CyleAugusta

The SECRET to learning a new skill….

It’s funny that as I get older I seem to tackle things I always said I couldn’t do. The more I chip away at the “I’ve always wanted to do that list”, the more I learn that my inability is simply resistance to fulfill my desires. The resistance is experienced as fear: fear of the unknown – fear of failure.

Several months ago I gave some presentations at MOPS about creative ideas for home, gifts, and kids. A mom approached me and said “You’ve inspired me and I went out and bought a sewing machine to learn to sew“. I was excited about her new endeavor yet I felt ashamed at the mention of sewing. I had inspired someone to start sewing yet I couldn’t even sew myself. You See: I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEW – I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND FAILED MISERABLY.

The basic operation of the machine seemed to get the best of me. Several times, I attempted sewing on my sisters machine and the bobbin would get stuck, or I’d break a needle, or push the peddle too fast, or lose control leaving my stitch looking like a chevron pattern party.

I look back and see one problem: I was attempting to sew alone. I never really sought the instruction I needed to successfully operate a sewing machine. I was mad that it didn’t come easily, and so I quit. In fact I attempted to sew on several occasions with the prediction that I would fail miserably. and. I. did. I had a sister that sewed wonderfully and a skilled seamstress for a mother in law, so pawning sewing projects off on them became the crutch to uphold my belief: I CANNOT SEW.

Fast forward to several years later and Brunswick gets a Joannes. The desire to sew resurfaced and a group of friends decided to start a sewing group called Gathered Together. The skill of the sewing in our group ranges from beginner to professional.

The group decided to meet once a week for several hours in the evening and sew a project together for support, help and fellowship. Each week someone posts a simple project so you can prepare by buying supplies and cutting the pattern. I was ecstatic and arrived completely prepared, ready to sew. Guess what? My second-hand sewing machine died a painful death. Several pro friends tried to revive her but there was no luck. Nonetheless, I still managed to finish my project for the first week – with eight sewing machines there was always one available.

I cannot tell you how encouraged and equipped I felt while sewing, I think it was simply the support of the women around me, all being at different levels and all helping one another. I could not get home fast enough to show my hubby what I made, entirely by myself! He was impressed and even asked “Are you sure you no one else sewed on this?” He remembers the chevron stitch, also know as crooked sewing.

Second week came and I was ready to tackle the next project. That week a girlfriend came and didn’t feel like sewing, so she let me use her machine and even ripped out a seam for me when I messed up. Once again I drove home so excited and giddy over my new skill.

Third week was rather stressful: stress on the homefront, stress in the money world, and stress in sinus land. I nearly let it get the best of me and in my moodiness almost decided not to go – besides this week’s project seemed hard and I was a bit worried I might fail.

The presence of the fear/resistance is what made me decide to go. I knew I needed it – the degree of resistance/fear I feel about doing something is usually proportionate to how badly I need to do the particular task, for the growth of my soul.

I went to sewing group and tackled my fear. One girl was out of town so she dropped her sewing machine off where the group was held that night so I could use it. How thoughtful is that?! I tell you this sewing group is therapeutic.

On the way home from the third sewing group it hit me: the reason I was able to sew reasonably well this time was simply the support I had around me – the girls who encouraged me – the learning that takes place as you are all sewing together. One person makes a mistake and shares it with the group, and naturally you learn from their mistakes – it’s a beautiful thing really.

Its not just sewing group where this beautiful artistic community takes place. I remember hearing my grandmother reminisce of knitting parties where socks were made during WW11. In fact, to this day she hosts a knitting group in her home every week, claiming “It keeps your mind sane.”

Quilting, knitting, pottery, bunco, bridge – whatever the craft or skilled game involved there are many people who benefit from sharpening their craft in groups. What do you want to do but are too scared to start? Run a race, start a business, join a art group – whatever it is, find some support – some community in your particular interests. It will strengthen you, boost confidence, and reduce the temptation to quit.

Its a beautiful thing, really.

Question and Exclamation: Life-Altering Typography

by CyleAugusta 2 Comments

I ask lots of questions. My parents, friends and college professors would all agree. I guess it’s the writer in me, always concocting a story. It comes as no surprise that I am particularly good with the assignment of interviewing someone for a story. I’ve found a little niche – one in which I am paid to ask questions, to get all the details in order to write a good story.

It’s been ages since I’ve written in this space. It’s exactly what I’ve been longing to do, and exactly what I’ve been resisting for several months.

I once resolved to be encouraging and life- giving in all that I say on the inter-web. Sometimes this decision is downright impossible. I can’t measure up to my own standards so I simply quit. It’s almost predictable – I stop writing and as sure as the sun shines I’m dealing with disappointment and discouragement.

Most recently it was the disappointment of a physical accident right in the middle of the holidays. A broken hand (well, officially “finger”, but my whole hand was in pain, & disabled) and my favorite activities all but entirely halted.

