Writers group

I might say I'm too excited to find the words but that would be a lie. Contrary to the lyrics of F.R David's song 'Words' "words don't  come easy"... for me probably just too many and not all necessary (I'm on an adjective-free diet).

In short, I finally got to attend the writers group I signed up for a few months ago. And, (yes I do know it's unfashionable to start a sentence with 'and' but rules are there to be broken - as long as no one gets hurt) I love it - I actually do my homework (however we use the phrase 'topic writing' for those averse to the word 'homework').

It's early days for sure - I suppose this is the honeymoon stage - and I'm slowly stretching my mind to take in the different genres represented by the various members. That probably sounds strange coming from a bibliophile - what I am trying to say is that I write essay/fiction work (note I didn't say "I'completed...") so rubbing shoulders with writers of work related to other types of writing, is a tad foreign. Not in a "I'm getting use to wearing stilettos, whereas I usually wear gumboots" kind of way - but more like when I'm introduced to a new taste that later becomes a firm food or drink favorite... kind of way.

Its really is a great experience listening to poets read their work aloud (probably don't need the word 'aloud' because unless I'm a mind-reader I wouldn't hear them read to themselves) - I don't know how they do it, I am in awe of the word choice, the contrasts/comparisons, the rhythm - while I enjoy reading some traditional poetry, and particularly like Wilfred Owen; Wordsworth; and Whitman, I have no clue about the mechanics of writing poetry, I just like what I like...and I know instantly what I don't like (especially some of the modern stuff which to me - note I said "to me" - is like reading a rubic cube, too abstract for my liking.

Anyway, I have met some very nice people, and it is refreshing and motivational to meet other writers. As a result of my 'topic writing' which was an exercise in achieving a sense of place, I have begun a voluntary adjective-free diet...(thank you Leigh) to look for an adjective that doesn't have to have a whole family of adjectives with it... if I choose the right one. So in closing, this is what Mark Twain had to say on it:

When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them - then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are wide apart. An adjective habit, or a wordy, diffuse, flowery habit, once fastened upon a person, is as hard to get rid of as any other vice.

haere rā (Maori for bye bye)

English paper-pieced hexagons

I have fallen in love with hexagons. Hand sewn English paper-pieced hexagons to be exact. It all started with a quilt I was making for a 10 year old soccer playing boy. The top of the quilt was whole cloth patterned with bright splashes of color and white/black soccer balls. The back of the quilt was black with two large soccer balls (appliqued) - one orange, eclipsed by a black and white ball made of English paper-pieced hexagons. And I couldn't wait to finish the quilt so I could move on to more hexagons - trying more color.

The beauty of the hexagon, or 'hexies' as they are fondly referred to by other lovers, for me is their portability - they can be popped into a bag and taken out while waiting for an appointment at the doctor's surgery; or just taken on a short or long flight with ease, all I need is the template, some cotton and a needle. The only laborious part of the hexie love affair is preparing the template and cutting out the fabric - not as fiddly as the usual pieced block because the cutting of the fabric just involves cutting up a pile of fabric pieces its still a barrier to rolling up my sleeves and getting to the fun part.

Time and fabric are as much or as little as I care to expend - my favorite at the moment is the 2 1/2 inch hexie which only requires 3 1/2 inch square piece of fabric. The fabric can be the same for each hexagon or different... the choice is endless.

The outer hexies, which form a whole hexagon, can be the same color...or (my favorite) different. These remind me of crazy quilting, there is the freedom to use a variety of color/patterns yet the satisfaction (for me) of seeing conformed shape and structure. I love it.

The inner hexie can be the same for each 'whole' formed hexagon, or different (like these).

Once the hexies are hand sewn into whole hexagons (the flower shape) the paper templates are pulled out from under each fabric hexie and pure pleasure is smiling back at me. The last thing I have to say is that it is a lovely relaxing experience to sit and baste the fabric over each template, and then hand sew each basted hexie to another, forming the overall whole hexagon.

I've read a few comments around the webisphere about buying templates etc. but I just print pages of hexagons on standard (for me this means 'cheap') photocopy paper and cut them out while I'm watching something in front of the television. I have gazillions of homemade templates from this process, and I reuse them - and they are firm enough to do the job.

