worthy

Whenever I create something for myself, I have to fight off feeling a bit guilty... as if  I was being too self indulgent. This is ridiculous because it's actually an essential component of self-care. Just like exercise and fresh food is good for the body, creativity feeds the soul... and forming something for one's self goes even deeper. It has the power to mend a broken spirit and give meaning to our making.

 With that in mind I devoted yesterday morning to completing a project that was entirely for my own pleasure. How exhilarating! I've leafed through the pages of this Japanese felt book for years. I got it in NYC at Kinokuniya - ISBN978-4-579-11115-2. It's filled with inspired ideas and just what I needed to give me a sudden light bulb. I grabbed an vintage woolen blanket, the book  and a pencil. I sketched a similar botanical design to this skirt featured.  Free handed it. Then I used scissors and a rotary cutter.

 I wanted to transform this tired and dull woolen skirt into something a little more "powerful and exciting". Two words I'd like to see more of in my life these days.

  I arranged the branches in place, pinned them down.  Lovely is always on hand when I choose to work on the floor in front of the wood stove instead of my studio. As I headed for my sewing machine, sun streamed in through the windows, music blasted, and I let myself relax into process of making something up as I went along. There was no pressure and it came together effortlessly.

Pretty nice, eh? Feels a bit Anthropologie/folk artsy, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

  I wore it the rest of my busy afternoon filled with grocery shopping, an orthodontist appointment, and an after school playdate. I'm certain it made my very ordinary day more "powerful and exciting". Most of all, it kept me conscious of the time I had devoted to myself. I am worthy of an hour or two just for me. So are you... and let's not forget it!

You'll find my experience of  a different kind of time in my new post up at honoring hope.