So Sweet

The book arrived, I got inspired but work has me worn out after hours. That's okay. This new project is dangling in front of me like a golden carrot...inspiring and motivating.

I do spend my spare thoughts on it. Musing is a great relief from the day-to-day stresses of the practical world so I am thrilled to have something new occupying my mind when not tending to lil' sweetie.

Next on the list: find the materials, find the time, find the way to creating these little delights!

BTW--Check out her blog--I just discovered it when looking for the picture of the book.

Passing Wind

This windbag is full of things to say but I'll try to keep it short and sweet as I move along on this blog.

When will my lil' smile box arrive? Due anytime. The books I ordered are filled with delights and inspiration. Hopefully there are good instructions for my new craft.

I can’t wait to start. I can’t wait to see my 2-D creatures come to life. Feel like a kid at Christmas.

Out come the old sketchbooks so I can begin compiling which ones to start with. Ahhhh. Did I hear the doorbell? Was that a “plunk” on the doormat?

Lemmeeegosee.…

Dare I? (part 2)

How many of us artists have books filled with wonderful sketches and art all with the destiny of dying a dusty death?

Me...me...(arm up in the air)...that's me!

Well, hell's bells. No more. Nope, I want to breathe life in my little projects and share them. I want to bring back the sweetness in my own life by musing, doodling, and making. Artists must create to feel joyful and peaceful. I know it sounds silly and a bit hippyesque but I don't care. It is a voice I've been denying in order do my daily duties for the world and have become a little bitter (as evidenced by a surprising sense of unfair resentment for my husband whose freedom had irked me to no end since our son was born 4 months ago). If I don't do something I'll explode or worse; walk around angry all the time. Plus, I think I am in danger of dying with my music in me (as Dr. Dyer warns against) and I don't want that at all.

I want to thank ChetandDot. Her work is so simple, so sincere, and heartwarming. This blog is a site I accidentally happened upon the day that my internal, maternal and creative conflicts all came to head (as did my husband and I!) I'd just finished telling Brandon that I miss living in the country where we had a vegetable garden and how I want to grow healthy food for William, bake from scratch, live a simpler life, make toys for the baby--bring my illustrated characters to life as sweet, homespun toys. This is when I found some great blogs that reminded me of what I was missing but also reinforced the fact that location means nothing... it is the spirit within that matters. So, in telling him about my vision of life as a mother, I realized that I had convinced myself I couldn't do things organically or creatively because I was too busy with all my new responsibilities and inconvenienced by life as a suburban mother (huh?). Then I saw ChetAndDot and was really inspired to get my family back to basics. This happenstance encounter through Etsy became a clear sign for me. I owe our wee one a happy Mom. He deserves nothing less!

After weeks of frustration, impatience, and hungry viewing of other peoples handmade works at Etsy, I finally had an epiphany: Realize my blessings, get quiet, opt out of conveniences that have me running from the work of existing. Be happy. Nurture through artful, simple living.

Yes! I feel so much better and like my old self again.

Dare I?

Really. Dare I start a blog? I mean everyone has one and the web is littered with them. Some are wonderful and some not so...

That's all fine and well but my real problem is commitment. Dare I start this and have it end up as another incomplete project?

Or, will I start out making sense only to take my own words too seriously enough to sound stupid and trail off into idiocy?

Ahh...so what (that's what I say to silence my inner critic) because I am starting this blog as a way to chronicle something for my own enjoyment and I want to start the day after the inspiration began. I feel I might be on the verge of a personal and creative renaissance.

This tired ol' gal with a 4 month old son snoozing away is ready to reclaim some space in the world and start creating for the utter enjoyment of it and paying little attention to the where-it-will-end-up aspects.