Typing was difficult, and my emotions wavered from Jekyll to Hyde. One day I was marveling at the things the Lord was showing me during this time, and the next day I was so angry that my husband didn’t do laundry the way I wanted him to. My days were filled with pain meds, painful therapy, and the presence of a metal rod in my hand, accompanying my roles as mommy, wife, and household manager. Somehow in the midst of all this I realized how much of life really is a question.

How many freak accidents can a mommy have in six months?

Will I ever play piano again?

Will the things I pray for daily ever happen?

Are the dreams in my heart from God?

Dear Jesus, Have you forgotten what you said? Where is God?

Does he hear me?
Is he really good?
Does he really love me?

And the more productive questions:
What do you want to teach me God?
What are you doing with me?
What are we working on now?

Sometimes the act of voicing the questions lessens the hold they can have over me. They aren’t as powerful and haunting. I simply say “Here is my question, God – I abandon it to you, I’m so tired of asking…”

Somewhere in one of these dark moments – with only my left hand to write – I sketched a question mark and an exclamation point and imagined my BIG HUGE questions and then my BIG HUGE answers coming one day with an exclamation.

I handed the sketch to my design partner (aka, husband) and he promptly produced the typography.

So here it is: my attempt to jump off the train of resistance and get back into writing. I don’t have a perfect ending with a nice spiritual lesson. And. it’s. OK.

Whatever coaxes us out of hiding, to write, record, and express, is a revolutionary act. It says that we believe our lives count. Our lives do count. – Sark

Thanksgiving with the Northerners…

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We didn’t visit the Big House in Sautee Nachoochee for Thanksgiving like we usually do, partly due to my parents traveling overseas and my siblings spending the day with their in-laws.

The prospect of organizing the big feast was daunting – downright intimidating- especially the turkey business. When your feasting with the parents they always provide the meat and the adult children bring the side dishes, right?

I think I just grew up.

I grew into an adult who is capable of buying and preparing a turkey and a ham and organizing a Holiday meal. We shared the day with three families who were all in the same boat – spending Thanksgiving without family. I didn’t realize they were all northerners until my friend said -“Thanks for hosting us northerners”!

And there you have it, Thanksgiving with the Northerners. We feasted, we shared our thanks, we walked on driftwood beach after the feast, then returned to the house for coffee and desert.

The best part of the day: The girls gathering at the dining table, coffee and desert in hand while pouring over black Friday ads. We made our plans, giggled and talked about what treasures we were going to land. We divided into teams of two and planned to meet up later in the night. Team 1 was actually brave enough for Walmart while team 2 played it safe and stuck with Target.

The coffee was brewing at 9:45p.m. and my household was long succumbed to slumber.

I was giddy with excitement – I kept thinking “I am one of those people”: ~~The crazies~~. Then I pulled up at Target immediately gawking at all the people lined up. I saw people I knew, had reunions with old friends, finding my place in line conversation was electric, while stories of trampling, hyper-ventilating and other horrors at Walmart flickered through the line like lightning bugs. The wal- mart sales started earlier so many shoppers were easing into the line at Target while processing the saga of Wally World. Occasionally a horn would loudly blare while a manager recited the rules of safe shopping. It was like elementary:

No pushing, no shoving, no guns??? What? Oh, this is Target.

Then when our group of 30 was allotted into the store it was like walking into Heaven, ok, not really- but it was nuts how exciting that stroll into target was, like there was red carpet under me and a symphony playing around me?

I kept speaking truth to myself: this is target – I can come here ten times a day if I want.

I felt privledged to be among the first 150 people allowed in the store while the other latecomers had to suffer at the back of the line until their chosen 30 were allowed to enter. I ran from place to place with map in hand swiping all the amazing deals, I had carefully planned. My team mate and I worked together beautifully, one of us would man the buggy, while the other raced through the crowds of people to grab items on sale.

So, yes my kids got the $ 20.00 dollar razor scooters among other things that were significantly on sale. It was a lot of fun, standing in line, feeling deliriously tired, in fact I was so tired that I turned around rapidly and busted right in the middle of the target aisle- I fell face first, it was embarrassing and it hurt, but no worries, I got my deals and I have a chiropractic appointment this week.

Team 1

Team 2

Beyond all of this, I will never forget meeting team 1 at Fire house subs, the only restaurant open at 3:30 a.m. That frenzied shopping made us hungry! We shared stories of victories, deals conquered and the insanity we had seen. We laughed and laughed some more, really thats all you can do when your up at a restaurant eating after a shopping spree at 3:30 a.m.!!!!!! It made me feel like I was in high school all over again. Fun times!

Inspiring Artists by Hand: Josh Messer

by CyleAugusta 2 Comments

Almost a year had passed since I’d been writing articles for WYIM publications, the writing adventure that found me. A handful of articles, some photography, styling and I was creatively alive with something new.

The thought of writing locally would occasionally bounce around in my skull but I would quickly rebuke the thought until one day, on a confident whim, I called a local editor. A pleasant conversation and a few-emails later and we had an appointment.

A few days later…

I sat down with the editor in an open office space, They all appeared to be working and not paying attention to me at all except when I said something funny, then they would laugh. This caused more nervousness and I talked even faster, and tried to be funnier – you know the routine, right? it’s that nervous conversation stuff.

