Snow Sounds

The heater kicked on, otherwise, silence.  As discussed with my second graders this last week, rain goes plop, snow says nothing.

I'm at the tale end of a week spent in school survival mode trying to get through final projects and a paper before tomorrow when my sister will be here for a much anticipated visit.  It's also her birthday today.  For her, I am forever grateful.

I just took some ingredients out of the freezer to thaw for dinner, told the husband, and nearly killed him with passive aggressive glaring when he requested I stop by the grocery store for an additional ingredient that would make the dinner that much better.

Operating near capacity makes me realize how very much I limit the size of my capacity with my own expectations and brain.  My sore calf muscles are case in point.  I recently did a WOD, during which my mind was saying, "Stop, no you can do this.  Try harder.  OK.  Enough.  Wait.  Breath.  Stop.  Come on!  Enough." After, I realized how much harder I could have pushed myself…a metaphor for my life.

To lull myself to sleep after some long days, I am continuing on a journey with Cheryl Strayed and Wild, diving into the mess of literature she read, currently this, and generally getting lost in the life it breaths.  Lost to found?  My kind of subject matter, including the beautiful, relevant, and poignant poetry of Adrienne Rich.  I write all of the last bit with high recommendations.

“No one has imagined us. We want to live like trees,

sycamores blazing through the sulfuric air,

dappled with scars, still exuberantly budding,

our animal passion rooted in the city.” 

― Adrienne Rich, The Dream of a Common Language

“I touch you knowing we weren't born tomorrow,

and somehow, each of us will help the other live,

and somewhere, each of us must help the other die.” 

― Adrienne Rich, Twenty One Love Poems

“To write as if your life depended on it; 
to write across the chalkboard, 
putting up there in public the words you have dredged; 
sieved up in dreams, from behind screen memories, out of silence-- 
words you have dreaded and needed in order to know you exist.” 

― Adrienne Rich

I am in a place without much forward planning.  I know the next pillow will come, but today needs tackling.

I hope you're tackling yours, too.

Happiest of Birthdays, Katie.

Seize these days,
Jo

A Love Story

….just in time for the day of hearts.

Lots of love sent from my Colorado home to this Connecticut couple celebrating anniversary number 46.  The pillow depicts where they met, a city where they lived, and where they now reside.  They also love gardening.  I don't know them, but I kind of love them.

This was the sketch I received from a lovely, repeat client.  A partner in crafting crime?  I think so.

And the sketch turned into a pillow.

Some love sewn with loop, stem, cross, and running stitches. 

Closed buttonhole and back stitches... 

And lots of lazy daisy flower stitches with french button knots.

I will try not to say 'love' again…but it feels so good.

Happiest of Valentine weeks to you,

Jo  

Custom Order Delight.

It sounds like ice cream, is almost as fun, and may be just about as enjoyable, minus the calories.  These pillows won't go straight to your hips, nope, they'll go straight to your visual memory and physical embrace as a keepsake of joy instead.   At least that's my goal.  

I had the honor of being asked to make a commemorative pillow for a couple's upcoming engagement.  The criteria were: camping, travel, Minneapolis, and an engagement ring.

So, the sketch was sent for approval...

And love was embroidered amongst colors and patterns…

Including the Minneapolis skyline, a lake (sans giant mosquitos),

The ring… 

And a tent!  (I told the Husband I'd like to keep this one for us.)

Stitches used:  stem stitch, zig-zag back stitch, chain stitch, cross stitch, and an inter-laced running stitch.

It certainly helped that the client was so very easy to work with and had great ideas, herself.

Cheers to new beginnings and past memories.  Thank you for the privilege!  

To the month of Love, 

Jo

P.S.  Have an idea in mind?  Want to memorialize your recent road trip?  Or celebrate an upcoming milestone?  Send them to thecraftconspiracy@gmail.com!  Sketches are free, ideas are welcome, and the end products, well hopefully they're irreplaceably unique.  Available as a custom order on Etsy, soon.

Sky Perspective.

Sometimes I ask my kiddos what color the sky was yesterday.  It's amazing how many have no idea.  It's amazing that most of the time I don't either.

I've been feeling overwhelmed, busy, and consumed lately.  I've been in need of perspective.  It is reassuring the difference made by remembering to take off the proverbial blinders.

Look up.

It's a great big world, after all.

Soar, 

Jo

Happy February, 2015

Another new start.  Another month in the books.  A lot for which to give thanks.  I am ready for this Month of Lovin'.

Shoot all those arrows you have stored in your being and just see what happens.  I dare you.

Love,
Jo

(Working a couple custom orders!  Updates coming sooooon.)