The Awe of Advent

Being an artsy person, the holidays roll around and I just start getting all Martha-Stewart-inspired to have things perfect. The perfect decor. The perfect food. The perfect bakes. The perfect wardrobe. The perfect gifts. Heck! The perfect wrapping on those gifts. 

Everywhere we look we see photo-shopped images of sheer holiday perfection, leading us to believe we can pull off what a high-quality camera lens, a few product designers and dozens of little minions in the background do to make that moment happen. In reality, its a set up for disappointment if you ask me. I have been there too many times, too many years. 

There's traveling to be had, families to eat, drink and be merry with. You feel the urge to get in touch with all those friends, via parties, greeting cards or gift giving. As the weeks and days count down for Christmas, we honestly don't know how to squeeze in another place to be and another social engagement. 

I yearn so much for a genuine experience, rich with tradition and sincerity. I find it fulfilling teaching many fun classes where I get to see memories being made, and laughs and smiles on all the faces. Just this season, I believe we have made over 50 twiggy reindeer in classes! I am a part of secret keeping, making special gifts appear under the tree and fun surprises I can share with all of you. It is very rewarding, but I find myself running up until the very hour of Christmas and feeling breathless as I try to put together the "perfect" holiday for my family. 

Sitting in church, stressed by this tug in my heart, I listened as we sang the sixth and seventh verses of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" 

O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light. 

O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.  

I began to think about all the things that dwell in my heart at this time of year... of winter, solstice, Christmas, family, traditions and faith. It was like I looked up at the night sky and these brilliant and dazzling stars suddenly started to form a constellation, connecting their solitary beauty into a story. 

So much of my world revolves around seasons as a farmer, and when you are one with the land, you try to seek out the lessons it holds for you. Though we are sad to see the bounty of fall go, winter is our time for rest and reflection. It is really a welcomed season in its own serenity and solitude. Welcoming us into winter, is the beauty of Advent. It really illuminates the dark winter days ahead. It gives us the joyfulness of celebration, and the wonderful traditions we know and love. It opens our hearts to the winter months ahead. 

When I realized this, I began to see how Christmas is really the beginning of a time to nurture our hearts and souls and the ones we love around us. It's not over December 25th. The glow lasts through the winter months til the Earth begins to thaw and grow again with Spring. It's a way of life for us, and somewhere along the way we've lost that perspective a bit. 

This year, I've already felt the joy of carrying the awe of Advent forward into the dark winter months. I'm hoping it means more time in my studio, with other creative souls and to dream a little bit. So while the Earth is quiet and restful, my soul shall be too. Merry Christmas! May the awe of Advent be yours to cherish. 

Love,

Natasha 

Getting creative...

I had this conversation with a customer and it made me reflect. Yes, it is hard to find the time to create. Especially for me, Spring, Summer and Fall are times of creating life on the farm. It means early mornings, long days and late nights. My hands get rough and my back aches. In-spite of this,  it offers moments of beauty in so many ways. Dewy plants. Mothers nuzzling newborn lambs. Rich colors getting plucked from dark soil. 

These moments feed my soul in a different way. They go in a reservoir where inspiration draws from for the colors that get painted across my art. Moments get tucked away and become stories such as these I tell to you.  

Yet the need to create is always there. So I must find the time. 

Many times, I can only find the time when I instill upon myself a deadline. These make me push aside all other priorities and put my art first. It's really hard to do! Really, really hard to do. So many things vie for attention. However strong the pull, I know that unless I put art first, it will not get done. 

As I started to create, something wonderful happened. I felt a calmness and yet a surge of energy pass through my system. I found myself thinking less about everything else and focusing on how the fibers felt in my hands. How the colors blended. How rhythmic the rolling was. 

Creating

swept

me

away.

It took me out of the moment, out of the stresses and transformed me. 

I was expecting to be stressed by the anticipation of having to create for an upcoming deadline, and instead I found just the opposite effect. We so often cannot find creativity on our own. We need a little nudge. For me it was a deadline. For someone else, it might be coming to a class here at Esther's Place. Others, it might be a knitting group, like our lovely Friday ladies that come to work on projects. In any shape or form, motivation to seek after creativity sometimes comes from outside yourself. 

