and by that, of course, I mean a master of crochet
I want so badly to crochet &/or knit, I want to squee when I see squishy yarns, and make a stash of more than practice acrylic, I wanna be part of the fun!! And I want to be able to do my thing anywhere/everywhere, taking it with me, do it during commercials, waiting in lines, and I want to make things for people that need things, like hats for the homeless, and gifts for friends. I feel like I'm in jr. high or something, I really want to be part of the club!
I have family members that could teach me, but I didn't want to bother them. I bought the I-taught-myself-to-crochet book kit, the pictures make me seasick. But I know in my heart I am meant to be a hooker, sorry Mom, I mean crocheter.
Last week or so, I got to thinking more about crocheting, and I came to a couple conclusions: I know the basics of what it looks like doing it, I've done some stitches before, I know what it is supposed to look like when it's done, the part I haven't been able to grasp is the learning-it-how-I-am-supposed-to-learn-it part.
So I decided that maybe I'd just pretend I knew how to do it, and practice from that. I happened to be at work when this powerful urge came over me, and I happened to have a hook there, with my knifty knitting supplies, so on my break I took apart a ribbon bow, and started crocheting with it. A chain turned into a ring turned into a tiny little circle, and I had to tape one end of ribbon to the next to keep going. And the glitter off the ribbon got all over everywhere.
At home, I pulled out a different hook, and some purple practice acrylic and started something similar. I've worked on it at commercials, and pretended I knew what I was doing, and I almost had a coaster.
Tonight, I went to My Guy's work to watch the season premier of LOST with him, and I took my portable project with me, in a cute felt tote with a penguin that I got for my birthday. I was working along, and all-of-sudden, I did something by accident, just because it felt natural, and I had figured out a completely different stitch than the one I was doing. It was very cool, but turned my coaster into a hacky sack.
I have no idea what the things I am doing are called. I have no idea how to make what I am doing turn into what I am trying to make. But I'm doing it. The rest will come later. And maybe I'll see if Gramma will give me a few pointers.
1/31/08
1/29/08
Art Journaller : Gathering Supplies
I'm working slowly on getting started on my Art Journaller project. Partly because I started this right in the heat of the holiday season, and I had to take baby steps, but partly, honestly, just because of being nervous about starting something. At this moment, I have actually done two pages. (WooHoo-right?) But I'm feeling like I'm getting the momentum going, and I'm almost to the down hill side.
Of course, I wanted new or fairly new things for this Art Scout button, special things just for this project. I had purchased this set of watercolor colored pencils a few months ago, and had only tried them out once, so they will be part of my supplies.
Side note: I love colored pencils, I have the set that I first got in college still, with lots more colors added. I love watercolor. I love using my colored pencils with watercolor. I had been working on a funky technique with colored pencils and watercolor a couple years ago. So I thought I'd love watercolor pencils. When I bought these, I wasn't too impressed. I did pick a very inexpensive set, but I think Prang is a good name. Maybe it's just because I had never tried them before. They are part of my Art Journaller supplies, and I will give them another try.
The other thing I bought new, was an artist pen. Back in college, I had a set of four rapidiograph pens, and after college I did not know what a great thing I had, and I let them move on to a new home. So at this point, I was not going to spend a bunch of money on pens. I thought I'd look for maybe a felt tip kind of pen, do they still make Flair pens? I looked at several stores, and didn't find anything like that. And then we had to go to the office store, and this one I knew had a very small section of decent art supplies, I had even seen really good colored pencils there. So when we were looking for mailing supplies, I took a look, and I was very surprised to see some good artist pens as well. I remembered that Amy at CMP has talked about Pitt pens, and there were many sets in a few different colors. I didn't want to go that far just yet, but it would be exciting later on to get a set of 7 different sizes of Pitt pens. Luckily, I found some singles, and for a very nice price.
Next time: What will I put my supplies into?
Of course, I wanted new or fairly new things for this Art Scout button, special things just for this project. I had purchased this set of watercolor colored pencils a few months ago, and had only tried them out once, so they will be part of my supplies.
Side note: I love colored pencils, I have the set that I first got in college still, with lots more colors added. I love watercolor. I love using my colored pencils with watercolor. I had been working on a funky technique with colored pencils and watercolor a couple years ago. So I thought I'd love watercolor pencils. When I bought these, I wasn't too impressed. I did pick a very inexpensive set, but I think Prang is a good name. Maybe it's just because I had never tried them before. They are part of my Art Journaller supplies, and I will give them another try.
The other thing I bought new, was an artist pen. Back in college, I had a set of four rapidiograph pens, and after college I did not know what a great thing I had, and I let them move on to a new home. So at this point, I was not going to spend a bunch of money on pens. I thought I'd look for maybe a felt tip kind of pen, do they still make Flair pens? I looked at several stores, and didn't find anything like that. And then we had to go to the office store, and this one I knew had a very small section of decent art supplies, I had even seen really good colored pencils there. So when we were looking for mailing supplies, I took a look, and I was very surprised to see some good artist pens as well. I remembered that Amy at CMP has talked about Pitt pens, and there were many sets in a few different colors. I didn't want to go that far just yet, but it would be exciting later on to get a set of 7 different sizes of Pitt pens. Luckily, I found some singles, and for a very nice price.
