Facebook and Surprise Inspiration, 7.2.15

Facebook....hmmm....it's kind of a dirty word around here, lately.  I've written before about the many pros and cons of Facebook and my love/hate relationship with it definitely continues. I even recently tried to cut way back on "Facebooking" by starting a new page with just a few friends and family members. But, even with those changes, as of late, Facebook seems to be mostly "cons". There are just too many ways for things to be interpreted (or misinterpreted). So, in response, I deactivated the second Facebook account. The problem with that is, you have to have a personal page in order to manage a business page. And my Olive and Ash page is very important to me because it's a direct link to this space. And I'm not willing to let that go. I've said before that this blog began as a way to document my art work, but it evolved into more of an online journal of my general, everyday musings- sometimes on art, sometimes on life and sometimes both. I've come to find out that talking is only a way for me to muddle through ideas, problems and thoughts. Writing, for me, is much more constructive. It's actually extremely helpful to me. And I've always hoped that it might be helpful to others, even if it's just one person who may relate to what I have written on a particular day.  

So my very supportive, generous and kind daughter came up with a solution to my problem. She is allowing me to manage the page from her Facebook page. Can you imagine a child (albeit, she is my 31 year old child!) giving their mom their username and password?! I know! I am crazy lucky to have her. So, I will still be able to alert you to new blog posts and post updates on the Olive and Ash Facebook page. Yay!

Now, enough about the drama of Facebook and onto some new work that I started this week. In my last post, I shared some inspiration pieces that I found online (taken from my Pinterest board). But, much to my surprise, I was more recently inspired by my own work. (I know! haha! That never happens to me!) You may remember it from this post.

The perfect spot was found in the sales room at Blumenhof.

I made it for M., for Christmas, a couple of years ago. It has been hidden away in the winery office since then, as M. is not the decorator and didn't know where to hang it. Last week,  I suddenly had my mind set to find a perfect place for it.  When I pulled it out of the office and into the light, I was reminded of how proud I felt when I finished it. And how it incorporates all of the things that are important to me- fiber, painting, stitching and words. And how it's cool that it requires a light source from behind to be fully seen and appreciated. I have been struggling, lately, (as I'm sure you know from my last few posts) to be inspired.  I am constantly going from stitching, to painting, to stitching, to painting. Back and forth. Back and forth.  And I have always thought that combining the two would be my "thing", as I really don't see much of that type of work out there. I can't tell you how good it felt to see that piece again and have that light bulb go on in my mind. I immediately thought, "Why haven't I been doing this for the last couple of years? What led me off track?" I don't really have an answer for that except that we have had a lot going on the last couple of years, so I've been a little distracted. But, it really doesn't matter. Inspiration hits you when it's least expected. I should know that by now. And I'm running with this one. This past week, I've been  working on some sketches and plans I have for three different designs incorporating figure drawings. This one, Lost in Translation, began to take shape yesterday.

Machine piecing, marking and stitching have begun. More layers after that.

I'll save the others for another post, as I just realized how long this one has become! So, 'till next time- thank you for reading! Juli