Happy New Year from all of us at eQuilter.com!
Every new beginning gives us the opportunity to review the past and make new goals for the future. This is something I have done every New Year since I was a little girl. I make a list of the things I must do in the coming year, the things I want to do, and the things I hope to do. Within those 3 levels of priority, I make sure I accomplish at least one thing from each category. Do you have a system of goal setting also?
This coming year I want to be more mindful about doing things with intention. I don’t want to spend time just distracting myself from other things. I want to spend time focused with my attention on the process. This includes my time in the studio but also my time on the computer, on my phone, with my friends and family, and my time doing research for future projects. (I still need to go see the Maurice Sendak exhibit at the Denver Art Museum!)
So I give you this idea to chew on, for New Years Day:
Am I distracting myself during my creative time, procrastinating or avoiding other foundational tasks?
I think of the Zen Buddhist concept of “Chop Wood Carry Water” or maybe even the parable of the Little Red Hen. When it is time to clean our sewing machine, re-organize our stash, and tidy up our work space…we can be focused on the task and make it a layer of mental and creative prep time…it is like sweeping the mind free of clutter.
Notice how the guts of your machine work while you clean and oil between sewing sessions. Give your machine a new needle for a new project so you have one less thing to worry about if your thread is breaking. Audition gutsy new color combos while you review your stash. (Don’t worry – that scary hue can just be an accent color!) Contemplate different techniques and using new media in unique ways, while you clean your working area. I often find when I do these basic tasks, I move things around to accommodate and discover new efficiencies in my workflow. Right now I am re-learning to use my Silhouette Cameo digital cutting machine, and I plan to set up a Marbling station in the Spring. It is good to have something to look forward to!
No matter what your 5th grade art teacher told you, EVERYONE is creative and everyone has the heart of an artist. We all had it as children it is always waiting for us to open the door again. Being creative and crafty is good for our mental and physical health. Making things with our hands helps us to be present in the moment…and it heals our hearts.
May your New Year be filled with courageous creativity and audacious experiments that lead to joy and wonder.
Sharing our passion for fabric…..
Luana and Paul
Travel/Lecture Dates: www.luanarubin.com
Jan 9 – Fraser Valley Modern Guild – Art & Activism Zoom Lecture
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
Feb 25 – Mar 5 – Kyoto Quilt Festival
Apr 3-6 – SAQA Conference – St Pete, Florida
April 27- May 3 – Alegre Retreat
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See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.
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