It's time for my winter hibernation to come to an end, and that means back to weekly blogging. Winter in Michigan is dark, snowy, and everything just seems to make you tired. This used to annoy me, but I've finally learned to embrace the wonderfulness that happens during these quiet months rather than be all out of sorts over my reluctance to be online & blog. I will confess that I managed to keep connected this time thanks to Instagram, but it definitely made me feel like I was cheating on my blog!
Do you find yourself pulling more into yourself during the cold months? My birthday is in December, so not only is this the time for reflection over the arrival of a new year, but also a time of great inner reflection for me over where I want to go in my own new year.
I am finding my 40's WAY more wonderful than I anticipated which is an incredible discovery. My 3o's were pretty amazing with the debut of my book, and columns / articles flying off my fingertips; I honestly didn't think it could get much better, but it has. My children are now both out of public school, and our family suddenly has all this free time to just be together without the craziness of whistles, curtain calls, and RAH RAH RAHS!
Jules has a new job in a yarn store, and has fallen pits deep into the throes of knitting with mom and I. This has been such a blessing in our lives; talking and bonding over knitting is our new hobby, and it's one I cannot see ever getting boring or old for us; there are way too many new patterns on Ravelry for us to oogle! The click click click of our knitting needles is the new heartbeat of our home.
In art news, I have a new column out with stitch | craft create called HAPPY homegoods, and I am so excited to share some new projects with all of you and their readers! My column debuts in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue, and it just so happens I have an extra copy to GIVE AWAY today. All you have to do to enter is comment below if you find yourself hibernating during the cold winter months, and how you find yourself spending that quiet time. I will randomly draw a winner tomorrow at 3 pm EST, and pop it in the mail Saturday before we lose that luxury service! Good luck :)
I have some fabulous Give-Aways planned this spring to get you in the mood to create & decorate your home so I hope you'll continue to bear with my lapses in connecting over here. Next up will be a Valentine's Day Give-Away consisting of two handfuls of PITT artist pens & other drawing goodies by Faber Castell care of Design Memory Craft.
NOW GO MAKE ART!
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you ladies about this, but my MiL took a very bad turn with her cancer just after I posted this and I forgot I had posted a Give-Away.
The winner is Marge & I have sent her a MSG thru Facebook.
Thank you all for your comments!
Jen
Posted by: the messy nest - Jen Osborn | 04/28/2013 at 11:35 PM
Michigan weather sure has its ups and downs..I tend to do more needle felting projects in the winter and try new things.Right now I'm embroidering and trying to perfect all the different stitches.
Congratulations on your column!
Posted by: Marge Veenkant | 02/07/2013 at 12:39 PM
I enjoy seeing your instagram pics and would love to read your column in the Stitch Craft Create! I've been spending this winter in particular working on myself and using my art to help me heal and find my happy place!
Posted by: April Derrick | 02/07/2013 at 10:53 AM
Congrats on the new column! How exciting!! I wish I could hibernate at home, yet I find myself at work every day of the week...at least I enjoy my job, right? Congrats again!
Posted by: Dresden | 02/07/2013 at 10:49 AM
As a Michigander as well, I find myself consumed by various knitting projects... Socks, hats, skirts... I started spinning just over a year ago and that has brought a lot of fun into the winter months for me, and helps keep me warm =)
Great work Jen!
Lots of snow coming overnight tonight, be safe.
=)
Posted by: Kate Lebowsky | 02/07/2013 at 10:36 AM
Yeah I kind of hibernate in the wintertime. I'm a homebody in general, but this winter especially...since I'm pregnant I haven't wanted to leave much. I've been teaching myself how to knit, so that just gave me more reason to hide out. :D
Posted by: Amanda Sue | 02/07/2013 at 10:33 AM