Happiness...

Sometimes, on rare occassions, my boys and I share a passion.  It actually probably happens more often than rarely but given that they are male the opportunity (and more likely the admission) that we share anything is more rare than the occassion. When I found a bit of evidence of the existence of common interest I had to share.

The lyrics to this song have captured my imagination lately.  The chorus is "Happiness, a momentary lapse of reality..."  My Sam must like it too as I found this image in my camera of a piece he did this weekend.  I can't look at it without singing the song in my head and wondering...is happiness really a lapse from reality?

Is that a bad thing?  If we learn the art of slipping away from the discipline of life if only just for a moment is that bad?

Last week Suzanne brought in these blocks.  They are the result of a class with Sue Benner (gotta check her out... at http://suebenner.com) at AQC last year.  Suzanne had only finished a few but she put her nose to the grindstone and finished a pile of them for us to play with in class. They remind me of the 1960's when everything was psycho!

 

 

To fascilitate the play mode, she made colour copies of each block.  Since they are fused onto paper it isn't easy to design wall the concept. Making the photo copies meant Suzanne could arrange and rearrage to her heart's content until she found the layout for the blocks that most pleased her. 

OOPS, momentary lapse of concentration.  Someone, who shall remain nameless, wants to go for a walk!

Back to reality...or is it happiness?   Recently,I gave my mom a tour of my house on Skype with my laptop.  It was hillarious!!!  After all these years and our recent renovations it was possible to walk her through where we live!  Is this a dream?

We went into Sam's room and were we found more evidence of escape on the wall.

I will freely admit that I am a "pick you battles mom".  I don't let the little things get to me (that is after two decades of practice because really, it is the little things that add up to be the big things that make us really MAD!).  Anyway, when Sam asked if he could "decorate" his wall I said fine.  I think I might have been deep in thought...you know the situation...they sneak in, assess the conditions and if it seems possible, ask the question that in a properly considered situation might bring a negative response.  Well, he asked, I said yes and the result is a colourful wall of art in progress.  Anyway, I tell you this because her response upon seeing the walls of art was all good.

 

Isn't he clever she said as she ooh'd and ahh'd over the many images that cover every surface he can find.  I was happy in that moment.  We ended the call and later it all settled in my mind.  If I had taken a pen to my bedroom wall as a teenager...REALITY would have been much different!!!!

Ok.  So, a bit of a quilting story.  Over the last two weeks I have successfully bound FIVE quilts.  Yes! Five quilts. 

I have only one left to do...well two but who is counting.  My hand is like a claw and in fact, both hands are like claws but I am OH SO HAPPY because with binding off a quilt comes the endless possibilities...endless promises of joy!!!! I am nearly at the starting point of something NEW!

In the meanwhile I have to show you what the marvelous Carolyne has done with a new Kaffe fabric.  This is one of those fabrics that sits on the shelf until someone does something marvelous with it and here is the marelous piece...

 

The squares in this fabric are perfect for cutting and making borders.  I love the colour explosioin here and the concept is great.  It's so easy to fall in love and to have a little moment of happiness!

Off to take that afore mentioned pup for a run around the neighborhood.  I would just like to say that it is always a happy thrill to get your emails.  I love seeing the photos of your versions of things you see on the blog. I also enjoy knowing how many of you relate to what goes on at MO and in the Doughty house.  We can sit in our own spaces and be together in the escape that is actually a connection.  We share more than we think and I thank you all for letting me know.  However, it is Monday and reality is crashing hard at this minute as the rush of the start of a new week hits hard. gotta dash. k

 

Comments

[Liane]

I think Sam's walls look fantastic. I hope he is going to pursue his art. I am a big fan of kids being able to individualise their own rooms! My kids are not as artistic as Sam but they have always chosen colours and themes etc.
I think it sounds like a great idea to take "short" lapses from reality. It's the coming back that's hard sometimes!

[Sjh]

Suzanne's block look like they are from Sue Benner's workshop. They are great, and Sue Benner is a great tutor.

[Hosted Services]

Beautiful work!

[Mary Rose]

Applying binding on my second quilt in three days, I share the "claw" effect with you!
I give another thumbs up (using the clawlike hand) to Sam's walls, which you may eventually want to save for a museum display...."The Early Years." I think you've raised him well!

[Meredithe]

Sam's walls look fantastic - he obviously shares his parents' creativity. Heading for a career in the arts? They (the walls) may just become very valuable in years to come!!

[Coach Outlet Online]

I'm happy I found this blog ! It's very good and thank you for sharing it !