WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY

The weather here in the Catskill Mountains is unbelievable. It is warm and the woodsy smells make me feel so wonderful. It has been a high energy day too. The weather has taken me out of the studio and into the garage where I am painting and staining in preparation for my friend Annie who is going to help me build a sideboard tomorrow. We are both very excited.

Last night was knitting with the Mountain Top Knitters. I love going because we get so much knitting done. Monica came in with a beautiful afghan that would have taken me two months to do but it only took her one week. She is amazing. But she isn't the only one. I really got lucky when I moved to this road. Karen loves to sew and Ruthie loves to knit. How more wonderful can it get.

Well, back to the garage to paint some more.

THE PLIGHT OF THE UFOS

I am told that having several unfinished projects is part of the artistic process. I must be really creative then because I have more ufos than I care to admit. Christmas is coming, grandchildren to knit and quilt for. Holy cow.....I feel guilty sitting here writing in my blog instead of working on my projects. How do others handle ufos is beyond me. Sometimes I swear that I am not going to work on another project until I finish the ones I started. Trust me, that hasn't worked. Neither has denying myself a sewing goody until I finish something. Maybe I should just pick up the first one I come to and get it done.

I think that is what I will do.

A WEEKEND OF CREATIVE ENERGY

My friend Cate and her husband came up from NC for a visit. It was terrific seeing her and fun to go to the Rhinebeck Wool Festival. There was so much to see and so much wool. There were spinners and weavers. I almost bought a pair of glass knitting needles for $60.00 dollars. I really, really, really wanted them but couldn't convince myself that they were something I couldn't do without. I am proud of myself because I didn't. I am on a diet and eye candy is on the "do not buy" list!!

Cate spins. brought me some wool and silk that she spun herself. Her spinning wheel is so wonderful. They make electric ones now. Just doesn't seem right does it. Well, anyway, Cate tried to teach me how to spin. It isn't as easy as you think but I can see how relaxing it can be. She makes it seem so effortless and fun. My other really good friend, Karyn came over and tried it. She looked like she was having fun and seemed to pick it up quicker than I did. I really enjoyed the three of us being together spinning and knitting.

Cate's visit really got my creative juices flowing and I spend a couple of hours in the studio today working in the studio. I finished the hat I was making. Yeayyyy!!!! The only problem is that my middle finger joints are locking up. If it isn't one thing its another. Just one more thing to have the doctor check out. Hey, did you know that drinking alcohol keeps Rhumetoid Arthritis at bay? Like is good.

IT IS OCTOBER ALREADY!!!!!!

OK, I know I don't need to remind everyone that winter is approaching. You wouldn't think so though if you were here on the mountain top. It is beautiful and warm; a healing place for sure. Even though it has been quite awhile since I posted it doesn't mean that my studio has been quiet. Quite the contrary; It has been a wonderful place of activity.

Jay and I were married in our back yard. We have lots of pictures. Friends and family made up family/wedding albums as gifts. It is so awesome what you can do with the help of the internet.

WEll, I guess I had better go because I have a chair to refinish.

IT IS A DOGS LIFE

I just came down from my studio after spending an hour or so cleaning up the mess that creativity seems to develop. I love it though. The space is so bright and big. When I am up there I feel like I am tucked away up in the clouds. What a great feeling it is. It is really cozy in the wintertime when the snow is falling. Yesterday, Jay and I went to where we bought our wood stove. They are going to fix our fireplace in September. How wonderful it is going to be to sit in front of the fireplace and knit. While we were there I saw a wonderful gas fireplace that is perfect for the studio., I just don't know where it would go but if I could get it up there it would save us tons on the electric bill.

Gibbs, our german shepherd puppy doesn't like it when I stay in the studio too long. Right now I am in the office and he is laying quietly next to me. He is totally different when we are up there together though. He runs around, plays with my yarn and generally wreaks havoc until he starts barking as if to say..."well, when are we going down stairs to play?" Sometimes he give up realizing that I am just in another zone when I am playing with my "toys". Giving up is hard for a puppy but giving up he does and with a big sigh he meanders down the stairs and plops on the rug in front of the TV which has animal planet on. Sometimes he actually watches it. But when I finally emerge he jumps up because he knows we are going out to play for a little while. The break does both of us good. What a life this dog has!

NOT ENOUGH TIME

I have been trying to get into the studio every chance I get but somehow life in the way of housework and renovations seems to pull me out and away from my sewing machines. I do push to have my studio time though even if it is to steal a half hour away to practice on my long arm. I can't wait to finish the slip cover I promised I would make for someone. It is seven weeks and I am just getting to the point of putting it together.

There has got to be a way to corral my time and effort better than I have been. There is so much to do and to learn. I found out about a group in Delmar where they have an art quilt study group. I love it and can't wait to investigate it.

The knitting group is doing well. We have so much fun and I learn something new each time I go. The local quilting group seems to have stagnated long before I became a member which is too bad. I have had to make a decision about when and how often I can go. They like to meet every week which is fine but more often than not we don't do to much so I can not justify taking myself out of the studio for two to three hours a week. Still, I have made some very good friends there and don't want to leave all together which is why I decided that I would go to the business meeting once a month.

Time is of the essence so I had better get back to the slip cover.

QUILT SHOW

Well, I am participating in my first quilt show with the Patchworkers and it is confusing. Setting up is harder than you think, especially when you don't know what you are doing! It should be fun though.

I have been looking at the Delmar group. They have 150 members and even have a website. What is most exciting for me is that they have an art quilt study group as an offshoot. Definitely going to explore them.

Cairo seems to have a wonderful group as well. They only have their shows every two years. I thought I might look in on them.

I am realizing how important it is to have the support of other like minded artists. It is so important to be involved in a group that challenges your talents which helps you begin to push the envelope on your creativity. A group that doesn't continue to explore and learn gets stagnant and they loose members that way. I have been thinking about searching other groups for that reason. The group I am in is a group of very wonderful people who are great quilters. They have lots of experience and like the group the way it is. It just doesn't fit me and like wearing clothes that are two tight, I feel like I am always trying to break out.

Well, back to the studio. Does anyone ever read this?