Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Starting Again

Where to begin?

It's a new year so I already feel thirteen days behind.

In 2014 I was a sporadic blogger, missing the flow, the partnership and the clarity that comes from regularly showing up here.  Sometimes you don't really understand what you gain from a habit until you fall out of the routine.  Who knew?  Absence makes the heart grow fonder...even when it comes to my blog!

After seven years,  I've come to love my relationship with my blog. And I must admit that I have quite a soft spot in my heart for all of my needle friends who show up here to share in my life, loves and creative efforts.  So, let me just say, I have missed you.

So, where to begin?  I can't possibly fill you in on all that's transpired in the past couple of months...that blows my mind just trying...just know that all is well.

All is well.  


Isn't that a beautiful saying?  So grateful that I can say that and hope that you can say the same.

In thinking of where to start and what to post today, I remembered the wisdom from one of my favorite books of all time, Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Madson...



She writes of thirteen maxims starting with:

1. Say Yes 2. Don't Prepare  3.  Just Show Up.  And...

4. Start Anywhere.  

I've almost memorized them all, I think of them so often.  I've blogged about the book before, remember the day when I tried saying "Yes" all day to Jack??

Here's what she says about maxim four ...
There's no need to find the right starting place.  With a big task or a confusing problem, when you don't know where to start, begin with the most obvious thing, whatever is in front of you.  The notion that there is such a thing as a proper beginning, and the search to find that ideal starting place, robs us of time.  We distance ourselves from the task, and the vision of what it will take to do it makes tackling the job seem mountainous.  Once a job is under way you have a new and more realistic perspective. You are inside the problem while looking at it, rather than standing safely at the perimeter.  The Start Anywhere rule is liberating.  It means that you can begin to make progress on some dream or dreaded task at any time.
How often I have robbed myself of time by thinking I needed to have all my ducks in a row before I could begin a project.

So let me begin as Ms. Madson suggests...with what's in front of me.

A couple of embroidery examples from the Golden Globes last Sunday night.

When Sienna Miller crossed the stage to present, she was wearing this dress...


As she walked, the light danced over the beading and embroidery and made me sigh with delight.  Her dress dazzled; and though I can't say I cared for the missing middle of her bodice, I thought the embellishment on the cloth was lovely.  Not too much...and just right.



The second dress that caught my eye was this piece by Chanel that a pregnant Keira Knightley wore...


It left me searching online trying to find close-ups.  Was it hand-painted?  Was it embroidered?


Though I didn't care for the ruffles top and bottom...I found the feathers and butterflies delightful.

The search for more...led me to this video...which I hope you will enjoy as much as I did.

It was produced for Chanel's eleventh Métiers d'Art show held in Salzburg, Austria this past December.  The event celebrates the fine craftsmanship that its artisans bring to the Chanel collections.  I think you'll recognize these butterflies at the very end...



Happy New Year everyone.   Let us get to know each other once again and go on wonderful adventures in 2015.

28 comments:

Cari said...

Hi Susan… Glad to see you back in blog land. I have to agree with you on both of the dresses you mentioned. They were beautiful !! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your amazing work !! Hugs and stay warm. (Oh…and I was rooting for your Ravens. It was a great game to watch.)

Lisa Boni said...

So happy to see you back! You have been greatly missed and it's so good to hear that all is well!

coral-seas said...

It amazes me in sync we often are. I too have been wondering where to start. Perhaps I should take a leaf out of your book and just start!

I love the Channel videos, thank you for a link to one I haven't seen yet.

Welcome back!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Susan you have been missed and I hope 2015 will be a wonderful year for you and your family. So glad to see you back in blogland.

I loved that first gown you showed, and that video was fascinating. Thanks for sharing that.

FlowerLady

Ann said...

So glad you're back--you've been missed. And I needed to hear "Just start" for a major project I've been circling for way too long.

gracie said...

Oh me oh my...what a video. You always brings smiles to my heart....will be so happy to read your blog more...hope you will be able to find the time to spend with us.

Anonymous said...

Loved the Chanel video and I agree, the dresses are beautiful and finding time to blog is not easy!

Anonymous said...

Loved the Chanel video and I agree, the dresses are beautiful and finding time to blog is not easy!

Createology said...

