Edison Rex

Thank you. And a toast, to 2011.

Hey there. 

Thank you for helping me shape 2011 into an amazing year. I love the little space I've carved out here in internet-space, and this space would not exist without people to share it with. So thank you for reading, lurking, commenting, and sharing here.

Thank you also to all of you who took a piece of my art home with you, through the mail or at a show. XO.

The blog has grown hugely this year and has been a new focus for me since September. I'm loving it. So I thought I'd share ten of my favorite posts from the year. Enjoy and have an amazing New Year! See you in 2012. Unless, of course, the world ends. So make sure you have some fun!

xoxo Maeg

1. Art Crush of the Week: Michael C. Hsiung

2. Creative Call to Action: Do Something Terribly. Just Totally Suck. Please. 

3. Postcard from a Walkabout // We All Float On: Tapping Into Everday Zen.

4. The Breakup

5. F*ck Abundance.

6. Collected //  Faux Beards

7. Art Crush of the Week: Brooke Weeber of The Little Canoe

8. Terrarize Your Neighborhood (Or, a Sweet & Simple Terrarium How-To)

9. A Studio by the Sea

10. Creative Call to Action: Make Time vs. Have Time

 

Creative Mama Roundtable: Renewal Part Deux

Hey there! I'm back with part two of the Creative Mama Roundtable on renewal, recharging and recalibrating. (Did you miss part one?)

Today Tamara Bowman and Timna Tarr are sharing with us how they sharpen the saw. Enjoy and may you have a restful week! xoxo Maeg

Timna: 

Renewing and recharging is especially hard for me now that it is cold and gets dark so early. I go into a bit of a creative hibernation at this time of year, but am raring to work and be productive when I see signs of spring coming! When it is nice out my go-to recharge is to get outside - take a walk or putter in the garden. Also, I love to put on headphones and shut out the world while listening to my favorite podcasts or books on cd. It transports me into another world while I am still able to sew, or do the dishes, or sort through all of the papers that accumulate on my counter. If I have a hot cup of coffee or tea with me during any of the above activities, all the better.

 

Timna is a quilter who lives in South Hadley, MA. She blogs at www.timnatarr.com/blog

 

Tamara:

It's funny because it seems like EVERY time I walk away from my writing, I recharge and think of ten more things I want to write.  It can be the most mindless task - changing the laundry from the washer to the dryer, or the most purposeful and obvious task - going for a brisk walk to clear my head!  I think in that respect, I've always been fairly lucky.  As for on a broader level and year-round, sometimes it really just takes a hot, fragrant bath or time with my two-year-old and the laughter that brings.  However, believe it or not, sometimes those things just make me more stressed.  I have no idea why.  What works, all the time and always has, is reading fiction novels and doing (easy) crossword puzzles.  In fact, I once walked into a conversation between bosses and co-workers about how a nice glass (or two) of wine helps them unwind.  Noticing me and knowing I don't drink wine at all since I don't like anything made from grapes (true story), they asked me how I unwind.  I said, "I do a LOT of crosswords."  For some reason, this got a lot of laughs and understanding looks.  Hey, we all do what it takes I guess.

 

Tamara: I am a Freelance Photographer, Writer and Social Media Consultant as well as a Full-Time Toddler Mama living in the best town I've ever known - Northampton, MA. (Read Tamara's blog here)

Thank you ladies!

What are your favorite things to do for self-renewal?

xoxo Maeg

ps--if you're wondering what I love to do for renewal, I'll tell you--

I love to take long breaks that involve unplugging and drinking lots of tea (notice the 'mug shot' for these pots? Tea is my renewal ICON!). Thank you to all my guest posters this week who helped me do this! I have a little post going up tomorrow, too--and I'll see you in the new year! xo

Creative Mama Roundtable: Renewal

 

Hey there! For December's Creative Mama Roundtable, I asked my mama posse to share how they renew and recharge themselves. How do they sharpen the saw? Right now, and all year round?

I thought this holiday week would be the perfect time to talk about renewal, as we rev up, decompress, and think about a fresh start all at once. 

The mamas who answered my call we so enthusiastic that I had to split the usual Creative Mama post into two. Please welcome Audrey Hyvonen to start us off! xo, Maeg

I have to answer this question in reverse.To sharpen my saw, I need to sort out my priorities, make a plan and then feel responsible to the plan. I’ve recently (for the past two years) used a simple system I found through this inspiring and motivating local artist whose brain I pick about such things, named Maeg Yosef, in a book recommendation. [editor's note: awwww shucks!]  The book, and later website resource, is called The Best Year Yet. It’s  one of the best!

