When our beautiful Austrian pine had put on yet another growth spurt, it left some of its lower branches depleted. Once they were dry and clearly dead, it was time to do some pruning. This is a task for my husband, since it requires strength and skill with shears.
Austrian pine – haven for birds and wildlife Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Branching out
Initially, we planned on using the wood to fuel our chimenea, but then my husband had a better idea. The branches were a couple of inches thick with attractive rings and just the perfect size for tree ornaments. So he went to work, sawing disks of equal size, drilling holes for ribbon and varnishing them for protection.
Man at work Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Crafting together
My husband loves a family activity and so do I – so we gathered our materials and dragged poor Mariia into the event. It was a rather dreary afternoon, so what better way to lift our spirits than in creating Christmas ornaments?
Acrylic pens seemed like the best options, so I gathered up our supplies from the craft room plus some paper to practise designs.
Everything needed to complete the task Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Having multiple people decorating meant we had varied motifs. In an hour or so, we were finished and had a rather lovely array of ornaments. They are not perfect, clearly, but good enough to send to family in the States and to give out to our Ukrainian guests at Thanksgiving: a little memento made with love.
Something for everyone Image: Jeff Costello-McFeat
Most of our ornaments were generic Christmas themes, but one or two, we made with a specific individual in mind. For Mariia, I made a peace in Ukraine one, which seemed fitting to the season.
In hopes of peace Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Tree preservation
Shorn of its dead branches and given a little more light and room to breathe, I hope that our beautiful pine will continue to flourish. And the branches we removed will live again on the Christmas tree and travel full circle – nothing wasted and everything gained.
MS may have taken away a great deal, but in return it has given much, namely: the opportunity to fulfil my creative desires. Since childhood, I have loved art and making things. Add that to observing and enjoying nature and it equals bliss.
Perhaps you don’t feel that you have time for such self-indulgence. Perhaps, but there are ways of solving even that, which I’ll address in a later post. But suffice to say, that if you do want to create – do. The benefits it brings far outweigh any losses and I guarantee that you will be happier (and I believe healthier) for it.
Putting pen to paper
Everyone expresses their creativity in different ways, but my outlets are essentially writing, art and cooking.
Every morning, I write my morning pages: noting dreams, events of the previous day, musings. It is a form of meditation that requires no skill, only a pen and paper. I like to go outside, because the natural world always seems to stimulate me creatively whilst filling me with joy. If the weather is inclement, I have my shed.
The earlier I am able to do this, the better. Getting out before the rest of the world ensures peace and quiet.
Morning pages in the morning sun Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
It is a discipline. I don’t always feel like it and thought I didn’t have time, but once I’d made the commitment to write every day, I did. Curiously, life is easier this way. Each morning, pages need to be filled. Time can be found; topics explored.
The same applies to this blog. Initially, I worried that finding a new subject and writing 1,000 words per week would be too much, but somehow, several years on, I’ve managed it. Like everyone, I prevaricate a bit (I’ve just done my DuoLingo practice instead of writing) but ultimately, I get my bottom on the chair and write.
So many of us wait for inspiration, but inspiration comes from doing. The more you do, the easier it becomes and the more you want to do. Trust me!
A student of fine art
For many years now, I have been visiting my wonderful friend and art teacher Mary. At 86, she knows pretty much everything there is to know, and she is expert at sharing her knowledge. But I only see her once a week and I needed a prompt to do more art. I began with a light-hearted 15 minutes a day drawing book.
I finished the book and was ready for more. The habit of daily drawing was established and I wanted to test myself further. On a visit to the library, I noticed some excellent art books for sale in their little shop. I bought them and worked through those also. Here was excellent advice and a chance to copy how it’s done – which is itself a great way to look and learn.
Learning through copying Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Art is so much more than simply drawing. It requires observation skills, accuracy, good fine motor skills and maths. Learning 3D perspective almost made my head explode, but Mary guided me through. My High School geometry enabled me to copy a fabulous folding flower. Maths finally had a purpose.
Getting crafty
Crafts – since they are associated with women’s work – are unfairly delegated below the fine arts. Yet, they require every bit as much skill. They are also (as women generally are) rather more practical!
My indoor happy place Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
When we moved here, I fulfilled the dream of my own craft room. I made the curtains and decorated in bold colours. Your own space is vital. Even if you can only commandeer a corner of a room – do so and make it yours.
