Happy February! Of course, this month all the attention is on love and chocolates and a little self-love and self-care is high on my list.
I love the quiet winter days when we recuperate from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Of course, there always seems to be something that needs to be done but I do a better job at pacing myself than during the rest of the year. My check-up, pedicure and a spa day are a good start. Of course, relaxing on the couch while I crochet counts as well.
My busy Christmas season left me depleted of snowflakes and low on Victorian ornaments. So, in the afterglow of the season I was in the mood to replace the snowflakes and create new ornaments! They are now in the bin and ready for the next season.
When the temperatures dipped the middle of January, our gallery manager at the Folk Art Center sent me a message that they need hats and wrist warmers, they were selling fast! I took my entire inventory of 12 hats and 16 wrist warmers (which I call fingerless gloves or texting gloves) and delivered them the following day. I have since started to replenish the gloves and will be ready to start on the hats in early February. I love making those fun accessories, because each one is different, and they are truly designer pieces. I never get bored that way.
A gallery owner in Florida once told me that the difference between an artist and a crafter is that an artist never makes the same thing twice. So true! Since I am a fiber artist, I love that interpretation of what I do. I am always thinking of different ways to adorn and personalize each individual piece, whatever I am creating at the time.
Of course, most of my hats and some of my gloves have at least one flower, which is my trademark. My Irish Roses headband (the 2 Irish Sisters pictured in the October 2023 Musings) made it home to Baltimore after the “Embellishment” exhibition. These headbands are the purest expression of my love for Irish Lace.
One of my regular customers was looking for a special welcome gift for their first grandson; since we live in the Blue Ridge Mountains and have lots of bear activity on the Blue Ridge Parkway every year, she requested a teddy bear with local flair.
So, I created a black bear cub with a pretty white jacket. I am quite pleased with the little fellow and can’t wait for mom to see him!
The craziest news about January was our unusual weather with quick changes from one day to the next. Although most of the country had extreme weather situations, these quick changes from one day to another are unusual in our area. Like last year we had several days of super low night temperatures, and below freezing during the day. So, my kitchen faucet was dripping continuously for a few days. My pipes are buried pretty deep, but I wanted to be sure to avoid any problems.
Then it started to snow and sleet, which brought back a sweet memory for me from many years ago, when I lived in a log house in far Eastern North Carolina. One of my German friends called me all excited early one morning to remind me that we should have apple pancakes for breakfast! An old German tradition that I was happy to practice at any time! Now I always think of her when it snows.
Just one week after the severe cold, the temperatures went up to the sixties with lots of sunshine and I enjoyed one of my inspiring drives through the Biltmore Estate. I even had lunch outside the Biltmore Creamery and Ice Cream shop to soak up some sun! Of course, Mother Nature re-adjusted herself and now it is just cold and bleak, but wintery as it should be!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and always a bright spot during winter, so let’s practice a little love.
Self-love comes first; we must take care of ourselves, and I try to give myself some extra treats in February that don’t involve calories!
I also try to be a nicer, more thoughtful person and do something special for someone else whenever the opportunity presents itself. I tell the people I really care about: I love you. That means you are close to my heart; I care about you, and I am here for you. Romantic love is wonderful, but there are many forms of love that build over time as you get to know a friend or family member, when you feel that you share trust and closeness. Time often strengthens those bonds and I cherish my old friends!
I love having all of you in my circle of fiber friends and I wish you a very loving Valentine’s month!
“I do what I love and I love what I do.”
New in the Studio:
Just a fun little scarf, quickly made from sock yarn.
This is the NC black bear cub, all dressed and ready to play.
He does have a little tail as well, which helps him to sit up!
Snowflakes and stars being blocked, ready for next season.
New glass ornaments for Christmas 2024