Next time: What will I put my supplies into?
1/24/08
Currently
As I mentioned I was particularly inspired by a particular podcast last week. On one of he podcasts I always listen to, Craft Cast I noticed that host Alison Lee was going to interview Kathleen Dustin.
OMG! I thought, KATHLEEN DUSTIN!! Let me mention that in a previous part of my life, the label of choice I allowed myself to be pinned to was not "Crafter", and not just "Artist", but "Polymer Clay Artist". Kathleen was one of the first well-known poly clay artists, and is still doing ground-breaking work.
The interview was wonderful. Alison is so inspiring as an interviewer and artist herself, I really love all her interviews. I know I gush about creative podcasts, but really, if you want to be inspired, listen!
I don't know how, why, or when I stopped thinking of myself as a "Polymer Clay Artist", I think it was just RL (real life) getting in the way. But this podcast flipped a switch in my brain.
Kathleen was explaining the draw of poly clay to Alison, and she said (and this is a HUGE paraphrase on my part) "...polymer clay is the only medium where there is no tool between your fingers and the color, you get to touch it directly..."
Yeah.
I forgot about that part. I want to play with my clay again. So last night, I brought up the big plastic tub with all my clay supplies.
The next two years are clay.
OMG! I thought, KATHLEEN DUSTIN!! Let me mention that in a previous part of my life, the label of choice I allowed myself to be pinned to was not "Crafter", and not just "Artist", but "Polymer Clay Artist". Kathleen was one of the first well-known poly clay artists, and is still doing ground-breaking work.
The interview was wonderful. Alison is so inspiring as an interviewer and artist herself, I really love all her interviews. I know I gush about creative podcasts, but really, if you want to be inspired, listen!
I don't know how, why, or when I stopped thinking of myself as a "Polymer Clay Artist", I think it was just RL (real life) getting in the way. But this podcast flipped a switch in my brain.
Kathleen was explaining the draw of poly clay to Alison, and she said (and this is a HUGE paraphrase on my part) "...polymer clay is the only medium where there is no tool between your fingers and the color, you get to touch it directly..."
Yeah.
I forgot about that part. I want to play with my clay again. So last night, I brought up the big plastic tub with all my clay supplies.
The next two years are clay.
1/23/08
Making the Universe Laugh...
by, you know, making plans.
So I had been thinking about how to be a better blogger (so I can has cookie), specifically, thinking about how I wanted to write more.....immediately.
Not waiting a week for the photos, not waiting for the perfect way to say whatever it is I think I want to say, not talking myself out of what I think I want to say, and re-writing over and over in my head, but just getting the thoughts out. It's part of the creative process, too, the blogging about it, right?
And I was particularly inspired by my podcast listening Friday, and thought about it over the weekend, and reminded myself that Iwanted want to stay current, stay in the moment, and go ahead and write what I was thinking and feeling and creating (if only in the back of my mind for now). And the weekend was nice, relaxing and busy at the same time. I sang a solo in church Sunday morning, and went to a Christmas party Sunday afternoon complete with awesome cheesecake and blooper reel. Watched some good movies, did some necessities shopping, had some good cuddling time with My Guy. And pretty much didn't have or take time to write the post that was bubbling.
Since I had a bonus weekend day, I sat down to write that post first thing Mondaymorning noon before My Guy, who sleeps like a vampire, got up.
And the internets have been out from that moment until just a little bit ago. My Guy even had to take the modem thingy in and have them replace it, and we still have no (internet) phone.
So much for staying in-the-moment, huh?
So I had been thinking about how to be a better blogger (so I can has cookie), specifically, thinking about how I wanted to write more.....immediately.
Not waiting a week for the photos, not waiting for the perfect way to say whatever it is I think I want to say, not talking myself out of what I think I want to say, and re-writing over and over in my head, but just getting the thoughts out. It's part of the creative process, too, the blogging about it, right?
And I was particularly inspired by my podcast listening Friday, and thought about it over the weekend, and reminded myself that I
Since I had a bonus weekend day, I sat down to write that post first thing Monday
And the internets have been out from that moment until just a little bit ago. My Guy even had to take the modem thingy in and have them replace it, and we still have no (internet) phone.
So much for staying in-the-moment, huh?
1/18/08
Mini Review
Since I mentioned the felt kit that My Guy got me, I thought I should give a little review in case any of ya'll might be interested.
The best part of this kit, is that all the patterns come from crafters across the web-o-verse. The websites of the pattern makers are all listed in the back of the little book. The worst part of the kit is that the book is really stiff and hard to deal with as an instruction book, I had to kinda break the spine, and I still had to use a stickie note to hold the pages open.
I didn't mean to spoil a gift by finding out how much it cost, but when I saw the price when I looked up the link, I thought that it was just about right. There are nice supplies, and the book has some good patterns, and some not-so-good, like any pattern-type book.
