Staying Open
December 7th, 2011I’m not sure about anyone else, but I find that when I get busy I stick with the same thing. My early New Years resolution (which as a rule, I don’t make! Resolutions that is) has been to actively try new things. Even if it’s only a slight deviation of something I do now.
Take my Yoga practice.
Which has been touch and go since surgery in Feb of ‘08. I had a Mysore practice going on eight years before surgery. I’m just now getting back to it. It’s a difficult practice. Which is probably why I like it. It requires strength (lots of it), thoughtful movement from one pose to the next and the ability to be mindful and respectful of silence.
On a whim yesterday I thought, well I’m working on trying new things why not try another form of Yoga? I mean how hard could it be to do 90 minutes of another practice?
It was painful. Not physically, emotionally.
All I could think – as I mindfully tried to not walk out of class – was, when did Yoga become a gym workout? The practice had no flow unless one counts 45 minutes of constantly being in downward dog, hopping up and down upside down, with a few yoga poses thrown in. Did I mention this was all done to a bad sound track and a hard to hear instructor who was completely out of sync with the classes’ capabilities? The upside? I did manage to get a great sweat going.
Don’t get me wrong; it looked like at least half the class loved the form of Yoga and the Instructor. I’ve also been to classes where it goes so far in the other direction I’ve had to bite my tongue and be mindful to get through that too!
The beauty of Yoga? Thankfully there are so many forms of practice now days, there seems to be one for everyone.
As I drove home, I decided in this instance that I’d stick with my Mysore practice. I like the solitude, even with others practicing, and the quiet of the practice is exactly what I need to stay sane find a bit of peace in the week.
You?
Inspiration
December 2nd, 2011I’ve always been fascinated by what inspires people. The outdoors? Science? Trees? Color? Someone recently asked me, what inspires me? I had to think about it actually. After some thought, I would have to say it’s a multitude of places and things that have evolved from my earliest memories to now. It’s usually the sea, wide-open spaces, gardens, architecture and entryways. Which, when I think about it is what I love period. The sea, wide-open spaces, gardens, architecture and entryways.
I spent my early, early years (until I was about 7) in close proximity to the ocean, either on it (literally) or a stone through away from it or in the mountains of the Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah. In the summer, both had endless blue skies and depending on the location the lap of the ocean on a hull and the constant crashing, curl of the waves on the sand or the babbling of a brook and songbirds next to our tent/van. In the winter the wail of the fog horn and tug boats or the absolute quiet on the mountain of snow falling and trees sighing in the breeze.
I came to appreciate wide-open spaces when we moved from the coast of California to the wide open prairies of Texas. In ’72 Dallas and the outlying areas were not what they are now.
Adulthood saw me fall in love with pretty much all things urban. The old, the new. You name it. I love it. It probably didn’t hurt that the first City I fell in love with was Boston, the second is a close tie between Edinburgh and London, with San Francisco rounding it out. I’ve managed to live in or around three of the four and feel pretty blessed that I still have the opportunity to visit and spend time in City’s around the world. I never tire of walking, running and exploring them in the wee hours of the morning, during the day or at night.
These days I make my home in Portland, Oregon and consider myself luck. I have a City atmosphere in Portland, the ocean less than two hours away and the open, high dessert less than four hours away and an airport 20 minutes away. Pretty nifty for a women that loves the outdoors and traveling!
Here are some of my favorite photos, from a bit of everywhere I’ve been this year, that are inspiring me these days.
It’s Spring Cleaning In Fall
November 26th, 2011I’ve been pretty silent on the blog front this year. I’ve been reflecting on a lot of things and felt that quiet was better than too much. I’m a bit of an introvert and sensitive to the power of the internet and words. I firmly believe some things in life are meant to bubble inside vs. full on public. At least for me.
All in all, it’s been a big year since last Thanksgiving. I sold my home, moved in with T. Then we moved again in the Spring to a larger rental. Began Nihon Vogue Level II. Moved my home office into a offsite studio/office as the marketing and sales side of the business grew. And started to sell my designs as kits and patterns as well as started teaching again.
As we head into the New Year, T and I our tackling our spring-cleaning this fall. We’ve been ruthlessly selling furniture that’s been sitting in the basement for six months. We’ve agreed that we’re never going to use much of it, so why not pass it on to someone that will. We’ve each parted with some things near and dear to our hearts as we’ve combined households. I’ve sold the drafting table and chair to a Graduate Architecture student for less than a tank of gas, but the look on his face was worth it!
PS: I kept the light. PPS: Old home office.