So in reflection, I am learning more about myself and my art. But one thing I do know and have always known. Creativity was something planted in me by the Creator of every good and perfect thing. It makes me feel like I'm fulfilling a little purpose in my life, which in turns, brightens my corner of world just a little bit more. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Moms can fix just about anything. It's magic, I swear. I don't know where they find this magic power, or how they do it, but they can mend just about every hurt in our life. From a young age, we've been brought up with the notion that if we run to them with our problem, they can fix it. From boo-boos and band-aids, to broken hearts and broken dreams, moms have mended our hurts, our whole lives long. And through it, they've taught us about always having hope and always trying. 

So, I have a story to share. Surprised? Hahaha... 

About a month ago, a neighbor called us at the shop with a request. Their childhood teddy bear was in pieces, could we repair it? My mom graciously said sure, sight unseen. Well she wasn't there the day they brought in this little treasure. 

They came in and explained it was her baby toy, and was 70 years old. She wanted to have it back together so her grandkids could see it and enjoy it. It was lambswool, soft and wooly and truly unique. 

It was in pieces. One arm was dislocated, the other arm was simply missing. The face was flapping and the head, well ... to put it gently...was "hinged" . I was afraid the pelt it was made out of was dry-rotted and would start disintegrating if one touched it. I was scared to death to even touch it.  This is the stuff nightmares are made of... headless teddies, dragging one arm along the cold bedroom floor, trying to smother you in your sleep. I left it in the bag, and managing a bleak smile, I told them my mom would be in touch. 

"That darn mom of mine", I thought, when they left. "She's one to commit to something even when she hasn't seen it beforehand. She'll promise the world. And this little project, why, it will become mine, you see, and I'll be left using my creative juices and magic powers to work a healing miracle of Jesus on this ancient relic". I really didn't think there was hope for it. I was afraid of doing more damage to it than help, and I felt like maybe the memories of 70 years should stay with little teddy rather than perform life-threatening surgery. It's like when the doctor says, "Why dear, you are 95. This surgery could make you live another 10 years or kill you". What choice do you make?

I explained all this to my mom when she came in and I showed her the teddy. We both flinched a little as it's head flopped back, but she cheerfully said she would fix it.

A week later, they brought in the other arm in a little ziploc baggie and now we were starting to look like the laboratory of Frankenstein. Upon examining,  it looked like the stitches were a cotton thread that had frayed and broken, and it could be fixed up with some gentle sewing. And maybe a little of the cotton batting would have to be removed for things to fit together once again. Minor reconstructive facial surgery, but what the heck? 

She shared it with our little stitch group that meets on Fridays and we were split about 50/50. Half were on my team, believing we should preserve the integrity left and not face surgery in it's advanced geriatric state. The other were with mom, believing anything is possible, and while we're at, why not make it more fabulous and knit it a little sweater! 

Judging by the picture, you can see who won. 

I will admit, I was amazed. One, to see it in one piece. Two, to see the hope that my mom displayed for such a small little thing. Three, to see how people jumped in with caring hearts and willing hands to touch someone's life. 

This teddy meant so much more than just a child's toy. It was a lifetime of memories, but most importantly, an example of how moms never give up and always hope, always persevere, always trust the best can come out of every situation. You see, a teddy bear needing doctoring was just like a lifetime of my mom doctoring our hurts. Her whole life has been giving her the skills to be a mender, a comforter, a fixer of broken things. 

Why did I think a teddy bear would be too much for her to fix? I guess I underestimated those mom super-powers. They are still alive and well, even though her kids are well into adulthood. We'll never lose the need for the mom-fixer-upper in our lives. 

Love you Mom, 

Natasha 

Mississippi Adventures!

I was approached to teach at the Mississippi Art's Commission's Winter Institute  where 160 educators would gather for art enrichment. I was thrilled! Their theme was Elvis Presley, as it was held in Tupelo, MS, his birthplace. 

The experience was incredible, with a stunning nuno felt piece created by the educators themselves, great food and people and sweet Southern hospitality. What a privilege and joy to share my passion for fiber art with the folks down South! 

I've put together memoirs of the trip along with my reflections. It shows the preparation and thought process behind the piece, the place I went and people I met, and stories galore. Check out the photo album and memoirs!

