When one grows up in one country and then has to move to another country, they often experience culture shock. This is defined by the dictionary as: "a state of bewilderment and distress experienced by an individual who is suddenly exposed to a new, strange, or foreign social and cultural environment." However, I have found that one doesn't have to leave the country to have this experience.
So, what was the big culture shock when I came here to Iowa? College football. I remember once asking Dad "Who watches college football, anyway?" Now I know - Everybody in Iowa. After watching the fans, I finally asked someone about it. She said that it was such a big thing because they don't have a pro team. I asked a couple of other people and they all said the same thing. Hmmm.......we do have pro teams in CO and I never met any fans like the ones out here. Craziness.
I was telling this story briefly at a presentation I was doing at work, when my coworker and co-presenter pipes up and says "Now I know what to get you for Christmas - A foam finger!!!!" Yay, I'm so excited........but for which team..........?????
For those of you out there who have worked at quilt shows, you know that it is usually a good idea to wear comfortable shoes. Convention centers and fairground buildings typically have flooring that is just not that friendly on the feet. However, those of you who know me well also know that I'm not usually caught at work anytime not wearing dress shoes. Those of you who know me really well know that I have a pair of black heels that I wear constantly with slacks, skirts, or dresses. And, those of you who know me really, really well have seen me in tennis shoes a few times when I'm running. All that goes to say, I do alternate shoes sometimes if one pair starts to bother me, but I've been known to wear that one pair of black heels several days in a row, even at a show.
So true to form, the two days that I spent working out at a show this weekend, I wore my black shoes. I've lost count of how many comments I've gotten in the last few days about the shoes I wear. In fact, one of these days someone is going to go and buy me a pair of tennis shoes and bring them to work. It's not that I don't own tennis shoes, I just don't wear them often. I suppose most of that is because I don't dress for tennis shoes. However, more than that, those black shoes are more comfortable than most of my other shoes! Hmm....I might just have to think about giving the black shoes a rest.....just for everyone else's feet that start hurting when they look at them.:)
Sometimes, I just can't help but reflect on the myriad of twists and turns that our lives can take. If someone had told me two years ago that in the next two years I would get engaged, get walked out on, quit a job I loved, and move by myself out of the state I grew up in, I think I might have found a nice cozy basement to curl up in (with my sewing machine, of course). But in my reflection, I can't help but wonder who I would be without those experiences in my past. While I've never been one to readily embrace change and while some of the experiences I've had are certainly not things I'd care to relive, I know that each and every experience prepared me for something else in my life. If I have the insight and wisdom to learn from my circumstances rather than fighting against things that I can't change; those circumstances, though not easy, will help me grow and prepare for future situations I may face. May I never be so caught up in what is going on that I get shortsighted and forget to stretch, learn, and grow through whatever situation I find myself in.
Well, I came home from church today to a note that there was pancake batter ready in the fridge. Ok, so I put the pan on the stove and turn it on. I waited for the pan to heat up and pour the batter in.....not hot enough. Okay, so I poured the batter back into the bowl, turned up the heat, and waited again. I repoured the batter and it's still not very hot, but I just went with it. So, I walk away (and I swear I wasn't away very long) and the next thing I know, the smoke alarm is going off. Sure enough, I walk into the kitchen and there is smoke pouring out of around the pancake. Yeah. So, I took it off and dropped the pancake in the sink.
Now....how to turn off the smoke alarm. I thought that maybe if you hit the button it would turn off (that's the way ours was at home), but no, that would be too easy. Ok, maybe if you press the button and hold it.....nope. Ok, maybe if you hit it with a sledgehammer - alright so I didn't really test that method. I finally gave up and pulled out the battery. The whole time I was just envisioning the residents of the entire building showing up at the door to make sure that something wasn't burning down or to tell me they had called the fire department. But, that didn't happen and I got the smoke alarm off.
