Monday Musings

I just finished reading Wisdom of the Ages, 60 Days of Enlightenment by Wayne Dyer. Taken from the inside book flap it says," It is a group of essays that focuses on a collection of writings, poems, and sayings by some of the greatest thinkers of the past twenty-five centuries. He sets out to explain the meaning and context of each piece of wisdom, and, most important, how we can actively apply these teachings to our modern lives."

In the section on Nonconformity he quotes from Walden, by Henry David Thoreau,"If man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured and far away."


Dyer states in this essay, "The beat that you hear within yourself is your connection to your soul's purpose. It will continue to plague you when you ignore it or suppress it in an attempt to conform with society. If you continue to ignore it, you will live a life of frustration. You may even learn to "suffer in comfort", which is the very best you'll be able to achieve."

Again he says, "Walk with Thoreau in your own mind. Listen to the voice you hear, and the drumbeat only you can feel, and honor it, while honoring it in those you love as well. While it may not get you any awards while you are alive, you can take comfort in knowing that you fulfilled your own divine purpose and encouraged others to do the same."

There have been times in my life when I ignored my own drumbeat and made decisions about my life based on what I thought others wanted me to do, to fit in, to be accepted, to not appear weird. Those I regret. Now that I'am older, I don't think I do that too much, I hope.

If you like thoughtful essays, you will like this book.

Happy Easter

Sending everyone these beautiful sunrises on this Easter morning. 

Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless---Charles M. Crowe

Jack and Ava

This is grandson Jack and granddaughter Ava. They are the typical siblings who get in each others way but always take up for one another when needed. Once scanned into photo shop it is converted to gray scale then goes thru a series of filters and "clean up". I then made a template to use to cut out my pieces in black and sewed them onto my light fabric. Another way is once you get the silhouette you want to use print it out on fabric,back it with some batting and stitch around the black edges instead of making a template, cutting pieces out and sewing the on individually. You can find complete directions in the June/July 2011 issue of Quilting Arts magazine.

Hank in Silhouette

This is grandson, Hank, or "The Hankster" as I like to call him. This is a baby picture, but he is six years old now and full of joy and love. Again, the silhouette is a photo shop image I did from the original photo. Wish I had taken pictures of the finished product but you get the idea. Isn't he precious?!!!

Silhouettes

The top photo is of my grandson, George when he was younger. I scanned the photo into photo shop, converted it to gray scale, then adjusted it with filters. I used black and white fabric to complete the silhouette. The silhouette here isn't the fabric one. It is the template from the photo. Isn't he cute?!!!

My Garden in Spring

The poppies are just starting to bloom. Hundreds of larkspurs will be blooming in a few days. They reseed every Spring and provide some color in the flower beds before the weather gets too hot. The rusted metal stand behind the bird bath in the top photo is a antique ceiling fan post from a old warehouse we bought years ago. I turned it upside down and planted morning glories that will grow up it. Now there are some pink clematis growing on it. Hopefully we will get enough rain this year but the weather people have promised another drought so I m enjoying the garden before it turns brown.

I Cry

It has been so long since I have posted on my blog I had to go back and read directions. This piece was in the Copper Shade Tree fiber art show in 2010. It is made of commercial fabrics,dyed fabric, painted coffee filter. It is machine and hand stitched and hand embroidered. I don't like the name so I m thinking of another one. The eye lashes are made of florist wire that has been painted, bent and sewed on individually.