Rebecca Sower

ability to sense

So here's something to think about.  I picked up the latest issue of Mary Jane's Farm because it's a special stitchery issue...artists in aprons.  Anyway, here's a quote from her opening letter:

"Having heightened senses was once familiar ground, but our modern-day, noisy, well-lit lives are deadening our ability to sense, to know."  Then she goes on to talk about how just getting alone in a quiet place with needle and thread or other rhythmic handiwork gives our brains the deep massage they need to stay healthy.  Hmmm...strike a chord with anyone other than me?  I'm totally with her on that over-noisy, over-stimulated, over-lit, over-electronic, over-stressed world attitude.  Ugh.  Can't we all just slow it down and exist on a simpler level?  (am I starting to sound like Thoureau?--ha!).

I can't give up a day of watching television because I don't watch television in the first place.  But I'm thinking I'm going to try one day of not even turning on the computer or listening to music, open the windows if it's nice out and give my brain and senses an invigorating massage.  There's so much to be said for just being still (an art I've yet to master) and creating with your hands--it's completely different from being lazy or not getting anything done.  It makes us better women.

So here's to a moment of stillness in your day.  I love you guys and think of you often.

blunders and absurdities

For a guy whose middle name was Waldo, Emerson sure was a pretty astute guy when it came to how we humans are just so human.  I ran across the quote below this morning (my toilets need to be scrubbed but what am i doing?  reading Emerson and daydreaming).  Anyway, keep this quote nearby...you and I will surely need to refer to it someday soon.

"Finish each day and be done with it.  You have done what you could.  Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can.  Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

Here's a shot of some quote tags I made yesterday--remember my motto: good words are good good good.   Hope your day encounters more serenity than blunders!

cozy as a bird

I'm so glad the weather in my studio doesn't match the weather outside my window.  In here, it's sunny with a high of 75.  But out there, not good {drizzly, cold, dreary, depressing}.  Lucky me, I get to stay in here and clean, think, create, work, prepare, etc.  (is that what I do all day?)

Etsy shop update: a couple of you have told me you're having trouble getting the cart to work on that site.  You are more than welcome to e-mail me what you'd like and if it's still available I'll be happy to get it to you.  Also, I put a couple of new items in the shop this morning.

That's all for now...be of good courage, show someone love and have a blessed day!

it is in giving

I mentioned the Prayer of St. Francis of Assissi yesterday in my post, so that prompted me to dust off the altered album I made with this prayer for one of my books (Treasures I think).  Oh how good good truly good these words are.  Today's thought from that prayer..."it is in giving that we receive".  For me, the one thing I need to share most is the thing I can least 'afford' to share--my time. 

So you guys already know how I'm pretty passionate about placing visual reminders in my surroundings...reminders of the person I want to be {which is still very different from that person I am, sad to say}.  Today I want to remind myself to share myself.  [note: I'm hoping to make some of these hinged vintage card reminders to put on my etsy shop but please don't look for them today...it will more likely be early next week].

For you, may this weekend be full of sweet moments shared!

Blessed is the influence

"Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another"...quote by George Eliot that I have posted in my workroom.  Because poor little pitiful me, well sometimes I start thinking about how all these people in my life are supposed to love me and they're just not doing their job (who else has teenagers?  can I get a witness?).  But remember that prayer of St. Francis that says "may I not seek so much to be loved as to love"?  [note to self:  be a true, loving soul]

Quick Etsy Update

Well I'm super, super flattered and a little embarrassed but everything on my Etsy site is already sold (thanks guys!!).  I like the kit idea and am pulling some things together now.  Will try to put some original pieces and kits up very, very soon.  Please reply and let me know the types of things you'd like to see--that'll be a huge help.   (Guess what?  I'm not watching the super bowl--shhhh).

Only 20?

Holding on to my youth, always getting my way, controling every situation, stockpiling more stuff...that's been me back in the day.  Now, as I realize how much those things don't matter one tiniest bit, I can pour myself into things that do.  Here are 20 directions for me that are now oh-so-much-more important:

1.  Love One Another

2. Choose Truth

3. Smile Like You Mean It

4. Keep Good Company

5. Focus Outward

6. Count Your Blessings

7. Lend a Hand

8. Stretch Your Creativity

9. Face Today Head-On

10. Stay Sweet

11. Worry Less

12. Age Gracefully (why fight it?  fighting isn't graceful :)

13. Show Yourself Friendly

14. Keep a Quiet Heart

15. Stand By Your Man (that's right, and proud of it)

16. Keep On the Sunny Side (isn't there enough negativity?)

17. Stop To Smell the Roses

18. Forgive & Move Forward

19. Be Still & Wait (slow down!!!)

20. Honour Your Mother

Which leads me to some exciting (for me) news!!  I have just last night opened my own  Etsy shop.  And the first 20 items are the vintage photo pieces shown here with the above directives (given via some adopted ancestors).   This shop is one of the things I've been wanting to try and people have told me I should but, like this blog, it's all sorta new to me so we'll see what happens.  I'm super excited about it though.  It's been a very long time since I've sold anything that I've made with my own two hands...wish me luck!

Oh and when I said 'no new book' I didn't mean never-ever...just not anything planned for now.  Congrats to Amy, Jackie, Ann, Mechiel and Sally.  You were already contacted about winning the 'Moments' books.

So, to the best-in-the-world blog readers (that's you silly!), I give you one big warm rebecca hug (and a cup of hot cocoa if it's as cold there as it is here!).

no it's not a book

Just to dispel any thoughts on my coming out with a new book.  You heard it here...no new book.  Here's why: (1) I've already told you everything I know; (2) My kids have threatened my life if I put any more touchy-feely, personal words and photos about them out there...remember I have two teens now; (3) there are so many great, amazing, inspiring books out there now and frankly ladies I just don't think I can compete with them.  So there you have it...no book.  BUT I do have some extra Moments books taking up space around here.  Comment to this post by noon Saturday and I will randomly pick and contact 5 winners to receive one of the Moments books.

{ok that kinda creeped me out...it's snowing here today and the farmhand just drove past my window on his tractor wearing a ski mask...and it made my heart jump just a little and i don't know why but i looked to see if he was holding a chainsaw...}

Boy, I'm very news-less today.  I'm making stuff and making stuff and making stuff and it's so completely fun and fulfilling...

Now go make something and have a day full of blessings.