Next I had to open the windows and turn on fans to do my very best to clear the smoke. Once that was clearing, I still needed something to eat - I was looking for an excuse to eat a slice of cherry cheesecake for lunch anyway.:)
I recently took a road trip during which “inspiration” seemed to be the theme. I thought on it much of the twelve hour drive out, much while I was there, and more while I was driving back. So what is inspiration? Where does it come from? These are some of my thoughts from my trip.
What is inspiration? A dictionary definition of “inspire” includes, “to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence; to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc.; to influence or impel.” A dictionary definition of “inspiration” includes, “something inspired, as an idea; a thing or person that inspires.” So, inspiration is an idea or thought that is aroused or ignited by something or someone that is motivating in some way.
Where does inspiration come from? In my industry, some of the more common places to find inspiration are from books, patterns, sewing stores, and quilt shops. However, in any creative endeavor there are an infinite number of sources for inspiration. Something I’ve always enjoyed is hearing/reading the stories about the inspiration behind a creative work. One may be inspired by a person who encourages an idea or pushes creative thinking. One could be inspired by something they see, such as a beautiful landscape, or something they see only in their mind’s eye. One may also be inspired by an idea; something that is not tangible but exerts strong influence. Lastly, one may be inspired by a combination of these, or something that doesn’t quite fit into any of these categories. I personally have been inspired by everything from pictures I’ve seen, to the abstract concept of the coming of Spring after Winter.
As somewhat of a side note, I would greatly encourage the recording of inspiration. I have only recently begun doing this and I advocate it now for several reasons.
1) Sometimes something inspires us and yet we do not have the time to act on the inspiration right that second. If you capture that moment, record those thoughts, etc., you will be able to revisit those inspirations when the right time comes.
2) Often, what begins as our inspiration will change and evolve throughout the creative process. That’s okay. Let it. But, record those changes and document how a piece came to life. As I said, this has only recently become a habit I try (and fail sometimes) to practice and honestly we all have pieces that we just do with little to no inspiration driving us. But, I have not regretted a single one of my “Inspiration Journal” entries simply because they each document a creative journey.
3) This may cause a few of you to chuckle, but it is one of the more practical applications. Inevitably, artists are often asked questions like, “What was your inspiration for this piece?” and “How long did this piece take?” I personally have been asked questions like this so many times. While we, as the artists, can often remember most of the major points about a piece, I know that many times I’ve been asked a question that I simply can’t remember the answer to and it’s my own work for goodness sake! So, I have found that the act of documenting the journey really cements those details and I have an even greater appreciation for the finished product.
So, why do I bother to share these rather lengthy thoughts? In spite of the fact that we are all surrounded by sources of inspiration each and every day, I know from firsthand experience that we sometimes allow ourselves to get so caught up in our daily lives that we miss them. My goal is to take the time to notice that sources of inspiration are all around me and to encourage you to look for them as well. Make a point to notice the colors in a sunset or a single flower, to talk to those who can inspire you, and to allow a pattern printed on a piece of fabric to take you where it will. Inspiration starts as a spark and turns into a journey. Enjoy each and every minute of it.
Welcome to my blog! It has taken some convincing, but I’ve finally taken the time to join the blogging world. I have created this blog in order to help keep everyone updated on both the twists and turns of my life and my creative adventures.
I work in the sewing/quilting and sewing machine industry. In the past years, I have worked as a sales person presenting Bernina sewing machines and serving as a teacher and lecturer. Currently, I am independent and have been doing contract work, and I travel to various sewing shows and work for/with Bernina dealers. However, I am currently pursuing a possible change in what I’m doing. Future updates on that.
I have been sewing for about 15 years now. It is a hobby I am passionate about and that I thoroughly enjoy passing on to others. One of my favorite things about teaching is the look on students’ faces when they discover they can do something they never thought they could. It’s like discovering it all over for myself. I haven’t yet met up with a technique that I haven’t liked, and I love the process of learning new things. I am blessed to be in an industry where I am surrounded by people with whom I am able to build mutual learning relationships.
Stay tuned in for future updates and tidbits about my life!
