Step. Breath. Step. Breath. Pause…. Step. I had come to hike the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu. As an archaeologist, I was fulfilling a dream I had since first learning about the ancient city in middle school. Instead of living out a dream, I confronted my reality. The air is thin. (And so is … More Musical Inspiration: To climb a mountain pass
I grew up with the understanding that I would choose a major in college and that would be the career path I would follow for the rest of my life. Technology and the 2007 Great Recession changed that worldview. I’ve reinvented myself at least three times so far in my career. The reinventions that took … More Learning New Things & Teaching Myself
I frequently parroted this parable as a way to remind or convince (persuade?) myself that I was going the right direction. It served to counter my backwards glances, my fears that I had made the wrong choice somewhere along the line. This perspective assumed that there was a “one true path” for my career/life. I … More An Arrow Only Points One Way
I just left* a Kehinde Wiley exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum (closes this SUNDAY, May 8!) and like good art, it has ignited an examination of myself and of society. The gaze. To look directly into the eyes of these black men, who are conveying power and vulnerability in a single gaze, moved me. … More Power and Pose
Can I be real a second? For just a millisecond? Let my guard down and tell the people how I feel a second? “Right Hand Man”, Hamilton: An American Musical The Hamilton Cast Recording has taken over my life. The CDs are on constant rotation in my car. I blast the soundtrack while I sew … More That Feeling When…
I had an ah-ha moment during my Wardrobe Architect adventure. I learned to see style and silhouette as distinct, though related, elements of my clothing preferences. I like how I look in a tailored jacket, but only when paired with other clothes that aren’t as classically “boardroom professional”. Prompted recently to embrace curiosity, I seem … More Alchemical Notes: New Silhouettes
Even though I did not adhere to the “creating every day” rule of the month-long challenge —at least not by the time I reached Week 3—I did succeed in breaking down the mental barriers that were keeping me out of the sewing room. … More My sew-jo is back!
If you spend any time reading sewing blogs, you are aware of the annual challenge known as MMMay or Me-Made May. I’m really looking forward to this year. I have a number of me-made garments in the pipeline and I am pretty confident I’ll finish them before May 1. To help myself stay on track to finish … More Me-Making March
I named this post “Curiosity” because of a conversation I had Saturday morning. It was emotional. It was eye-opening. It was a call to personal action. Throughout the weekend I embraced curiosity in a way I haven’t in a long time. … More Weekend: Curiosity
A hundred articles have been written about how social media is changing the nature of human relationships. I know that I am guilty of some of the charges. Never being one who enjoys talking on the phone, I have taken quickly to instant messages, g-chats, Facebook posts, and tweets. But that doesn’t mean the joy … More A surprise on my doorstep
The Fabric Alchemist 