Beginning and Ending... All at Once

September has always been one of my favorites.

I love all of the months that are beginnings. September is the beginning of a schedule after the free spirited summer. It is also an ending I suppose. A time to wrap things up and tuck away for the winter. I actually enjoy tucking things in for the winter. Knowing that I'm about to enjoy a period of rest, so to speak. A push indoors where we will need to be more creative to avoid cabin fever. Board games, art, puzzles, and more. I love the cold season.

Usually September is a very productive time for me. I typically go through the house room by room, clean, purge, and organize to refresh our indoor spaces, since we will soon be spending more time in them. I also go through and tidy outside, pick apples, clean up the flower beds, and whatnot... get it all ready for the winter.

 But this year has been different. 

I have been sick for half of the month now. Very low in energy and spirit for these things. So, my rest season began early I suppose. I have been taking more time to rest, and the beauty in that is that I found time to work on a very special new piece. The largest I have ever carved. My first block print. It is a heart (possibly my heart, I haven't decided) with plants growing out of the veins and arteries, roots, fungus, cobwebs and spiders, music, a bird in flight, and a moon full and bright.
I have had this piece in my head for months so it felt amazing to actually get it out on to paper and then finish it so quickly. And now, I have more and more ideas popping into my head. I really enjoy this form of art. I have never found a simple way to share my love of carving. I love creating and carving the piece, and then I can roll out print after print to share. It's quite perfect. I am hoping to create a design to print my own Christmas cards this year. Won't that be fun!?