The only energy expended in the whole process is trying to tame the imagination long enough to get through the hexies in front of me, so I can move on to try something new... like larger hexies, or smaller hexies, or half hexies (two halves, each covered in a different fabric). Viva la hexagon.

Baby booties

More knitting in England December 2014 for nephew's baby-in-waiting.

And a "hoody" for the baby:

I also knitted a purple kimono style cardigan for baby-in-waiting but forgot to take a photograph. All in all very productive knitting period. In between knitting I sewed fitted flannel bassinet and cot sheets, and a couple of very large polar fleece blankets (double thickness). 

This beautiful picture was taken inside the chapel of Exeter College (Oxford) while on a walking tour with "Peter" from Blackwells.

 This is a very thought provoking sculpture on one of the new Coventry cathedral walls.

 And this is of University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford (north side of High Street) where I spent time listening to a choir practice for the evening service. Would love to go back. Bought a book there by the Vicar of UCSMV Rev Brian Mountford. Very good read so far.

While I was away I received a message and photo from hubby of the second-hand spinning wheel he had bought me. Its fantastic. A lovely person has acquired some Suffolk and Dorset Down sheep's wool which I am told is softer than the Romney I bought from a second-hand shop (unspun). I have had to refresh my memory on preparing the wool for spinning - soaking etc and trying to make sure it doesn't turn into felt while it is being prepared. 

 And I will not forget the wonderful William Morris Museum in Walthmstow (North London). I have to say that having walked in a very roundabout way to get there from the train station, I would like to revisit this district of London. So much easier to walk around and the people are approachable and down to earth. All very helpful in giving me directions. I purchased the biography of William Morris by Fiona MacCarthy and had to bring it back in hand luggage because I had so many other wonderful reads in my luggage.

Hat for baby

I knitted this while in England over Christmas 2014 for my nephew's baby-in-waiting (due about now). Mum-to-be likes the color so I obliged.

Gratitude entry #1

I am grateful for fresh clean immediately available water. Just turn on a tap and there it is. I dont have to walk miles to collect it and carry it home; its free of contaminants and my family and I can drink and cook with it without fear of illness. Im truly grateful for water.

Resuscitation

To encourage the non-work related writing I have resuscitated my blogging - slight exaggeration using the verb "blogging" because I have a blog but rarely added to it. Moving on though its not as easy as it seemed because I wanted it linked to all the resources in the "cloud" and have spent hours trying to make that work but failed. So I had to start another blog - luckily there was little to move.

On a serious note the blog will be used to stretch the writing and comment on life in general - all of which better form more than just five entries in three years otherwise the verb "writing" will have to be removed and the blog will merely be wallpaper. Wish me luck.

Life in November 2013 - last "past" post

I'm back! I have finally worked out how to incorporate my new account details with the old - and without losing the old - now I wonder if that particular action (I could have cut and sewn a reasonable sized quilt in the time it took me to sort it out...but I got there in the end) could be classified as "creative". I wonder this because I listened (and watched, but really really listened because she is so easy and interesting to listen to) to a lovely young woman describe her creative process involving embroidery and quilting and a mixture of both. What I particular liked was that her creativity or methodology was a process of distillation, organic - using the spectrum of life experiences, whether that be watching her child attend a sporting fixture or recording observations (cerebral and/or visual)a a memory; a political theme; an agenda; or cultural statement. Well the list could go on.

What was really valuable was Joe's confirmation so to speak of a wisdom shared by many teachers that I have read and admired - learning comes from doing (practice practice practice) and turning up for the "doing". It's pointless to just talk about "doing"; or just think about "doing". Learning and mastery and creativity are all verbs - they are "doing" words.

In light of the rejuvenation I felt after listening to Joe's talk I thought I would do my own little creativity challenge (something she shared with us, and I see is on her blog ... create something every day for 100 days and post the creation on the blog). I'm off to the UK in a couple of weeks, but I have started by making sure I do something (even if it is not a new project each day - just as long as it is something like sewing, working on this!!!).

I also read today in a little meditation book I have on my desk about remembering to not get carried away by focusing on the outcome and missing the journey - so I have for the rest of the day tried to make a concerted effort to put myself "in the process" ... really be there, not just eyeing the end result or the outcome. All in all, my Guild meeting gave me more to think about than just my quilting. That's all for tonight.