Circle Hand

Well, it seemed like the Circle hand was the perfect way to end this year. It is hand embroidered on watercolored muslin. This hand was a tortuous project as it was my craft fair piece from earlier in the year. I brought it from craft show to craft show so that my craft show anxiety wasn't visible to the public. After the craft shows it sat unfinished for months and then it sat unframed for months and then I figured out a way to change it's karma and I gave it to my friend Cheryl as a combination birthday and holiday gift. Cheryl was my partner in crime during most of my craft show angst, she was and is a wonderful artistic spirit that I am very, very, lucky to have in my life. Cheryl is a very successful artist and was exactly the right person to go through my endless angst with. She never lost faith in me nor this piece. There was never a phone call or an outing when she didn't ask about this piece. She kept prodding me to finish it and finally she succeeded. It's a beautiful piece but I could not think of a place where it belonged so it sat folded up and waiting for a frame. I made Cheryl another piece but then it dawned on me that if I had not had Cheryl with me prodding me to get back to what I love to do this piece would sit folded until I got over the fact that it had my angst in every stitch. So framed it I did and gave it to Cheryl last week. I couldn't think of another person who would love it like she would and the joy of seeing her face when she opened it made all the angst disappear and I too could love this beautiful piece.

So now you know the story behind the circle hand and it's unfinished absence on my blog, and I have come full circle. I started last year with optimism and joy and passion for what I did. I lost a bit of that somewhere this summer and I questioned everything about what I do, but now I am optimistic, joyful and passionate about my work. So starting over next year I am going to just work, not think. Embroidering, knitting and a dozen other things. Making my home a haven and my body a healthily working machine. And I'm going to find some new outlets for my work early in the year and maybe some interesting sidebars in art. That's my resolution. Nothing too strenuos, nothing too thought provoking, just finding peace.

And finally that is my blessing for all of you my lovely bloggy friends who have inspired me and supported me during this last year! Peace to all, good health, abundance and most of all an artistic look at life and love and passion.