Heart Notes: Best of 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, are you feeling
contemplative? I've been looking at this year's highlights. I've also been thinking about what do I need to let go of before the end of the year, so that I can go forward into 2024 with clarity and focus. How are you preparing to start the New Year? Let me know by replying to this email.

On my blog, the most popular posts in 2023 were: I am not lost, a blog about moving from feeling lost to using this time of transition as an opportunity. An opportunity to heal, to process where we’ve come from, or to identify what brings us joy; No more eggshells for me!, about overcoming a tendency to stay small and quiet so as not to be noticed by someone who is unpredictable. It includes a meditation that you might find helpful; and The spaces in between are fuel is thoughts about how when we cram our schedules too full, and don’t allow space for creativity, rest, self care, we burn out. We run out of energy, enthusiasm, health. So allowing space is not just a ‘nice to have’. It is an essential ingredient of fuelling ourselves.

Wishing you much space, creativity and good health as we close out 2023.

Journaling for Design online class
Do you want to create designs that express your inner self? Designs that are meaningful? Would you like to use journaling to get unblocked, to get your creativity flowing again?

What’s included: In this two hour class we will learn how to establish a creative journaling practice that will become part of your design process. We will cover how to begin and sustain a journaling practice, how to get unblocked through journaling and sketching, tapping into the body feeling to create designs that come from within and more. Get ready to write and sketch – and design using my book One Loop at a Time, The Creativity Workbook.

Registration for this online class (February 14, 1 pm Eastern) is now open!

Renegade Conversations new episodes launching December 22 and 29!
The first of three new episodes launched on December 15. You can watch it here. New episodes will be launching this week (December 22) and next (December 29). If you need to take a few minutes to yourself over the holidays, tune in and get ready to be inspired!

Thanks to everyone who has been playing along with my Guess Who? contests. All you need to do is like the post (Instagram or Facebook), guess who the next guest is (wild guesses perfectly acceptable) and share the post to your people. The prize this week is a set of my Chakra colour notecards. I hope you will play along.

Renegade Conversations are available on my YouTube channel, as well as on the major podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, IHeart Radio) as an audio podcast.

One of my goals for 2024 is to build my YouTube channel subscribers so that I can work towards attracting paid sponsors for Renegade Conversations. You can help me meet this goal by subscribing to my YouTube channel . Thanks so much! The bonus is, you will be notified each time a new episode launches.

Check out my latest Artworks in progress below. I hope you like them!

Keep reading for Upcoming Classes and Events and more.

Upcoming Classes & Events

Booking now for 2024
Spots available for speaking, workshop and team building facilitation and custom designs for your conference or organization (in person or virtual).

February 8-18, 2024 In the Studio Online Workshop Week 2024
In the Studio Online will be offering another of its popular series, online Workshop Week. We have lots of great ideas for teachers and classes. Here are links to the teachers involved with this Workshop Week: @artwools @halbermichelle @wendiescottdavis @krisbraids @jean.haley @marystitches_ @fromjanemmason @thehookingcolonel @robbymooreart @merylcook @remileves @claypatties @storytellerwool @loopbyloopstudio Registration is open now! Get the full course catalogue here.

February 14, 1 to 3pm Eastern
Journaling for Design
Registration for this online workshop is open and the class is about half full. Do you want to create designs that express your inner self? Designs that are meaningful? Would you like to use journaling to get unblocked, to get your creativity flowing again? $65 US. For more information and to register, hit reply to this email.

Stories are Made Loop by Loop, a travelling exhibit, curated by Susan Feller. Artists in this exhibit are Domenica Zara Queen, West Virginia, Cheryl Bollenbach, Tennessee, Terri Todd, Virginia, Karen Miller, Ontario, Canada, Meryl Cook, Nova Scotia, Canada, Mary Tayliegh Lopez, British Columbia, Canada and Elizabeth Miller, Maine. This exhibit will be at the following locations:
July 12 - October 7, 2023 - Virginia Quilt Museum
March to June 2024 - Juliet Art Museum at Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences
July 5 - September 11, 2024 - The Dairy Barn Art Center
September - December, 2024 - Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center

Work one to one with me
Are you feeling burnt out and needing to reconnect with joy and a sense of purpose? I help you find your joy and reach in and touch your creative soul. Book your Creativity One to One Connection Sessions today. Packages of three sessions with me also available.

Artwork in Progress

If you are a regular reader of Heart Notes, you will know that I recently finished six new pieces (two Wild Women and four Renegade series). I am in the design phase for my next abstract piece. I love the design phase - for me it comprises making various sketches, looking at my materials, seeing what I might need to spin and/or dye. It feels like a gathering or a coming together of ideas and materials before I draw a design on the linen. I suppose it is the most contemplative phase of my art making process.

Like many of you, I'm also knitting a few gifts for the holidays, and decorating my home with lights and evergreen branches to chase away the darkness and welcome the Solstice.

If you would like to own one of my fibre art creations, take a look at my gallery or contact me. Custom designs also available.