Sometimes (or most of the time) we are so focused on what we are doing or thinking that we don’t look around us. By just stopping to observe our surroundings, there is so much pattern, detail and color that we normally don’t notice.

While in Atlanta for the Gift Market this month, I looked down the escalators in Building 1 and snapped a photo because it looked interesting from my viewpoint.

This photo was taken on the 14th floor. The 6th floor is at the bottom of the escalator shaft.  After attending Gift Market many times and going round and round and round on the escalators from 6th floor to 18th floor, I never noticed the pattern seen from looking down the center of the shaft.

Walking in Building 3 of the Mart, I looked across the center  from around the 7th or 8th floor and saw this pattern formed by the elevator shaft and escalators.  I wish I had taken a picture looking down from a higher floor, but thought this looked very balanced.

This is another view of the pattern formed by the open floors in Building 3 looking from the escalators. The curvature of the floors from this angle gives a different look and pattern.

After I took the pictures of the floor patterns in Market, I was in a mental mode of observing other patterns.  As I walked through the lobby of the Marriott Marquis on the way to the Hilton where I was staying, I looked up and saw this dynamic view of the floors and arrangement. It was really beautiful to see, especially since the floor vertical arrangement is not symmetrical. Previously being mentally focused on other things, it took several trips through the Marriott before I looked up and noticed it.

I noticed that the Hilton also has a pattern by looking up.  This is looking up from the 14th floor, but there were almost solid floors looking up and down so the view wasn’t as dramatic.  This view is interesting with the elevator shaft going up through the opening.  It looks like a higher view would have a better view pattern formed by open floors.

So, take a moment to look up, look down and all around you to really observe things you might be missing. Its so easy to be tunnel visioned in your thoughts or conversations.

Phyllis

Each year, as the year gets close to the end, I always wonder how can it be over already. It seems like only a few months have passed. I think working hard and working with something I love makes the time fly faster. I love creating both new art and new quilting/sewing designs so the days just whiz by.

Thinking ahead to the new year always brings thoughts of new resolutions. But by January 10th or so (if that long), they are usually forgotten as I’ve settled back into my normal daily routine. So, I’ve settled on one word for next year’s resolution – TRY. That’s all one can do, and my “try” will be trying some new things and some new directions as well expanding on the things I’m already doing. OK, I know there’s only so many hours in the day to “try” to squeeze my new resolution in, but there are some 2-word sub-resolutions that can help, “Better Organization” or “Less Sleep” (I really don’t like the last one so I need to work on the first).

TRY reminds me of an old saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”. I’m not quite sure I like that saying because you don’t have to fail or not succeed to keep trying. By trying, you can improve on something good or successful. TRY can also cover a multitude of plans, from trying to be a better person to trying to keep my plants alive by remembering to water them.

Thinking back over the past year, I am thankful for many things. Foremost, I’m thankful for my family and friends. My son moved back to Birmingham this year, to my delight, so I get to see him much more often. I enjoyed spending more time with other members of my family as well as friends.

I am thankful for all of you who read my blog, comment or send me emails. You all mean more to me than you know!

I wish each of you a great and Happy New Year, peace and happiness!  I hope your wishes and dreams come true!

Phyllis

I finally got around to it!  I’ve been wanting to change my blog for forever, but just finding the extra time to just sit down and do it was a deterrent. So today was the day – I started tweaking and finished it. That’s not to say I won’t tweak it some more. To me, the hardest part of any job, no matter how small, is getting started. The rest is easier.

I hope you like my new look!

Phyllis

When I get the urge to redecorate or rearrange things, nothing can stop me.  When I start focusing on a room, the ideas just hit me and I have to do something. My husband hates it when I’m siting quietly and my eyes and head are in a constant state of turning and looking (not quite like in The Exorcist because my head doesn’t turn all the way around). It usually means something is going to change

Since I spend most of my time in my studio, I tend to frequently move things around, repaint the walls and so on.  OK, I’m really tired of putty colored filing cabinets.  They are so blah!  So after hitting the stores looking for a good color, I decided on just the right shade of light aqua by Rustoleum, my favorite color.  I couldn’t wait to get home to start spraying this beautiful color on this 2-drawer filing cabinet  which is outside drying.  The color in the photo is more intense and darker than the aqua actually is because its in the late day shadows but take my word for it, it’s great! I have a couple more cabinets to finish and am excited at the way this one turned out. But I have to space myself and get some work done in between painting them.

Go ahead and make some changes in your space. Even the smallest changes can make a difference.

Phyllis

I am looking forward with excitement to The Creative Connection Event, co-founded by Jo Packham, Editor in Chief of “Where Women Create” and “Where Women Cook”.  Held in St. Paul, MN starting September 17, this is the 2nd year of the Event. I decided to attent after hearing great things about last year’s event.

Geared toward creative women, the event focuses on handmade and on food and cooking. I guess I don’t have to tell you that since I had to choose one direction, I chose handmade. In addiiton, a day will be devoted to social media and blogging.

