Mindful in March.

Oh February. You were so good. And so crazy busy. It feels right to make this month a time to be more mindful.

I was looking through the book Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider of SimpleMom.net. I love the ideas she poses of living simply, of living holistically. To live holistically, she writes, means to "emphasize the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts. All the parts work together for the good of the whole, and the final result--the whole--matters more than any single, independent part." She goes on to talk about how to balance the different parts of our modern lives--spiritual, relational, emotional, intellectual, physical, and financial--and keep them working together instead of competing.

I love this definition of holistic living. It rings as a true principle to me. As I was reading it, I also thought about families. I kept picturing each member of my family, each doing their part for the good of the whole. I can see much room for improvement from this single entity lately. I don't say that with self-pity--it's just a good self-realization.

So Mindful in March. I want to slow down. I want to make dinner every day. I want to feed myself and my family more fruits and vegetables. I want to walk to school more. I want to shop less and simplify our errands. I want to declutter and spring clean and make our home work better for us.

What does March hold for you?

In Progress: Swatch Faces.

I had this idea a while back to try to boil down the colors of my eyes and lips to single shades so I could make swatches with them. I have been fascinated by color lately, and this was a fun exercise. If you ever look at yourself in the mirror up close or examine a photograph, no bit of us is one simple color. I still thought it would be possible to at least simplify to one essential color. This is just a rough first draft, but it was fun to do.

Update: new version of Swatch Head Meg.

I wanted to play around more with the line style. This is the next version.

Thank you, Sylvia.

Write about your own experience. By that experience someone else may be a bit richer some day. Read widely of others’ experiences in thought and action – stretch to others even thought it hurts and strains and would be more comfortable to snuggle back into the comforting cotton-wool of blissful ignorance. Hurl yourself at goals above your head and bear the lacerations that come when you slip and make a fool of yourself. Try always as long as you have breath in your body to take the hard way, the Spartan way – and work, work, work to build yourself into a rich continually evolving entity.

- Sylvia Plath

supplies.

really, i want to use up the craft supplies i have before i get anything new. yet, there a few things that i would really like to add to my stash.

red tulle.

chiffon.

calligraphy pens (see previous post)

tacky glue.

more little canvases.

headbands.

we have a midwinter holiday next week. i hope to organize and refresh and make some arty things with my kids.

Resolutions.

We had travel plans and craziness the weekend of New Year's, so I've given myself extra time on setting resolutions. Even though I'm late this year, I love resolutions. I love the feeling I get every new year--like it really is something new and blank that I can shape and make what I want it to be.

Here are some of my creative resolutions for 2012.

1. Work on my penmanship. It seems lackluster lately. I want to like my handwriting again. Something I admire about my mom is her beautiful cursive. My cursive? All but gone. I would also like to take another stab at calligraphy.

2. Learn about things I've wanted to learn more about but haven't yet learned more about. I know a bit, but I would love to be able to drive around neighborhoods and know when they were built based on their architecture.

3. Bake more. I love baking. I need to do the things I love more often. Especially when they're delicious things.

4. Make 12 little films. I'm pretty rusty. This one will be fun.

5. Make things with the children. We have a lot of random supplies. This year I want to use them.

6. Read great books. A great book makes me write better.

7. Be more artistic. Draw more. Craft. Paint. Sew. Make something Fantastic out of paper.

8. Be the grownup I want to be. Err on the side of generosity. Leave something better than I find it. Give more. Relax and enjoy things more. Be funny and spontaneous.

9. Take more photographs. I've lost a bit of traction, but hope to regain motivation on this project. I also want to take more/better pictures of the children.

10. Experiment more. In any way. Once a week would be ideal. I've been inspired by this blog.

11. Make my home the home I dream about. That's a nice way of saying declutter, cook dinner, do family scripture study and prayer, and make more pillows. I always want more pillows.

12. Cultivate my collections. Gather. Edit. Photograph. Draw. Get inspired by them.

I also like this list of creative resolutions from Anthology magazine blog. Do you have any creative resolutions this year?

images 1/3/5/7/ 11.

reminiscing: advice from a professor

i recently came across these notes i took on the first day of one of the prerequisite classes for the film program in college. it still seems applicable in many ways, and i thought it would be fun to share it here.

1. be a part of your education. ask questions.

2. become known on campus (in the department)--my duty.

i am a professional student, teachers are my clients. always serve the client.

3. it may never be too late.

4. never accept a poor grade--ask for a chance to redo (one on one)

5. be professional in approach--be polite

6. if you're not prepared, don't show up--be responsible

7. pick 3 buddies

8. type everything--as perfectly as possible

9. keep a copy of everything you turn in (even if you have to photocopy). always have a backup.

10. assume everything can be rewritten or redone (2 weeks for this class)

11. be gracious

12. read your syllabus--assume it could slide--always come to class

13. contact professor before absence

14. be responsible for missed time--call a buddy

15. never miss a final

16. don't visit during lectures--we're paying for it!

17. stay until the end--participation

18. don't burn bridges

19. do assignments on the day assigned--always ahead--especially print papers--plan ahead

20. challenge: no homework on sundays--however, earn those 24 hours off

21. don't let problems slide--get counseling (it's free and confidential)

22. most four-year degrees take five years--do you want your degree or an education? (*leave a major class--a GE--to that last semester so you have to stay)

23. challenge the system--some rules don't apply to everyone--work with the teacher

24. back doors open--volunteer time--come in running

25. be malleable and able to negotiate

26. take notes as if you'll teach this class

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i especially like 11, 18, 20, & 26. what advice did you receive in school that you still remember today?

the new obsession.

pinterest. i didn't think i would jump on that wagon, but it turns out i'm really enjoying the ride. i love having a visual bookmark keeper. i love seeing what my friends are pinning so i can get to know them better. i love having the visual reminder of the things i want to do--the ideas aren't tucked away in my email or bookmark file somewhere--they are there! on my declarative board. or there! on eat well.

what are you obsessed with lately?