Free Bird

My Son Tommy

Change is in the air...parents are shopping for all the back to school stuff, notebooks, pens & pencils, backpacks, clothes, OH that was always a fun one, especially in their teen years. I quickly realized at this point, my children were no longer a reflection of myself, but their own persons, claiming their right to individuality, they became quite adept in this area. Son #2 is flying off to Cali (as he says) with a snowboarder friend, Zack. He is a professionally sponcered boarder. My son has been boarding a long time. he was even interviewed on our nightly news one day when it was 30 degrees below 0. The interviewer asked Tommy if "Is it ever too cold to snowboard" He replied, "Well, I don't live at home, so my mother can't tell me, it's too cold to play outside". He is 23 now. Yes, this is the five year old, who ate his breakfast cereal on the front porch, so he wouldn't miss anything going on out there. I am excited for him, I am not worried, I gave that up at age 14. It will be a wonderful life changing experience for him, I may be slightly jealous though, leaving Minneapolis before winter sets in, I wish I could go to. So here are my words of wisdom( borrow from Elizabeth Knapp) I impart to you, my wild bird- spread your wings and soar......

Here she is... Terra Firma

This is my first cloth and clay doll, named Terra Firma, means (forest) Terra Firma sounds so much cooler. Doesn't It? It was fun and challenging at times. There was minimal sewing but still "sewing" and those of you who know me are saying "Hey, you don't sew", I know. The first day of making my doll was called "Getting To Know Your Sewing Machine". The manual and I now have a close relationship.
I became obcessed with the whole process of making her. I only took time out to eat, sleep, and go to work, which was very irritating, cause I just wanted to keep going. On my days off, I would go down to my studio (lower level of home) in the morning and before I knew it it was 5:30 pm and I was still in my pj's. I am happy with her. I'm already pondering on what to make next. A few gals from cloth and clay dolls are thinking we do a Halloween themed doll... I'm In!

To Thine Own Self Be True

To Thine Own Self Be True ~Shakespeare

Just starting to blog, I am overwhelmed and intimidated by all the beautiful, artist blog sites I have been reading. From the blog, Memories from Mine to Thine, I saw a small icon that said "Small is beautiful" when I clicked on it, it had a manifesto that exemplifies exactly what I am feeling today. I was so thankful to read this. It is just what my heart needed to hear.

---

The Small is Beautiful Manifesto

We believe stories are valuable, no matter how many people read them.
We believe following your passion is more important that watching your site
meter.
We believe in the handmade, the first try, the small start, and the good
effort.
We believe that small is beautiful.

Won’t you join our tiny revolution?

This really speaks to me. I have no intention that thousands of readers will follow my blog, "it would be nice though" On a deep level, I think it comes from wanting to be understood, to be valued, validated, encouraged, recognized.

Many artists blogs are full of wonderful, creative, inspiring, interesting, pieces of art, handmade by them.

I don't know about you, but, I have a hard time showing my art work to other people, which is minimal (right now) at best. I actually spend more time looking at everybody else art work than actually creating my own. From reading their blogs, this leads me to believe, I must not "really" be an artist. They say things like ...their art comes from a deep internal force within them...to create. This is the second reason I must not "really" be an artist, I don't feel this. I simply just like, enjoy, find pleasing, making things. I always feel more comfortable saying I am into crafts.

This is why the "Small is Beautiful" manifesto is so wonderful. It applauds, the good effort, the small start, the first try, and that all stories are valuable, which is why I could write this today.

This is my story for today, as my cloth and clay doll sits on the table across from me, beckoning me to come and sculpt her face, it will be my second attempt, she does have a nose and a chin, hardly worthy of a photo.

So I am off to sculpt a face...but first I have to find out more about becoming part of this tiny revolution.

Here she is ! My cloth and clay doll. Awaiting a make over.
I wonder what she will become?
MAYBE a primitive,
with an attitude..
perhaps, demure and sweet,
or all dressed up and no where to go, OR A PARTY GIRL...we'll see.

My Inspiration Room