is an uplifting, cheerful and inspiring movie, now on DVD. It's the story of how Kevin Clash (a Baltimore native) became a puppeteer, then a muppet maker, then the voice and personality of Elmo, and now a major force at Sesame Street.
Elmo has been a lovey for two of my grandchildren and has a special place in my heart as well. And I've created various voices for other toys starting with my son's monkey up through my puppy and now to Bella's bear. I remember watching the very first Sesame Street show with my babies.
On another level, this story is about imagination, about following your dream, about creativity and about having fun with what you do in life.
If you want an inspiration boost and a bit of a fairy tale, check out this great movie.
I wonder if I can get to be a muppet for a day. This might be a new addition to my bucket list.
Karen
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
The power of one
can make or break your day and possibly your spirit also.
I've had a few 'one' encounters this week that have had me up, down and all around emotionally.
Tuesday was my day with Bella after three weeks away. She was so happy to see me, kept kissing and hugging me, and was in such a wonderful mood that we had a great day. We played, we shopped a bit, we sang and read and laughed. A very nice 'homecoming' for me.
Then I came home to find more than 30 emails concerning a future event in which I was going to participate. All these emails and many more to follow this week were the result of 'one' person and 'one' email to all of us. The issue is a valid consideration but the method was more of an attack and threat than sharing of information. Needless to say, this deflated my happy 'Bella' mood. I then spent too much time and emotion researching the issue and how I am impacted by it and trying to make a decision on my participation. I am very aware of how I let this affect me, but still struggled with how much chaos 'one' can create for many.
Wednesday's mail brought another 'one' that helped me switch gears emotionally and get back to the sewing machine. I received a lovely thank you note from a hospital that had received some of my Linus blankets. I quickly found another top to put together for quilting today. That 'one' note lifted my spirits. I guess I was a 'one' for a positive cause.
So, before I get stitching, I have to remind myself to be aware of what I do and say as a 'one'. Choose affirming and helpful.
What 'power of one' has touched you lately? What can you do as a 'one'?
Karen
I've had a few 'one' encounters this week that have had me up, down and all around emotionally.
Tuesday was my day with Bella after three weeks away. She was so happy to see me, kept kissing and hugging me, and was in such a wonderful mood that we had a great day. We played, we shopped a bit, we sang and read and laughed. A very nice 'homecoming' for me.
Then I came home to find more than 30 emails concerning a future event in which I was going to participate. All these emails and many more to follow this week were the result of 'one' person and 'one' email to all of us. The issue is a valid consideration but the method was more of an attack and threat than sharing of information. Needless to say, this deflated my happy 'Bella' mood. I then spent too much time and emotion researching the issue and how I am impacted by it and trying to make a decision on my participation. I am very aware of how I let this affect me, but still struggled with how much chaos 'one' can create for many.
Wednesday's mail brought another 'one' that helped me switch gears emotionally and get back to the sewing machine. I received a lovely thank you note from a hospital that had received some of my Linus blankets. I quickly found another top to put together for quilting today. That 'one' note lifted my spirits. I guess I was a 'one' for a positive cause.
So, before I get stitching, I have to remind myself to be aware of what I do and say as a 'one'. Choose affirming and helpful.
What 'power of one' has touched you lately? What can you do as a 'one'?
Karen
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Back home
I just got back last night from a really good vacation in Oregon. I stayed with my life-long friend Linda and her family in Eugene for nine days, taking trips to the coast, the lava fields and Crater Lake. Lots of adventure along the way -- and visits to three quilt shops. I'm still jet lagged, so this is a short blog. More to come.
Below is the sketch I did on the plane last night, trying to capture all I saw in Oregon. Lots of amazing things and places. It is a huge state, full of diversity and very different from my home state of Maryland.
Sorry to go so long between posts. Home now and maybe getting back to some kind of routine.
Enjoy these last days of summer.
Below is the sketch I did on the plane last night, trying to capture all I saw in Oregon. Lots of amazing things and places. It is a huge state, full of diversity and very different from my home state of Maryland.
Sorry to go so long between posts. Home now and maybe getting back to some kind of routine.
Enjoy these last days of summer.
Karen
Saturday, August 4, 2012
A bit of catch-up
Summer has a way of getting away from me. Here it is August 4 already! I am excited that I will be leaving on vacation in ten days - I am going to visit my lifelong friend Linda and her family in Oregon. And I am taking ten days for this vacation, the first real vacation in a few years. I plan to spend a couple days at the ocean. Linda and I plan to take their camper and visit Crater Lake, the Lava Fields National Site and a few other volcanoe sites, and visit Sisters to check out quilt shops.
In the meantime, summer is in full bloom here. Temps near 100, humidity high and ants are visiting my kitchen. But I am ready for them. Those blocks of paper are filled with Terro ant stuff - it works - they come and eat and take the bait back to their nest. The rest is their history.
Yesterday I started some postcards using selvages. I will use lots of machine stitches to 'decorate' them today.
Here's a piece that is now on the design wall waiting for the next step. I started this at QSDS, using a photo as inspiration, and came home unsure of what was next. Here's its evolution:
Tried layers for the 'earth'.
Then went horizontal for a couple views.
Finally. Now I need to decide how to quilt it.
Well, that's a bit of catch-up. I need to get over to the sewing machine and play on those postcards. Hope you are staying out of the severe weather and enjoying summer.
Thanks for visiting and reading.
In the meantime, summer is in full bloom here. Temps near 100, humidity high and ants are visiting my kitchen. But I am ready for them. Those blocks of paper are filled with Terro ant stuff - it works - they come and eat and take the bait back to their nest. The rest is their history.
Yesterday I started some postcards using selvages. I will use lots of machine stitches to 'decorate' them today.
Here's a piece that is now on the design wall waiting for the next step. I started this at QSDS, using a photo as inspiration, and came home unsure of what was next. Here's its evolution:
Then went horizontal for a couple views.
Finally. Now I need to decide how to quilt it.
Well, that's a bit of catch-up. I need to get over to the sewing machine and play on those postcards. Hope you are staying out of the severe weather and enjoying summer.
Thanks for visiting and reading.
Karen
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