Soul Coaching

I am joining a " book-blogging" group--and today! the 1st of November--- is the first day.

The concept behind a book-blogging group is that a community of bloggers work their way through a book, sharing their experiences by posting on their own blog and by reading what other participants are sharing. You can choose to share as much or as little as you like. This book blogging group is hosted by Jamie at THE NEXT CHAPTER blog. (thanks Jamie!)

We're starting out with the book Soul Coaching 28 Days to Discover Your Authentic Self by Denise Linn.

I was attracted to this group and book because I am in the midst of a huge life transition--a friend recently told me that he thought transitions were just chaos--and since mid July that is how I feel most of my life has been--rather chaotic and messy.

Soul coaching "is a process that takes you to your spiritual source and helps you find meaning and sacredness in your everyday life." (and who could not use that?) "It allows you to take an honest look at yourself and your life, face fear, release old negative patterns, get motivated, and step boldly and joyfully into your future."

Now, I am aware that this life transition---although not from my own choice--was never-the-less caused partly by own action--or inaction; so the above concepts---taking an honest look at my life, releasing old negative patterns and so on--- seemed very appropriate for me at this time.

In three weeks I will be moving from Berkeley/Oakland California to Portland, Oregon. Of course, I am both excited and a bit apprehensive about this move. I guess I thought the process of being in an online book group and reading this book and doing the suggested activities would help to keep me grounded and aware while I pack, apartment hunt via the net, and move.

Am I ready for change? the honest answer: not really--but life thrust it upon me, and so I am endeavoring to go with it. A few days ago I set up a small alter in my room---I was unaware that the Soul Coaching author Linn would suggest doing this--I just felt the need to have one set up....synchronicity already?

"We can't control our destiny, but we can control who we become."---Ann Frank

Welcome Baby Boy Jasper !

Jasper Killian Micheletti emerged into this world on August 19th at 7:30 am...his Auntie --Serenity---was there through out the whole labor and birth, with Grandma Aurora arriving soon after (1 1/2 hours later)---flying in from the Bay Area. Momma, Pappa and baby are all doing fine! Isn't he a cutie with all that thick dark hair?

So --I am in lovely green and moist (it has been raining--something it very rarely does this time of year in Berkeley) Portland, Oregon for a few weeks--helping out. I get to hold the newborn (such a treat!) and cook and wash clothes and dishes...and just be wise (old?) resident Grandma (!) who can answer all those new baby & breastfeeding questions.

I am going to be trying to blog more regularly for the few weeks I am here--so do check back for some nice images of the sketches I am creating for my SKETCHBOOK SWAP, and even some photos of Portland!

Oh--and do also check out the great new BLOG my son-in-law Dustin has started to write about his parenting/fatherhood experience...FROM OLD TO YOUNG. In addition to his amusing and witty take on new fatherhood--he has posted some nice photos of the baby and family members.

Blogher 2008: My Take or Where were you?

I spent yesterday at the big Blogher Conference in San Francisco---such great female energy and enthusiasm! 1000 women bloggers all in one place. I met many interesting women bloggers ( and I just spent a nice quiet Sunday afternoon checking out their blogs and websites--about 40 of them!), ate some good food, learned some new techie terms, and mostly enjoyed the whole day. The conference was the 3 or 4 person panel discussion format--but the panelists all answered many questions from the audience, and the spirit of passionate women bloggers certainly made for some interesting and lively discussions. I say women on the Net are a force to be reckoned with!

By the afternoon (why do conferences always start at 9 am?) I found myself wandering around forlornly thinking "where are the craft bloggers?" (Yeah--where were you?) I met about five bloggers who said they blogged about crafts--but that was it--and the Craft Blogger Meet Up had about 12 women and was moderated by a DIY blogger who did not write about crafts---so hey! us crafty women bloggers were seriously under represented ---WHY?

If you have a craft blog I do urge you to check out Blogher--a website just for women bloggers to connect with each other...Blogher "The community for women who blog. You say it. We share it." I know there is power in networking and organizing and this conference just re-enforced that knowledge for me. Thanks Blogher!

I did meet the woman who has the wonderful craft blog Zakka Life....I have been reading her blog for awhile--and found her comments at the Craft Blog Meet Up to be right on. I have discovered I really enjoy meeting bloggers in person--especially after I have been reading their blog for awhile.

I also met two local (California) women food bloggers with great blogs : Foodista, and Food Gal. And I met a "Mommy Blogger" (a group who had a very large presence at this conference) from Alaska (for those of you who don't know--Alaska is my "real home"---I was born there, lived there exclusively until at 38 I decided to attend College--but I digress) anyhow-- she blogs from Anchorage, Alaska and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her blog: Scribbit, A Blog About Motherhood in Alaska.

At lunch I met a women who has a blog/website all about girlfriends---she was giving out postcards that said "Thanks Girlfriend" on them--- do check out Girlfriendology.com, her blog review of the conference is excellent.

I suppose in retrospect--the lack of crafty bloggers allowed me to meet some women blogging about subjects I rarely explore via blogs--so my internet horizons sure expanded from attending the conference.

Summer Craft-a-palooza: LINKS

I spend more time than I should surfing the crafty blogs and following links from crafty blog to crafty blog---the result is a nice list of crafty tutorials of interesting projects--items I would like to make "someday".....
(when does that someday actually arrive?)
Anyhow---here are some links to a few crafty projects I am intrigued by:

1) from the CraftyPod blog---HOW TO MAKE A BOOK WITH PLAYING CARD COVERS
so cute--a small blank book! to fit in your backpack or purse.