And, Pitch Slam slams are being held one afternoon where one can pitch a product or literary idea to a panel of professionals for each of several fields. The Pitch Slams are limited to 9 people for each category, with the 9 people selected randomly.  It was a “whoohoo!” moment for me when I found out that I was selected for one of the pitch slams. So, I am busy working on my “product” to pitch in a time frame of 3 to 4 minutes.

The Creative Connection Event will also have a market place and a book store, 2 of my favorites for any event!

I haven’t been to St. Paul, but have been to Minneapolis a few times and love the area. I’m especially looking forward to visiting the area and attending the event! All this plus some good friends who are also attending should all combine for an inspirational few days, learning new things and great networking.

Check back as I will write all about my experiences at TCC!

Phyllis

In a mad dash outside in the heat and humidity to quickly water some plants, I was stopped by the beauty of this spider and her (his?) web. The beautiful Chevron stitch down the center of the large web in my rose bush was spectacular.
This spider knows needlework, so I’m assuming it’s a her (I know there are men who create gorgeous needlework and think Rosie Grier  and his needlepoint, but women do outnumber in this category). I know spiders can be terrifying, in spite of being such small creatures. But you have to admit that this one is a beauty with its yellow colors.

I did find this spider on the internet and its name is, are you ready?  ”Black and Yellow Garden Spider”.  That’s not very imaginative and I think she deserves a much prettier name. Any suggestions for a name – please leave a comment if you do!

I wonder if she knows any other stitches….

Phyllis

Note, it has been almost a week since I posted this and the spider is still there.  But her body has doubled in size!

I wish each of you a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

And I want to share my very first Valentine. My mother was great at keeping things and I found my first Valentine in some things she kept for me. This card* was sent to me by my dad on my first Valentine Day. And I guess you can call it a mixed media card since the tuff of hair on the girl is some type of fiber.

Its wonderful looking throught all the saved things from my early years, thing I would not know about or remember.

Have a wonderful day and keep your treasured cards!

Phyllis

* The card copyright ownership is Rust Craft of Boston.

If  you are like me, you are wondering where did 2010 go!  It certainly doesn’t seem like its been a year since I looked forward to greeting 2010. Time flies so quickly and the seasons, Christmas and holidays zip by! I meant to accomplish so much this year, and I did accomplish more than I thought possible, but I didn’t get to the bottom of my 2010 To Do list. However, my lists are always longer than humanly possible to accomplish. So I will do what I do with all my lists, roll the items I didn’t cross off onto the next list. I will say that close to the top of my list is to move all chocolate out of my sight, then I can move onto my work related items.

But at the VERY top of my list is to extend the biggest and warmest THANK YOU for visiting my blog! And for those who emailed me or posted comments, I loved hearing from you and would love to hear from bunches of you in the future!

I hope that each of you had a wonderful 2010 and I wish you a very, very happy and healthy 2011!

Phyllis

I know across the US, it has been a sad and traumatic year for many of you.  The economy and job losses hit the country hard.  Too many people have had to readjust their lives and learn to cope with the stress.  Even if your situation did not change, I think everyone has family or friends who lost their job.  I personally know way too many who had this happen to them.

My wish for 2010 is that the economy improves and that new jobs are created. My magic wand, if I had one, would be to sprinkle these jobs all over, along with laughter, happiness and health.

I want to thank all of you for visiting my blog and website and for your comments and emails throughout the year.  And I wish each of you a very Happy New Year.

Phyllis

I’m excited to show you a new addition to my studio – a ribbon organizer.  Clip it Up was a new  exhibiting company at the Houston Quilt Market and Festival last month.  They had a supper display in their booth of wonderful organizers for ribbons, scrapbook supplies and just about anything you have in your stash!

I loved all of the organizers, but especially fell in love with the Ribbon Organizer.  I chose the one that is 36″ long.  It has 40 clips to hang remnants below the organizer and has storage on each end to hold scissors. It also comes with a tape measure decal that applies to the organizer for easy hands free measuring.

I hung the ribbon organizer over this table in my sewing area, behind my sewing machine, so that the ribbons and trims will be in easy view and reach.  I have boxes of ribbons, but only put my favorite ones in the organizer.  I didn’t fill it up so that I will have space for new ribbons that I have my eyes on for immediate purchase.  You may also notice my Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine.  I have it close as well for cutting fabric dies for applique as well as paper cuts.  I love color so I have color coded boxes to hold supplies.  (I can’t remember numbers, but I can definitely associate colors with the contents of each box.)  And I also keep my button stash close at hand in a huge jar that is not nearly big enough.

I love attending Quilt Market and look forward to the Spring Market.  There are always fabulous finds at each show and I am treasuring my ribbon organizer.

Enjoy and display your stash!

Phyllis

PS, I just found out this news after emailing ClipItUp to let them know that I loved the ribbon organizer and blogged about it.  It will be on sale the weekend after Thanksgiving Nov 27-30 for almost half price!