Almost every day, I mount the stairs to do a project. It may be as small as an envelope or as big as a quilt, but if I don’t do something, I get cranky. And the more I do, the more confidence I gain and the more I want to do.
Below is a little notebook I made for calligraphy and the basis of a book vase made from an old paperback. I’m itching to get more done, but I need to finish this first!
The aesthetics of cookery
Cookery opens up a whole new area of creativity from the breath-taking cake creations of my friend, Penny, to the exquisite presentations of Mariia’s meals.
We can use our creativity to imagine new ways of using ingredients. I’ve made apple and blackberry vinegar; Jeff is making mulberry vodka.
And craft and cooking can marry, as below. Having deconstructed my husband’s old shirts for their fabric, I cut circles for jam tops and finished with vibrant rickrack.
Jam dressed to impress! Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Re-fuelling
It is impossible to be original all the time and the most successful artists invariably draw inspiration from others. Klimt was clearly influenced by the Impressionists and the Scottish Arts and Crafts movement – but it doesn’t make his work any less impressive.
We mere mortals need all the help we can get. I frequently buy reference books from the library shop, watch YouTube videos, buy art books and go to galleries. Sometimes these act as a catalyst for my own work; sometimes I just admire theirs, but we cannot hope to be creative without ‘refuelling’ every so often.
Benefits of a creative life
Though I doubt that many of us choose a creative life for its benefits, they are extensive.
Total concentration on a project from knitting to composing a song pushes out the thoughts that threaten to unbalance us. For those who struggle with meditation, this is your alternative.
Keeping our minds active and challenged is key to staving off the nightmare of memory loss and dementia. Using our hands or bodies in a way that strengthens them, helps keep us supple even as we age.
Our mental health is also likely to benefit, as a mind fizzing with ideas and creative challenges is unlikely to slump into a stupor of despair. As we hone our observation skills too, we are likely to be increasingly aware of the beauty surrounding us and grateful for it. And if there is a key to happiness, it is gratitude.
We will sometimes fail, or make a mess or have to throw it away. Things will seldom turn out perfectly. Accepting this strengthens our ability to cope when life itself doesn’t work out as planned either. Mary’s favourite artists are potters, because they are reminded every day how little control we really have and simply accept it. (Of all crafts, ceramics is the most nerve racking – pots collapse; objects in the kiln explode or crack; glazes bubble and craze).
And if disaster strikes? It is an opportunity for learning, or perhaps takes us in a new direction. No matter. We enjoy the process and the outcome is a bonus.
Postcards have rather gone out of fashion. When I was younger, no holiday was complete without the obligatory buying, writing and sending of postcards. It was a wonderful opportunity to give a taste of your vacation. Now we tend to send a WhatsApp or Instagram message. More pictures, fewer words and although these are always welcome, I miss the joy of a postcard clattering through the letter box; the professional shot of the location and the quirky stamps.
With our busy lives, I think it is a great time to reinstate the postcard. They only take moments to write, yet have a similar impact to a letter. They are colourful and pretty and make great temporary decorations to mantlepieces and fridges. An image, a few words and a stamp are all you need to show someone that you are thinking of them, and wishing they could join you.
Paperback writer
This one has been taken from the excellent volume, Playing with Books by Jason Thompson. Most of my books end up in the charity box, but occasionally, I keep them for the papers inside to use in craft projects. To make them into postcards, simply remove the front cover (or interior one) and cut so as to contain a complete image about postcard size. Curve the edges if you wish. If possible, find titles or images that relate to the recipient.
From cover to card Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Art for art’s sake
Art cards can be a wonderful way of remembering a special exhibition – a pictorial souvenir. They are also perfect for short messages to a friend – matching their artistic taste with the card. For a cheap but elegant greeting card, glue the postcard onto card stock.
These are keepers! A wonderful exhibition of Henry La Thangue at my local gallery; a visit to Macau and a poetry/art collaboration
Zen postcards
Few activities are better at stilling the mind than a bit of colouring. No longer the preserve of five-year-olds, colouring is now for grown-ups. Intricate designs and beautiful illustrations are available as colouring-in postcards. I particularly love Johanna Basford’s whimsical designs.
These cards take some time to complete, but the act of colouring is itself a mindful, stress reducing exercise. Since you also get a gorgeous card to send, this is a win-win. One friend, who is particularly adept at these, uses the cards for birthdays and thank yous. I have several adorning my kitchen.
