Ever notice how many people you interact with every day are just going from one thing to the next with their minds churning the whole time?? Here’s what you may be thinking – “Hey! Calm down for a minute. Wake up and notice yourself. ...]]> We live in the nuttiest culture! The kids, the job, the house, the yard, cleaning, groceries, laundry… the list goes on and on. How much of your day do you spend doing things like this? And what are you thinking about while you’re doing it all??

Ever notice how many people you interact with every day are just going from one thing to the next with their minds churning the whole time?? Here’s what you may be thinking – “Hey! Calm down for a minute. Wake up and notice yourself. Stop thinking crazy thoughts and realize that you’re creating all your drama!”

If you’ve tried that and it’s worked, Congratulations! Most of the time though, you probably get the eyeroll or they simply walk away and tell someone else their problems.

So what do you do? How do you get someone like that to become aware of themselves, to create less drama, alleviate their own pain and stop sharing that kind of energy with everyone else? This, by the way, heals the world. But I digress.

If you work or socialize with these people, there’s a way to help. Give them a vision! Tell them there’s a hamster on a treadmill inside their head and that he’s exhausted. He’s got nothing good to eat and he’s running all day, without water or a break. He wants to sit back, read a good book, and take a nap. The only way to help him is to stop the drama and feed him something yummy. Give him one of these tasty snacks – “I’m creating a relaxing few moments for myself without thinking about anything negative.” Or, “I’m giving my hamster a break from the madness.” Or, “I’m going to name my hamster and begin treating him well by thinking and saying kind things to myself.”

Now, your prospect has either left or has become engaged in what looks like YOUR madness. Either way, you’re free of their drama. Isn’t it brilliant?!?!

By the way, we all have a hamster. Mine’s comfy most of the time. She floats downstream with her sunglasses on, making designs and creating cool stuff to help her relax!

I have to say, I LOVE these designs!! They look fantastic on fabric, and they make a great centerpiece for a quilt, or a full size pillow or a wall-hanging. I put them on walls ’cause It feels so good to walk in and see them hanging there! (click thru to post, then on image to enlarge)

These designs are selling separately as fat quarters (21×18) on 100% soft cotton at Santa Fe Fabrics. What a unique store full of luscious artsy fabrics and accessories! We’re also ...]]>

9T Fat Quarter Designs

I have to say, I LOVE these designs!! They look fantastic on fabric, and they make a great centerpiece for a quilt, or a full size pillow or a wall-hanging. I put them on walls ’cause It feels so good to walk in and see them hanging there! (click thru to post, then on image to enlarge)

These designs are selling separately as fat quarters (21×18) on 100% soft cotton at Santa Fe Fabrics. What a unique store full of luscious artsy fabrics and accessories! We’re also working on designing a collection of decorative pillows. More on that, as well as new designs, to come! Stay tuned…

It took a while to get used to just taking it easy. I like to be ...]]> It’s hot hot hot this summer and I LOVE it!! We don’t use air conditioning in our house because I like to have the doors and windows open. Shut up all winter is enough, and there’s a hidden benefit to being too hot. I can’t DO as many things as I might otherwise. I’m usually full of energy and can fill up a day with plenty to DO, but not when it’s this hot.

It took a while to get used to just taking it easy. I like to be busy! But I’ve rediscovered (as I have so many times before) that it feels really good to go slow. To take the time to allow for inspired action. Then life just works the way it’s meant to, and it feels fantastic.

So off I go. To DO nothing.

HOT HOT HOT

It’s a breathing method developed by Ian Jackson to improve the riding performance of cyclists. I listened to a short podcast about it and, being the expert meditative breather that I am, ahem, I thought it sounded plausible.

Essentialy, you do all the work on the outbreath and relax on the inbreath. Ok, not so astounding, but you do it to a certain rhythm, and the outbreath is always longer ...]]> Have you heard of Breathplay?? Do you use it, and if so, are you impressed by the results??

It’s a breathing method developed by Ian Jackson to improve the riding performance of cyclists. I listened to a short podcast about it and, being the expert meditative breather that I am, ahem, I thought it sounded plausible.

Essentialy, you do all the work on the outbreath and relax on the inbreath. Ok, not so astounding, but you do it to a certain rhythm, and the outbreath is always longer than the inbreath. I wasn’t sure I could get all the air I needed that way, but when I do it right, it really works. So I tried it on a 3 mile walk and wow, was I impressed! My husband’s been using it while riding and he’s having amazing results. Here’s how Ian describes his ride –

Enjoy the Ride

Then I realized what a great metaphor it is for life. We go through these periods of release that are difficult and full of obstacles. We work in some way to move through them. Then we relax into a space of opening. This is the contraction and expansion of energy. The key, of course, is to relax through the receiving, or opening, and be ready to work efficiently through the constriction. When we do that, the whole process is enjoyable.

That’s Breathplay. Work through the outbreath. Use every muscle! Then relax and let the air flow in. Don’t suck it in or try too hard. Just relax. Relax…. Relaaaaxxxx and enjoy the ride!

Ride!

If you happen to be at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, you’ll find these wall-hangings available in their beautiful store.

Do you do yoga? I do some simple poses that have a powerful effect on my energy. Here’s how some of them look to me.

I recently had a request for a smaller version of the ...]]> NineTomatoes’ wall-hangings came to life when a good friend asked if I could do some mandalas in chakra colors. That’s all it took. Voilà! They hang everywhere now, including many rooms in my house.

If you happen to be at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, you’ll find these wall-hangings available in their beautiful store.

(single and double sided shown)

Do you do yoga? I do some simple poses that have a powerful effect on my energy. Here’s how some of them look to me.

NineTomatoes Yoga Mandalas

I recently had a request for a smaller version of the chakra hanging. Here it is!
Mandala centers – the most powerful part of the mandala for me. 6 x 36″ 100% soft cotton.

For Wall-hangings, click here.
For Posters and Prints, click here.