Finishing of a Sweater

A continuation of the post "Making of a Sweater", this tells the rest of the story. The picture on the left is my pattern book, after knitting the sweater for four years, which is now in pages, and the rest of the yarn I had left from the skeins I got. (A tip that I share with my students, but didn't heed myself: copy the pattern for yourself so you can conveniently carry it around, in case you lose it, or if you want to mark it, and to preserve your original. )

I am ecstatic to have finished this and thank you to everyone for following my journey! 

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Finishing of a Sweater

December 2016

I finally did it. Solved world hunger you may ask? Well, no I answer. Created world peace? Repaired the health care system? Make the Cubs win the World Series-well they did that all by themselves…

No, none of these monumental things did I accomplish. Yet, in so many ways, the finishing of my sweater seems somehow to be a feat nearly as insurmountable and yet here we are! I finished my sweater after a long four years.

Now that I have finished it, I am not taking it off. I have worn it for five days straight. I hope my husband doesn’t mind looking at that sweater because he is going to forget what the rest of my clothes look like. That sweater fits so nicely, is such a fun breakout color from my usual shades, and is uber warm. We’ve had a dip into deep winter temperatures and it’s been my lifesaver. I don’t think I’m taking it off til Spring!

I learned several life lessons with this sweater, and now that I’m on the other side, I feel as though sharing these lessons might be helpful. Whenever we come out on the other side, we have tales to tell of the journey.

First off, do not put down something you love for a long period of time. My beloved sweater had many long spells where I did not pick it up for months and even years at a time. It was so bad, that at one point when I had an inkling to work on it, I could not find the pattern book. How motivating is that when you lose the pattern book? I didn’t remember where I left off on my knitting and then I couldn’t even remember where I put the pattern to try to find out where indeed I did leave off! Pitiful I say! But how many times do we discover that it is harder to get restarted on something after a long dry spell? So many things can get into our lives to distract us from things we love. When we do try to go back to them, sometimes it can be exhausting, frustrating, time consuming or confusing to pick up the pieces. Even if you are doing what you love in a much smaller capacity, try to maintain some involvement as time goes on. Getting started from stopped is much harder than picking up speed on car already in motion!

Secondly, I realized that a big project is really just many small parts put together. When we see big tasks, we tend to get hit with the feeling of being overwhelmed by its’ vastness. Sure a project can be big, but looking closely will reveal that everything can be broken down into smaller pieces. The sweater was in fact comprised of four pieces- the body, two sleeves and the finishing job. When we look at a task this way, it doesn’t seem so big. How many things in life are like this? Small mundane things and really huge life issues are both easier to tackle in small pieces. Cleaning the house for company, or taking in a life-threatening illness of a loved one. Take it in small bites, one moment at a time, and you will come to see that those moments flow into hours, then days, then months and you are making it through.

Lastly, the immense feeling of accomplishment is incredible! The gratification in a task conquered is wonderful. The satisfaction of putting on something that I created with my own two hands, and know that it makes me feel proud, is priceless.  I feel like Rocky Balboa when he reaches the top of those stairs and punches his fist into the air in triumph. I feel like with this conquered, I can do anything! It’s such an exhilarating encouragement to find a major obstacle overcome. It’s empowered me to finish other projects that have been on the back burner.

There is a mental block when unfinished business is left. Like a computer processing a background program, I believe we might be spending energy on many things that we should resolve and live our lives lighter. Unfinished projects. Discarded dreams.  Unforgiveness and grudges. Some are easy to tackle and others painful and deep. The Bible talks about how hard it is to go around pulling a speck from a brother’s eye when we have a plank of wood in our own eye. What a metaphor! When those things are cleared from our vision, imagine how much clearer we can see. How much farther we can dream. How much more we can recognize and respond to our own hearts and others around us.  

This sweater has taken me on a journey. Looking back at the first reflections I wrote nearly four years ago, this sweater has been knit on while I was a girlfriend, then fiancé, and now a wife. I have learned a great deal about life in these past few years, both in my understanding of who I am as an individual and how I can grow into these new roles in life. Change always comes, and through it we grow in understanding how to become more like the person God wants us to be. I can point out places I’ve been with this sweater, people I’ve been with, memories I’ve made and mistakes I’ve made. Yet at the end of the day, the overall picture is something warm and practical, something that makes me smile proudly.

