Sunday Night reflections

The Artist's Way
Week 6
Last year I shared that took down some paintings that have been a part of my life for basically, all of my life. I struggled with what I should do with them and finally decided to donate them to a charity that I felt could benefit from selling the paintings. Since that time, I have not picked up a paint brush, at least not to paint with. On Friday I attended my first art class since that time. As I wrote that morning I wondered how I would feel. Would I continue to feel that shadow hanging over me that had told me so long ago that I had no talent? The good news is that I didn't. Mind over matter, maybe, but does it really matter? I think not. I felt liberated, free to express myself and an excitement about what I want to create.
This past week was about restoring a sense of abundance. My new found sense of abundance came to me as a feeling of finally being able to shed the weight that has held me back, a weight that should have never been placed on me. My dreams are a gift and have been given to me because I can bring them to life like no other person. I once shared that the richest place on earth is the graveyard. There you will find books that were never written, songs that have never been composed, paintings that were never painted, in short, lives that were never lived to their fullest, lives that were never lived in abundance. If we don't do what is necessary to conquer our enemies, they'll taunt us our entire lives and keep us from the rich and full life that we were created to live.
We move on to week 7, recovering a sense of connection. We'll see some of the reasons we hold ourselves back, perfectionism,the fear of taking a risk and the big one jealousy. I love what Julia Cameron says about jealousy, that it is actually a map that can  lead us to where we actually want to be. In connecting we come to realize that there is room for us all. Jealousy says that there is room for only one. It doesn't allow for the abundance of the universe.
In this week's list of tasks we are asked to visit a sacred place. This week will begin my favorite period of the year, lent which builds up to Easter Sunday. So this task will be quite easy for me. Another task that I would highly recommend is the task of creating a collage, an autobiography of sorts. Grab a stack of magazines and give yourself 20 minutes to go through and quickly find images that depict your past, present, future or anything that appeals to you. Arrange them on a board and display the board. It can be a great reminder of what is important to you for your life.
As always, thank you for stopping by and sharing in my journey. It is truly and honor.
Wishing you a wonderful week.
Rhonda

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday With A Prize!

The Handkerchief Skirt

This skirt is the easiest garment you will ever make.

 You will need 8 bandannas.

 Press them out flat.

 Sew 4 together. No need to finish the seams, it's already been taken care of!

 The other 4 bandannas, cut diagonally as you see below.

What I do is match the center of one cut bandanna to a seamline of the previously sewn bandannas. Then match another cut bandanna to the seamline on the opposite side. From there, continue overlapping the diagonal pieces until you have used all eight. Sew  the diagonal pieces to the full bandannas with a 1/2" seam allowance. I usually like to edge stitch my seam once it has been sewn. At this point, all that is left is to turn the top edge of your skirt to form a casing for elastic. Thread the elastic through the casing and you are finished. This took me exactly one hour to make.  

A great summer skirt!
If you would like to have the red bandanna skirt, leave a message on this post. You must be a follower of the blog. If you follow via Bloglovin, I am unable to see that you are a follower, so I have to insist that if you would like to participate in the give aways you must click on the "become a follower" button on the right hand side as that is the only way I am able to confirm that you are a follower. Sorry about that.
You will have until next Thursday to leave a message. I will announce the winner next Friday. The winner will have to insert the elastic for the waist as it is impossible for me to know the waist measurement of whoever the winner will be.
Happy Friday Everyone!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Rhonda
A little postscript, I'm not in the pictures because I'm still sporting a lovely fever blister. Yuk. It's almost gone, so, soon I'll be back to myself!!

Best Laid Plans

A few weeks ago I posted the skirt in the picture below for Fabulous Free Pattern Friday and I said that I would make an announcement about the top that I am wearing. Well.......

I sent the pattern out to be graded and chose a few people to test it for me. My first setback was me gettting sick. Today was my first day back in my studio in over a week (other than a weak voice, I am feeling sooo much better. Thank you for all the kind thoughts that have been sent my way!). I pulled out the graded pattern and as I was stacking it, it just didn't look right. As usual, I blamed myself first, thinking that maybe I had made a mistake. No, the pattern was perfect, it was the grading. I was so upset. So what to do? Grade it myself. I had chosen to have the pattern graded as I felt it wasn't the best use of my time, but as it turns out, I guess it is, not only my time, but my money as well.

It's really a favorite of mine. As you can see, one side sits on the shoulder and the other is off the shoulder.

 This one is out of a softer fabric.

