What's in the name "in-laws"?

What an odd title for a quilting page. Hmm. and Hmm again.

By marriage I have received a set of parents. This is not new, this has been happening for over 22 years. About twice a year, my in-laws come to visit our household in Toronto, which is a mere 1 1/2 hours from their residence in Niagara on the Lake. But really, it is a token distance that keeps us at a decent space from one another. Not that I don't like my in-laws, but rather, I need my own space. I am from a totally different style of living. After all, I did marry my opposite.
For instance, while I value a clean house, I don't rate it as next to godliness. For me there is a lot more to living than making sure I need to be able to eat off my own floor. If the kitchen gets wiped down once a day, I'm happy. If there is food on the table at 5pm, or 6 or 7 or 8 - well, I am happy. If my laundry gets done once per week - or once every two weeks- I am happy. If my fridge gets cleaned out twice a year (when she comes to visit) - I am happy. You get my drift.
Today, my in-laws will be coming for their bi-annual visit. I always need to remind myself that it is only temporary. Hold your tongue. Smile and be appreciative. And this brings me to the phrase "in-laws". What has that got to do with marriage? Couldn't a better term have been created to explain this relationship? For me it is too close to "law" as in police, or... law abiding citizen. As in my in-laws are coming to check up on me again. The law is coming. Okay, so my emotions are taking over and making extreme connections to these familial relations, who really are not the law, but just feel like it to me. How insecure!!!

So what would a better description of the relationship be? We can really break it down and start with: parents by marriage, parents of my husband, parents to my husband, people who see me as a surrogate daughter, people who want to parent me along with their son, people who don't know how to let their son grow up!! okay that's hitting way too close to home. Did I say that?   Do I want to call them Mom and Dad? I know that is how they see themselves to me, and truthfully, they have been parents to me, as well as my own parents. Really, I am an adult like them, who have had significant life events that have shaped my personality and wisdom. It is time that I share with them the strength of my character, and request verbally and non verbally their respect. It is time to grow up.

And how will I maintain this composure? Why Zentangle or quilt - of course. After all, that is living!

Happy Dance!

It has been quite a week. At my dayjob, I organized, for the 15th time, our Annual General Meeting. It is becoming tedious. So it was a taxing week.

But really... the weather was great... and on Friday I found out 1 of my quilts will be in the World Quilt Show, travelling to the Mancuso Managements' 4 quilt shows; Manchester, NH, Philadelphia, PA, San Diego, CA, and Florida.

That is my Happy Dance. After submitting works and getting rejection, it has felt like, okay, my work satisfies me;;; but is it really art if the quilt world does not recognize it? So Finally - confirmation! Now I will plan to visit my work with my husband at one of the closer venues. More plans. I like to plan. Part of the whole experience is the planning and anticipation!

Onward!

Zentangle Workshops

I had my first dry run at my place of work. 6 people participated, and more would like to come. Although most were interested but skeptical about the activity, it turned out to be refreshing for all who participated.

As well I have planned two dates for workshops in the next month. On July 10th, 2010 I will be holding my first Zentangle 101 class. This will be in the morning from 10:00-12noon at thequiltersblock.ca which is located 1 block west of Victoria Park Avenue, on St. Clair Avenue East.

I will begin an ongoing class for people who have been tangling already. This will start on the 24th of June, at 7pm at the same location. The Quilter's Block.

I am locating other venues, so if you are interested, or even not from the Toronto area, I would be happy to arrange a workshop near you. email me  deb@kopeschny.ca and I would be happy to arrange a workshop.

As I look back on my time in the training with photos of wonderful people, I miss them.
But as I bring this treasure, Zentangling to others, I realise how powerful a tool it is. See you soon? Hope So!
Peace

It's a beauty to behold!

We have had such nice weather. I have been cleaning out my sewing room and sitting outside. What a combination. I finished two projects last week, 1 a mending job - don't do much of those! and a Quilt creation for a baby at our church.

The couple - pre baby- have been into nature, hiking, mountains, etc. so what better way to starting teaching him about nature?!

To the Tangles! did you notice the tangles in last posts pictures? how about the sticks on the beach? that reminds me of hollibaugh! The patterns are everywhere!

Peace

The Ocean

Sunset on the Bay off Goat Island

I have fallen in love with the ocean again. It's the second time i've been there this year! to an ocean that is. There is something different from the East coast than the gulf, or carribbean.

I think I have some of the my best memories of childhood at the ocean, usually North of Boston. It was one of the few "vacations" we did growing up.

Sachuest Bay at Sunrise

I had fun photographing the ocean and it's beauty.

Point Judith

Back ;;;

I had such a great week by myself. And it was great to get home to my family too.

I attended the Certified Zentangle Teachers training in Whitinsville Massachusetts for 3 days. It was a Great experience. We were housed in a mansion built in 1862, which had gorgeous woodworking detail and stature. 57 people came from all over North America and 1 from Holland. The sharing and energy was wonderful. The calm - from the tangling - and from people's presence was amazing.

After the 3 days I spent about 1 24hour period touring Newport Rhode Island. I enjoyed my time just walking the streets, visiting the Atlantic Ocean, and eating supper by the sunset. It felt so freeing to be able to make my own decisions about when to stop, where to go, what to eat. I loved the taste of the salt on my lips after walking outside, the smell of the ocean, the sound of the waves crashing onto the rocks, and the sound of the waves kissing the beach sand. All of the birds in Newport - the warm sun... the ocean breeze.. . It was a beautiful debriefing after spending 3 days creating, and learning. .. then to go and experience God's creating. Ahh...

I look forward to sharing Zentangles with you... It will bring you peace and energy too.

From my church book

I have been drawing and sketching in church for quite some time. I find that church is very conducive to feeling the creative presence. And it also helps me listen to the sermon, scripture, etc.

Today I have included some of these Zentangles. Drawing is such a meditative process. Or it can be. I encourage you to take a small piece of paper. Draw a leaf shape or a circle. Dissect it a couple of times, and fill in the remaining openings with geometric patterns. As you can ssee from my drawings, it can be as simple as straight lines following the curve of the shape. It can be dots. It can be repetitive same or different size circles.

Try a little meditative drawing. It will help you focus in anything else you do.

p.s. Can you see some Quilting Patterns?! I do!