I have been trying to create without sitting or standing for more than 15 minutes at a time and without bending at all. It’s not been easy and my priority right now is healing my back. I am improving but I think it will be at least another month before I am back to normal. So I have been working in my studio journal and doing very small projects. Here’s my first journal spread.
I can’t decide if it is finished or not.
I was thinking about adding some bigger text to the pages but I like it the way it is. So I’m just letting it simmer for a bit to decide.
Here’s a start to another spread.
I used the left over paint from stamping this Easter wrapping paper for the start of the page spread above. The wrapping paper was for gifts for the grandkids. I didn’t manage to get a photo of the wrapped gifts but I used raffia tied around the boxes for ribbon.
Amazingly, I won another blog give away. Robin was having her blog anniverssary and was giving away one of her adorable needle felted sculptures.
Meet April! She came neatly wrapped with a certificate of authenticity.
Isn’t she adorable?
Here she is in her new home next to Slime. I think Slime has fallen in love (either that or he thinks she’ll make a tasty bite for lunch). My husband thought that Robin had “stuffed a real mouse”. She is so realistic. Thanks so much Robin! Do go check out Robin’s blog to see more of her adorable sculptures.
I had a question about how I was doing on my goals for the year. Since it is the end of the first quarter, I thought an update was definitely in order.
If you have been reading, you’ll remember that my main goal for 2010 is to develop my voice as an artist and begin to produce a consistent body of work in my own style. I set 5 steps to reach that goal.
The first is to spend more time in the studio. I consistently did this in January and fairly well in February although I did go out of town for a week. March is where it has all fallen apart. I injured my back and have not been able to work consistently at all. I have been trying to do bits and pieces so I certainly haven’t given up but not being able to felt or sew has put a damper on things.
The second step was to do more sampling or small pieces. I have been doing small pieces for the Traveling Pages book swap. I’ve completed 3 of these and I’m working on a fourth. I started working on 3 dimensional felt pieces and completed 3 of these. I also tried cobweb felting and did more nuno felting. I have also felted a few small pieces that I am now adding hand embroidery but haven’t shown any photos of those yet. They are small color studies.
The third step was to practice art/design in my studio journal. I have been working on this fairly consistently. I’ve been checking out various art books from the library and reading through these. Several have been very helpful in the design process. I was trying to keep track of my time but that seemed to make me want to do less as I felt it was too regimented. I did better when I just tried to do something creative every day and then work a full day on Fridays, my day off from work. I had even started sewing for 10-15 min. every day before I left for work but that has stopped since my back injury.
The fourth step is to begin Level II Machine Embroidery in November 2010. I started working on applying for a grant for this but they changed the grant process so now I have to start again. I’m sure my work on the first application will apply to the new application but they haven’t gotten it completed yet so I have to put this on hold for a bit.
The fifth step was to work in a 3D format in felt with a combination of machine embroidery. As I said above. I did 3 pieces in felt in 3D. I did some practice in machine embroidery on one piece but otherwise have just been completing my large piece that I haven’t shown yet as I am planning on submitting it for a magazine article.
The last step was not to feel guilty about spending my time on creative outlets. I am getting better at this and I”m spending much less time in front of the TV. Of course, not being able to sit on a couch helps tremendously with that as I can’t sit for any length of time.
Overall, now that I’ve reviewed it, I haven’t done too badly. I think it will be another month before I am recovered from my back injury but I will keep up the work in short segments until then. In the next several weeks, I am going to try sewing again for small amounts of time to see how that works. So it will be a gradual return at best.
Ruth Lane Art 
I think your journal spread looks great. Lucky you to win such a delightful mouse, so lifelike! I hope your back makes a speedy recovery.
I think you have a great start on your goals, even with the back injury. When you look at the long haul, those few weeks won't make much of a difference (even though it probably feels like it does right now). By focusing on what you can do, you'll still make some progress.Love the green journal pages, and the mouse.
So sorry to hear about your back injury, but it sounds as if you are coping well. A good time to re-visit goals and strategize. Getting that darling little mouse must have done wonders to raise your spirits!