Tuesday, July 28, 2009

summer thoughts

As birthday #45 approaches for me, I stumbled onto one of those long lists of things to 'live by'. By coincidence, 45 of them..I do not profess to follow all of these, but I'd like to. I think there is a little nod to Bill Cosby in there as well as Erma Bombeck. Both of whom I hold in high regard..

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written." My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1.Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you no one else.
20. When it to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.Enjoy!



Wednesday, July 22, 2009

small fabric collage

Again the idea of using the sewing line as more than a way to connect 2 pieces of cloth. It seems like a great way of exploring the full extent of the medium.
Here is a small sampler of batiks, linen and beads to that end..

and a little inspiration from this lady... love love her stuff..


small fabric collage
Originally uploaded by loriemccown

applique panel

This is a small part of a large whole..One pannel of a large wall hanging I've done. I love the idea of using the sewing machine as a drawing instrument, and plan on doing a lot more of that!

Here I've machine and hand sewn pannels onto a large, long banner-style hanging with much embelishment going on..




applique panel
Originally uploaded by loriemccown

Thursday, July 16, 2009

colors of summer

This summer is racing by like a rushing river. I can hardly believe how quickly the days are flying by. During the summer, I rise early to work in the studio. Before the phone starts ringing, before the hot, humid air drifts in. Quiet and calm.

Water colors of the pool and river and sea...


A simple 1-patch, with fabrics so beautiful not much is necessary..


To dive into when I can't get to the water, like I want to.


The colors of summer, greens, violets, turquoise..

Keep cool!



Tuesday, July 14, 2009

stitching a landscape..


stitching a landscape..
Originally uploaded by loriemccown
I am wearing my fingers down a bit, but this one is coming along..I am going for a lot of dimension and movement in this one, while trying to maintain a limited color range.

I do like the way the grass reeds are showing up! More to go..

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Still here!

My poor, neglected blog.. but there has been LOADS of art being made, just cutting back on the computer time..

Stitching here is an art quilt, "Hollyhocks" about 20x30" hand and machine sewn with color color color..

detail of the blooms..


and more here:


Some beading and embellishment, of course!

And paintings galore! this one's "In the Garden" 20x20" oil on canvas



And "poppies" again oil on canvas, 20x20"







And an Etsy update coming soon.. now I have (I hope!) my picture and computer skills working..
cheers.