More to it than Dreaming

Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.

~Anais Nin

We learn early to be dreamers.  From the time we are first asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" we are learn to get out the giant sketchpad in our hearts and brainstorm.  What if?   It's playful, fun, imaginative.  It's creative, thinking of something different than what currently is.  It's a necessary step in the growth process.  But there's more to it than dreaming.

From dreaming, we must believe.  Not necessarily believe that our dream will come true.  Although we are told to do this all the time.  Unfortunately, life events happen.  Not all dreams do come to actualization.  Believing a dream will come true and then it not happening can set a person up for giving up on dreaming entirely.  No, the belief I'm talking about here is belief in the possibility.  For if a dream is possible (not plausible, mind you)... if a dream is possible then it is worth undertaking.

And from belief, we must focus.  Put all that imagination into action.  Begin taking steps.  Big steps or small steps.. any step is better than no step at all.  Focus and begin to create a path for yourself.  It's no surprise that words action and actuality are so similar.  Go do it! 

Set of 3 Mixed Media Inspirational Word Magnets

$15, $3 shipping

2" x 2.5"

Wooden hearts painted and adorned with thread, letter cutouts and beads.

Message me at cori-lynn@msn.com for purchase interest.

♥



A Little Mingling...

The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.

 ~William Shakespeare

Earlier this week I went to visit a friend, a knitter, who has a debilitating disease making it difficult to continue her handiwork.  She was kind enough to donate all of the yarns she is no longer able to use to my artistic efforts -- bags and bags of precious yarn.  For her, the experience was a relief and a release... more space in her home and the feeling she was donating to an artist friend who can really use it.  For me... very mixed feelings --  a bit of guilt taking such a wonderful material without giving something immediately in return and a sense of creative curiosity with these new yarns I've never used before.  And of course, just a bit of sadness being reminded that one day I, too, will have a body that begins to fail me.  I, too, will have to exhange some creative expressions for others.

This is the first piece I made from the yarns I was given, so it is extra special.  It was a new experience for me to use so many different kinds of yarn in one piece.  It felt like I was painting with yarn.  Wool, acrylic, and soft nylon ribbon - a blend of her special pieces with some I had.  Spinning the thread of ambiguous feelings into colorful brightness...

 

Large Mixed Yarn Ruffle Crochet Cowl

8" wide with an additional 3" ruffle

45" circumference around the neck

$35, $5 shipping

This cowl can be worn several different ways. Hanging low down the front, it goes just below the breast line. Or wear it high, with ruffley goodness around your neck. Big enough to wear over a coat, or nice over a turtleneck!  Email cori-lynn@msn.com for purchase interest.

♥

Spread Some Heart!

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

~Mother Teresa

I like to infuse accessories with meaning and tiny reminders.  This one has hearts encircling the wrist - some pointed inward, others pointed outward.  It's a reminder, when worn on your dominant hand, that as you work throughout your day, to make your work be an offering of love and care  ... whether it is office filing, giving someone a plate of food, or putting your hand on someone's back.  Likewise,  the hearts that point towards the self are also a reminder to also take care of yourself.  Seek relationships that nourish your soul and refill your spirit when it is deplete.  For this in turn, allows you to give back to others.

handpainted wooden bangle size M

$20 plus $5 shipping

A total of 8 hearts encircle the bangle in colors of fire and deep violet. A nice chunky bangle with an inner diameter of 8 1/4 ", outer diameter of 10" at it's widest and height of 1 3/4".  These photos were taken prior to adding the satiny protectove coat to prevent glare.   Send me an email at cori-lynn@mns.com for purchase interest.

A Colorful Kind of Hug

Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism.

 ~Leo Buscaglia

A scarf to me, is like carrying a hug around your neck.  Especially when it has been given to you as a gift!.  Maybe it's the two ends that mimic arms, or the way it covers your heart and is close to your head... but I just love their comfort.  I like giving them to people going through a rough time in life... a physical presence of how I care for them and am thinking of them when I can't be with them in person.    If I only had time to make a scarf for each person who needs one!

♥

Crochet Red Ruffle Scarf

5.5" x 68"

100% acrylic yarn -- super soft

$40, $5 shipping

This is such a cute scarf! Layers of ruffles wind their way around making this one extra cozy, yet not bulky because the ruffles are on one side only. This red is a true warm red, not a cherry red, or a tomato red.  Email cori-lynn@msn.com for purchase interest. Commissions also taken.

Be Patient

Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will find them gradually, without noticing it, and live along some distant day into the answer.

 ~Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

♥

This 8" x 10" acrylic painting is available for purchase for $40 plus $6 shipping and handling.  Please email purchase interest to cori-lynn@msn.com

A Little Yarn Haiku

Fingers weave story

Crocheting cozy phrases

Yarn meditation

I'm no poet but I tried my hand at it this morning.  I was looking for words to describe how holy (not just holey)  I find yarn work.   It calms my spirit.  The repetition of stitch is a contrasting experience to my other creative work where every brushstroke involves intense thought and decisionmaking.  As I crochet, I think of the person to whom my work will go, weaving in hope that it wrap them in comfort and a sense of safety from the elements, both literal and figurative. 



I posted this piece on Facebook early this morning and it was snatched up by a friend of mine within the hour.  That's a validating way to start the week!  If you are interested in commissioning a piece like this, feel free to message me at cori-lynn@msn.com  The price is $30 plus and additional $5 shipping in the US.  This one was made using a 100% soft acrylic textured yarn  and measures 5" x 70".  It's a  very cozy scarf - perfect for a cold day!

Heart Light

Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame.

~ Henry David Thoreau

No better way to know thyself, good and bad, than to relate deeply to another human being!  Don't you agree?  Reminds me of that song from the 80s with the refrain "turn on your heart light."  Brings to the surface that which is hidden, finds what has been lost... that is LOVE.

This  2" x 2" original mini graffiti heart paint is available for purchase for $15 plus $3 shipping.  Miniature easel is included. Message me at cori-lynn@msn.com  for purchase interest.

♥

Espresso Yourself!

Be a coffee-drinking individual - espresso yourself!

~Author Unknown

Well, it's been awhile!  Many thanks to the kind comments from people while a took a hiatus from blogging.  Hope to get back in the swing!  This month I'm creating lots of little mini pieces to sell as Valentine's goodies while I work towards several art events I am participating in during the coming months.

These little crochet cozies fit over any standard coffee shop cup and make such a cute gift for teachers and friends this upcoming heart day!  Add it with a gift card or put it around a cup filled with homemade cocoa mix for extra sweetness.   

Custom Order, your choice of colors (pretty much any colors available)

1 for $10, 3 for $25

$3 shipping in the US

payable through Paypal or personal check

Just drop me a line at cori-lynn@msn.com if you're interested!  Please put "Coffee Cup Cozy" in your message title.

Now my turn to go drink some java!

♥

The pattern for these hearts was designed by PlanetJune, one of my favorite yarngirls!