An enchanting activity Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Miniature watercolours
For those wanting to go a step further and to create their own works of art, watercolour postcards are available at the National Trust shops and other art outlets. I love that this gives you the opportunity to play artistically and to send the result rather than having it languish in a sketch book. As it’s only a small postcard, if it all goes wrong, little is lost. If it goes well, you have a little piece of original art to send.
Whilst drying my poppy heads, I noticed they had a perfect flower shape on the top. What better stamp could I find? I added a wash of colour for the background and then stamped away. I hope you like the result.
Floral recycling! Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
The traditional
The pandemic has rather curbed our travels, but many of us are exploring our own countries and those close by instead. Sending a card from your destination allows us to do a little virtual travelling and to discover what is on offer. If you do manage to move beyond your borders, share the adventure.
New places to explore Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
And after the postcard has been read? Like all cards they can be displayed for as long as you wish or kept as bookmarks or perhaps you can find a more exciting use for them. If you do, get in touch. Answers on a postcard, please!
This is the waiting time. Vaccines have been approved and are rolling out with great efficiency in the UK. Yet, not everyone has been vaccinated nor will be for some time. And in many other countries, the process has barely begun.
Spring has teased us with the first, beautiful blooms only to submerge them in snow. The lengthening days start and finish in freezing temperatures. The current lockdown has no end date – only cut off times for some vital government financial support.
Is it any wonder then that I am filled with longing? As I am sure you are: for a return to life without the low level hum of anxiety; of warmth and sunshine; for at least a glimmer of security; reunion with friends and family.
Brave crocuses, tempted out on a fine day, frozen and shrivelled by snow the next. Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
My health situation means that I live with constant uncertainty, a background noise of ‘what ifs’. The pandemic has just been one more layer and though I try to remain a positive person, by last weekend, I felt it all overwhelm me. Longing was turning into despair and despair is not a luxury I can afford. There would be no coming back.
I practised all the things I advocate in this blog. I increased my exercise, my meditation and made more art. I slept in to try and recuperate from disturbed nights. I studied the view, willing myself to appreciate every bud and tree and sky. I turned to my friends for help.
And it worked.
Winter beauty. Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
Standing in the garden, it seemed that everything was dead until I looked more closely. The very tips of trees were in bud. Low to the ground, bulbs were pushing through – some only weeks away from bursting into life. Taking some deep breaths, I tried to feel the garden. It pulsed with life. Like sleeping beauty, it was only mimicking death, waiting for the sun’s kiss of resurrection. And though we can predict almost nothing else: the world will turn, the warm days will come. Spring is on its way.
Come on out! The snow is bracing! Image: Craig Whitehead on Unsplash
Walking in the cold, bundled up like a Michelin man, is a bracing tonic. Like computers, MS sufferers need to be kept cool in order to function, so though the weather is not most people’s ideal, for me it offers an opportunity to extend my walking range. My walking poles keep me from stumbling on the uneven pavements and Jeff and Hermione are good company. By the time I return, I can barely move and my final steps are more leg swings from the hips than true walking. But this burst of fresh air, forcing my blood to circulate and the joy of reaching incrementally further distances makes it all worth while.
Craft production has gone into overdrive. My fractured mind needed focus. Out came the air drying clay, papers for cards and a quirky diorama. Origami stars were made for my granddaughter (she loves them) and plans were made for even more projects. Scattered thoughts were corralled into something productive and rewarded me for it. Who cannot feel happy at a task completed? It doesn’t need to be professional or perfect – just done. Before there were only raw materials. Now there is something!
A magical, miniature diorama courtesy of Flow Image: Karen Costello-McFeat
And lastly, I spoke to friends. For once, I allowed myself to reveal weaknesses – fears and frustrations. And my honesty was met with compassion and practical help. Many of my friends are a bit older and due their vaccinations now, so I thought I would simply ask if they heard of any spare doses to offer my name as someone who would come at a moment’s notice to avoid wastage. Unbelievably, two days later just such a scenario arose and I was privileged to get my first dose. I wish everyone I knew was so lucky and wait impatiently for them to be protected too.
When I was beginning this post, I was determined to find a fissure of hope in the wall of despair; to pry it open and let the light in. As it transpires, that was done for me. I am still longing for the spring and its abundance of flowers. I am still longing for longer, warmer, lighter days. I am till longing to see my friends and chat and laugh in person. But this last week has shown me that miracles are possible and even when they are in abeyance, we have the resources to prevail.