Isn’t that what our life should be a picture of? A life well lived is full of reflections and memories. We as humans should doing more than just checking off calendar days from cradle to grave. We have a purpose to live a life reflective of our Creator’s grace and beauty, while using our talents and gifts to bless the world around us. In the end, I hope my life is something that makes Him smile proudly.

So as I fold up my sweater tonight and tuck it away for another day, I’m tucking these treasured wisdoms in my heart. Everything has a story to tell us if we have the ears to hear!

The Makings of a Sweater

I have been knitting a sweater for a very long time. Some of you who know me know of this sweater. And know of it's saga. The pattern is "Ambergris" by Ann Weaver and the pattern is from her book White Whale. The yarn I got at Vogue Knitting October 2012 and it is a hand dyed superwash merino, DK weight. 

I am sharing my reflections on this project both from the beginning to the end, and I do hope you enjoy! Now, travel back in time with me.... 

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The Makings of a Sweater

January 2013

Somewhere this fall I got this crazy notion to start a sweater. I did not need to have one more thing on my plate. I do not need one more distraction calling me away from the laundry needing to be folded, the dishes pilled aside the sink or the stack of paperwork needing attention. I didn’t anticipate the distraction that this sweater would cause, the excuses I would make to myself and others about the time I was spending on knitting a sweater I could have simply marched out to the store and bought. Ahh, I tell myself. It’s not the kill but the hunt. Not the product but the process.  We all really just know it’s about that yarn.

That yarn. Sigh. Like a temptress luring you away from reality it sits on the shelf. You try not to touch it and yet the color excites you and one touch and you melt. Me, being the methodical and practical little gal I am,  reasoned with myself with why I shouldn’t have it. But alas the yarn won over, and with a quick and hasty decision and the help of a little plastic card, that yarn was now mine.

That yarn and a pattern for a sweater. Not just any sweater. No sir. I had ambitions. Cables, lace, charts, markers, counting;  the whole nine yards stared me in the face.  But I had gusto and enthusiasm and plunged in naively and excitedly. The thrill of the newness, the challenge, the unknown invigorated and motivated me. I counted, cast on, placed markers and started in on my adventure.

Thrill of it all made it go quickly. The beginning was simple. Ribbing flew on those needles and I was ecstatic as I watched my sweater grow. I was smart enough to read on though. I knew what I had coming for me. There were rough waters ahead and I was bracing for it. I figured on just figuring it out as I fumbled along. I was determined and resolute that nothing would pull me down in creating this sweater. By now this was not just a “sweater” but something of a Picasso. My little masterpiece.

The easy gave way to more challenges and my suspicions were met. I did face challenges; challenges that were beyond me. I asked around and got advice from seasoned knitters. They even helped me swatch and shared and taught me not only with words but actions. I clung to their advice and my needles, and through the toughest patches overcame the obstacles. Now my sweater was onto a new phase. The newness worn off, the excitement now simmering in quiet resolve, my sweater was in the long-haul stage.

By this point I was beginning to recognize the pattern, the stitches and the rhythm. Knitters know this point. It’s a moment of jubilation when you quietly realize you are sailing along with a smoothness, almost becoming one with your project. The click clack of the needles, the yarn slipping through your fingers, it all feels so comfortable and certain. You see progress and growth and the yarn, the large ball now dwindling, is transforming swiftly and beautifully into that sweater. The dreams in your head are becoming reality as each inch of yarn glides through your hands.

This is just the body of the sweater. You know there will be sleeves, possibly pockets, trim and more. Sometimes these other parts feel like you are relearning the process all over again. There’s new challenges as you decipher through the increases, decreases and other stitches along the way. At times these might even feel like they’re unrelated to the sweater I started with, like taking a path leading off the main road. It seems like a distraction or a different direction. However,  I know that it is all a part of making this sweater come together. The pieces will fit together. The pattern says so. The designer knows so. I have to trust it to be that way.

When I finally complete this masterpiece, I realize there’s so many hours of my life worked into each tiny little stitch. I can look back at this sweater and think about memories tied into each stitch. It’s almost like flipping through the pages of a journal.  Reflections on life, thoughts, hopes and dreams are interwoven through the yarn. The sweater is no longer just an article of clothing but a mirror of life.

