Friday, December 7, 2012

Presents or being Present ?

I'm going to switch gears here, yesterday sewing, today yoga.  All Things Ming encompasses all aspects of me so I figure this month is a great time to add some yoga.


A bit of a back story:

I have been studying a lineage of yoga philosophy with an amazing teacher for about 10 yrs now. I spend a few weeks a year with her immersed in these teachings and then spend the rest of the year applying them. Well at least that is my intention! That is where the real work comes in, living in everyday world and doing this work. Some yogis renunciate from the world and spend their lifetimes in these caves doing amazing sadhana (practice). Others do what is called a householders practice which means to stay in the every day world. Not that I remotely close to be in a league with any of these amazing beings. However, I was lead to my teacher and the teachings and like a moth to flame I was immersed. I am in the presence of some AMAZING practitioners who blow me away with their knowledge and grace. And yes some times I cant not even keep up with the lingo but as my teacher says "It is not the words that are important but the experience and your consciousness" So here is some  yogic "philosophy" lets say and in layman's terms.

Our world is vibrating at an amazing pace these day. Everything and everyone is working at such a higher and intense frequency, Just look at the weather recently. It is an incredible indicator.  
 We are in what yoga calls the "Kali Yuga" the dark age. An age of severe discourse and destruction. Yet Kali the diety is often shown as being very fierce at first, she isn't called the destroyer for nothing!  She starts out dark and fierce. Once you surrender to her fierceness and let her in to destroy parts of the "ego" She becomes such a divine force or "Ma". After the force come the divinity. Or lets just say she eats away all our junk and helps to bring us back to an clearer state. 

Kali Ma fierce but beautiful.

This month marks a planetary event that will not happen for like another 28,00 years. It is going to be extremely powerful.  
Yes ,Yes, we all know the hype about 12/21/12 and the whole Mayan calendar, yet it is just the end of their calendar cycle.  Do we know when things end or if they ever do. Everything is a cycle and in a constant continuum. 
What I have been shown is that there is going to be a shift in consciousness. A shift in thinking and action. A shift that can unite or divide us. With this planetary line up and the energies that are here we need to be ever so present in our thoughts and actions. Because what every thought or action we will take will be magnified significantly. For the good or the bad. If we are deep in pity and doubt, negative thought, pettiness, and "I" well it just going to be destructive. Yet we can not ignore these aspects of ego because they are a part of us . There can not be good without bad or joy without sorry. What can we do, we can work towards being more present in our thought and actions. Really be aware of what we do and how we think. We can acknowledge the "I' in ourselves and really work towards being open and spacious in our actions and everyday dealings of life.

I read a great article called the "Zombie Apocalypse"from a homesteading sight that I follow. The title was a bit misleading but it sparked my interest. The gist of it was that when people think of survivalism they tend to think of "their" family and "their"survival . But the important  thing was to think of "we" and "community" to survive. That it would not behove anyone to just think of "them" as a single for survival. The only way for one to survive would be for us all to survive ...to think "community" and "we". 



Maybe this is the shift, we need to be more in the "we" than the "I".  To let go of all the junk that we hold on too. Yes, I know this sound like very common knowledge. But at the intense energetic vibration we are working from I think this very common knowledge is extremely important and will be very magnified. We need to get expansive in all aspects. We need to work from this place.

We are in the Holiday season where we run our selves a bit ragged, maybe losing sight of the importance of what the season is about ( whatever that is to you, Christmas, Hanukkah, the Solstice) and it is going to be an intense one . So maybe the best gift to give is taking a breath, being a bit still, looking at the quality of our mind and actions, seeing what is. Lets not worry about the "PRESENTS"too much ( well maybe just a bit, they are lovely) and enjoy the greatest gift and be "PRESENT".

Happy Holidays and Namaste and Thanks for reading. It was a bit of a switch of topics, but hey my blog description warns you !  WHo knows what will be next with my brain, Hey look a chicken! ;)


Thursday, December 6, 2012

BAD BAD Blogger!

Well, I could give you millions of reasons why I have been such a bad blogger. Lets just say my little guy's new adjustment to kindergarten, a hurricane, a trip to Disney, Thanksgiving, and a let's not forget the household of nine.
BAD BAD time to start a blog . OK as my favorite actor, the late Bernie Mac would say, "NUFF SAID"!

