Remember this is a time to reflect and enjoy ...

for your personal enjoyment

December is a time to reflect on the past

 year’s blessings and embrace 

the opportunities of the coming one.

 Oprah Winfrey

Wishing all the best during this month ~ peace

Make kindness your daily modus operandi ...

 

free for your personal enjoyment

“Ask yourself: Have you been kind today? 

Make kindness your daily modus operandi

and change your world.”

Annie Lennox

do what you love!!!!

free for your personal enjoyment

 Trust in what you love, continue to do it, 

and it will take you where you need to go.

Natalie Goldberg

Love the moment, it is full of beautiful energy ...

free for your personal enjoyment

“Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries.”

Corita Kent

 

This month let's stand up to bullies, and sew ...

Feel free to print and enjoy!!

Americans, at our best, stand up to bullies and 
fight those who seek to demean and degrade others.

Cory Booker

This month's #virginiacreates calendar reflects my renewed interest in embroidery.  During these unnerving times in our country I have felt a strong pull to my needles and thread.  I feel there are many reasons why I feel this need to stitch.  Sewing suggests mending, pulling pieces together that have been torn apart.  I feel that our country is being torn apart.

"The act of sewing is a process of emotional repair. - Louise Bourgeois"

Louise Bourgeois, used sewing in much of her work. She has eloquently explained what sewing meant to her and her work.  Many of her words speak to my current obsession with sewing so  I have sprinkled some of her quotes throughout this post.

“I always had the fear of being separated and abandoned. 

The sewing is my attempt to keep things together and make things whole.”— Louise Bourgeois

These past months I have found myself embroidering on both fabric and paper.  

I have been embroidering affirmations onto a vintage slip as part of my 'slip' series.  

And while I was on retreat in San Gimignano I created a series of mixed media collages that all contained some sewn/embroidered element.

When I was growing up all the women in my house used needles. I have always had a fascination with the magic power of the needle. The needle is used to repair the damage. — Louise Bourgeois

And in my current series, a protest to what I feel is censorship by the current administration, I am embroidering on vintage photos words that are being removed and discouraged by the government. 

The initial list that I am working from is from an article reposted by the New York Times, March 7, 2025.

These Words Are Disappearing

 in the New Trump Administration

"As President Trump seeks to purge the federal government of “woke” initiatives, agencies have flagged hundreds of words to limit or avoid, according to a compilation of government documents."

There are around 196 words on that list.  Unfortunately as I do more researching there seems to be more removed words in different government agencies, so I am not sure how many photos I will be embroidering.  

Let us find our courage ...

Feel free to print and enjoy!!

Develop enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself and then stand up for somebody else.

Maya Angelou

June is Pride Month!  A month to celebrate all who count themselves as part of the LGBTQ community - *see more info below. Now with all the hatred being stirred up in DC I feel that we all need to find the courage to stand up for ourselves and ESPECIALLY stand up for others.  

I was honored to be involved with the Peace Flag Movement which was started by Maggie Sky in 2016.  I helped design the flag and we created this poster that businesses would post to show their commitment to community and peace.  You can learn more about the movement by clicking here: https://commonstreet.org/rainbow-peace-flag-project/

Feel free to print and hang

The PEACE Flag Movement

MISSION

The PEACE Flag Movement works to unite the world in the fight for equity and care for all people. It starts with the flag, making the hope of change visible. And it grows when we turn education and conversation into action. Raising this flag is a promise to speak up, stand up, rise up.

SEE THE CHANGE, BE THE CHANGE

This flag makes the hope of change, visible—in flying colors. Show the world what’s in your heart! Raising this flag is a promise to speak up, stand up, rise up. Take this first step, be part of the change—every person, every promise, every flag makes a difference.

Let us all find courage to stand up to all the hatred, and to celebrate all the wonderful differences that we all have, because that is where our strengthens lie.

PEACE

click here to get a flag

*Pride Month, sometimes specified as LGBTQ Pride Month, is a month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ pride, commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer culture and community.Wikipedia

Look at the little things ...

feel free to print this calendar for y9our personal enjoyment

“Find magic in the little things, and the big things you always expected will start to show up.”

― Isa Zapata

Your #virginiacreates May calendar is coming to you a bit late because I was on an artist's retreat in San Gimignano, Italy and, blessedly, I had little WiFi.  The retreat was run by Michael Dowling of Spoke, www.spokeart.org, an amazing organization that I highly recommend you look at the work that they do!!! 

This month's #virginiacreates calendar is featuring one of the collages that I made during my retreat.  Inspired by a story that Michael shared on our first morning.  He spoke about a woman who was committed to an asylum and who collected stuff out of the trash to embroider and to create with.  The asylum staff saw this habit of going through the trash as proof of her mental sickness and medicated her.  This story broke my heart on so many levels.   I am a woman who has used trash and debris in much of her work - from an international business of making jewelry out of used bottle caps to a room sized installation centered around a n 8 foot dress sculpture made out of used eggshells. 

the magical city of San 
Gimignano   

So on my first day of retreat,  I wondered the magical streets of this medieval town with Michael's story replaying in my head.  Soon my attention was drawn to a discarded museum ticket and this series began.  Below are some more of these collages.  Most are created on 4x6 watercolor paper, though as the series progressed I was just working with my found treasures, creating unique art objects.

peace

many of the 'collages'

property of Virginia Fitzgerald

property of Virginia Fitzgerald

 

'Tis the month to LOVE!!!

 

“We love because it's the only true adventure.”

