Tour de Fleece?

Many of my "fibery friends" that spin their own yarn like to participate in the annual "Tour de Fleece", an event that mirrors the Tour de France. Each spinner is to set a goal, something challenging, and to focus on that goal throughout the time of the tour. Well, I'm not that focused and my time has been a bit scattered recently since we're taking a "staycation" this year and I'm working around the entire family's schedules. So, my goal was simply to do more spinning.

I've discovered that I really enjoy "spinning outside the box", (ie. art yarns), so that's what I've been doing. I've discovered Wensleydale fleece, love it! The funnest thing is spinning it completely raw, I love the way it forms little loops and has such gorgeous, lustrous texture.

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble downloading photos of my favorite yarn from my camera and the best pictures are on there. With the oppressing heat continuing, it's looking like I'll be spending more time in my comfy studio spinning!

Photo Fun

Truly, I have been doing some fibery stuff lately and will post soon. In the meantime, enjoy these "artsy" photos taken on yet another marvelous ride, this time back at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill where I went riding with Marti, my husband, and daughter.

End of the Innocence?

The other morning I had gotten up early to see off my husband and son, and decided to go back to bed for just a little bit... just because I could. After a few minutes of slumber, my parents called and my mom gave me the bad news that an old friend of mine, JM, had died. The obituary she'd read was short and generic, so I called his mother in a little bit of denial and she confirmed that he had passed in late May, likely from an accidental overdose of medication.

We'd been friends and neighbors in junior high and high school (I'd had a crush on him when I was about 15 and he was 14), and then he'd befriended me again in college when he transferred to my school. JM was smart and good-looking but socially awkward in early adulthood, and I found out several years later that he had been diagnosed with a serious mental illness and was living out of state with his parents. I hadn't heard from him for about 20 years when he wrote to me out of the blue about a year and a half ago, and we corresponded by handwritten letters every few weeks during that time.

We wrote about our pets (he especially liked cats), and he expounded about how much he enjoyed living in Florida, "paradise." I told him about our farm life, and sent him pictures of our chickens, cats, and alpacas. He sent me a photo of our old house, and we reminisced about "the good ole days". I sent him a postcard the day we headed for Florida this spring with my cell number, and told him to give us a call if he wanted to get together since we would be near his home. He called, and my husband, daughter and I met him for lunch. Still friendly and funny, we were mutually glad to see each other and we had a really good visit.

Hearing the news that just six weeks after I'd seen him JM was gone, especially on the heels of another close friend's inexplicable suicide, filled me with sadness. I started to lay my head back on the pillow, but instead jumped out of bed and literally shouted, "CARPE DIEM" (Seize the Day!). I was overwhelmed with a wave of gratitude for my own life and truly felt that I should not waste a minute feeling sad!

I heard this song later that day, and it has been swirling in my head ever since:

Somehow it seems connected to my feelings about losing my old friend, but it is also now linked in my mind to our expedition yesterday, one of the absolute BEST days I've ever had riding and sharing with my girlfriends.

"I know a place where we can go, still untouched by men... We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by, the tall grass waving in the wind".... That's where we went, or at least it seemed like it at Red Hill in Livingston, KY and the Daniel Boone National Forest. I know that only MB and Marti (and our 3 horses) can truly understand what a special day it was....

The challenge of the rugged trails (indescribably scary in spots, sloppy-muddy in others), the amazing conversations and laughter, the beauty of the surroundings, and the awe and appreciation we held for our sure-footed horses.... all contributed to an especially gratitude-filled, happy day. AND, to top it off, we FINALLY found Moonbow Rock, a natural arch which we had sought in every prior ride at Red Hill and never could find. (We had begun to doubt it's existence). And we didn't get lost like on last year's epic ride there with my daughter.

So, well into my middle years and having survived longer than some who were precious to me, I am attempting to find meaning and connectedness in the people, places, and experiences in my life. I am trying to see beauty and significance in the small and large events. I felt drawn to this plant I spotted by Moonbow Rock... which I realized today symbolizes the love and connectedness I have with Marti, MB, and our horses.

And yes, once again, I do know how very lucky I am.....

Dreamy Ride

I had this dream the other night that I was riding a smooth-gaited horse through acres of wildflowers with my daughter and two wonderful friends at side.... no, wait, it wasn't a dream! We had a fantastic, laid-back ride at Shaker Village the other day with the most picture-perfect blue sky, pleasant temperatures, and wildflowers at their peak (the photos don't do them justice). And the horses.... they all behaved exquisitely!

