Category: creativity

How Many Times Have I Written This?

scm

Beginning again.

If I look back at this blog, I’ll bet I would find that phrase a hundred times.

Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating, but it’s got to be a lot. I seem to “begin again” often, which is not a bad thing. In fact, I love beginnings. When I taught, my favorite month was September, a chance for all of us- students, teachers, and staff– to do everything better. January always gives me a time to pause and reflect, which is where I am right now.

So, what’s new? Well, I am making a physical move of sorts. I’m moving one of my small presses into a space at LibertyTown Arts again. I’ve missed the connections wit friends and customers. Also, I’m adding a foiling machine to my collection. This will enable me to foil cards and other items, something I’ve wanted to try for a while. And finally, I can’t wait to try one of my Christmas presents– a 3D printer! I know I can letterpress print with a 3D print, and I’ve wanted to try it myself.

This week is a reflecting, cleaning, and organizing time for me. But come January, I’ll be playing, printing, and sharing again.
Photo on Best Running

Retreating…

scm

Once I year (I can say that now because I’ve done this twice), I attend a camp in Asheville, NC. It’s called Life is a Verb, directed by author/speaker Patti Digh.

We make art, write, connect with friends, share quiet moments by the pond, and laugh at the raucous talent show. It’s an amazing experience, and I come away inspired to create and share my work.

So, for now, I am holding on to what is good. I am not going to let world events (and specifically our frustrating US political situation) get me down.

Eat Cake (and Treats, too)

scm

I’m sharing this card since I’ve spent the last few days dealing with my puppy’s illnesses. She has megaesophagus, which means she was born with a poorly-formed esophagus and needed surgery. She will have life-long issues.

But she loves to eat, even if we have to feed her a spoonful at a time. This card makes me laugh as she often sits in the kitchen right next to her treat bag. Her look says, “Is it time for a treat yet?”

Life update: I sent out an email this summer explaining that I would be cutting back on Downtown Writing and Press. My mother has moved into assisted living here in Fredericksburg, and David retired. That means more travel for us and more care-giving for my mom. So far, I’ve still been able to get in lots of printing, but I’ve not re-opened my Etsy shop so you have to live locally to purchase my prints. I may open it with a limited supply of prints, but I’m still thinking that through.

In the meantime, all is well….

Collaborating With a Friend

scm

I have always enjoyed connecting with others, whether teaching, running, or printing. Recently, I met a new printer who had just moved to Fredericksburg. Well, he’s not a new printer. He’s quite experienced. But our relationship is new!

Pete Morelewicz designs– everything. He has an eye for details, and I love his work. So when he offered to design a couple of cards for Fredericksburg that we could letterpress print, I jumped at the chance.

You can find these locally at LibertyTown Arts, Heather’s, and Agora Coffee. I love the way they turned out. And what’s better than sending a love note from your favorite city?

Alone in Silence

scm

 

IMG_6624

I read this David Whyte quote today on OnBeing: “…a radical letting-alone of yourself in the world. Letting the world speak in its own voice and letting this deeper sense of yourself speak out.”

Having just spent a week in Turks and Caicos, walking the beach, reading quietly, spending hours without speaking, well, I get it. And I know I need it.

David continues: “In silence you find the death of the periphery, the outside concerns and the place where you’ve been building your personality and where you’ve been building who you are starts to atomize and fall apart…that giving over to something that seems like it’s going to be undermining you to begin with and lead to your demise. And the intuition unfortunately is correct. You are heading to your demise; it’s leading to a richer, deeper place that doesn’t get corroborated very much in our everyday outer world.”

In these moments, my thoughts clarify and my voice becomes clear. In the silence, I discover what I need.