring my good camera when I go weaving, so this is a phone pic I took while I was in the process of threading the heddles. I'm experimenting with the ideas behind the log cabin pattern but I'm using many colors, alternating thickness of yarns and not following a pattern. I should have enough on the warp to make four or five small rugs. I'll do each one differently to see what I like best.

Declaration and Detour

I've registered for The Declaration of You e-course and I'm both excited and nervous. (Excited to find the inspiration to live some questions but nervous that I won't know/believe the answers.)

Many moons ago I mentioned an exciting detour that was in the works while I followed my self discovering path. And... I'm on it now! I'm living with family on Martha's Vineyard and learning to weave from my Great Aunt. You know - on a big loom with heddles and treadles and shuttles...

warps and wefts! I'll post pics of my projects and let you know about getting my aunt on Etsy as soon as possible!

Santa and Stockings

Warning! Spoiler Alert!

I can't remember how old I was when I learned the truth about Santa. I remember crying for about 30 seconds before I looked at my mom and excitedly asked, "can I help with Mark's stocking?!" I think getting to help pick out little treats when we were shopping and being snuck out of my bedroom after my brother was in bed to help pack his stocking was even more fun than believing in a magical Santa! I was Santa! We all are Santa!

As I got older and was able to spend some of my own money to help fill stockings I decided the adults needed to have stockings too. And it’s a tradition we still follow even though my little brother is long past learning the truth.

Some of Santa's trends over the years…

Calendars

Kokeshi Darling by StephanieFizer

Space Invader by SeeChangeDesign

Standing Animals Calendar

Letterpress Flower Garden by 1canoe2

And Poppytalk has done some amazing posts with lots of calendar options!

Candy

Eggnog Latte Lollipops by Mihow

Pecan Pie Caramel Bars by Have It Sweet

Custom Candy Canes by SweetSweeterSweetest

Assorted Nougats by KettleConfection

“Toys”

1. We Are A Happy Family Card Game

2. Rorshock Game

3. Where the Wild Things Are Mobile by SaltyandSweet

4. Red Riding Hood Cup and Saucer

5. Gorilla Mini Cushion

6. Carnivorous Plants Windowsill Collection

Pencils

Pencils are a trend that started in the school years so that we'd have cool new pencils for the next term. I still love new pencils! And I had to add in the adorable Ladybug Push pins!>

1. Holiday Smencils - They smell like Cinnamon, Sugar Plum, Candy Cane, Gingerbread and Sugar Cookie!

2. Smart Smencils - They smell like Peppermint!

3. Eco Highlighters

4. Eco-friendly Colored Pencils

5. Ladybugs Push Pins

Blue Skies and Butterflies

It's been lovely the past few days. Gorgeous doors-open weather!

Saved this guy from getting trapped on the porch. He thanked me by waiting around for me to grab my camera and snap a few pictures.

Renaissance and Reality

It's time to be honest - this renaissance soul is a bit stuck...

Since I’ve been back from Kenya I’ve been struggling with what’s next.

Where will I live?
and
What will I do?

… the two basic questions I’ve asked myself over and over.

I’ve always felt misplaced and I’ve tried (a few times) to find my “home” but something always seems to send me backwards.

I finished reading Renaissance Soul a while ago and my Focal Points Sampler resulted in this:

(Things can be combined and flipped around. I tried to be more specific than just "crafting" but I feel that maybe some possibilities got left out.)

The next move is to act on something but, there just seems to always be a reason why not. It’s hard to figure out the first step. And, it’s hard to get motivated when your previous attempts have failed.

For example: I’ve considered teaching. It would be amazing to work at an underprivileged school and show kids that learning can be fun. But my teaching style isn’t wanted right now. What I hear from my old school is that you must follow the strict schedule. When the clock hits 10 you better be moving to science whether the class understood today’s math concept or not. I can’t do that. I can’t help them create this generation of “test takers” that don’t understand or care about what they’re actually doing. I’d get bored fast being strictly bound to the daily textbook page assignment.

I know I want to craft. I’d love to have a shop and I’m still considering opening Lovely Sundries on etsy. But I don’t have one craft passion to pursue and the business aspect intimidates the hell out of me!

So, now what?

I’ve been following some lovely blogs that give me hope:

Gala Darling
Spring
When I Grow Up
The Happiness Project
Gypsy's Girls Guide

But it's getting pretty dire that I pick something. And, although I’m inspired, I’m as confused as ever.

Love What You Do by thewheatfield

Kate Spain and Kenya

True Up posted about Kate Spain’s new Moda line at the Fall Quilt Market and I’m loving the prints! The animals, the colors, the trees… it’s Kenya! The line is really named Central Park and I think it’s pretty funny that I see Malindi. Anticipation….!

Our last walk to the training hub before becoming volunteers.

Deaf unit teachers