Big Decisions

"To try is to risk failure. But risk must be taken because the greatest hazard of life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, live, and love."

-- Leo Buscaglia

We have made some really big decisions around here these days.  There was lots of thought before making them and much time sitting in silence and waiting to see what is brought to the surface.  

I have decided to apply to be a part of the One of a Kind Show and Sale.  It is one of the largest shows here in Canada the quality of art is Amazing!  I am taking the leap and risking failure and Success all at the same time.  I am going to apply for the Rising Star section which doesn't require a full booth but rather a small single display.  I am going to stick to one theme of items and that is the Yarn Bowls, Mugs to match as well as a few other knitting accessories such as stitch holders and buttons.  Maybe even a knitting theme christmas ornament.   I am very excited and scared all at the same time.  There are some that are fully supportive and others that are sceptic, as this is a big adventure and will take up much of the remainder of the year.  But I am up for the journey and the growth along the way.  

I have also decided to run a 10 km race in May as well as the 1/2 Marathon in September.  Training starts tomorrow and I imagine the rest of the year will be spent running and potting.  What a else could be better?  

This journey will change me, my body, my art as well as the world around me, while in breath this scares me in the other I am filled with anticipation. 

Right Now ~ In Ten

I was inspire by SouleMama that took the moment to look at the right now and put ten words to those moments around you.   When you stop and look, there is so many amazing things right here in your everyday moments.   What moments are all around you?

Ah.....The Weekend

All week we wait for the weekend to start and then it goes by so quickly that it is over before we know it and then we are waiting for the weekend again.  How am I really enjoying the moment when first thing Monday morning I am looking for the weekend that start again?   We don't really have much of a routine to our week as I am not very good with doing the same thing all the time.  I wanted to allow things to happen and they came and allow the kids to be in the moment, however, this is not working.  We many days don't get dressed and hang around the house playing and creating.  I of course do most of the creating while they do most of the playing.

I have tried in the past to create a routine but nothing seem to work for us.  I always felt that I was struggling to keep it going and that kids struggled along with me.  So how was things helping?  I am now starting to re-think things especially since Lily is getting older and more adaptable.

I am going to try and focus on the rhythm of our day and see if there is already a routine and I am not seeing it.   Stepping back and seeing things that may already be there.  I am really looking forward to the change that is already starting to emerge in me as well as those around me.

One Small Change Update:
Using the car less has not been as difficult as I may have thought.  We walk to get groceries and walking to get Sam from school is working out well.  That being said the Winter weather here has not been that cold. (it is raining out right now!)  I will be really testing it a really cold front sets in.  I am getting together our change for February.  Stay tuned!

I have also been knitting like crazy here after Christmas.  I am hoping to post pictures of the finished products this week!

My Love

Today is our 4 year anniversary.  I am thinking of the last four year and the moments and memories that we have shared and created.   Our Journey is just beginning.

A Fuzzy Monday Morning

Monday mornings have always been a difficult day to me.  Paul goes back to work and the partnership during the day ends.  The kids and I go back to our routine (or lack there of) and back into the studio I go.
These days Mondays seems to a little more difficult.  Not too sure why.  I feel weighted down by the week ahead and all the things to do.  I decisions to make, the pots the make, the meals to make, and the moments to make with the kids.  While making things is my passion the things that I 'have to" make seem to pull on me.
So I have decided to let it all go and see where it takes me.  The house is a little less clean, the clothes continue to pile up and who knows what we are going to have for dinner.  The studio calls to me and the orders that are waiting to be filled, but it can all wait on this fuzzy Monday morning.  The kids are happy playing in the mess and Mama is happier letting it all go for today.

Happy Birthday My Love

Yesterday was the birthday celebration of my love.

A day to celebrate this wonderful man in my life.

Nothing New for a Year

I have been wanting to write so much as of late, but I wanted to post for the lessons to remain at the top of the page as my website is down and we are having trouble getting it working again.

The new year has invoked a lot of thought here at our little house.  We joined in the One Small Change movement and so the idea of challenging ourselves and the way we think and the things that we use is swirling around our heads.   I have also been touched by the things that I have read out there in blog land.  The things that people are creating out there is amazing, not only handmade things for their families and others but the lives and intentions that they are creating as well.

As a result Paul and I have decided to not buy anything new for a year.  2010 will be a year of minimizing our impact on the environment and searching and understanding the things that we really need in our lives. While the intention has started off as one of material objects I can see this turning into something so much more.  We set out our parameters as there are a few things that we needed to think about.  When it comes to safety we will buy new (bike helmets, lifejackets, carseats), also Paul has a very professional job and so if he can't find something that the second hand stores that will fit the part then he will buy new clothes for work (this was a concern of his as I have gotten him some very nice designer clothes from the Value Village... shhhhh!)  We also decided that we would buy materials to make things as well (yarn, wood and tools) because it is also important to create things ourselves as well as support those that do as well.

I am excited about this and where is may take us.

New Winter Classes

A New 10 Week Course will be starting in January.

Come Give the Pottery Wheel a Try!

Students will be introduced to beginner pottery techniques.  

This includes  wheel work, pinch pots, coil structures and slab building. 

We will also be exploring different glazing techniques and pre and post firing decoration.

The Course runs once a week for 10 weeks.  The cost is $300.00 and this includes your tool kit and clay.

Call or E-mail to hold a spot.  Spaces are limited to only 4.

New Year and New Joy

I have started, erases, started again, then erased again.  With such a long absence from here I am not too sure where to start.  I have been thrown off ever since the New Year and I am not too sure why.  Everything has been so crazy around here as of late I am not too sure I am able to just sit and think (Maybe that is the plan).  The weeks leading up to Christmas were so crazy here at home as well as the studio, I couldn't wait for the holidays to start!  I was trying to make sure that everyone got their pieces fired for presents as well as making sure I got all my orders out as well.  Then I had only a few days to get all the things finished and created that I was planning on for my gift giving.  Christmas Eve I was sewing the seams together on my Mom's sweater.  It was all worth it to see everyone wear their sweaters on Christmas Day!   There was many projects that never made it, and I was sad to not see them given.  If only I had more time.

Time.....  This has been on my mind.  I think about how I spend it and where I am putting my energies.  I have this vision of who I want to be as the potter, artist, mother, wife, sister, woman.  I am always thinking that I am not creating that vision.  Maybe I need to take off the blinders, give myself a break and enjoy the moments around me.  This year I think is one about enjoyment.  I want to create and create for the enjoyment of it.  Run because I enjoy it and Love for the joy!

One of the other things that I want to explore this year is food.  How we think about it, how we eat it, and the kind that we put in our bodies.  When we think about it, my husband spends more time thinking about what kind of oil to put in the van, rather than the food in his body.  I am sure this is true for many.  I am setting small goals for us to change this and in small ways.  Even simple things like only shopping the outside of the supermarket, where all the fresh foods are, no going up and down the aisles.

I am also participating in Hip Mountain Mama's challenge of One Small Change.  At the beginning of the month we state what we are going to do to make a small change on the impact we have on the environment and the earth.  We already do a few things here.  We cloth diaper, use our Green Bin like crazy, us cloth wipes, don't use bounce sheets, as well as turn off lights unless in the room.  I would also like to extend this challenge to the studio as well.  We already recycle all of our clay and this is what I use all the time for my work, but what can we do to create less waste?  I am going to suggest we get a bin to put all the tea cups in.  What small change will we make this month at our home??  Sam starts back to Day Care this week after a small break and I think I will walk and pick him up instead of driving the car.

Maybe this one small change will evoke small changes in all aspects of life.   Stay tuned to see!