2) a yummy knit HOT WATER BOTTLE COZY --with a cable on it! from Yarn-A-Go-Go. This is just how I want to make that old rubber hot water bottle all comfy....




3) Great sewing pattern and instructions for that essential hippy "peasant skirt" from jcarolinecreatvie. Just like those ones I made in the '60's ! and still as comfortable in hot summer weather.



4) How about a purse made from playing cards? from the Craftbits website. A great way to use up those old worn out playing cards you have lying around.




5) How to make your own Embroidered Buttons from the Feeling Stitchy blog. These would be fun on that fabulous handknit sweater--or just to spice up a vintage thrifted blouse.



Have fun!

NEW HEADER

Well, I decided it was time for a new header for my blog (see above)--what do you think? I used some small portions of 2 of my own textile designs....feedback welcome! and thanks!

comics

I just discovered this fun website---and liked this one:




Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Winner!

whew! nothing like a vacation to set you back in your "real" life! I promised to post the WINNER of my BLOG ANNIVERSARY drawing yesterday--sorry!

here it is....(drumroll)..the winner is T. M.! Please e-mail me your snail mail address at:
aurora at morningstarbooks dot com

and I will send the inchie brooch/pin off to you pronto! Congrats!
and thanks to all of you for participating.

For more about fabric inchies and inchie plus---click here.

As the blog turns....

As we enter a NEW YEAR-2008---I want to take a moment to acknowledge all you folks who leave friendly comments on my blog. The day before Christmas, (Dec 24th, 2007) I had the 10,000th blog visitor ! I have been keeping this blog now for almost 2 years ( second blog anniversary is Feb 2)---and I am just astounded that in that time over 10,000 folks have visited my blog. The blog readership has been growing monthly in the past year, also. This says to me something about the power of the crafty blogging community and the way the internet lets us all connect with each other.

So a shout out and thank you to these visitors to my blog who left comments in 2007 (with a grateful nod to Patti @ 37 Days blog, who gave me this idea).
Thanks to : Jafabrit, Dawn, Mary, Felicia, Kesia, Oldie, Carol, Lisa, Dawn, Lorraine, Mimi, Dee, Betty, Beate, Gunnel, sharonb, The Lone Beader, Susan, Tamara, Daisy, Libby, Nahani, Jessica, Kate, Joyce, Jennifer, Martha, freebird, Paula, Lynn, BetteJo, Kiki, Twig, Beadbabe, Stefany, Beth, Robin, Bejeweled, Lillian, Kathy, Debra, catnapping, Ulan, Kiwi Ellen, Susan, Jana, Rosemary, Brigita, Hannah, Maria, Acey, Kelly, Heather, Karrie, Summer, Carla, Lee, Jenny, Twila, Jamie, Cynthia

Your comments are the positive re-enforcement I need, so I keep posting on this blog. The comments are what let me know that someone is reading my blog and I am so pleased to become acquainted with so many of you through your comments and e-mails. Interesting (to me, anyway) the post this year that received the most comments in 2007 was my tribute to an old friend who died-- Marvel.

Today's Quote:
"Sometimes our light goes. but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light."---Albert Schweitzer

Why I BLOG

Thanks to a thought provoking post on Sharon B's blog In A Minute Ago (one blog I read daily)----during the past few days I have been pondering the focus of my blog, and I realized I have been writing less, and just showing more photos of my crafts. This led me to wonder: what makes an interesting blog? what do I like about the blogs I read everyday? and what is the goal of my blogging?

I like a blog with both content and inspiring and beautiful images or photos.

1) I tend to read blogs I know will have links to other blogs with interesting content, craft tutorials, or art (In a Minute Ago, Art for Housewives, Whip Up, The Purl Bee)

2) I also like blogs--with good photography--that highlight design trends. (Design Sponge, Print and Pattern)

3) I enjoy blogs that are humorous and write about crafts ( Yarn Harlot) or show their craft process (The Lone Beader, Yarnstorm)

4) I read every post of one writer's blog--37 Days, and always check out the premier blog about bookselling--- Bibliophile Bullpen.

5) I really like a blog that posts a new entry everyday--like both In A Minute Ago or Whip Up do.

So--why do I blog? what is the reward for me? One reward has been all the new artists I "meet" (virtually) who leave a comment on my blog. And I must admit, I find the admiring and encouraging comments folks leave about my art and crafted items to be a boost to my creativity. Especially in the winter, I tend to just stay at home and create all sorts of crafty items in my studio---and so don't get much feedback on what I create---until I photograph my latest creation and upload it to my blog--then I almost always get a reaction or a comment or two. I also like the sense I get that someone is listening when I write---or that I do have an audience for my creations. So, I suppose blogging --for me--is also about connections between people on a global scale.

I love that I can write ---from my home--- and people from all over the world can stumble upon my blog, and then by reading my blog, become acquainted with me and what I create.

Sharon B says about her blogging "From my own point view I think the goal of a blog has to be bigger than just recording my life or promoting my work." I suppose the goals for me--at this point--(I did not start out with these goals in mind, and this could certainly change) are : to promote connection and friendship between artists and crafters, to use my art to critique our culture, and to promote respect for our Mother Earth.

TODAYS QUOTE:
"Friendship exists outside our modern economy of scarcity... It's not about apportioning vanishing resources of time and energy. Friendship is a blessed relic of the ancient economy of the gift, and the time freely given to people dear to you actually creates magical abundance." ----VICTOR HUGO