It’s true.
I’ve not wanted to sew or paint or cut paper or much of anything this year, in light of recent events. However, I sat myself down and looked at my Quilty Project 2015 list, even though I knew it might depress me when I counted how many open projects I have to list already for 2016.
Before Shiitake left us, he said: “Be kind to each other. Stay creative. Dream bigger. Enjoy life & L❤VE.”
Losing both our ‘sweet sixteen’ kitties made for an excruciatingly difficult year.
Over Thanksgiving weekend, I folded my 1000th paper crane!
What a milestone!
Precision and focus, mindfulness and expansiveness were all at play each time I creased the paper, whether folding 6″, 3″ or 1.5″ cranes.
After a recent trip to the emergency room for labored breathing, Shiitake was diagnosed with restrictive heart disease and kidney issues. I’m somewhat dismayed that my cat actually has a cardiologist and takes more meds than Orion did this spring. But it really has been nice to work on smaller Quilty projects with him happily curled up in my lap.
We have these really interesting discussions, too.
🐱 So what’s all this ‘slow stitching’ about?
😊 Well, I guess in a world that’s so fast-paced and distracting, it’s about remembering to slow down, be fully engaged in the creative process, sharpen skills at every level, and truly honor your own journey.
🐱 K, but don’t u already do that? I mean, u started ur ‘Labor of Love’ quilt when I was just a kitteh, with the last few spent hand quilting. Are u part of the movement?
😊 Nope.
🐱 Huh. Why not?
😊 Ah, mostly because my creative journey has always been inherently contemplative, yet spontaneous whether I’m quilting or painting, gardening or cooking. For instance, when my client asks for 40 hand-made cards with silk flowers, I pull out all my goodies and consider colors based on the seasons and shapes of the petals, as well as if would I give this card to my own friends. Then, I kreate!
🐱 So it’s not just hand-piecing/hand-quilting?
😊 Not really. The movement is open to any of the fiber arts and it’s more about focus and mindfulness.
🐱 What happens when ur mind gets full?
😊 Um… I guess I take a nap.
🐱 Ah, then I’m gonna join the slow stitching movement myself now!💤
😊💖🐱
And then this gem from just the other day:
🐱 Doesn’t everyone have too big a heart and too little time to waste?
😊 No, little one. But yes.
Found crawling across the sidewalk of a Denny’s in King City when he was days old, this little ‘bitey-scratchy-bouncy-off-walls kitty’ so endeared himself to us over the years while driving us crazy!
Grateful for the time he spent as part of our family eating blueberries & peas, spinning on chairs & opening sliding glass doors, grooming & keeping Shiitake company, being my shoulder cat & quilt weight…
I’ve been running from fire to fire, getting lots of things done (albeit last minute) this month and just realized that April is over!
Excuse me? Say that again…
Oh, and today the temps raced up to 90!
Did I blink and miss Spring, too? Sigh.
“A moment of your time, fair lady. Would you happen to have a lap you might share? Yes? Oh fabulous! And so comfy! And are you very busy? I could use a good rub… oh, brilliant!” purrrrrrrrrrrr…
He doesn’t make requests very often and I can always sew a little later…
I’ve been playing with paint recently.
Nothing specific yet. Just building color washes with fluid acrylics.
Also, I need to find a different purple. While I liked the single wash, after 3-4 layers, Quinacridone Violet came out more like, hmm… well, a touch redder than the 2015 Pantone color of the year!
Happy Merry New 2015!
It’s really been a great year, albeit I’ve felt trampled by 2014 on occasion rather than riding high. I’m still ever so grateful.
My Kreativity level has increased tenfold and I have many beautifully crafted items to show for my efforts. You see, last year, I challenged myself to make a list. Not just any list, mind you, a Kreativity List for Quilty Projects! 
With the completion of my Heart Quilt, I now had freedom to expand my creative focus beyond handmade cards. Starting with blocks I made during two workshops and two projects from my MQG from 2013, my WIPs (works-in-progress) list steadily grew from just 4 projects with the help of my Quilty friends. Last week, I topped my list with 4 gifts for my nieces & nephews (finished all but 1!) to make it 24 projects in 2014! Many have been posted here and I’m pleased to count 15 off the 2014 list as complete. Yay!
Noticing the crispness of the air on my morning walk, I realize that an end to another Kreative year fast approaches. And yet, there’s so much to do before the Holiday Season starts!
Once I finished my all-consuming Heart Quilt last year, I found myself adding new projects at an alarming rate. I suppose that I was giddy as a schoolgirl when I started looking at all the stunning fabric choices I now had! But first things first: The List.