Nikki Giovanni

In honor of National Poetry Month I share with you “Wild Geese” — written and read by Mary Oliver

This is one of my favorite poems from one of my favorite poets.  This poem reveled poetry in a whole new light and converted me to a poetry fan. For this I am incredibly thankful.  

'dress of poetry ...'

Because of this poem, and a 
poem penned by an insanely great writer and friend, inspired me to create my 'dress of poetry ...', one of the few pieces from my dressproject that can be worn.  

Click here to learn the story behind my 'dress of poetry ...'

WILD GEESE
by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

hopefully this video works, if not here is the link: 

https://youtu.be/T_nKg3TBzpU?si=MLPmx3CjLQ9SEl_u

here is the 'Wild Geese' panel in progress - on the ironing board

November is upon us ...

During these challenging times ~ it is important to remember to choose LOVE!

 

feel free to print and use for your personal enjoyment ~ peace

We’re all in this together. Choose love.” Jo Dee Messina

I am also trying to streamline my posting/social media, etc so I plan to be using my blog that is on my website -  

https://www.virginiafitzgerald.com/ponderings-of-virginiacreates

If this is difficult for you please reach out to me at virginiacreates(at)comcast.net. 

Hope to see you there ~ peace

You are both a masterpiece and a work in progress ...

 

“You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and 

a work in progress, simultaneously.” 

 

Sophia Bush

Peace, Virginia

Let's be brave this month ...

 

Courage doesn't grow overnight. 

It can be a long process. 

Greta Gerwig

peace

Ahhh August ...

 

“I suppose that’s the way we humans are, thinking too much and listening too little. Paying attention acknowledges that we have something to learn from intelligences other than our own. Listening, standing witness, creates an openness to the world in which the boundaries between us can dissolve in a raindrop. The drop swells on the tip of a cedar and I catch it on my tongue like a blessing.” 
― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer is one of my favorite books, my desert island book, a book I return to, often.  This month I am beyond fortunate to go see Kimmerer teach, in person - a wish come true!! 

Her thoughts and words are so timely now, as we are blindly racing toward environmental disaster.  Kimmerer speaks of respect and reciprocity, for ourselves, our surroundings, our world and others.  

I highly recommend this book to all!!! 

click below to learn more on Goodreads:
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Robin Wall Kimmerer

click here to find an independent bookstore to purchase Braiding Sweetgrass

happy reading and peace, Virginia

Everything is better with polka-dots!

“After all, well, moon is a polka dot, sun is a polka dot, and then, the earth where we live is also a polka dot.” 

Yayoi Kusama ~ queen of the polka dot!

This felt like an appropriate collage for this summer month - colorful and playful.  I think it would be such fun to wander around this wacky landscape. would you join me??

Lately I have been attracted to polka dots. And there is an inspiring and prolific artist known for putting polka dots on most everything - herself included.  That is the amazing Yahoo Kusama.  

Click here to watch a fun video of Kusama's career from the Tate museum for Kids!!

https://www.tate.org.uk/kids/explore/who-is/who-yayoi-kusama

Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese contemporary artist who works primarily in sculpture and installation, and is also active in painting, performance, video art, fashion, poetry, fiction, and other arts. Wikipedia

link to post

Yahoo Kusama was one of the prompts for the instagram

challenge that I did last year: 

#cupfull2022

to see my contribution to the challenge check out:

#vacupfull2022

"The challenge is ~ to create a cup!! 

Cups represent comfort, gathering, and nourishment. 

And each prompt is a variety of favorite women artist/designers to inspire."

Lastly -  but not leastly - I have added this collage,

 'for the love of polka dots ...' 

to my @Society6 shop 

AND 

they are having a 4th of July sale!!!

(hope to add it to @redbubble soon)

art print link

society6 coasters link

acrylic tray link

Forever is composed of nows ...

 

“Forever – is composed of Nows – (690)


Forever – is composed of Nows –
‘Tis not a different time –
Except for Infiniteness –
And Latitude of Home –

From this – experienced Here –
Remove the Dates – to These –
Let Months dissolve in further Months –
And Years – exhale in Years –

Without Debate – or Pause –
Or Celebrated Days –
No different Our Years would be
From Anno Dominies –”

― Emily Dickinson, The Poems of Emily Dickinson (Goodreads)

Work hard, play hard, dream big, love loads ... and give back!

Work hard, play hard, dream big, love loads, laugh as much as you can, and give back.

Deirdre O'Kane

peace, Virginia

a month to love and be loved ...

feel free to print and use for your personal enjoyment ~ peace

There is only one happiness in this life, 

to love and be loved.

George Sand

George Sand, pseudonym of Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dudevant, née Dupin, (born July 1, 1804, Paris, France—died June 8, 1876, Nohant), French Romantic writer known primarily for her so-called rustic novels.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Sand

wishing you a joyous, blessed and peaceful new year!!

feel free to print and use for your personal enjoyment ~ peace

 Happiness lies not

 in finding what is missing but

 in finding what is present. 

Jean Smith

As we head into a new year, let us be present for where we are and what we have, not waste our precious time here with what we believe is lacking. 

happy new year & peace ~ 

tis the season to be kind ...

 

feel free to print and use for your personal enjoyment ~ peace

Wishing all a joyous and wondrous December!

& don't forget,

 during this month that gets so hectic,

 be kind to yourself & to others.

peace, Virginia

November, a time to turn up the attitude of gratitude ...

 Welcome to November ...

feel free to print and use for your personal enjoyment ~ peace

When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out & the tide of love rushes in.

Kristin Armstrong

thank you & peace,

Virginia