Sunday, July 26, 2015

Happy Whatever is Happening in Your Life

Sitting outside Quincy Market last night, eating ice cream I overheard the following conversation behind me:  (Young girl with tiara or sash and Young boy passing by)
      Young Boy:  (obviously noticing the attire) Hey, " Happy Birthday"
      Young Girl:  It's not my birthday
      Young Boy:  Well....Happy Whatever is Happening in Your Life!

***Ah Ha!  My blog title for the week was invented***
I thought this was the best line ever.  I think it will be my Facebook Status of the day just to see the response!

So for today's blog post I am going to just list the things that are making me happy right now.

1.  Having both of my children around and loving the fact that no matter how old they are, they both still love to spend time with their Mom.
** Yesterday morning I took my son to Plainridge Park Casino,  the first casino that opened in MA since passing the gambling law.  It is only 20 minutes from my house.  It only opened a month ago and we have been wanting to check it out.  They were having a bonus raffle and I won $100 in Slotplay (which turned into a $30 or so profit).  I broke even which for me is a good day at the casino.
**Last night my husband and I went into Boston with our daughter for dinner and to walk the Greenway.  There was an exhibit going on that I wanted to see.  More about that in the happiness list.






2.  Boston:  I just can't get enough
**Boston is just full of fun..Yes I love walking around any big city, take me into NY City anytime, but Boston is still the best!  It is for reasons like our visit last night.
This weekend in Boston was the Figment 2015 installment on the Greenway.  Lots of interesting art, light and music displays to interact with.  There was computer art where you could see yourself on screen with a emoji above to paper sculptures made from business cards. There were spinning flowers and bouncing slinkies with glow lights in them.  The exhibits were available to look at, walk around, go into, touch, watch, experience and most of all enjoy    

3.  Being Creative
I know that is a very vague reason to be happy but let me explain.  I love creating things and some thing come out exactly as planned, others not so well and then here are the happy surprises in between.  One of my creative mediums that I have not mentioned is Photography.  Taking pictures and scrapbooking them were a thing of my past.  Now, for the most part I have them organized on the computer, backed up on a portable hard drive and I do use them for my blog posts, or card making, journaling etc.  I just don't do event pages anymore.  Maybe someday I'll get back to it.
If you have been reading my blog you all know my love for knitting and all things fiber arts related.  Those are my planned projects, that may be more beautiful once completed, I have an idea before I start what it will look like when it is finished.  It makes me happy to learn that new stitch or make something I have never tried, but there are few surprises.  Zentangles make me happy, and there is a small element of surprise, as I do not start a tangle knowing exactly which tangle patterns I will use or what order they will be in.  The Tangle evolves as I go and sometimes amaze me in the end and other times I flip the page and say, "that one is done."  Then there is art journaling, and card making and all things paper crafting that have been pushed aside but are starting to emerge again in my head and supplies are being purchased!  Now back to photography and Happy Accidents!  When you click that shutter button, you may know what you are looking at, you may know what settings are on your camera......yet sometimes this happens and you are ecstatic!
I have a Pentax X-5 also known as a bridge camera.  I have had it for 3 years and have only used the Auto Settings, which makes this a very expensive Point and Shoot camera.  A couple of weeks ago while out with the family I decided to play with them manual settings, making the camera work more like a DSL.  I took a photography class in High School and I have a book that is all about the fundamentals of photography and I am just starting to experiment.  Last night while walking through the Greenway we stopped at the Carousel for some pictures and look at the picture I captured when the carousel started moving.  So I continued to snap away some more:
The results were this fun play of light against the dark sky of night.  I loved the results and the experience of surprise when the picture showed itself on the little digital screen.
My daughter bought herself a DSLR when she went off to college and she had her camera with her as well last night.  So I snapped the first photo and got so excited by the results that I went over to where she was snapping photos and said, "I have to show you this" at the same time she is queuing up her camera with her most recent shot to show me.  We look at each other's cameras, same shot different angles!  We were bot so excited by the results.  I really need to go out and play some more.  Happy Accidents are the best part of being creative for me.