So lets just jump into it, I joined a Tag -a -Long !! Making three Christmas tags a week with only what you have in your stash!! How hard is that for me, I am itching to get to JoAnn's, but I will not. I will stick to the rules (yeah right just like the Ayurvedic fall food cleanse I tried !!).heehee.

It is the creation of two of my favorite bloggers, Amy from Nana Company and Kristyne from Pretty by Hand. Click on over and check out their adorable creations! These lovely ladies are such an inspiration. I must say I am bit addicted to the Tag-a-Long. There is even a Flickr group. Make sure you to take a peak.

 It came at a good time too. My little guy has been home all week sick with walking pneumonia and I CANT LEAVE THE HOUSE !!!! Which means NO JoANN"S or QUILT STORES for me. NO COOKING, NO CLEANING and one other thing NO SLEEP ! So I did a quick run to my work area in the basement grabbed some stuff and got started . I did start a week late, but here is what I came up with so far.


A little Hexi fun

A little bit of French General

Swaroski crystals, Tonkin thread ,Weeks floss in "Noel"

My third tag , for my "star " that one is for my aspiring actress daughter!
Now back to the workshop to get started on the next designs!! Come on join in!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Aftermath of a quilt show...Prelude of a storm

Well my Mother in laws Quilt show went off fabulously. Too bad she had a nasty cold for the show. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, we drove 20 hrs in two and a half days. We were leaving Friday to get to Cobleskill for the show on Saturday... then off to Burlington Vermont to see kid #3 at his new school for dinner ...then back to Cobleskill..Whew!!! I got a lot of knitting done. I am working on the adorable "The Beekeepers Quilt"by Tiny Owl Knits. The cutest knitted honeycombs! So fun!

I took a while to get back from to the blog. We came home sick from our trip, we had two weddings to attend and then getting ready for a quick vacation to Florida this week. I've got a date with a Mouse! That is if we can get out of dodge, we now are getting a direct hit from Hurricane Sandy so we have been preparing all weekend. Generator, food, water, batteries, gas tanks full, and last but not least multiple projects ready to go for when the power goes out ! Ya know the important stuff!

Ok back to the show. The Honored Quilter ,who had her own showcase room Susan Reed  was AMAZING! There was not one item I did not love. She has only been quilting for 10 yrs !! Here is a peak. The pictures aren't the best. Can you believe it I forgot my camera! I took these with my phone.
I am in love this set

Love this!

So sweet.
The embroideries were just lovely
Sooooo true!

Her Christmas section
Amazing isn't she!
Now here are few from the Vintage collection of the show. Just like stepping back into time.

I see a crazy quilt in my future
I got some two great books and some fall fabric form the vendors . Log cabin fabrics and Cottons,Etc.had a great selection.

 Some of my goodies...
This book is just beautiful
Cant wait to find some vintage stuff to use for this book



The above is what I have picked out on the embroidered tea towel I am in the process of creating. Remember the pumpkin sketch from the last post . If it turns out well I may turn it into a kit.
Well I better get back to packing before we lose power . Positive thinking right ? Hopefully sandy blows away before our Wednesday flight.
Be safe all my friends in the mid Atlantic region.



Saturday, October 6, 2012

It's the homestretch....

 Well I am almost done my tablecloth for my Mother in laws quilt show next weekend in upstate NY . Here is a peak ...

I used mostly French General fabric
I loved how the embroidered hearts turned out
Pictures are a bit dark , I was in my workroom which is in the basement.

I have to admit as much fun as it was, I am glad to be done. It took me to wire to get it done because that's how I roll and work best. Now I can focus more on the blog and new projects for my shop on Etsy. I started Etsy and my blog at the same time as the quilt,as well as sending my youngest off to kindergarten.I must say it has been a huge adjustment for me and him. So of course Etsy went to the wayside.

 You see I work best with a lot of commotion. Not that I enjoy it , I always have this Martha Stewartesque dream of working in a quiet,well organized state. IT NEVER HAPPENS!! Now that I don't have my toddler running around the house all day and only two of my four teenagers I feel a bit underwhelmed??? Is that a word???? 

As I said in my last post I am so used to taking care of others and now I have a huge chunk of the day (well other than all the house work, eight people still live here!) to myself .
So whats the problem? Focusing when my house is quiet !!!  IT"S SO WEIRD! It is taking  me some time to get used to. It was good that I had a project that I had to get done by Oct 11, it helped with the focusing. 