T has sold his beloved couch so that I can actually sit on a couch and enjoy the living room with him. My dining table set is on Craigslist as is my box spring for the bed. It’s all good.
I’m also ruthlessly purging my book collection to be taken to Powell’s resale. I’ve been noting what I really use as reference material or go back to time-after-time for design inspiration and perspective. I think I’m almost on the last load.
I’ve also been rethinking my work space at home. It’s in its second phase after this weekend. One more phase to go. No major changes at this stage, just some small additions. I’m really enjoying a minimalist feel and want to keep it that way.
We moved the couch that was against this wall out to the Living Room. I then moved these two bookshelves from the opposite wall so that I can walk into my studio and be inspired the minute I set foot into it. This photo was taken before the most recent book purge. I’ve opened up several new cubicles and brought my fabric and yarns I’m swathcing with out in the open. Very Feng Shui.
Moving the two book shelves opened up a 12-foot wall. I’ve ordered a Linen Pinboard system to hang on the open space next to the door. I miss having a space to pin swatches and work in progress to see what is what. I’ll move the retro original cigarette ad print above my desk when it arrives. Yes, we have a lot of books. Many I inherited or have collected over the last two decades. Some are also T’s. We truly use them all.
We moved this four foot butcher block table up from downstairs to serve as an office desk/sewing table until the six foot birch butcher block table as soon as it’s in stock at IKEA. Given our space issues, I’ll swap out the sewing machine for the laptop as needed. I placed the table next to the window for lots of light. I’m thinking to keep the space above the desk clean, with just the print above it. Any big projects for cutting will be done on the floor or moved out to our 12 foot long dining room table.
I’ve also been going through closets for clothes for Goodwill and yarn (I don’t have much) to be gifted to friends. The left over will go to several shelters that supply the homeless with yarn to knit and crotchet with.
Work wise, we’re gearing up for 2012 planning and setting goals and finalizing contracts. Always a good feeling. I anticipate it will be another tough year.
I also feel incredibly fortunate that T continues to support this journey and starting a business during such difficult times. The fact that I’ve completely taken over the second bedroom for a home creative/work space with his help is priceless..
I’m also actively taking time to thoughtfully work on Nihon Vogue; exploring my own design process (and recording it) and work on new knitting patterns and ideas with fabric for 2012. I’ll be launching some new designs here at Urban Fiber, The Studio in 2012 that I’m really excited about. I’ll also be getting back into actively tracking and sharing my Nihon Vogue and teaching and design experience with words in 2012.. Something I’ve not honored for a good couple of years now. It’s time to get back on that wagon.
That’s all for now. I need to get back to finishing up the closet purge and organizing.
A lot of relaxing going on…
October 12th, 2011From Colorado. Early, early winter….
Lot’s of relaxing happening on this end. It’s been crisp, clear and cold. We’re loving it. OK, maybe we’d be Ok with it being a bit warmer, but we’re loving it.
Lots of cycling, hiking, running, knitting and P90x going on.
And another month goes by…
October 4th, 2011I’ll just jump in. The fact that I’ve let the blogging go for another month is just down right depressing. The good news is that life and work are starting to balance themselves out. I’m putting some strategies in place that should allow it to ease up by the end of this month. Still a lot to do, but at least ease up.
One of my trips last months was the opportunity to be in LA for a client (VK Live).
The team from String, L’Atelier and Tricoter put this together. It was placed right at the market entry. Stunning!
It was a great couple of days of meetings and the opportunity to see old friends and making new ones.
I’m a closet Car Talk fan as well as the BBC car series. OK, maybe not so closet anymore. So when I walked out to this…
I was rocked back. At an average rate of 500K (a piece) let’s just say I stopped counting at $18 million. Whether you’re a fan or not, dozens of Ferrari’s, lined up in a row, is something to behold. They’d just come in from completing The Fog Rally. A very admirable event. It was a bit of a hoot to think knitting and Ferrari’s all in the same hotel. We all got along admirable. We all liked the bar. Knitting and sexy red cars. There’s something to be said for that. Now if only T could have seen them. He’s a guy. Need.I.Say.More.
Knitting for Nihon Vogue is happening. Slowly but surely. I promise more pictures soon.
I realized I love this color combination and two color look for the Yolk Sweater. The thought of doing the whole sweater on US 4′s has me re-swatching, with the yarn doubled on US 6′s. Much better.
We’re headed out for a much-needed Holiday this weekend, for a week. We’ll be taking the hiking boots and bike to Vail for a fall vacation. It’s been at least two decades since we both have been back. T graduated from Boulder and I lived in CS for many years. I’m not taking a lap top, but I promise pictures and a post when I get back.