What next?

I have been thoroughly enjoying the last few weeks, untethered by looming dates on the calendar...no move on the horizon, the wedding behind us.  I've pulled out several long-marinating projects and am considering a few new creative adventures.  I've been a little antsy, jumping from one thing to another, day to day, but allowing myself that time to settle on some direction. 

I've made a long list of things I want to do and explore over the next few months.  I'd like to update Be*mused.  Have any of you upgraded a Typepad blog?  Is it possible to design an expanded page layout without changing your archives?  So many questions.  Any suggestions or advice from voices of experience would be most welcome.

I've just gotten a new camera...another point-and-click, but upgraded. And I've uploaded Sketchbook Pro to my iPad and purchased a Bamboo stylus.  I have a million ideas pinging around in my head like a pinball but I need to spend some time learning how to use these new tools to actualize them.

One thing nagging at me for years has been a desire to journal, especially to chronicle my travels.  I am an incurable collector of paper travel ephemera when I'm away, unable to leave the paper chopstick cover on the table or discard the wrapper from a box of local delicacies, especially if they are graphic or hold a specific memory.  I have boxes (and boxes!) of tickets and flyers, postcards and maps, advertising and magazines from my many trips to Japan, but have never figured out a format which would allow me to work in transit as well as collect and add to upon my return.  I was starting to think it was time to fish or cut bait.  Until now. 

Some of my (many) wonderful paper bags from Japan

I think I've mentioned that I used to be an art teacher.  And although I've concentrated my focus on quilting the last few years, I do often frequent some of the *paper* blogs.  One of my favorites, Dispatch from LA, is authored by Mary Ann Moss and although I've enjoyed her featured travel journals over the years, for some reason her most recent, chronicling a trip to Norway, grabbed me in a way I could not ignore.  Luckily, she offers an online class, Remains of the Day, that some of you may be familiar with.  I signed up (summer sale!), downloaded the pdfs and started to watch the videos, with the intention of working along.  

*Nevermind*.  I watched all 20 something videos in two days.  It was great!  EXACTLY what I was looking for, the perfect springboard for my own spin on a travel journal.  Which I am assembling now.  Sort of.  We are leaving on a new adventure soon and I won't be able to develop a full book in the time I have left, so I'm adapting what I've learned for my immediate needs.  The table in our spare room is cluttered with paper supplies, scissors and tape while the bed and floor hold suitcases and accumulating travel necessities.  I'm hopping this week!

The best thing about this is that it's stretching me, as a good class should.  Because it's so visually oriented, it's got me thinking of all sorts of new quilting possibilities.  Really, one suggestion develops many ideas!  I'd highly recommend Remains of the Day if you want a fun experience.  And I'll bet you have everything you need...lots of scrap paper, some fabric and a sewing machine! 



On the quilting front, I've been very good about curtailing my fabric purchases lately.  But how could I pass up a little from this new line, Oh, Deer, designed by Momo, one of my favorites.  Especially since our new place seems to be located on what we like to call 'deer highway'. 

Comments

[Tonya Ricucci]

wheee, those layouts of ephemera look quilty in their own right. so glad you've found something that enthuses you and gets you working. love that line of fabric - mmmm polka dots. I haven't been buying *much* fabric, but boy do I want to... figure I need to start stockpiling for my next birthday.

[Penny G]

I love the fact that you live on "Deer Highway". My husband and I travel a stretch of road often that we call that because the deer feed in the area between the woods and the highway. They are so tame and beautiful. My husband teases that any day we see a deer is a good day.

[Loretta Marvel]

Yes, as much as preparing and celebrating a wedding is one of the highlights of a family's life, it is also so good when it is all over and you can relax into your life. I have the biggest blogcrush on Ms. Moss. I am tempting her and her sister to come to the Cape to visit so we can all sit by the big sliding doors and journal all night.

[Kristin]

Wow, great post! We are on the same page. I have also been doing a lot of thinking about journaling and travel journals in particular. I've been doing Melanie Testa's Dream Journal class this summer, but I've been re-reading my many journaling and sketchbook books and my Cloth Paper Scissors collection. I'm going to go look at this one now!