All this time during knitting, made me reflect on how marriage is much like the process of knitting a sweater. The fresh allure of a relationship is similar to the call of beautiful skein of yarn. It’s all warm and fuzzy and exciting and we can’t wait to jump in with all enthusiasm.  The beginning is easy- you discover each other and their likes and dislikes, what makes them tick, how you can get along together.  Much like the ribbing on my sweater, those early years are full of easy, simple work in your relationship. The happy glow of excitement casts a rosy essence on the memories we reflect on.

We do know that there are tougher waters ahead. Others have warned us; perhaps we’ve experienced it as children watching our parent’s marriages. That territory can be brought about by any number of circumstances; some that we can control, many that we cannot. When we know that hard times will befall us, we can make a choice early on. We will abandon the project, knowing that the sweater will not meet completion but remain another unfinished project to be stuffed into our closet, or we can resolve that no matter the challenges that face us, we will work through it and stick to the goal of completing this sweater. In knitting, we know that the intricate patterns and complex stitches are achieved only through perseverance, dedication and commitment.  So it is in the process of marriage. We can ask for advice and wisdom from seasoned veterans, but we must decide before the tumultuous times that we’re going to follow through to completion on the process of life and the journey of marriage.

Life deals out diversions and distractions, just like pieces of the sweater that seem to fit awkwardly into the puzzle we’re putting together;  yet all the while, we know that it is all there for a purpose. It’s all a part of the pattern. We have to put our faith and trust in the pattern writer. God’s been writing patterns for how to live life for generations of people to fall back on. It’s all there for the taking. His advice is more than helpful suggestions; it is time-proven wisdom from the person who knows us best- our Creator. He’s designed us a certain way and has given us a pattern book so we know how to take each step wisely.

When we combine all of this together, we cannot help but create a masterpiece.  Though it may be a journey, we know that it is really all about process and not the product. We don’t embark on marriage because of a sparkling ring or an elaborate wedding. We don’t knit sweaters because we don’t have the means to go out and buy one from a store. We embark on both adventures because it is the moments that matter and when it is all done, we’ll have something wonderful to look at, to cherish and to warm our hearts and souls. It’s the way the designer wrote the pattern. 

Up North

It's been a fun month traveling to different places spreading our love of fiber arts. I got to enjoy a wonderful time with my husband at the Wisconsin Art Educators Conference in Lacrosse, WI. I had never been to Lacrosse, which is on the Mississippi River, so I enjoyed the beautiful fall drive there. I think that Wisconsin always picks the most perfect time of the year for their conference, when the leaves are at their peak of color. It was spectacular. We saw bluffs and rolling fields and forests ablaze. Such a feast for the eyes. 

When we were there, we discovered Grandad's Bluff, which was pretty unique. A natural limestone bluff that had been preserved since its' limestone was quarried in the early 1900's, it's a stunning 600 feet above Lacrosse. Equally stunning was the fact that I had a donut burger there the first night. Yes. It was delicious. 

The town was cute, with lots of bars and eateries. The little ice cream and candy store was adorable and the ice cream was homemade and wonderful. A fun place to explore during the conference! 

We had a fabulous time making candy corn at the demo table at our booth. We had some darn creative folks who even added faces to their candy corn! Jonathan was a delight, reminding me just how much I enjoy working with him. He's a pretty great felter and a superb fiber sales man. In fact, he's even got a sense of humor. When someone was adoring a blended sparkly batt in soft pastel colors, they commented that it looked like unicorns. To this he answered that it was unicorn fiber indeed, as we curry comb our flock and then make the batts from that fiber. Gotta love it! 

I had two back to back filled classes in which we made little "leapfrogs" with needle felting and wet felted flowers. Everyone had a fabulous time. We actually for the first time sold out of fibers! I felt like Macy's on Black Friday... I had people waiting, arms weighed down with fiber in our checkout lines! What a great feeling. 

So thank you fabulous Wisconsin Art teachers! Do keep felting, and share your creations with us. It's so inspiring! We look forward to seeing you next year in Fort Atkinson, WI! 

A Vote for the Underdogs

I will admit it. I am a bandwagon fan. My brother has been a true Cubs fan, the one who through the most major sports drought in history, kept believing. Kept cheering. Kept watching. It's admirable. Really! He's got the jersey, he's got the lingo, he's genuine. 