For the past two years, I have used their self-run home  (or coffee shop or mountain top) workshop to guide my thinking around my intentions and then formulated some concrete action steps towards my goals. I did this in partnership, so that I’d have both witness and support.  This increased my accountability. While I haven’t lasted a year riding the wave of my new powerful focus, I’ve gained at least a four to six month ride on the wave, which has been enough to push me generously in the direction of initial intention.

The first year, I committed to a creative practice and legitimized (in my mind) my art business. The second year, I shifted my overarching focus to a physical practice and felt myself grow stronger, faster, and ready to do a 26-mile bike ride with little prep beyond filling my water bottle and putting on some padded knickers.  Now that these practices have become routines, I am ready for that refreshment- for that renewal, and the winter is great time to cozy in and ponder my shifts in priorities.

I’ve never given that much thought as to how I do that.  Looking ahead to the next few busy weeks of cookie making, latke frying, gift wrapping, lines at the post office and guilt around mailing or not mailing a Christmas letter, I’m reminded that thinking about that would be a fabulous idea, and I know that if I put my fun things on my list and give them stars when they’re done- I’ll feel great!  So, here’s what I’ll add to my list for this month:

Delight in the packaging- find a way to make wrapping each gift as fun as I hope it will be to the receiver who opens it

Add music- find my holiday music collection and play it loud!

Find and hold the quiet moments- when my kids ask me to notice, or play or read- DO IT right away!- don’t wait until the dishwasher is loaded or the cat litter’s all scooped.

Schedule away time with my sweetie- get the childcare lined up, secure time off from work, look forward to it.

I can’t wait to add your ideas to mine- please comment and share!  

 

By Audrey “Busy Bee” Hyvonen, who in high school was comically drawn, slouched down in an arm chair, resting, with a cool drink in one hand, and labeled, “Things that will NEVER happen unless the world is coming to an end.”

Read more about Audrey on her blog, Hinky Pinkie.

Thank you, Audrey! Tomorrow we'll have two more Creative Mamas sharing their saw-sharpening wisdom! xo, Maeg

How stickers have changed my life. by Sarah of Desirous of Everything

Hey all! I'm taking a lil' snowflake break this week, but I've got several lovely guest posts to tide you over until the New Year. Here's the fabulous Sarah of Desirous of Everything to start us off! 

I was always a sticker appreciating kind of girl.  I would covet the best ones to use on my favorite notebooks and folders and sometimes not even use an entire sheet because it was just too pretty to look at.  I loved getting a sticker every time I went to the orthodontist, even though I was probably too old to be even accepting the offer.  I forced myself to grow out of my love for stickers, because of their "babyish" stigma, but now as a confident and successful 29 year old woman, I can proudly say that I've let stickers back into my life, and it's one of the best things I've ever done!

Let me explain.  Seven weeks ago, in the spirit of NaNoWrimo, I decided to start a little writing project for myself where I would write 500 words a day, every day, for eight weeks.  And see what happened. To keep track of my goal, I created a real life 8 week calendar (these days the only calendars I use are the virtual Google ones) and made a special trip to the stationary store for stickers.  I came home with a pack of dolphin stickers and a pack of doggie stickers.

The idea was innocent really, every day I would write down my word count and put a sticker on that day if I reached my goal of at least 500 words.  But then something started to happen.  As my calendar filled up, the idea of filling an entire 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper with stickers was thrilling!  I could just sit there and look at that progress all day long!  And the doggies and dolphins are just so cute!

I know, deep down, that stickers aren't the real reason I've managed to write almost 30,000 words these past weeks.  The reason has to do with my own will power and perseverance.  But knowing those stickers where there to reward me at the end of the day became truly comforting!  And the thought of having a sad, empty, sticker-less space on my calender was just awful.  A sticker helps me feel like I'm getting things done but also like I'm not taking myself too seriously, when I decide to choose a hot pink dolphin to mark a particular day.

When I finish my goal of at least 200 pages of a first draft of my novel (around 50,000 words) I have decided that I am going to take at least a month off and not look at what I have written or make myself do any creative writing if I'm not feeling it.  However, I already have plans to use that month to get a steady exercise routine going for myself, and I can't wait to make up the calendar and go out and buy the stickers for the occasion!  For me, stickers have really helped me create a habit.

Who knows what else I'll think of to use stickers for this year!  Has anyone ever marked progress towards a goal in this way or similarly?  And were you surprised by how much fun you had too?

Thanks for reading, Edison Rex readers!  For more thoughts on writing, creativity and plain old daily life, stop by Desirous of Everything and say hello, I'd love to meet you!

