And the tradition continues...

When I was a little girl I was always included in the activities my grandparents and family were doing. Like cooking, gardening, creating and so as a child I was exposed rather early to things grown up people do. I remember standing at the kitchen sink at my great grandparents kitchen looking out on the farm through the window while rinsing dishes in a tub. I was about 4 then. I also remember making Parker House rolls with my great grandmother and turning some of the dough into cinnamon rolls. And so this is how we learn isn't it?

When I was very young, before I was five, I painted with oil paints with my grandma. And then over time I picked up a needle and thread and started sewing with my grandma and great grandma. I went from embroidery to sewing sundresses and on to quilting. Learning to do these things with my family has been a tradition as long as anyone can remember. Just like boys learn to drive a nail, sew a button on, farm the land. They do it beside their fathers and mothers. And I learned just like the boys too with things like: Chop & haul wood, fish, hammer things, carpentry, metal work, feeding the cattle, etc. It was just a part of our lives. And I think back on it fondly.

Now, I am seeing my children taken under my family's wings and starting to learn the same way I did. There is no hesitation. Just jump right in, make mistakes, learn from the mistakes and over time perfect what you are doing. What could be better?

Recently my family was able to get together to celebrate the birth of our newest family member. And in the small amount of time we were together...look what happened...

This is my daughter with my grandmother, her great grandmother learning to piece a quilt. Now I look at that and see what a wonderful bond those two got to form that day. A little lesson introduced and knowledge had between two family members. What could be better? Nothing in my opinion is better.

I have very fond memories of just these types of things I got to do with my family. I was very lucky to know all my grandparents and three great-grandparents, two of them lived long lives up to when I was married and had kids even. I have memories of riding the tractor with my dad's father. Fishing and shooting a rifle with my mom's dad. Gardening, cooking, sewing with all my grandmothers and great-grandmas. And now many of them are gone, but I still remember those treasured moments I had with them. Working and learning right beside them, but it wasn't work at all. It was fun. And that is how these traditions come full circle. Maybe someday I'll teach my grandchild or even great grandchild some art. It's something to look forward to.

Trust Yourself & Happy 3rd Birthday Fibers Studio!

Off and on for a couple years with Fibers Studio I have been posting two words for Tuesday as a kind of inspiration or happy thought for myself. Today my two words for Tuesday were: Trust Yourself.

Sometimes that is really hard to do though. Some of us question what we need, should be doing, want, don't want, etc. To the point where we freeze in our steps. Or even ignore our most basic needs.  Just get through our days and hope for the best.

Do you know what you want in your life? Do you know what you want to do? Do you know what you want to be? I've been thinking about this a lot lately because at one point I had reached all my goals and then I was like...well, now what!? I was a bit confused and honestly rather lost. I had not thought what I wanted after all those goals were met.

So I took time to think and plan out my next chapters. And one of them was starting my own business. Then I got to dream a bit more. Which is one of my favorite things to do! Dreaming for me means planning. So I dreamed up Fibers Studio. I didn't want to limit myself to just one art/craft because I love many different things. That's how the name came to be. Fibers...all things created with fibers. This can include wool, cotton, yarn, cloth, plant fibers, woods, paper... you get the idea.

So I am going forward with the next two years in my five year plan for Fibers Studio. I just celebrated year 3 on April 1, 2012. Yes, April Fool's Day. I posted items for sale on that day three years ago. I didn't it on purpose also. Why not? Just a fun fact. Now I have the big plans to get through. Funding, expanding, possibly having a business space for people to come into and many, many other things I am trying to work out. Be patient...it will come I keep telling myself. And it is. Just taking time. And thank goodness my youngest child is entering full day school this year. I really think that will help me to have more than 2 hours to devote to this fun job I've created!

Trust in you to know what you need for you, what you desire & the life you want to lead. No one else knows. I learned to trust myself and honestly there's no turning back. I love my life and the choices I've made for me.