My friend Marti has a very, very special paint horse named MuMu (McHippus), and his training has been thoughtful and slow. Its been a huge step for Marti and Mu to be "out" with other horses on real trails, and they are doing beautifully.

I so admire Marti's patience, as well as the dedication that MB is showing to help them along, and can't wait until we do it again!

As always, we had a great picnic... well, everything couldn't be perfect- the wine bottle broke in the saddle bag, first time that's ever happened! Must have been a Shaker ghost around, voicing their disapproval.

Mirian with her patient steed, Gringo

Encouraged

My first art fair turned out to be a fantastic experience for me, extremely fulfilling personally and as an artist. There, I said it, I'm finally starting to believe it (that I AM a fiber artist). A few years ago, I did an online art class with a very fun and inspiring young woman named Suzi Blu. Her funky videos, where she made you feel as if she was right in the room with you, often give a very strong message that everyone can be an artist, so I decided right then that I would embrace that thought.

My incredibly positive artist friend, Marti McGinnis, has taught and inspired me a lot creatively, too. She espouses the concept of focused intentions, whereby you visualize your goals and hold them in your mind (or even literally in a concrete form) until you reach them. Here's a great example of her inspiring and "Happy Art."

Artwork by Marti McGinnis, one of my heroes!

I gave myself permission this past year or so to take more time for creativity, and as I did I realized how incredibly GOOD and right I felt when I was in that "zone," so I chose to do it more and more. The economy has made it more challenging to make money with the farm, so it made sense to try to earn some income with my fiber art as well... and felting has become my true passion.

This first show I was juried into as an "emerging artist" is pretty prestigious, and I was intimidated when I first got to look around at the other booths of top-notch professional artists. Sales started out slowly, but as Saturday went on I kept getting a lot of nice feedback and the sales increased, too! It felt great to have my work admired and to expose people to handmade felt, and I have a new appreciation for the fact that everyone has very different ideas for what is "art", and that's a good thing! Some people would take a glance and walk right by my booth, others would enter excitedly and compliment nearly everything. One woman asked me if I would be interested in having a trunk show for her bank friends, and other potential opportunities arose as well. By the end of Sunday, I had met my sales goal almost exactly to the penny, how cool is that?

Suddenly I have more ideas than ever for new projects and concepts, and I'm investigating other art venues. I'm very grateful for the affirmations of friends, my parents, Mary from Damselfly Gallery who has affirmed me, and others that are encouraging me on this path!

I hope to be scheduling a few classes in July, so check back soon for more information.

Time is my friend!

Felted vase with glass insert

I'll probably be eating these words this time next week when I'm desperately getting ready for the Francisco's Farm Art Festival with lots of last-minute stuff to do, but for now it's all pretty good! Both kids have been at camp this week, the first time that's EVER happened, so I'm really getting to do what I want to do without distractions, trips to town, and other things pulling at my time and creative mindset. (Of course I treasure my kids, and I have had twinges of empty nest foreshadowing for when they get a little older, but still...its great to have a break, especially when I need the "space" right now). After a great riding outing and overnight with friends, I was happy for an entire day of listening to Pandora, without having to share ANY stations! (Listened to Somewhere Over the Rainbow's station ALL day!)

Felted vase (alpaca and other fibers) with glass insert

I feel that this art show has given me a big push to come up with a "critical mass" of work and it's really made me focus, and try to improve, and to truly stretch. I guess that's exactly what the organizers are trying to do by including "emerging artists" like myself. It's made me feel like I really kind of am... an artist!

Wine bottle huggers of wool, alpaca, copper glitz

If it happens to be really hot next weekend, it'll be hard to interest visitors in garments (even the lightweight nuno shawls and scarves), so I've tried to create more true art pieces and functional items. Here's a sampling of some more new stuff!

Wall hangings from Shelby the sheep's lovely locks of wool

I'm already excited to see what tomorrow brings, I've got some newly-dyed silk and merino ready, and will be using some of the gorgeous long Wensleydale locks that I ordered from Namaste Farm as well. At least I stepped out of the turquoise and purple color pallete... for a while anyway!

Creating....

I've been REALLY busy felting lately (getting ready for the Francisco's Farm Art Festival), too busy to blog! You can check out some of my new creations here (just click, it will take you to Facebook, you don't have to be a member to look at the album of photos!). More soon, I promise!

In the meantime, I'm off for a riding adventure with some friends and then will really be putting my nose to the grindstone in my studio....