Once, a long time ago, I had a dream that a friend send me a letter and all it said was “dance”.

The Dancing Ladies (of my latest streaming pillow) and I  wish you all an Open Heart and Dancing in the New Year.

Mary Rita send me this photo of her dog Grace with my pillow In The Garden,  that she gave to her daughter for her birthday.   Grace looks like she’s done this before.

This is it,  I finished making the last of the Happy Cat Potholders.  I had enough fabric for 20 potholders, 10 are sold, that leaves 10 Happy Cat Potholders for sale.  Will I miss them?  I don’t think so, I’m ready for something new, maybe some bugs.

The Happy Cat Potholders  are sold out.

So, for Thanksgiving Jon gave me a necklace with the letters of my name on it.  Only the place he got it from was backordered on a couple of letters.  What I got was an I an A and an M.  Sure it’s spells Mia, which my neices and nephew call me but…it also spells I AM.  Wow, I thought, I like that.  I’ve since gotten the rest of the letters to spell MARIA, but I haven’t put them on the chain.  I like I AM too much.

I know these words have power, I suppose it’s in the affirmation of being, but I still don’t exactly get it.  I just know how it makes me feel.  A bit like a super hero,  powerful in my existence and in who I am as an individual and in my connection to all beings.

So that’s how this pillow came about.  I have to admit the colors in my photo aren’t completely accurate. (sorry)  But it was the best I could do.   The thread is purple as is the velvet surrounding it.  (It looks like blue in the photo and the thread looks brown!)

“I Am, I am what I need, I offer what I have, rooted in eternity, the tortoise is my guide, loss brings hope and fields of gold, plant my feet in the earth, bring me home safely,  ”

I Am is Sold.

And check out cheryl-by-the sea’s potholder poem on my comments from yesterdays post, it’s pretty clever.

We had a wonderful Christmas in Brooklyn,  just walking around the streets  looking at everything and everyone is enough to keep my mind and eyes busy and happy.  On Christmas Eve we went to the Brooklyn Museum.  I haven’t been there in years and our hotel was in walking distance  (nothing is in walking distance of the farm, except more farms)  what a treat.

There was lots there that caught my eye, but it was these small Egyptian figures that I wanted to be sure to remember.  I was thinking of my streaming work and my goddesses.  I’ve seen images and statues similar to these before, and those  have subconsciously influenced my work, but these will consciously influence my work.  Maybe even inspire me to look at more of  the many goddesses that have come before mine.    I love the way this one makes floating look as easy as sitting in a comfortable chair.  Definitely not the typical Egyptian Art I’m used to seeing.

My Aunt sent me a wind-up Santa and Snowman and  when I saw that Izzy was interested I just couldn’t resist.  Then I thought to introduce them to the other animals on the farm.  They weren’t as intrigued as Izzy, (the donkeys wouldn’t get anywhere near them) but… well, see for yourself….

Jon and I will be spending Christmas in Brooklyn visiting Jon’s daughter.  I’m leaving the computer home and will be back on Monday.  Wishing you all a sweet and peaceful Holiday.

Today was one of those days so instead of getting into it ( I don’t especially want to write about it, once is enough) I thought I’d share this Street Art Utopia site with you all.  Above is just one of the many photos ( I love the yellow umbrellas)  of some of the best Street Art of 2011.  Enjoy!

Sweater from Finders Keepers, this one's for me to wear

When I first quit my part time job at the beginning of the year, I had many fears.  One of them was that I would be in the studio 5 days a week all day  and loose contact with the  outside world.  Like the rest of my fears, this has not happened.  Actually just the opposite did.  I find that I’m able to spend my time in ways that is more productive,  fulfilling and meaningful.  I’ve been able to participate in local shows like Gallery 99 in Glens Falls, I started the Pig Barn Gallery on the farm and I’ve made new friends.

And what a simple pleasure it is to be able to leave the studio for a few hours, drive into town,  shop at the  Finders Keepers (where I didn’t find anything for my work, but got a couple of nice sweaters and a pair of jeans for myself) and have lunch with a friend. This is something that’s been missing in my life in the past few years, and I’m grateful to have it once again.

I’m in the process of making the last 20 Happy Cat potholders.  Eight are already sold so that leaves lucky 13 for sale.  They are $15 each including shipping and I will definitely not be able to get them to you for Christmas (Sorry).  So email me if you’re in need of a Happy Cat Potholder at maria@fullmoonfiberart.com or go to Contact Me.

Seems like my Aunt and I aren’t the only ones with pie crust issues.  I’ll be making Goddess Potholders after the New Year and you’ll see them here first (unless Jon scoops me again, I have to get better at that) with all the details.  Each one will be unique ( I couldn’t replicate one if I wanted to, which I don’t) although the popular Pie Goddess is sure to evolve and return.

Potholder Goddess says Buy Your Pie

I usually don’t work on Sundays, but I’ve been thinking about making streaming goddess potholders for a long time, and today well… it just happened.  Potholder Goddess Says Buy Your Pie is my first one.  I made it and Goddess of Pies Loves All Crusts  as gifts.  But I liked making them and I think they came out pretty good for the first ones.

I wanted my first goddess Potholder to be saying Buy your pie (appropriate for the holidays)  and without thinking about it I found myself dressing her in a loose fitting gown and bare feet.  Of course, I thought afterwards, she’s still in her pajamas,  relaxing because she doesn’t have to make the pie.

Goddess of Pies Loves All Crusts, comes from a pie crust conversation with my Aunt.  She was saying that she had a hard time making a nice looking pie crust and I was insisting that it doesn’t matter what it looks like as long as it tastes good.  I know my philosophy wouldn’t go over well at the County Fair, and I do appreciate a beautiful pie crust, but I guess it just doesn’t really matter that much to me.  Anyway, the Goddess of Pies seems to agree with me.

I’ll be making more Goddess  Potholders after the New Year.  My mind is already  buzzing……..