Now is the real test, how is this going to work with me as my only disciplinarian? HMMM........
Here is what's on the list:
A few more baby items for my Ghee Baby line
A free embroidery pattern PDF for the blog and project to go with it.
Mini place mats for these awesome vintage tea cups I found last week .

Here are some photos of this weeks inspirations...
I have been waiting to use this fabric for something special

Federal Glass Co. "Moonglow" teas cups

Sketch for the embroidery done by myself, edited by my daughter. Notice her little note at the top.
Honeycomb Buns form King Arthur Flour



Isn't this pan adorable
I wound up in the kitchen this week to break up working on the quilt and made these Honeycomb buns from King Arthur Flour
I saw this pan in their magazine and had to have it. They were extremely yummy but I want to tweak the glaze recipe. I'll let you know how it turns out , as well as the project list this week!

Have a great weekend !
Namaste,
Ming

Friday, September 28, 2012

We Are Worth It!

Happy Friday!
 I have been working hard all week on the hand embroidered portion of my tabletop quilt for my Mother in law's quilt show in two weeks (thank god its a small project with minimal quilting).

First corner heart done

This is the third one , I lost a picture of the second one
   I am almost done. Everyday I sit first thing and dedicate at least two hours. This is a first for me, you see I am great at giving time to my house, family, work. However, when it comes to working on a "personal" project I have a very hard time giving myself  the "personal" time.  Especially to work on something meant for moi. I'm always feeling I should be taking care of something else or others. I mean real guilt sets in and it's an instant road block. I stop working on it feeling really selfish taking the "personal" time. It falls wayside and somehow (wink wink) a new project manifests and I have 352,00 projects unfinished ( yes that is my magic number when I am exaggerating, you will see it often!). 

I ran out of the floss I was using ,Weeks Dye Works hand dyed floss in Aztec Red 2258 which perfectly matched the French General fabric I used for the quilt. The 352,000 other red flosses I have in my stash just wouldn't do! So I cyber ran over to Anita's Little Stitches . This is hands down one of my favorite site for threads. She has everything and got it here lightening fast!

I also picked up these along the way...

I love the autumn like colors

and I got a free gift!
I mean I have been working so hard a little treat was in order;-)


I have really learned through years of reflection that I deserve treating myself to "personal" time and doing for me, myself and I. 

We can't help others until We help and nourish ourselves. We can't always be the giver. We must to learn how to receive. WE ARE  WORTH IT!

Now another matter ...  I got my first follower YAY! This next picture is for her. It is a Vintage Halloween postcard. Another thing I collect !!
 So glad to meet you "The Graphics Fairy"
I'm a Halloween junky
Have a great weekend!! I'll be putting up the Halloween decorations .That is after I give (and receive) myself stitching time.

Be Well
Mingy~

~ Lokah Samastah Sukinoh Bhavantu~May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Vintage Linens

Some of my favorites...

From a house sale, handmade by the owner's mother.


I love the delicacy of this, made by the same lady

The Lotus embroidery is just exquisite

A friend gave me this, it was her  Aunts.

My mother found this on one of her excursions



I also have a problem with vintage lines ;-)

Leave a comment and let me know about your addictions, I mean collections!

Be Well,
Mingy

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Fiber addiction?!

You be the judge??

So Pretty!
Vintage lace

Hand dyed silk by Hannah silks

Don't these look lovely together

French General obsession

Seduce By Berroco Yarns

I am going to make some crocheted lace with these.



So what do you think ? 

I can go anywhere and find some form of fiber I must have! Whether I have the means or not! I am currently working on saying no. Its tougher than you think.

What I really should be doing...

 Hand pieced star/ Pattern by Northern Quilts Stitcheries ~ Scandinavian Christmas Hearts ~ Table cloth
This has to be ready for the Quilt show my Mother in law Janet runs in upstate NY in October. I am almost there, I have to hand embroider four corner squares with hearts. I think I will make the deadline.(gulp)

I did a lot yesterday with my little helper by my side.( he had off of school for the holiday)
A nice day off together 
Then I saw how nice it was outside and took these...
My strawberry jar succulents


Succulent Dish

Dragonfly ( he looks a bit beat up though)

Parsley gone to seed
So we got changed , Hubby came home early and we took a bike ride, then went swimming with family!
Enjoying the last few days of summer.


Namaste
~Mingy~