moving forward

I thought our new rose bushes may have reached their peak a few days ago.  I trimmed off all the old blooms and thought they looked a little sad, missing their pinkness.  Then I took a closer look and spied all the buds.

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This doesn't begin to capture the new flowers I have today.  It's a full wall of roses – standing at attention to salut the new day, the new season.  Did they arrive because I was willing to cut off the expired flowers?  Probably not.  But I like to think that tending to the rose bushes and cutting them back led to the growth.

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I bum out a little when the kids go back to school but it's a good time to establish new routines.  I've said this before, but it's amazing that the year can be 3/4 of the way through and you still have a chance to start again.  A new school year.  A new season.  A new rose.  And this month, a new Crusade:

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Congratulations to Julie Prichard for being the Top Hat Pick for Crusade No. 22.  You can read more about Crusade No. 23 HERE.  I have so many loose ends to work on to make room on my table and in my mind for new ideas, new projects, new directions.  One thing that helps me GET STARTED on FINISHING is being organized. 

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Then there is Gathering.  Isn't that part of the process for beginning but also for ending?  I love the Gathering ritual – whether finding new stuff or re-discovering my own stuff, pulling it all toghether in one supply box is a thrill for me and makes the creative phase so much more enjoyable.

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And I love Gathering at the end too:  usually at the end of a project I clip paper scraps and remnants into my process journal then begin the task of putting away all the supplies (ok I'm really bad at THAT).  For this recent project I have enjoyed putting all the Evidence together as I embark on writing Thanks Yous for 700 socks, gather all my thoughts and remembrances, and clippings of ribbons and tissues, painted envelopes, and all the lovely cards and notes, to chronicle in a scrapbook.

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New season = housecleaning of the blog variety.  You may notice on the left side I created new buttons which will take you to my link lists.  They were getting long so this was my solution. 

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On the right I added a new *pink wink* button which will open a new page and you can read about the project in chronological order.  I know there are visitors who are still arriving to read about it and this was a *duh* for making it easier. 

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The last of the socks came in this week.  I will send them on to 7B soon.

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And to wrap up this post…I'll share with you a recent diversion.  I made one of these for Fallon and myself.  You know I swooned when I found the asterisk bead.  *faints*  I wear this daily with a full heart.

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Comments

15 responses to “moving forward”

  1. Julie Prichard Avatar

    I love looking up close at plants…looking for the new little leaf to unfurl and little flower buds…Kate likes looking for bugs, so we make a great team!
    Clean you plate here…I am sure I can speak for all of the sock donors when I say you don’t need to write 700 notes!!

  2. Chris Avatar

    I absolutely love it that socks are still arriving.
    That bracelet (anklet?) is very nice.
    As always, your tips for cleaning house are self-affirming and manageable, and make art real life. I know when I started this whole thing a little over a year ago, I got way ahead of myself; too ambitious, too wide open, and a little scattered. It’s good to get past disappointments and back home and find the center and realize what it is YOU want. I’m trying to keep that in mind. I hope to become a list-maker most of all. I made a list the other day, which is not like me, of gifties to get out in the next week or two. It is long. I’ll start by cutting that down and resting on the fact that the people who matter know I care without getting gifts. The Gathering has been happening, too, gathering and giving away what is too much. Maybe I should have put all this on the challenge. I am not done, yet, though.
    Yay! for new rosebuds.

  3. megan pickwell Avatar

    Love your “cleaning house” post. What a wonderful way to move forward. Love, love your new tabs on the blog, all looks so fresh and clean.
    It must be really strange starting a new school year in the iddle of a calender year. There is a real newness in the air here with the arrival of spring, brilliant blue skies and streets lined with blossom. I love it, the school year however still has a ways to go! Looking forward to getting on board the new crusade! Mox

  4. Judy N Avatar
    Judy N

    Love your post….it feels like a positive step to move forward. I have been in a list making mood myself. I have been trying to finish up with a few old projects (including the final stages of reorganizing my studio space) as well as plan for a couple of new ones. Sometimes I overwelm myself with my lists…lists of things I want to do, lists of things I want to get together, lists of ideas to incorporate into one of my journals, lists of things I don’t want to do but if I don’t who will….lists! For that reason alone I am looking forward to winter….I always feel like I can force myself to stay in the house a litte more and get some of the list stuff done!
    Been thinking about you and hoping all is well.
    Until later,
    Judy

  5. Carrie Avatar

    What beautiful roses! Roses really are worth the effort it takes to keep them.
    I hear you about trying to clean house. Thanks for the tips! Maybe lists and gathering all at once are no-brainers for everyone else, but I’m tragically disorganized.
    Your *wink* bracelet is fantastic 🙂

  6. Marlynn Avatar
    Marlynn

    Loved your post. Must be the universe trying to send me messages from the corners of my world. (1) Last week a friend of mine (on her blog) started a “Finish it Friday” — I thought well, maybe a “Finish it Saturday” since I really believe my boss wouldn’t go for the first one at my desk and in my office …. BUT (I just love the buts in the world) you have to get the space clean and cleared to begin; and then (2) YOU – “Clean your Plate” – I know when that many messages come to me, it is time to get moving and get it done. I tend to be a great gatherer but then I wander and wonder off both in mind and being and lay the gathered stuff down and get excited about a new project…. and then trip over the gathered stuff. Yup, I have to corral this little shortcoming and with your example – I can do it. Your bracelet is so hot !!! Thanks for always inspiring me.

  7. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    Love it all, and I really need to make lists. have you thoguht of making the bracelets and selling them through Etsy? I’m sure you would have lots of takers.
    Lots of love and winks.
    Cousin Kelly

  8. Uberburber Avatar

    oooh, I love the photo treatment on the rose bushes.

  9. cindi Avatar
    cindi

    the rose bushes are beautiful…
    and the bracelet adorable…
    i agree you could def sell those on etsy…*hint, hint* ; D
    cin <3

  10. Heather Bradley Avatar

    YOU.ARE.AMAZING!
    xo
    p.s. I, too, would buy a pink wink bracelet…especially with proceeds going to Cystic Fybrosis research? just a thought. xo

  11. Sandy Avatar

    I love this bracelet and since I just found your blog and missed the pink socks I’d love to contribute to the CF proceeds if you decide to make this. What a great idea. You go girl. 😀

  12. Kimi Avatar
    Kimi

    I love that bracelet, I want one! & I’m going to start gathering my stuff later today, I’ve got 2 years worth of scrapping to do.Thanks for inspiring me, as always.
    xoxo
    *

  13. inge Bekaert Avatar

    good to read how you are cleaning your plate…
    You hàve been busy the past two months and although there have to be times to sit down, to have no energy and to mourn, it’s good to have a goal that keeps you going.. the buds prove there is no ending… just a new beginning, every day again…
    Your, your family, the pink wink, are still daily in my mind and my thoughts.. my pink badge keeps me aware of it…
    greetings
    Inge

  14. iHanna Avatar

    What a great great post Michelle! Organize, gather, collect, start and finish. Thank you for the inspiration you provide. The wink-jewelery is gorgeous!

  15. Janine Avatar

    M, the roses are just divine! I was amazed the other day at how many pink flowers I have in my garden! As for the bracelet – Brilliant! lol trust you to find the asterisk beads and I can just *see* your reaction… lol your scrapbook will be amazing! xoxo

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