This is just a short list for this week.  I know for sure there are many more reasons to be happy in this world and many things to be happy about.  I, for them most part love life and all it has to offer so being happy is a natural state!  I have seen the alternative in others, have has short moments of unhappiness myself, it sometimes cannot be avoided but it can be overcome!  So I leave you with this quote of the week:  I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it. Groucho Marx



Sunday, July 19, 2015

Summertime


Nothing says Summertime like the burst of flowers and vegetables fresh from your own garden.  Today my world is in full bloom.  The Daylilies are opening, the vegetables are ripening on their vines and all is right in the world.  We have two types of tomatoes growing, plum and cherry.  I am looking forward to the fresh salads, tomato sauces and salsas towards the end of the summer.  I picked our first 4 jalapeno chilis today.  Looks like some jalapeno cheddar corn bread is heading for the oven soon.
 We have been enjoying the fresh vegetables that are available to us through our local farm, Langwater Farm Easton MA.  They put out a Harvest Box each week with a sampling of fresh picked produce of the week.  My vegetarian daughter has been loving these boxes each week and has created some interesting recipes.  We had Garlic Scape Pesto over Zucchini and Squash that were spiralized into spaghetti strings that was excellent.

Summertime has also brought about a bunch of FREE music and art festivals all around the city of Boston.  A lot of knitting has been happening but not as much drawing, Zentagling or letter writing due to some late night adventures into the city.  There have been some planned and failed and unplanned happenings that have been an inspiration and hindrance to my creative journey.

Let start by mentioning last Sunday Night.....Recovered Failure!
There is a new park in Boston called Lawn on D that I have been wanting to go to.  It sounds like a lot of fun with an outside bar and art installations.  It is a family place and a hangout at the same time.  It just opened last year and every attempt to get there has been a fail.  One day it rained, and then there was Sunday.  Last weekend there was an exhibit I wanted to see, giant  inflatable illuminated bunnies!  Five of them in total set up around the park.  They were only there for the weekend and since my husband had to work all weekend we decided to go in on Sunday night.  Since the exhibit was illuminated we decided to get the full effect you had to go after dark, so we left the house around 6:30 to take the train into Boston, have dinner in the city and then walk up to the park about 5 blocks away.  Well, we made it to the city by 7:30 and to the restaurant by 8:00.  The restaurant we chose was excellent Rosa Mexicano right across from the Seaport Trade Center.  Dinner ended at 9:30 and I looked at the exhibit schedule to find that it ended at 8:00 and the park closed at 10:00 - Ughhhh!  Why didn't I check that earlier.  So, we decided to take the HarborWalk back to South Station.  I had forgotten the Tall Ships were in town.  As we were passing the Tall Ship docked in the harbor the fireworks display started.  The night was not a total loss.  The ship was all lit up and the fireworks were spectacular.

Outdoor concerts and train rides in and out of Boston are prime time for knitting on my projects.  I always seem to have one in my purse.  This week was lots of time for that.  Wednesday was a bit of a bonus day, sun shining off and on, interrupted by showers and then sun again.  All systems were down at work so they let us go home at 12:30....this girl did not go home.  It was the first day of the Outside the Box Boston Festival.  Tonight's performance was a concert by contestants and winners of The Voice TV show.  I took the first train into Boston.  Did a little shopping in Downtown Crossing and made my way to the Boston Common where the festival was being hosted.  There were 3 stages set up in the Commons for simultaneous events to be happening.  When I made my way to the stage I needed to be at, I was about 2 hours early.  There was public seating set up so I grabbed a chair and pulled out my knitting and waited around listening so the acts that performed before the concert.  I discovered some new music and a new bank that I like.  Here is a link to a YouTube Video of

Brian Thomas/Alex Lee-Clark Big Band It kind of reminds me of the Big Band music my father listens to with a modern beat.  I really enjoyed listening to them until the concert started.


The big concert was the following night.  Our family are Gin Blossom fans and they did a free concert on the same stage the following night.  We each went to the train after work and we all arrived in time for the concert to start.  We picked up a sandwiches at the deli and had dinner in the park while listening to the Gin Blossoms perform.  It was a great show and we all had a wonderful time.  


No creative projects were finished in the course of all my train rides and concerts, but I have been making progress.  My mind has been filled with inspiration and my camera has been clicking off photos so I have not been just sitting idly by.  I'm still working on my Shawl and Socks.  Here are some in progress shots.  I'm further along than I was last week on both.  I really am loving the color modifications I made to the shawl.  The gray stripe is really popping.

My socks are really what has amazed me though.  The first one is complete and I'm on the second one.  This was my first pair of intentionally self striping socks and they actually match!  I am so excited to finish these up.  The first sock just needs the afterthought heel.  This is my first time doing that as well.  I should have a nice new pair of socks for the fall.