So....coming soon to an internet shop near you, a new Sewbussted Pattern. Although I'm so disappointed in the grading, I'm really excited about getting the top in a pattern form. Stay tuned as the Spin Around Top will be soon to follow. It's been a year since it was in Threads magazine, so it's about time!
I'll see you tomorrow for our new Fabulous Free Pattern Friday addition!
Rhonda

When Opportunity Calls

With a handful of kleenex in one hand and a handful of cough drops in the other, I went to the opera last night. What a wonderful evening it was. Hopefully I didn't infect anyone around me. The production was Showboat. It was incredible. Morris Robinson debuted at Lyric in the role as Joe who sings the signature song, Old Man River. I was blown away by the depth of his range. Never before have I heard anyone reach the base notes that he was able reach. 

Nathan Gunn sang the role of Gaylord Ravenal. Two years ago I had the opportunity to hear Nathan Gunn in concert with Elizabeth Futral. It was such a lovely evening. Nathan Gunn's wife accompanied him on his solo pieces and what struck me was the electricity between the two. As she played the piano and he sang, he would glance to her and you could see the delight in her eyes. By the way, they have a boatload of children!! During last night's performance, there was a depth that he brought to the character that I felt came from the love he has for his own family. So, as I said, I hope that I'm not sending people to their sick bed today, but I just had to go.

I fell in love with the opera quite a few years ago. I'll never forget the first introduction to La Traviata. As the curtain went up and the orchestra began to play, I sat mesmerized. Everything was so beautiful, the music, the costumes, the voices. I've been hooked ever since.

Many years ago when I was designing and making wedding gowns, I received a call from a woman who wanted to know how much I would charge to make a simple dress. At first I thought she was a nut, but as it turned out, it was Sister Candida Lund, Chancellor of Dominican University and past president. It was the beginning of a very dear friendship. I sewed for her for quite a few years. Not long before she died, I told her that I was no longer taking orders, but that I would sew for her as long as she wished. That Christmas I made her a beautiful red silk Asian inspired jacket and a pair of black velvet pants. She attended a party and wore her new outfit. A woman came up to her and complimented her. Sister Candida told her about me and that I had made the outfit. The woman told her about some fabric that her brother had sent from Thailand. Although Sister Candida knew that I was no longer taking commissions, she gave her my number. When this woman called, I was all set to tell her that I was no longer doing this and she said, "Sister Candida gave me your number." Needless to say, when Sister Candida spoke, I listened. As it turned out, this woman was the president of the American Opera Society of Chicago. During the course of our time together, we talked about our shared love of opera. That spring she invited me to a luncheon and invited me to join.   

This is Jane who invited me to join the American Opera Society and myself at a Spring Gala. Jane is not wearing the dress that I made for her. This was not the first time that I wore this dress. I had worn it to a lovely summer party. The night was magical. For days I left the dress stretched out over a bed so I could get a glimpse of it as I walked by. I call the dress my Cinderella dress.

I did not design my gown. This is the pattern I used. There is no petticoat so my dress does not stand out as full as the dress pictured.

My dress began with this piece of cotton voile that I found on Ebay. Nice, but not special.

At Joann's I found this piece of fabric. Perfect, but the two fabrics together were still very sheer so I needed a third layer.

I found this piece of glitter fabric. Perfect. It gave the dress the depth that I was looking for.

At the time of this gala, I had no idea that just a few short years later, I would be elected as the president. Last September I held my first board meeting and quaked in my pumps. After all, I was following in the footsteps of some very influential women. The board meetings have become easier, my fellow board members have been so kind and helpful. And to think, it all began with a nun looking for someone to make a dress for her. I believe that Sister Candida is still with me, guarding over me and pushing me in the right direction and I think smiling a little at her handiwork. 
As we all know, today is St. Valentine's Day. Such a wonderful day, a day to not only be loved, but to think of those we have loved and those that have loved us. I've attached a trailer of La Boheme, my second favorite opera, La Traviata being my favorite. It is such a lovely story of love and loss. I think the music is so fitting for such a special day.



You may remember that the movie, Moonstruck, a favorite of mine, showcased the music and the opera of La Boheme. I've also attached a small trailer from the movie. My husband and I will curl up tonight and watch this movie...once again!
http://www.spike.com/video-clips/70y6j3/moonstruck
I've told a very long story today (sorry about that), but I hope that what will come across is the fact that when we are open, miracles can happen when we least expect them. A simple phone call can bring unexpected opportunities.

Monday Morning Inspiration

Mary Katrantzou was born in Athens in 1983, to an interior designer mother and a father who trained in textile design. She moved to America to study for a BA in Architecture at the Rhode Island school of Design, before transferring to Central Saint Martins to complete her BA degree in textile design. During this time, Katrantzou worked on a freelance basis as a print designer for Bill Blass. After graduating in 2005, Katrantzou shifted her direction from textile design to womenswear with a focus on print. In 2006, after working with Sophia Kokosalaki for two seasons, Mary developed her portfolio for the Central Saint Martins MA fashion course. She graduated in 2008 with honors.