Me, on the other hand, I just like to see the underdog get a chance. When I heard the Cubs were going on to greatness, I was kind of doubtful. But when they kept pushing forward, proving their strength and dedication, I jumped on the bandwagon full force! Why, I even learned the "Go Cubs Go" song (I'm a little ashamed that I didn't know it, but believe you me, it's etched into my memory forever now. Like it's never gonna leave. It's stuck permanently. LOL)

As I watched the team rally together, and watched the fans join in harmonic support, it was truly inspiring. In light of the current political environment of slander and negativity, the fact there was something we could all believe in together felt surreal. It felt patriotic! There was a feeling of unity as we saw the impossible becoming a reality.

And then there was that 7th game! What a nail-biter! What a victory! And we all celebrated with them. Why? Because when an underdog wins, all of us other underdogs feel a fire stir within us. I feel like I am an underdog at times. Art teachers. Farmers. Small Business Owners. Even the lowly sheep. Those who swim upstream in the river of societal culture. 

We're all underdogs. Yet watching the Cubs, I realized so many things. Deep life lessons. Teamwork. Dedication. Belief and faith. Talent. Persistence. Discipline. Passion. Here are the traits of success. The Chicago Cubs have reminded us how to dream and with all those attributes, how to dream big. Congratulations on making history! 

We celebrated their win at the Illinois Art Educator's Conference in Normal, IL . Here art teachers gathered from around the state to learn, share, inspire and engage in their passion of art education. For me, art teacher conferences are like the World Series of my year. Something I look forward to, something where we can all celebrate together what we love doing. Where we get support and a shot in the arm to keep going. Art teachers are really the best!

It was fun hanging out with all of you and getting to celebrate our victory together. And especially fun was creating and crafting with you, Cassie Stephens, another kindred spirit who loves life, fun, fiber just as much as me. She's a great resource with her art teacher blog and an awesome person to know.

So on behalf of all the underdogs of the world, we congratulate the Chicago Cubs on winning the World Series after 108 years! If this is possible, ANYTHING IS! Dream big my friends! 

Life from an arugula patch

Some of my best musings are done in a quiet morning garden. The air is cool before the heat of the day, the grass still dewy and my mind focuses on my tasks ahead. But somehow, in the midst of my mind churning with the to-do list, the garden always beckons me to be still. God talks loudest in these moments. It is like all of nature is a storybook for our lives, filled with rich lessons in the words of its living pages. We learn such endearing lessons here, and it is here we really see how simple His ideas for life are and how complicated we've made it. 

As I came to the arugula patch, I started methodically cutting and sorting the row for the day's picking. Somewhere in this zen-like meditation, I began to realize some very important truths. 

Take a look at that patch of arugula. Six rows, all different stages. Some cut and regrowing, some freshly cut and some to be cut later. Each stage is essential. Each stage the plants have experienced. It was then it hit me, and I understood the lessons of the arugula patch. 

Sometimes life is like that full row, waiting to be cut. It's waiting. It's so hard to be in this stage. You are so ripe for something to happen in your life! You are waiting for that special something or someone, you are waiting for direction or guidance, you are waiting for forward progression. Life is bountiful and full, but you are ready and done with the waiting. 

Othertimes life is like that row that is regrowing. It is fresh and alive, growing back better than ever. The leaves are tender and small and tasty. The hurts are past and this time of regrowth can give us a fresh perspective, a fresh hope and a fresh look. We gain confidence in ourselves and the world around us and are ready again for to be picked. 

But sometimes we have been cut. Severed. Scarred. What is left doesn't look pretty. Discarded leaves, weeds, torn and ragged stems litter the dirt around us. There is nothing left to offer, nothing left to give. This will take some time. This will take some tending, some rain and sunshine both, to let us grow again. 

The Good Gardener who tends us knows all this. He knows there are all these stages in a thriving garden. A good garden that has sustainability exhibits all of this. A good garden that endures must go through all these experiences. He is aware of this knows this when He plants the garden in the Spring. His tenderness says, "Child, you will flourish. In your time in life's garden, you will know much joy and much pain. Know I am watching and lovingly tending to you through it all". 

So when your heart is still and your ears are open to listening, even the humble arugula patch can be a place where He teaches you the lessons of life! 

Sophie's Mask

My mask was created from hand dyed silks, as well as lace, cheesecloth, muslin, tatted lace, and all kinds of fabrics, along with beading. Here is the artist statement.