Somewhere in the middle of showing my work and talking about my recent discovery that I could write, the editor said “I think I have something for you if you are interested, We are starting a new column that will feature different artists who make things BY HAND“.

I nearly fell over, I wondered if she had any idea how much I love artists – how I live and breathe for that beautiful community where artists are enjoying each others gifts, seeing hope and encouragement, and sparking it in others? I tried to professionally state that this would be a perfect fit, trying not to sound too excited. I walked out of the office and nearly skipped down the steps resisting the urge to break into a full happy dance.

As I replayed the conversation, these thoughts danced happily ” I get to interview artists, hear all about their craft, ask questions – {the best part} and write an article about the art they create BY HAND”?!?!

I soon found myself knocking on the door of Josh and Anna Messer, neighbors whom I already respected as gifted artisans. I knew Anna from her floral business in Old Town Brunswick, English Gardens – her arrangements and plantings were always accented with such neat wooden boxes, old metal and driftwood.

What I did not know is that her husband, Josh was garnering quite a reputation for building unique, functional, and decorative pieces out of trashed wood, rusted metals and driftwood. Josh was to be the first By Hand feature. The article can be read here

An interesting component to Josh’s work is his eye for the original state of the trashed items. He attempts to keep the original state of the wood, metal or driftwood. He often cuts the driftwood to expose other natural colors buried under the surface.

Last week, while walking on the beach. I spotted this piece of driftwood, and my son picked it up and used it as a sword so getting it home was easy. I think it looks lovely in the red vase. I may even string some lights around it for Christmas. Thanks Josh for inspiring me to look beyond a mere stick to see what it could really be.

As is seen during an artistic renaissance, any healthy, mature artist (I’ll admit it – there are many artists who are NOT this) is happy to see their art ignite others to awaken their own gifts, – it is the insecure artist who is threatened by the wave of inspiration that is the natural response to encountering true creativity. I’m excited to continue to inspire, and be inspired by what others are making BY HAND.

Four DIY Thanksgiving tablescapes

by CyleAugusta 1 Comment

I was recently asked by my MOPS team to present some DIY Thanksgiving table decorating ideas, so I stayed up late the night before (in true hopefarm house-wife fashion) and came up with these creations. Since I started working on them after stores were closed I had to get really resourceful and use what was on hand – or what was laying in the front yard:)

1. Thanks Table-scape: Who knew you could carve the top off baby pumpkins and drop a tea light in there?! Next year I want to line my mantle with the illuminated pumpkins.

I made the banner by cutting out different colored triangles from felt and gluing them onto ivory colored ribbon. I spelled thanks using felt adhesive stickers. These stickers come in a pack at Michaels for $2.99 – use your 40% coupon and there is a fun crafting deal.

The banner was glued onto Lowes paint stirrers.

TIP: these free paint stirrers are great for crafting, especially when you paint them!

These tin cans were bought last summer at target dollar aisle, I stuffed the cans with floral foam and pushed the paint stirrers into the foam. The finishing touch was wrapping brown packing paper around the can to cover the foam. You could also use Mason jars for a cool look.

This decoration would also look neat on a mantle, window sill, or on a buffet.

Turkey Peas! Table-scape: This lovely hurricane vase was made for $2.00. I showed the MOPS ladies how to make these at a homemade gift demonstration back in October. I had an extra one and wanted to put it to good use.

The bottom part is a glass candlestick holder and a round vase from the dollar store. The two are glued together using gorilla glue. I added some split peas for a natural look, you could also use popcorn kernels or any dried beans.

The turkeys were a project I did with my boys. We cut out a beak, nose and head from felt and glued it on the pine cone and then attached googly eyes. The wings are made with fall colored pipe cleaners.

My kids LOVE pipe cleaners. They will spend hours making men out of them.

I bought these charger plate at Michaels for $1.99 each, later I saw them at Target for $1.49 each.

If your yard is anything like mine you have PLENTY of pine cones. I gathered a bucket full and painted them with fall colored acrylic paints. I glued the pine cones in a circle and made a small team banner using ivory burlap and attaching it to ribbon and securing on popsicle sticks. The sticks are glued into the pine cones.

A pumpkin spice candle from Michaels is lit in the middle for a scented warmth accent! This was my personal favorite table-scape:) Too bad I didn’t win it 🙂

The last table-scape was meant to be dressier for a formal table. I had a pack of assorted colored glitter glue from the dollar store. I was just getting started when the boys walked in and begged to help. I couldn’t say no to a crafting plea.

I let them have it and they glittered them up something fierce. The picture doesn’t show the sparkly extravagance.

The pine cones were wired together using floral wire and after they were glittered the boys glued sequins on them. The pine cone circle is sitting on a gold charger with a pumpkin spice candle in the middle. The candle lit illuminated the glitter and really was beautiful. Too bad I didn’t win this one either. Guess I’ll have to make another one!

I hope you are inspired to make something unique for your Thanksgiving table!