Susan Dear I am so relieved...truly relieved that all is well with you. I am happy to read you are still loving blogging. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and passions with us. Blessings and Bliss...

Mouse said...

*waves a wee paw at ya .... oooo btw while I was at Harrogate stitching show in the UK I bragged that I knew you ;) as your tiffney was on the magazine cover in front of me at the Embroidery Guilds stall ... sooo I just had to buy it as I missed out the first time ....
Love the start anywhere ... this is good as I need to remember that as packing my craft room up to move to a bigger one ... wishing you a wonderful stitchy new year :) love mouse xxxxxx

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Glad you're back with things under control.

Just show up..great inspirational thought in so many areas of our life.

This post reminds me of the Kevin Bacon game...we all link to something we have in common. It's the best of blogging.
xx, Carol

Starr White said...

Your posts are always interesting and informative, and I'm glad to see you back too! thanks for the book recommendation. I think I need to read this book.

allie aller said...

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Anonymous said...

I so love your blog posts. The needlework AND the family/personal posts. Your work inspires me and makes the world a more beautiful place. Your family posts make me smile and feel wistful at the same time. Your extended family is what I always hoped mine would be, but isn't. My kids, grands, and great grands are all so far away that I don't see them for years at a time. Not the Waltons gatherings that I envisioned as a young mother....lol.

So glad that you are coming back to us! I need to remember to JUST START. I have a serious problem in that area. Not sure why.....sigh.

xo Linda

Lisa Dunn said...

I am coming back to my blog after a long hiatus too. I looked at my old posts, and it was such a lovely stroll through memory lane, so I am re-committing to my own blog.

Those dresses are lovely! Thanks for sharing them.

Sonja said...

Lovely to have you back. Loved the video and I agree one dress was missing something in the middle. The other had a bit too much frill, lace collar or whatever it was covering the lovely embroidery. Why do the designers do that?

Rachel said...

Good to have you back, Susan. And yes, "all is well" is a very good phrase!

bubbygigi said...

Happy and a healthy New Year to you and your family. I was so happy to see your blog post. It made me smile. The video was fabulous!

Catherine said...

I too have been absent from my blog this past year, going back to work and my boys' schedules have been keeping me busy. I hope to do better this year!! Looking forward to more of your adventures!

Gerry Krueger said...

This fall I was ready to give up the blog but found I still had a bit more to share and like you, I would miss it... Last game was really close. Hugs Ger

FLOWER FRIEND said...

Great to see you back Susan. I know what you mean about getting started, middle of January already. Totally love the embellishments on the dresses, not sure about the actual dresses. Health and happiness to you all in 2015.

Mosaic Magpie said...

Jumping right in to the middle of everything sounds fun! Sometimes all the planning and thinking about a project wears me out before actually beginning!
Deb

Vicky aka Stichr said...

i didn't mind the ruffles...but then i have 5 granddaughters who love ruffles...well, 4 at least, the youngest is still thinking about it, tho she loves having her toes painted by daddy!

yes i have missed you too.....but thats ok, i was missing too...

Magpie Sue said...

Hello again Susan! I fell off the blog wagon too, last fall. sure appreciate this post. I've got to look into the book you recommend; it sounds like just the shot in the arm I need. Hope you're playing with needles today!

crazyQstitcher said...

Lovely to know all's well again Susan and you'll be blogging again.
You are missed by many when you are unable to blog.

Such a strange/unfinished look to Sienna's frock waistline but the embroidery is gorgeous.
I enjoyed seeing the dresses and the video, so thanks for sharing.

I liked the maxims and will print them, to place near my workspace, as encouragement to commitment.

Here's to a wonderful, creative and healthy year for you and your family.

Wendy said...

Hi Susan, it is so good to see you posting to your blog again. I am glad that all is well with you and yours. All is well on my end as well. I am looking forward to 2015 and what it holds. I am excited to see what you will be bringing creatively to your blog this coming year. Have a great weekend.

Judy S. said...

Happy New Year, Susan! Good to see you back and know that all is well. Happy Stitching, too!

méri said...

Thanks for this post Susan. It is an inspiration to me.
I'm trying to start again after a very bad 2014. Nevertheless i can't feel all is well i can feel some things were goods. Despite my losses there is a new life to come in my life - my fourth grandchildren, and this is a great joy. Happy 2015 Susan.

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