Sophie’s Mask

      Natasha Lehrer Lewis

From a young age and all through to the end of our lives, we wear a mask of a certain sort. When we are children, we learn that sometimes being something different than who we really are can earn us friends, acceptance and a sense of belonging. We start putting on our mask then. It’s a transparent mask at this point, a lot of our personality still shows through.

 However, as we grow older a few more layers are added. A few of life’s hurts and scars build upon our transparency and we discover that it is easier to show people the mask rather than our real feelings. People ask how we are and we answer with half- truths because it is just easier than revealing what is deep inside of us. People ask us for opinions and we answer with half-truths because it is the socially-correct way to interact. Our masks begin to become more layered with the importance of our appearance, status and accomplishments and the real us begins to grow dim.

As we reach the end of our lives, our masks are built up of so many experiences and memories. Each adds a layer to the mask and sometimes when we are by ourselves, we take off that mask and reminisce fondly, or perhaps bitterly, or quietly and reflectively. Those layers have made us, they write our story. Who are we really? What shines forth from our inner soul- our true spirit- over the years of life that we have passed through?

This mask tells that story. Inside, the colors were selected to represent light, faith, serenity, and passion. These emotions shape our thoughts, our perspective and our drive for life. These shades also reflect some of the harshness in our character that shape us as well, things like greed, jealousy, anger and indifference that can affect every aspect of our interactions. It is hidden on the inside. If one puts on this mask, this is not what people around them will see. But we know it is there. We can reveal it if we so choose.

On the outside we do see that inner soul shining out, beaming like a ray of light. Where else could it shine forth but in the eyes? We see in one eye that it is stronger, more brilliant. The other eye is clouded by the mask. The layers are more transparent around the eyes as our light melts away the mask’s layers. Wrinkles and creases form in the fabric around the eyes and forehead, years of worry writing their story upon our mask. There are tear stains on the cheeks from hurts that we feel, symbolized by cheesecloth. The lace represents an outward grace that we put on, it is knowing how to look and feel so we can appear full of poise and dignity. Even the mouth is covered in light layers of lace and silk, as we realize how essential it is to let our words mask our inner light.

As you work towards the edge of the mask, the fabrics become heavier and more layered. They are bits of memory fabrics, each one signifying a layer of life. These small bits are added with time, experiences,  and lessons that shape who we are.  Their varying textures and shades of white add dimension and interest to the mask. Each moment, day and year that goes by in our lives, we add pieces to this mask, in essence, it is never finished but an evolving piece of who we are.

Let us not focus on the mask, but instead on the light that is melting through our layers. Beads highlight and draw your attention back to the inner soul that is permeating the layers we’ve built. Gleaming, shimmering and reflective beads, they are like sunbeams dancing, raindrops lingering, and glory radiating.

Like the way that heaven meant for a bit of the Creator to shine forth in creation, let us turn our sights to allowing the inner soul to shine forth. Life may suggest otherwise, but we cannot accomplish anything more successful, attain anything more glorious, or offer anything more inspirational than this: being who we were created to be to the world around us. 

#challengeonnaturephotography

I got invited on Facebook to the #challengeonnaturephotography by a friend recently. You are nominated by a friend to post seven days of nature pictures, while also nominating a new person each day you do this. 

To be completely honest, I saw flashbacks of failed Amish friendship bread going through my mind. I'm supposed to share this thing with seven other friends? Then add flour each day to my starter, then keep it at room temperature, then divide it, then add more stuff, ahhhhhhhhhh! Sure the bread was great once you made it, but a rigmarole to get there! Then if you don't share it, you end up eating Amish friendship bread forever. And heaven forbid you wanted Amish friendship bread but didn't have a friend to share a starter with you! Never did a more lonely feeling exist. Any-who....

 I decided I wanted to make the challenge a little more personal. I wanted to post a picture I had taken and the project inspired by it. So much of my work is influence by nature and the creation surrounding me. Everywhere I look, I see inspiration. 

Though I haven't yet finished my full seven days, I am enjoying the process. The catalyst behind this was to get more images of nature circulating on social media, something I'm completely supportive of. I hope it has achieved that, and perhaps even, inspire people to take more notice of nature. 

So check it out. Google #challengeonnaturephotography and take a few minutes to be awed.