Thursday's Children (and also Monday Musings) - A Virtual Tour of My Office

This has been sort of a hell week for me, so at the lovely Rhiann Wynn-Nolet suggested that my office post do double duty for the Thursday's Children post. I thought it was a brilliant idea, so we're going with that. Below, you can see some of the things that inspire me in my work space!

And you can also see the work spaces of my Monday Musings writers - just click on their names to check out their offices, too! Kirsti Jones, Tess Grant and Lynn Dozema.

Okay, so it's clutter. No, really cluttered. But it works and it's home.

This is my desk. Actually, it used to be my husband's when he was a kid, but I cleaned it up, put new hardware on it and adopted it. It's where I keep my journals, rocks and whatever reference material I'm using at the time. Oh yeah, and the computer.

My office also doubles at my sewing room. I have, what one would consider, an unhealthy addiction to fabric. But I'm working on purging a bunch of it this year. If I don't have very specific plans for it, it's out. Oh, and the old treadle machine under the new one actually works. It's gorgeous, too.

This is one of the bookcases. As you can see, it's overloaded and also in need of purging. And that's Thelma, my dressmaker's dummy wearing a shawl my mom made me. The harp was given to me by a friend. One of these days I'll learn how to play it. You know...in my spare time.

This is just some art I like. Or, more art I like. My kids call them "The Butt People." The unframed print is by a very talented local artist named Gary Elderidge and the print is called The Muse of Art and Literature. It's absolutely beautiful up close - I wish I could get a better picture of it.

I've ended up with a lot of instruments in my office - some are mine, some not so much. The three hand drums, harp, dulcimer, recorder, trumpet and bamboo flute are mine. The two guitars, concert flute and violin are not. And yet...here they are in my office. Hmm...

This is a gorgeous Victorian chemise that I rescued from a house that was scheduled to be destroyed back when I was in college. I wish I'd had the foresight to pry out the fireplace mantles and take the old glass doorknobs and other fixtures. Unfortunately, I didn't.

Anyway, this is my little chaos corner. Hope you enjoyed the tour. :) 

Don't forget to check out the Blog Hop, and join in, too!

Here's the code for the Linky to put on your own post.

I Just Got a Nifty New Blog Award

The talented and fascinating Rhiann Wynn-Nolet just awarded me the One Lovely Blog Award! You should definitely take a peek at her blog and learn a little bit about her.

In the meanwhile, here are seven facts about me.

1.) My college job was working as a seamstress and makeup artist at the university theatre.

2.) I once had a poem critiqued (in public - eep!) by Allen Ginsberg.

3.) I used to run a small business out of my home making bridal dresses, veils and bridesmaids' dresses.

4.) I collect rocks. No really. They're all over the house. I bring them home from wherever I go and people bring them to me when they travel. One of my favorites is a piece of mortar from the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey a friend brought home to me.

5.) I was jealous of my little brother because he had an imaginary friend and I didn't. True story.

6.) I can knit - but only slippers.

7.) I collect fairy tale books - picture books, antique volumes, modern - you name it, I want it on my shelf.

Now, I'm tagging  a few awesome people for you to get to know better. Check them out!

Kirsti Jones

Tess Grant

Patricia Kiyono

Stephanie Michels

Lynn Dozema

If your name is on the list and you'd prefer not to participate, it's all good. :)

And I Humbly Accept...

The Liebster Award!

Given to me by the lovely Rhiann over at  A Nest of Words!

Here were Rhiann's questions for me:


1. If you were to choose a Nom de Plume, what would it be?

Maybe Bridgid...or Morgan...or Gwenden...or how about Morwyn or Tristyn? Definitely something Celtic - lol!

2. What is your favorite flower?

Lilacs - I love the colors, the scent and the feeling that if they've survived winter long enough to bloom, than I can too.


3. If you had to live prior to 1900, what century would you choose, and why?

Is it wrong that I'd want to live in the Edwardian period for the fantastic dresses and jewelry? I know, I know - totally shallow, but there it is.

4. What is your motto?

It's a quote by Maggie Kuhn. "Speak your mind even if your voice shakes."  It's not always the easiest thing to do, but I try.

5. Lake or ocean, and why?

Lake - Lake Superior in particular. It's an amazing body of water that has a different personality for every season. Actually, depending on the weather, a different personality for every day! It's HUGE and the waves never stop. It's my favorite place to visit and the home of our annual writers retreat!

6. Tell us three things about a favorite character you've created.

Right now, I'm really fond of Mellie
1. I love how her bitchtastic personality conflicts with her deep-down desire to do the right thing.
2. She's a changling trying to live her own life in the midst of someone else's.
3. Her strength in choosing to help another even though she'll suffer for it.


7. You're in a car and this song comes on the radio - you can't change the station fast enough.

So. Many. Songs. Which is why I have tons of cds in my car (Sadly, my car is too old to have an iPod jack, but the next one will!) The cds keep me from playing "Radio Roulette" while I'm driving. I hate the song Bad to the Bone" more than I can possibly express, also anything by ZZ Top. I should probably stop the list there or it'll be endless.


8. Which author influences you most as a writer, and in what way?

Charles deLint - that man blends the magical and mundane like no other and transports me to en entirely new world! Love his work! Someday, I'd love to have that same effect on people.


9. When you get writer's block, doing this helps. (If you never get writer's block I'm blowing raspberries at you).

Honestly, I don't really get writer's block. I do, however, suffer from chaotic life snydrome which often achieves the same results. But usually, a little deep breathing while listening to the book's soundtrack will get me back on the right path again. Or switching WIPS - that helps too. .

10. What movie scared you (and maybe scarred you)?

It. Definitely, It. I've never liked clowns, but Tim Curry in that movie turned discomfort into a full-on phobia.

11. What's your favorite Halloween candy?

Um...all of it?  Probably Reece's Peanut Butter Cups or Mounds.

Thursday's Children - Dress Up and Character Creation

I'm piggybacking on the lovely Rhiann Wynn-Nolet's Thoughts on Halloween post. Apparently, we're both huge fans of Halloween and dressing up. I knew I liked her. :) I'm also a huge fan of sewing - well, of most forms of crafting , really. There's something incredibly satisfying about creating something from nothing - or at least, mostly nothing.

I make mugs, bowls and wall art from globs of formless clay. I make clothing from shapeless piles of fabric. I make pictures from colored bits of thread. And perhaps most satisfying, I create people and worlds from nothing more than words and the thoughts rattling around in my head.

The people in my stories are take shape in a similar fashion to how I create costumes. I look at random assorted personality traits, memories and experiences in must the same way that I look at fabric, trim, foundation pieces. Then I fiddle around with them until they become a cohesive, believable whole - person or garment, it doesn't really matter. It's a similar process - particularly since I rarely use patterns when I sew. Part of it is knowing what works and how to put it together and part of it is trial and error. Writing and sewing are really very similar.

In keeping with the Halloween tradition, here are some of the costumes I've made - or at least ones I could find pictures of. :)

                              My husband, our two boys (many years ago) and me at a ren faire.

 

 A friend in the wedding dress I made her. 

 My youngest son in the Stormtrooper costume I made him (well, obviously not the blaster or the helmet...)

 My youngest son in the Jawa costume I made him. His stuffed kitty had a matching costume, too.

                                A pirate-y homecoming dress I made for a friend's daughter.

                                                           One of my favorite dresses.