And now I would love to leave you with my Quote of the Week
:
Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world.   Ada Louise Huxtable

Sunday, July 12, 2015

In the Moment

Yesterday I did something I haven't done in 27 years.  It was spontaneous, fun, exciting and triggered memories of my younger summers camp days.


Yesterday my daughter and I went to the Jamaica Plain (an actively artistic/creative Boston neighborhood) Porchfest.  I had never heard of a Porchfest until I stumbled upon it on a Calendar of Events taking place in Boston for Free.  I am adding a link to the details, as I think this was a fascinating event, even though it is past and there won't be another one until next year.  You can read about it HERE
Jamaica Plain is one of those areas that you visit once or twice a year and ask yourself why you don't go back more often.  It is a quaint little village of Boston with boutique shops mixed with Goodwill and Thrift Shops, upscale restaurants next door to pizza spots and coffee houses.  I guess the word to describe this one street is Eclectic.  There is something for everyone.
I think this is the first time going to Jamaica Plain for reasons other than eating and browsing the shops.  We were there to actually wander the neighborhood from house to house, walking up and down the side street.  The first thing we noticed, every house had a front porch.  A feature of a house I grew up with but do not have in my adult life. (By the way this is one of my triggered memories, but not the one from above).  Realization number 1:  You cannot have a Porchfest without a porch.....of course the houses have porches!  Scattered among the houses were 67 venues participating in Porchfest.  People set up entertainment on their front porches for viewers to stop by and enjoy.  There was music, poetry readings, dance and storytelling.  There is an Art School that hosted a Circus display on their side lawn that showed acrobats and clowns who do Street Performance.  Everywhere you walked you could hear music in the background and you wandered over to where the sounds were coming from.  There were maps available if you were looking for a specific venue.
The Porchfest was fun and I cannot wait until it happens again next year, but that was not all we did yesterday.  Jamaica Plain is more than just a city village.  Jamaica Plain is at the end of the "Emerald Necklace".  (Click on the link to learn more about this 9-Park Area)
The Emerald Necklace spans from the Charles River to the Franklin Park Zoo. I have probably been to several parts of the necklace without ever realizing it.  When the kids were little, we took them to the zoo.  I have been to the Arnold Arboretum and I have been down in the Back Bay and Fenway areas.  Until yesterday I had no idea this was all part of this chain of parks.  The only part I was aware of was the area surrounding Jamaica Pond.  While in Jamaica Plain yesterday, my daughter and I decided to meander our way to the pond.  Here is where my throwback memory began.  At the entrance to the pond area is a boat rental place.  Next thing I knew we were fitted for life jackets and off we went to the dock to row around the pond area.




Yes, it has been 27 years since my last time in a rowboat.  This was a great experience.  I rowed us out to the middle of the pond for this beautiful photo shoot!  We had a great time just drifting on the water.  Being on the water is always so peaceful and calm.  If it weren't for the fact we were renting the rowboat by the hour, I could have stayed on the pond all day.  The weather was perfect.  I used to spend hours while working at a day camp and overnight camp during my teen summers out on the lake in a rowboat.  Twenty seven years ago, while staying at a Bed and Breakfast in Killington VT, I took my husband out on a rowboat for an afternoon.  He had never been on one and did not know how to swim.  He was a little hesitant but he let me row him out on the water and we had a very enjoyable afternoon.  It was one of the first vacations/getaways we had since our honeymoon.

I often feel my creativity is inspired by my life experiences.  I love to get out and explore all the world has to offer.  I wish I had not time/life restraints of having to work, If only my life could be spent experiencing all the world has to offer.  If only.......
So instead I choose to make the most of all my experiences, both the exciting and special moments as well as the mundane daily happenings.  Every experience is worth documenting for one reason or another.  My life is a work in progress and so is my creativity.  So today I will share with you a couple of my newest Works In Progress:

Knitting WIPS

Socks knit on circular needle using Magic Loop technique:

Stat:
Pattern:  Pin Striped Socks
Designer:  Julia Swart
Yarn:  Plymouth Neon Now

I am almost finished with the first sock now and hoping to cast on the second one today.


I fell in love with this Shawl Pattern the moment I saw it released on Ravelry.

Stat:
Pattern:  La Playa
Designer:  Sara Gresbach
Yarn:  Fiddleknits Enticing in 3 different colorways

This was supposed to be a two color shawl but I chose to use three.  The picture is a poor quality but the body is striping purple and teal.  I will be adding gray stripes as well.  I am loving this pattern and it is a great knit night project as I am in the garter section now.

