THE ZEN OF CREATING HATS!

You are either a hat person or not.  I happen to be a hat person and I love wearing them.  I also love making them.  Most of the hats I make are from recycled material such as denim, flannel, and antique buttons.  Sometimes I will even break out my embroidery machine for some extra detail.  Here are two samples of my hats. When I am creating hats, my mind takes me to that special place where inspiration comes from a variety of memories.

We have come to adorn our heads in so many ways and for so many reasons. Where once hats were used to protect our head from the elements, now they are more apt to be worn as an accessory almost like jewelry.  We have worn them for religious reasons, festive reasons, weather related reasons and just for fun.  We even have special events just for hats.  For example, Saratoga hat day where the opening of the Saratoga raceway is celebrated by every hat you can imagine.

Church

Off to the races

I don't know how it came to be that hats took on such significance at a horse race (an interesting research project to be sure). I do know that hats have always been a fascination to me. But even the hats I make can be so much fun for the wearer. A beautiful embellishment to be sure for those of us who may wear them. Nothing is quite as lovely as a woman wearing a beautiful hat!

The roaring twenties.  Isn't it wonderful?!

TO MANY THINGS ON MY PLATE

      Today was a very hard day.  I haven't even gotten into the studio yet and I am not sure I will today.  You see, Jay and I have decided to sell the house because we need to be closer to Catskill.  I love our home so selling it isn't going to be easy.  Jay does not love our home anymore and welcomes any and all buyers.
       Winters are tough here and seem to last longer than in other areas.  The house is an old Catskill Mountain cabin of sorts with a beautiful stone fireplace.  We have done quite a bit of work to it and it is going to be so hard to find something as nice as this house.  Actually the land is beautiful as is the mountains around us.
         I want to be able to do it all but I know that with all the things on my plate right now it is an impossible goal.  But I will try anyway, house to keep clean, laundry to do, meals to make, quilts and pillowcases to sew, gardens to weed etc. etc., etc.,.  There doesn't seem to be an end to any of it right now.  I am not complaining.  I am just tired and my partner is no a happy camper.  This too shall pass and all will be OK but until then,  there is still ironing to do.

ANOTHER FLANNEL QUILT

The weather is still chilly outside but the weatherman is promising a warmup soon.  In the meantime I am trying to finish up another quilt similar to the one here.  Once the top is complete I will put it on my long arm and quilt it.

In the meantime I am practicing different quilting styles that might fit the top.  So far my favorite one is doing half circles throughout.  I haven't gotten into pantographs yet but I am gearing up for that.  I am also thinking about renting space for my long arm quilting projects.  In any case, I had better get sewing!  I will keep you posted.

DREAM BABIES

 Joanne and I have been thinking about adding other creations to Dream Designs.  We are both dedicated to the belief and desire that whatever we create will bring comfort and peace to whoever purchases our designs.  The idea of Dream Babies was conceived as a result of the recent destruction that we all have experienced and our desire to bring back a sense of hope and thoughts of peace through our art.  Dream Babies is still in the conceptual stage but is getting closer to becoming a reality.

We are really enjoying ourselves and our friendship through this project which I believe shows in everything we do together.

DREAM DESIGNS

Dream Designs
Pillow cases made in the Catskill Mountains

It is good to be back!  While I was out of the studio my girlfriend and business partner Joanne started a business called Dream Designs.  The photo on the left is a sample of some of our items that we make; all of 100% cotton, french seams, and thoughtfully paired designs.  The idea was Joanne's brain child and I jumped at the chance to work with her.  Our product has been received very well and we will be adding more designs as we go.      

Dream Designs

Every time I make a pair I think of who might enjoy them.  Once the pair is complete I repeat this mantra to myself....."May you be happy, May you be healthy, May your dreams be fulfilled".   

I am still creating art quilts and wearable art.  I am also becoming a Certified Zentangle Teacher.  I am very excited about this.  For those viewing this blog for the first time I did a previous post as to what a Zentangle is. Until the next time....

May you be happy, May you be healthy, May your dreams be fulfilled.

AMAZING MEDICINE

I have spent the last month prepping for my surgery.  I went into the hospital on the 25th of February to have my hip replaced.  What a remarkable process.  Dr. DiGiovani did the surgery and lucky for me, he believes in Holistic medicine.  He put me on a regiment vitamins and herbs, along with folic acid etc.  Doctors that have included herbal healing as part of the overall medical plan are becoming more common.  That is so exciting.  I am one and a half weeks post surgery and I am feeling really well and ready to get back into the studio.  If the stairs to the studio weren't so steep I would have been up there by now.  That will come before I know it.

A quick note about the hospital I was in, Columbia Memorial Hospital.  The care that I received was amazing and the staff was so attentive.  I felt like I was being cared for by friends and family and I have some awesome friends and family.  They truly went out of their way to be encouraging and supportive.  Thank you so much.  Believe it or not I am looking forward to having my other hip done in four months.  Then there will be no stopping me!!!!!

2013

It has been over a month since my last post.  The holidays sent me into high gear and the studio was humming.  No time for blogging......no time for laundry........no time for much of anything except being with my family.  It was a terrific time for us and even Gibbs behaved (well, mostly).  We travelled around quite a bit and then home for one day, only to take a trip to AC.  I love the artwork that is there.  Caesars Palace is beautiful and I plan to spend our next trip there.

Now it is time to get back to reality and making good on my promise to love myself more and be with myself in a way that embraces who I really am.  There is so much joy around me and I feel it every day.  2013 is the year that I plan to harness the joy and ride it throughout the year.  Bless us, everyone.