day five: strength (fun-a-day)

day four: know your soul (fun-a-day)

Not a great picture today - I'll post a better one later. I also hope to embroider this on a different paper, but for now, at 11pm after an 11 hour day, I'm heading to bed.

But first, the inspiration for today's affirmation/intention. I stumbled across this poem today by Walt Whitman in Leaves of Grass, a 1942 copy that I've had for years but have never opened:

I have perceiv'd that to be with those I like is enough,

To stop in company with the rest at evening is enough,

To be surrounded by beautiful, curious, breathing, laughing flesh is
     enough,
To pass among them or touch any one, or rest my arm ever so lightly
     round his or her neck for a moment, what is this then?

I do not ask any more delight, I swim in it as in a sea.

There is something in staying close to men and women and looking
     on them, and in the contact and odor of them, that pleases the
     soul well,

All things please the soul, but these please the soul well.

Love this.

day three: love (fun-a-day)

So, sad story. A woman named Margaret Anderson died today at Mt. Rainier. She was a law enforcement park ranger and was shot by a man who had blown through a routine traffic stop. My work scheduled a meeting about it first thing this morning, and it's been heavy on my mind all day.

It's been a giant reminder to acknowledge and appreciate all the love in my life, and a reminder to express my love to those who are so important to me.

RIP Margaret Anderson.

day two: patience (fun-a-day)

This popped into my head while I was with my incredibly tired toddler who is learning to kick, hit, bite, and climb. The more tired she is, the more likely she is to do one of these things. My sleep is less and less these days, and the year has not started out exactly as I had hoped. I can get lost in all of the things I want to accomplish - from cleaning the kitchen to creating a business to taking a nap. Instead of feeling overwhelmed at all of this, I am exploring ways in which I can bring more patience into my life.

day one: integrity (january fun-a-day)

I saw a post about this event and had to sign right up! Each participant picks a project and does it everyday for all of January. Then in mid-February, all participants display their projects at a local venue. Unfortunately there's nothing like this in Seattle yet, so I've signed up for one in Portland (http://www.funadaypdx.com) on February 11th.


My project: one affirmation or intention, in craft form, every day. I can pick any craft to represent the affirmations, and at the end I'll display them all together. I love how this ties into the new year - instead of resolutions, I'm going to focus on what I want to nurture in my life every day, in a creative way.

Today's word-of-the-day: integrity

[in-teg-ri-tee]; the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished

There were several definitions, but I liked the one above best. To me, "being whole" includes putting my intentions into action. Simply, doing what I say (or think) I'm going to do. Like crafting/art. Making good food. Exercising my brain and body. Being the person I want my daughter to know me to be. Being the person I know me to be.

December craft party

Craft Party #2! I had a few more folks over this time and almost finished a new project (just a bit more to do..). It was so fun to get some quality time with friends, with the bonus of learning some new crafts. Thanks to everyone who joined me!

Kate's giant felted stocking!

my stockings made of leather - we'll see how it works out

Cristopher joins in!

Laura's smart phone mittens - beautiful!
(Laura, I love this picture of you! If only it didn't cut off your eyes...)

my first craft brunch - finally!

After years of wanting to pull something together, I finally hosted my first craft party! Here are some pictures from the day. I am so excited to finally have a space to work with friends, and can't wait for the next one.

Joy's felted mushroom

My so-ugly-it's-perfect curtain