On the PostCrossing homefront it has been a very exciting week.  I received my first 2 postcards.  One was from Germany the other New Zealand.  I am really enjoying meeting people from all over the world even if it is only based on a two minute read from the back of the postcard!.

I am also still tangling.  Here are a couple of finished Zentangle from this week.  I am still really enjoying this form of art and look forward to creating more and more works of doodle art.  I am amazed at the different effects one can add using shading to make the designs pop off the page.


I am still playing around with using letters of the alphabet as my strings.  It almost gives purpose to my artwork.  Can you tell the letters I used this week.  I'm still missing a letter of the alphabet so I have to go back and do that one again.






Today I leave you with a new Quote of the Week:

“Don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Adventures of My Mind

This week I am starting my post with a quote:
A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind.

This week my mind was full of adventure, which meant my body went with it.  The week started as a typical work week, daily routine from Monday to Thursday.  Friday was the start of the 4th of July holiday weekend in the United States allowing my weekend to start on Thursday night, and it did.  Starting Thursday I filled my mind and my life in the arts of many kinds.  My weekend included creative stimulation both visually and auditory.
Sculpture by Day
Sculpture by night
 Right after work on Thursday, I hopped on the train and went to Boston.  I had been excited to see a Fiber Sculpture suspended between 6 city building, floating over the Rose Kennedy Greenway.  I had seen it already from a distance but this time I knew I would be much closer.  By day, this sculpture is amazing.  It is a billowy net just floating in the air above you. It is awesome in size and grandeur.  I knew when looking at it I wanted to stop by before going home at night to see it lit up.  The photos do not do it justice.  Before getting back on the train at the end of the day we stopped in the small park directly below the piece and sat in chairs just staring up at the sky.  The lights faded off an on causing the structure to fade in and out.  It looked like a colorful mist to a bright woven spaceship of sorts.

To learn more about this, you can visit the website of the artist, Janet Echelman
As If You Were Already Here




The trip into Boston also included a trip to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA).  It is so wonderful living near a city with so much culture and history at the same time.  The ICA opens their doors to the public on Thurdays nights from 5 - 9pm for Free.  I try to go a few times during the year to check out the new exhibits.  This visit was also about sculpture, but not of the fiber kind.  Exhibiting was an artist, Arlene Shechet   Her pieces were not some of my favorite works but reading about her thought process made me think.  She likes to work with medium, not to create something she has thought out and mold to her liking but more to mold her materials to what they choose to be.  This resonated with me as I think about my own creative process.  I hear a lot from spinners, "I'm just going to let the fiber do what it wants."  I am like that as well, but not because of experience, more towards the lack of it.  I still do not have the knowledge to spin a fiber for a specific quality of yarn, so I just spin to what it wants to be.  My knitting is not like that at all.  To knit I need a pattern to follow, or an idea of a finished object to lean towards.  I do see this more in my Zentagle art.  There are times I have opened my journal to Zentangle and just starting doodling away without a "string" to work from.  I just start with a pattern and fill in with other patterns until I am happy with the results.

***Do you art and what is your process?  Leave a comment, as I would love to know how others approach their crafts.

So I did finish a Cowl I was knitting this week.
Project Stats:
Project Name:  Conjunction Cowl
Designer:  Susie White
Yarn:  Berroco Folio - Alpaca / Rayon blend

Yes...this is me modeling this beautiful cowl.  Not one of my best photos!

I also completed a couple more Zentangles this week.  The first one was for the Tackle it Tuesday Challenge over at Artful Creations  This challenge was to create a Tangle using the Letter A as your string.  Well, I did that but I missed the second part of using at least 1 pattern starting with the letter A.  I am posting it here because I really love the way it came out, even without following the directions.  Can you find the Letter A?
I am really please with the way this one came out.  Zentagling is truly becoming a passion of mine.  It is both creative and relaxing and a great way to end the day. It totally frees my mind from anything that happened during the day and releases all the energy.  The outcome...I get to look at something beautiful that I made.

Here is the next Tangle I finished that was from the J-W-O challenge on Diane and Caroliens Weekly Challenge




In closing I just want to wish all my USA readers a Happy 4th of July.  I am proud to live in a country where I have the freedom to live the way I choose.  I am thankful to all those who have fought to protect these freedoms.

My 4th of July was spent at India Point Park in Providence RI.  Not only am I lucky to live outside one of the biggest cities with culture and history, but I am sandwiched between a Boston and Providence, the capitol of Rhode Island.  A city filled with Arts and Culture.  Last night we were entertained by a concert by the RI Philharmonic followed by Fireworks.