Solstice

Last night Thommy and I met up with Aurora and her mom, Deb, at a Solstice celebration at Arcadia, a wildlife sanctuary in our town. We were greet by a path lit with hundreds of clever paper bag lanterns, a cup of hot mulled cider, and a giant bonfire. And music.

It was amazing. And the perfect note to start to my winter vacation. I'm taking a little break, dear readers, until the New Year to rest and regroup, write and dream, and make some fresh new year rituals. I'll be leaving you with some guest posts to tide you over, of course.

I wrote a little bit about wanting this break in last week's post, and a little more about it in terms of choice, resentment, and internal scuba diving in new Creative Call post on Scoutie Girl yesterday.

I'll leave you with a couple tidbits:

Congrats to Kaden, the winner of this month's giveaway for newsletter subscribers. Kaden, you get to do a little shopping in the Rex shop, on me--details are in your inbox. 

Also, I made these printable gift tags last year and I think they are still goodies. I mean, kittens floating on marshmallows? 

Take care! I hope the rest of your year is everything you desire it to be. 

Much love,

xoxoxo Maeg

Art Crush of the Week: Cathy McMurray

I've recently discovered the work of Cathy McMurray, an artist and mama working out of Portland, Oregon--and, oh! am I smitten.

Say hello to her beautiful paintings:

 

Aren't they lovely? I've definitely been thinking about these painting since I first discovered them, which is a sign of their quiet power. I love the mysterious and calm quality in Cathy's work--reminds me a little bit of those qualities in the work of Danna Ray.

You can read a great interview with Cathy on Artists Who Blog, or visit her site and shop!

xoxo Maeg

Guest Post at Desirous of Everything today--with exclusive photos!

Hey there, I'm so happy to have a guest post over at Sarah's blog, Desirous of Everything today!

I also gave Sarah EXCLUSIVE guest post rights to Thommy's first ever Santa photo. Oh yeah. Go check it out!

xoxoxo Maeg

Holiday DIY: How to Make a Family Photo Embroidery Hoop Ornament

Awhile back I saw this lovely photo transfer DIY on A Beautiful Mess, and it sparked an idea--to transfer my own family photos to canvas, frame them in embroidery hoops, and hang them on our tree!

Here's what you'll need to do the same:

 

1. Family photos! These must be made using a laser printer--I simply used my regular ol' home printer. In Photoshop (or try Picnik.com, which is free) I turned my color images black and white and sized them to fit my embroidery hoops.

2. Canvas scrap large enough to place a letter-sized sheet of paper, a paintbrush, and a wooden spoon. 

3. Small wooden embroidery hoops. 3 or 4 inches in diameter are best--I ended up using all 3" ones for this project. For a pop of color, you could paint the wood ahead of time with acrylics! You can get these at your local arts and crafts store or online.

4. Matte medium, available at your local arts and craft store. I used this one:

Got your stuff? Awesome. Here's your next steps:

 

 1. Use your paintbrush to add an even (but not stingy!) layer of matte medium on the photo side of your paper. Press face-down onto the canvas.

2. Use the back of the wooden spoon to smooth and seal the paper to the canvas and press out any air bubbles.

3. Add some pressure! For the first couple hours of drying time, I stacked some books on top. Then I took them off and left my project to dry for 24 hours.

4. Spray the back of the paper with water (or, if you don't have a spray bottle, just sprinkle or pour enough to fully wet the paper. Begin to gently rub away the paper. 

5. Keep rubbing--not peeling! Be patient and take care not to rub too hard. Your images will start to appear!

6. Some imperfections are normal. If parts of your image look hazy, gently rub a little more to get the last of the paper/matte medium residue off. Let your canvas images dry before proceeding.

7. Next, plan what part of the image you'd like to frame, and cut our your images with plenty of room on all sides to spare.

8. Add a little bit of matte medium to the outside of the inner hoop to act as a glue.

9. Place your canvas image in the hoops. Tighten your hoop and trim excess canvas from the back with a sharp pair of scissors.

10. Seal the photo transfer with a thin layer of matte medium. I also put some extra on the back "seam"  too!

Let everything dry, then hang your ornaments, turn on the tree lights, make some hot cocoa, and sit back and enjoy your work. Ta-da! These also, of course, would make wonderful gifts for a loved one or relative.

 

My New Obsession

I have a new iPhone obsession. And, I'm happy to tell you, it's not Angry Birds! Or Words with Friends!

I'm obsessed with streaming TED talks, those twenty minute talks from brilliant people on brilliant topics that just kind of blow your mind.

It's the perfect amount of time for mind-expansion and self-education. I pop on my earbuds for twenty minutes of cardio/TED at the gym. Or while painting. Or while rocking my son to sleep. Love, love, love TED talks.

My mind has been spinning!

