10 Years Come & Gone!

Creating:

Right now I am working on a top secret project, which I will be able to share with you come the fall. It's a good one!

I whipped up some more envies over the long weekend using pages from old Stampington publications and I posted them to Instagram. Stampington saw them and invited me to submit them for publication. I'd better get on that! It's been awhile since I've written an article for them or submitted art. No time like the present!

Speaking of publishing, Vancouverite author, artist & instructor Leanne Praine's new book Strange Material: Storytelling Through Textiles is due out in October. I just saw the cover and I'm excited to get my hands on a copy-it looks yummy! I am so pleased to have a small written piece included in this book.

Watching:

My friend Deb and I were chatting last week and she asked me to check out this new HBO show called The Leftovers. It's a really odd show, edgy as most HBO shows tend to be, but strangely compelling. It's hard to describe-it takes place after a post apocalyptic type event happens and the people left behind (the leftovers-hence the name) struggle to make sense of it. I would recommend checking out the official website and watching the trailer first because I don't think it's for everybody. It's pretty hardcore and graphic in places. (Typical of HBO series.) That said, I am enjoying it because you really don't know where it's going and I love all the twists and turns.

Oh and here are a couple screen captures from the show I was in. One from my one-on-one interview clip. (I am speaking so that's why my mouth looks funny.) 

The other is a shot with me with the cast in Ft. Langley. We did a ton of location shoots over 5 days.

I am also pleased to share that I will be doing some more filming for the UBC Faculty of Medicine's new program, which I have been consulting on. It's for medical professionals already in practice to learn about patient-centred and collaborative care. I did some filming for these courses back in January and I'll be filming as a presenter for the module they are working on now. 

It's really rewarding to know that this will have a direct impact on the future of health care in our province. I love advocacy work-it feels good to be making a difference and I learn so much about myself and from others in doing it. I'm also going to be doing some interviews for the Health Mentors Program over the next couple of weeks.

Listening:

I recently downloaded James Taylor's version of The Water is Wide. It's a favourite of mine for sentimental reasons and his cover is beautiful.  I love James Taylor.

I also saw the movie Begin Again with Keira Knightly. If you saw Once, you will enjoy this one. I downloaded A Step You Can't Take Back from the Soundtrack. It's my favourite track from the movie.

And lastly, before I sign off for now, it seems only fitting to note that as of August 1st, this humble blog turned

10 Years Old!

Hard to believe it's been that long or that when I began, most artists didn't even have a blog. So for those of you who've been along for the ride, whether in part or for the whole 10 years, thank you for your company, your comments and your friendship! Here's to keeping the home fires burning for another 10!

A Bird in the Hand

  

Yesterday I went back to Gather for a second day, to take the workshop I won in their giveaway, Sublime Stitching with Leanne Prain. (Leanne is the one in the center of the photo, standing.) 

I've began my artistic life with quilting and needlework, but I haven't picked up a needle in over 5 years, since I lost all the feeling in my hands because of the damage to my spinal cord from MS. It's really difficult to perform fine motor skills, but I really wanted to meet Leanne and I really had nothing to lose.

Leanne is an accomplished author. She's just released Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery. I've read her first book, Yarn Bombing: The Art of Knit & Crochet Graffiti. It's a great book. Leanne is responsible for the yarn bombing movement here in Vancouver. I love yarn bombing-like traditional graffiti, it brings so much fun and texture to our city. I've even got an entire Pinterest board dedicated to it!

Penn joined me for an afternoon of stitching. She chose a couple patterns that reminded us both of Teesha Moore. As we were stitching and chatting, I was reminded how relaxing it is. (This is something you forget when you get busy doing other things.) Time was I never sat down to watch TV without having some handwork at the ready. I think I need to get back to that-I really do hate wasting time!

I chose this bird pattern to work on. Penn immediately commented on all the tiny lines I'd have to stitch, but I don't mind doing the nickety-pickety bits. Everyone was having so much fun, no one wanted to leave and they actually had to kick us out when it was time to set up for the next class! I think people really feel an affinity for the gentle arts-it's a chance to slow down and relax a bit.

I finished my bird last night while watching the Olympics. Not bad considering I cannot feel the needle in my hands! (Imagine trying to do something like this wearing a pair of oven mitts and you'll have some idea of the degree of difficulty.) I still need to press it and then decide how I'm going to finish it. In the meantime, I'm going to start another piece. I have days of Olympics viewing left yet and I might as well get something done while I watch!

All the patterns provided came from Sublime Stitching Embroidery, which has delightful and unexpected designs. They also have some great embroidery tutorials on their blog.

Thanks Leanne for a lovely afternoon! 

I think it's safe to say a good time was had by all!