Katrantzou opened the Central Saint Martins graduating show in 2008 and the collection mapped out her signature style. It was themed around "trompe l’oeil" prints of oversized jewellery featured on jersey bonded dresses. These pieces created the illusion of wearing giant neckpieces that would be too heavy in reality. She also designed real jewelry made out of wood and metal that were exact replicas of the prints.

Mary Katrantzou’s first ready-to-wear collection debuted at London's fashion week in spring/summer 2009, with the support of the BFC. Despite a small collection of nine dresses, Katrantzou picked up 15 prestigious stockists including Browns and Colette.

Her thematic collections revolve around an icon of luxury, an object from art or design that a woman would not be able to wear if it were real. Mary has based the collections on perfume bottles, artisan blown glass and eighteenth century society paintings, while keeping the printed image central to her aesthetic. Her collections are complimented by a small line of jewelry that have the same play of illusion and effect as her clothing.

Her work has been featured in many publications including Vogue, Dazed & Confused, The New York Times, Wallpaper* and Grazia. She now boasts over 75 stockists ranging from Top Shop to Barney’s. During her fourth season, Mary was the recipient of the New Gen Award after presenting her first stand-alone show for spring/summer 2011. She was awarded the Swiss Textile prize for 2010 and was nominated for the British Fashion Award and for the Swarovski emerging talent prize. She has collaborated on a perfume with six scents, entitled “trompe l’oeil”.

I accidentally stumbled upon Mary Katrantzou. What an incredible designer! Her Spring 2012 fashions are pictured below.

All of the fabrics used in her creations are designed by Mary. Jewelry, fabrics, incredible clothes and Mary is only four seasons into her career. I think this is a designer with a very bright future. 
Happy Monday Everyone!

Sunday Night Reflections

The Artist's Way
Week 5
I'd like to thank all of you who have sent such wonderful notes wishing me a speedy recovery. The week began with me feeling very tired, extremely tired. I thought it was because I had not slept well for a few days, but as it turns out, I was getting sick. By Wednesday night I had a very sore throat and by Thursday, I had a horrible headache and the beginning of a fever blister. This evening I decided I needed to get out so I went to Mass. Ironically, the first scripture was about a person with leprosy!! I guess God does have a sense of humor.
So week five, recovering a sense of possibility. As you know, a good portion of my week was spent lying in bed. Although I missed three days of morning pages, once again, a powerful week. What struck me was the question in the tasks that asked what is my payoff for staying blocked. Blocked, me, blocked? As it turns out, very much so. I realized that there are many aspects of my life that although I am quite proud of, I guard them fiercely. For years someone would compliment a garment that I was wearing and depending upon where I was, I would just reply with a thank you. My husband would ask why I didn't say that I had made what I was wearing. The reason for my secrecy was to protect myself, at least so I thought. I learned to sew in order to have clothes and I had been taunted in school because I couldn't afford what many of the other girls could. I segment my life into this group knows this part of my life, and this group knows another part with few who really know me. So what is the payoff? I think that I have felt that I am protecting myself, but from what? Someone who makes a judgement based on poor judgement, jealousy or just plain ignorance?
This blog was started because my acupuncturist had insisted that I needed to find some means to share what I do. When I named the blog "Rhonda's Creative Life," I felt uncomfortable, vulnerable, but I was determined to carry through. It was actually the first time that I was able to stand up and say that yes my life is creative.
As I thought about all that I keep to myself, or only share with certain people, I decided that it's time to just be who I am and then came the sore throat, a coincidence I'm sure, but nonetheless I think it's very ironic that the two came at the same time.
Now we start week 6. This will mark our halfway point. A sense of abundance. Do we really believe that there is enough for all? The author challenges us to write about the god that we do believe in and the god that we would like to believe in. By all means do something that you feel is luxurious. It does not need to be a new fur coat. Maybe it's as simple as buying a beautiful new bra or a special bottle of wine.  Also do the task of keeping a journal on everything you buy this week. It can be very enlightening.
Wishing you all a wonderful week.
Rhonda
    

A Short Sick Leave, I Hope

I just wanted to let you all know that the blog will be on hold for a few days. I am very sick.
Hopefully I will feel much better in a day or so. I'll post this week's Fabulous Free Pattern Friday as soon as I can focus once again.
Thanks for stopping by.
Rhonda