I'm sharing a few of my most recent favorites with you today. Some are more recent than others, they are all good. If you'd like to explore more talks, go to the TED website. (I just noticed a "jaw-dropping" section, too--will have to geek out on that soon!)

1. Elizabeth Gilbert on creativity, the crazy fears and expectations we place on artists in our culture, and bringing back the idea of "having" (versus being) a genius.

2. Caroline Casey's powerful talk on accepting yourself in full and living your dreams. I won't say more because there is a little bit of a surprise at the start of this one.

 3. Alisa Vitti on loving your lady parts (if you got 'em), how she healed herself on PCOS, how balancing your endocrine system can change your life, and how each week of your cycle has its own super-power (my word!)

4. Lissa Rankin on the surprising truth on what really keeps you healthy above all else. Guess what? It doesn't involve brussels sprouts or weight reps, though those can help.

Enjoy!

xoxo Maeg

Creative Call: The Book of Me

Lately I've been writing in the Book of Me. Things about me that are good to know, and that I often forget. Things that, if I remember, are very, very helpful. Such as, "Coffee makes me tense but I will drink it anyway if it's in the house. Cure tension by not bringing home coffee!"

I write things both big and small in the Book of Me. I write down gentle observations and useful reminders, because the Book of Me isn't a giant motivational tool or a place for hard resolutions. It's kind of like a compassionate reference book. I'm not trying to fix or change things, just trying to get to know me.

The Book of Me isn't my idea. I stumbled across it while lost in the archives of The Fluent Self, the blog of the wonderful Havi Brooks. 

This is my little story of what happened after I read her post, The Book of You, which I highly recommend.

At one point her post Havi writes:

"All the biggified people on the internet shouting about how you have to write in the morning and you can’t have more than three projects and how you always have to do X to get Y?

They’re not talking about you. They’re talking about themselves. They are sharing some of the information from that big Book of Them."

I laughed cringed when I first read that part about writing three pages every morning. Hadn't I recommended the very same thing to you? And really, who was I to do that? And beyond that, it wasn't even something I could honestly recommend anymore. It had gotten stale for me. I no longer wanted to wake up early and write three pages anymore.

I thought I was staying in bed because of winter. I thought I wasn't writing because I was becoming undisciplined.

Which is when I picked up my morning pages notebook and starting writing my first notes for the Book of Me instead. And also when I discovered something amazing about writing in the Book of Me.

Part of the Book of Me is about recognizing that we change. In seasons, in situations. Thinking I had a great seasonal observation to make, I wrote "Getting up at four to write and work--something I normally love to do--just isn't happening. I'm not an early bird in winter when it is dark."

Great! Woohoo! Book of Me. Now I know--winter is for sleeping in. I can give myself permission to hit snooze from now til spring.

But I kept writing. And all this stuff came pouring out that I'd been unaware of on a conscious, verbal level.

"Also, I'm feeling uninspired and I little confused right now about what I want to be doing for my work." Oh--that makes sense. No clarity or inspiration--no desire to hop out of bed and write, blog, or paint. Got it.

"Also," I wrote, "I want more time for learning and for painting. I'm spending a lot of time on nuts and bolts and I think I can change that if I'm mindful about my time." Right. There is only one of me, and I get caught up in the administrative/technical must-dos. But I want time to play!

"Also," I wrote, "I'm feeling a little resentful toward my work. I want a one-week holiday away from the computer, and everything business related. I want time to curl up under blankets with novels and hot cocoa." Oh! There's another reason to sleep in. I need a vacation! A snowflake break!

One simple, gentle observation had led me to the whys behind the whys of sleeping in. I needed clarity, more time for different things, and a vacation.

It wasn't winter at all! As it turns out I am not a sleepy-good-for-nothing. Approaching myself with compassionate inquiry had helped me figure this out.

If I had talked to myself with the more usual "You're getting behind in your work! Set your alarm! Set two alarms! Wake up earlier! Balls to the walls!" then maybe I would have started hopping out of bed early again and getting more done before Thommy woke up.

But I would have missed out on the insight. I would still be spinning my wheels. I would still be ever-so-slightly grumpy.

My creative call to you this week, if it moves you, is this--a Book of You, in a form that you love. Post-its? Dictated notes? A hand-bound journal? I've repurposed my stale morning pages notebook. 

You could even leave your own notes on you in the comments, if you like.

Try a few observations. What are you noticing about yourself today? Does that observation lead to more? Does it take you under the surface?

Imagine you're getting to know yourself on a first date...but you've already been married to yourself for decades, and the love is still there...so really, you can let it all hang out.

Observations with love. Not to change, but to know. 

xoxo Maeg