Iamthediva #126 challenge

After ... how many years and I am finally posting a Iamthediva challenge. I've completed the challenge in the past, but don't take the next step. So here is my first!

Here is the Stencil I used: it was part of an old painting, and quilting stencil I had.

I have been taking the time to tangle again. Hmm. Really, I have been thinking of the future, and the next classes I will take, the break I will get in the summer, future zentangle classes....

It is interesting how the studying I am doing impacts my day to day life. I am finishing up my professional ethics class, which... of course, how can it not affect you? Integrity, developing ethical responses from internalized values, and understanding moral decision making is part of everyday life. It is not something that pops up when you deal with those you serve, but every person you meet, every interaction you have.

May your tangles take you to a thoughtful place. Deb

Are you busy? yes, you guessed it, I'm busy. But in the midst of all that, I continue to experience the Flow. Csikszentmihalyi, a psychologist and researcher, connects Flow with the ongoing positive experience of engagement and thorough involvement in an activity and moment. So in the midst of studying for exams, writing papers, reading books, attending classes, listening to lectures, participating in family life, walking the dog, I have practiced Flow. Flow and involvement in the presence enhances my life. It makes all the activities that I participate in so much more. Two of my most important activities that take me to Flow and provide a therapeutic outlet for me are quilting and walking Sadie, my goldendoodle. I gain valuable insights in my moments of Flow; new thoughts and synthesis of ideas happen. I experience relaxation and inspiration. All that reading and learning comes together so that my work is more integrated. I created a quilt, to practice my own Flow. The photo below is the gift for my mother and father-in-law, for their 50th wedding anniversary; the following quilt.

I have been quilting for years, but never created anything for them. So as a gift, I just went for it. I put aside my qualms about time, perfection, and decided, it is a gift, to them (and to me - ha, i got to create, :)) from my heart. let it be nothing more, nothing less. 

So often in the past, I get my knickers in a knot, thinking that I should be focusing on something else, a piece for a show, for a customer; that there must be a productive purpose to what I am doing. But I am beginning to practice more and more, self-care and experiencing the therapy of Flow. Taking the time to create, to be thoroughly in the moment as I am creating (Flow) provides numerous benefits in all areas of life. 

And of course, there is Sadie, my other important therapy. We just love her. Here is Thomas with the sweetie.

May you make a connection with your Flow and therapeutic beings in your life. It adds so much to you.
Peace. Deb

Some Recent Tangles

I have been holding a few small classes, with an enthusiastic bunch of Tanglers. It is always a joy to experience the excitement as the calm and contagious tangling happens.
Here is my last class.

 

And here is my large ZIA: Zentangle Inspired Art, which I did as a piece for my first art therapy class. I am posting it again, as it didn't work well from my ipad photo. The image represents myself as I enter the program.

And Sadie says, "What you looking at?!" She is such a happy energetic dog. Can you find some tangle patterns in this picture?

A place and time

Here I sit, in Edmonton, Alberta. Excited for the first course of my art therapy course. It is amazing to finally be at this time and place. For one of my assignments I created this piece, a Zentangle inspired work. It represents where I am as I enter the program. The image shows what I have learned in my life to this moment.   A tree, full, mature, with life and knowledge to share.

Zentangle as easy as 1..2..3

One of the great aspects of Zentangles is that it inspires us to See in a new way. After the class in Massachusetts, I began to look for patterns in the world with eagerness and ease. I saw patterns in every bit of my world, from the upholstery on the seats in the restaurant, to looking at the sidewalk differently, and how peoples hair fell on their head.

When I teach a class, I encourage the students to look for patterns in the world. All of our world is created with patterns, whether they are organized or organic. There is a method to the madness. This helps us see the world differently and helps us open our eyes to see newness around us. Keep your eyes open as spring pops around us. New patterns will emerge from the old. How cool is that!

Here are some Zentangles from recent classes. Enjoy their simplicity and uniqueness.

Fun. Easy. Inspirational. Creative.

Practicing What I preach...

We had our first wonderful snowstorm in 5 years! I mean, a real snowstorm. Shutting down the city for a day or more. LOVED IT! We were out walking in the wonderful snowland. Sadie loves the snow.

There is another wonderful reason Snowstorms are so healthy (besides the exercise). It gave me time to practice what I preach. I pieced a couple of table runners, after a pattern from "Quilt Dad" Blog. Then I did some Zentangles. I got into the Flow. There is nothing like the feeling of being lost in creating. 

 

So come to think of it. Come Tangle with Me! There will be a day long Zentangle Class on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at the Quilter's Cupboard in Uxbridge. www.quilterscupboard.ca/ It will be a wonderful relaxing day. Rejuvenating. Refreshing. Inspiring. Come join me... and find out that EVERYONE can draw... Create. and I mean everyone.!

New Year - New Day

I was reviewing my blog and realised I have not posted many Quilts! It's not like I've stopped quilting. So here are a few posts of quilts from my past.

Potter's Purple Stars: this is a traditional Hunter Star pattern quilt made from a combination of fabrics from Africa, and more traditional tone-on-tone fabrics. Amidst all my other work, I often forget this stunning gem.

Nature's Tranquility InterTwined: I created this brown and blue quilt for my bedroom. This is a Celtic twist pattern, that was difficult, and I left open brown fabric to fill it with quilting

Be creative. No matter where you are.

Deb