Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Needing a place of calm



Life has been a bit hectic of late and so I am running behind on my August page but I am fine with that. Since this is my place of calm maybe it was appropriate that I was working on it as life got hectic with good and bad news (see my Artistic Kreations and Passions blog for details). Since this is an important page I want it to feel right and don't want to rush it. I will probably see about starting September's page and work on both of them this month. I am thrilled with how my page is coming along.

The photo above shows one of the pots I made in the stages it went through (yes there are 3 pots in different stages in the photo) I wanted to add a couple of pots of flowers to my porch since I love flowers, I was unsure of how I wanted to do the pots although I wanted them somewhat dimensional. I found the 1/2 pots made of wood at Michaels and decided try them. I covered them with double stick tape and added EZ-felt to that. I colored them with a permanent marker so if you could see between the beads it wouldn't stand out as stark white. On top of this I added peyote stitch using the felt as a place to anchor threads and the first row of beads. I occasionally ran the thread along the back to help keep the beading tight to the shape and supported. Now that they are stitched onto the main piece you can only see the ones near the opening and those will be covered once I add my beaded plant.


This photo shows the pots stitched on and bricks and flooring that I added. I want to add more to the brick wall but haven't decided what yet. I am definitely letting this piece guide me and tell me where it wants to go. I have a feeling this page will be one of my more elaborate and time consuming which is fine. Dragonflies are coming out to play for September and I expect that page to be a bit quicker and more flighty.
This last picture is how the page looks as I write this.

An update on my "Physical Enablement" I am sticking to my goals and am still not fighting the exercise which is a refreshing change of pace for me. I am putting in around 40 minutes on the treadmill 4-5 days most weeks at this point and have recently added some strength training to that. I can't honestly say that I feel more energized afterward but I know that I am improving my health and endurance. A nice bi-product of the changes I have made since the beginning of the month is that for August I lost 5 lbs. Although weight loss is not specifically one of my goals I am more than happy to accept as a bi-product of the changes I am making.

I want to say thanks to all of the people who are supporting me on my changes and to those of you who are also going through this kind of change and who are taking charge of your life, your health and your happiness keep up the good work.

8 comments:

Robin said...

Oh Angie, your pots are spectacular... excellent idea about how to create dimensional pots and your amazing attention to detail makes them just right for your "special place!" You are so smart to give this one all the time it needs. And the idea of working on both it and September at the same time will be just the ticket. Congratulations on your physical enablement for August. I'm proud of you!

That's an awesome stash you accumulated at the show (pic other blog). Looks very much like what I do when I'm at the Puget Sound Bead Festival... about 90% seed beads and quantity over the top. A joy to buy, a joy to have, a joy to use!

Angela said...

Robin,
I am feeling the joy of all my new goodies but I don't know if Wayne will. But at least he can only yell at me on the phone or through e-mail and not in person for a few more months.

This page definately has it's own pace and I seem to feel what it wants and needs and then it is just how to do it. I was thrilled when I saw the 1/2 pots because I knew they would be perfect and they were. Just wait until the plants start growing. Nice thing about beaded plants, I can't kill them ; >

Ellen said...

Oh my Angie, this is going to be stupendous! I love the addition of the pots - your work is impressive & so inspirational

I too love the stash you got at the Bead Fest, I came home from the Puget Sound Bead Fest with a gorgeous stash of seed beads too LOL I always feel so decadent after an outing like that but heck someone has to spoil me LOL I actually was reaching for some beads at one of the exhibitors tables at the bead fest this year & the Woman next to me was Robin, small world, eh? >grin<

KV said...

Hi, Angie --

Doesn't matter how long it takes when something so spectacular is being accomplished. We all knew this was going to one most special page when you began.

Lucky you to have such a fine bead show to attend! Those type of events are rare and far between where I live.


Kathy V in NM

coral-seas said...

This is wonderful. I really feel as if I can reach out my hand to that rainbow and let the colours flow through my fingers. Your beading is wonderful, but the mood you have conguered up is something beyond that. I can see why this is so special to you.

CA

vivage said...

Love the piece, it's grandly spectacular.

I couldn't look at your bead show pics, I knew I'd drool all over the keyboard and maybe cry thinking of all the good shopping I missed.

Genevieve said...

Wow, this is stunning!!!

Angela said...

Thank you all so much for the glowing comments, truely they make me smile. I am quite happy with were it is going and think today I will work on picking the photos for September's page.

Kathy the Bead Fest was around 4.5 hours away but since I was meeting a freind and there isn't a lot really close to me I thought it would be a good break and Wow it was a blast. I must admit I didn't do very well at saying no to temptation but since seed beads are harder to pick online or in a catalog and the LBS isn't real close and doesn't have a lot of seed beads I felt it was worth it.

Bead On, Angie