This is a super kit for someone who's interested in working with felt and has never tried it. Because of it's inexpensive-ness, and cool patterns collected from web crafters, it's also a great kit for someone who already works with felt.
The best part of this kit, is that all the patterns come from crafters across the web-o-verse. The websites of the pattern makers are all listed in the back of the little book. The worst part of the kit is that the book is really stiff and hard to deal with as an instruction book, I had to kinda break the spine, and I still had to use a stickie note to hold the pages open.
I didn't mean to spoil a gift by finding out how much it cost, but when I saw the price when I looked up the link, I thought that it was just about right. There are nice supplies, and the book has some good patterns, and some not-so-good, like any pattern-type book.
This is a super kit for someone who's interested in working with felt and has never tried it. Because of it's inexpensive-ness, and cool patterns collected from web crafters, it's also a great kit for someone who already works with felt.
1/17/08
iPod Case
Way back in maybe November, my Guy gave me a cool felt kit he picked up at B&N. It had four pieces of felt, a couple zippers, a couple buttons, an instruction book, and a few more little notions. This was a very romantic and sweet gift, beings that he got me something that is of interest to me and not at all to him. A lot of gifts are things that he or I would both like, you know, like electronics, music, board games, stuff like that, so this gift was especially thoughtful.
So I wanted to make him something special from the kit. One of the three things that there were both instructions for and supplies for in the kit, was an iPod case for an 'old school' iPod. Perfect. He has exactly that, the 20 gig, almost 1/2 inch thick, no video, first run iPod. The instructions were good for this project, and the colors were great, his favorite color is dark green, and mine is purple, and both were included. The instructions showed an orange fish design on the front of the case, which wasn't really interesting for him or me, so I found the apple logo, and used my own light green felt for the front decoration.
I was so pleased with how the logo turned out, and was happy to bring it home to him, but he foiled my plans!! Just before I gave him the gift of this wonderful case, he had the idea that we should share his iPod! Talk about selling your hair to buy a watch fob!
No, really, it was wonderful of him to want to share it. I can put so many more crafty podcasts on it than my shuffle, and I can actually SEE which ones I'm listening to!
So this nice case will go mostly unused, but I hope, still appreciated. ;p
So I wanted to make him something special from the kit. One of the three things that there were both instructions for and supplies for in the kit, was an iPod case for an 'old school' iPod. Perfect. He has exactly that, the 20 gig, almost 1/2 inch thick, no video, first run iPod. The instructions were good for this project, and the colors were great, his favorite color is dark green, and mine is purple, and both were included. The instructions showed an orange fish design on the front of the case, which wasn't really interesting for him or me, so I found the apple logo, and used my own light green felt for the front decoration.
I was so pleased with how the logo turned out, and was happy to bring it home to him, but he foiled my plans!! Just before I gave him the gift of this wonderful case, he had the idea that we should share his iPod! Talk about selling your hair to buy a watch fob!
No, really, it was wonderful of him to want to share it. I can put so many more crafty podcasts on it than my shuffle, and I can actually SEE which ones I'm listening to!
So this nice case will go mostly unused, but I hope, still appreciated. ;p
1/14/08
Light!
So if I've never mentioned it before, My Guy is a bit of a Media Head. A Bit. The list of movies he's seen would fill a book, and do not ask him how many songs are in his iTunes unless you really want to know. Before he moved here, he got himself a projector tv, which moved in with him, along with the TiVo and surround sound. That was a while back, and that projector served him and us well until recently, when it became clear that it was time for the projector to move out to pasture. (It had developed this nasty loud sound, which was something inside grinding, and wasn't going to last very long.) So through the magic of a great sale, price matching, good credit, and some gift card money, he got a new one last week.
Turns out, like every other electronic product, projectors have been getting better, as in more sophisticated, with better features. The old projector was pretty dark, and the room had to be really dark to see it well. It was like always being in a theatre, literally. The new one is soooo bright, you can even have the overhead light on, and still see it, like it was a regular television.
This is very, very exciting to me. Why? you may ask, go ahead, ask.
Because now, it might actually be possible for me to do something while watching! I just may finally learn how to knit!! I'm so excited!
Turns out, like every other electronic product, projectors have been getting better, as in more sophisticated, with better features. The old projector was pretty dark, and the room had to be really dark to see it well. It was like always being in a theatre, literally. The new one is soooo bright, you can even have the overhead light on, and still see it, like it was a regular television.
This is very, very exciting to me. Why? you may ask, go ahead, ask.
Because now, it might actually be possible for me to do something while watching! I just may finally learn how to knit!! I'm so excited!
1/12/08
Mom's Pin
Feel free to skip this post if you are not from Nebraska and/or don't give two hoots about Nebraska football*
So back in the beginning part of December a new coach was announced for the Nebraska football team. And some very enterprising t-shirt company created a bunch of shirts with 'Bo' slogans (would that be Bo-gans?) on them 'Bo Fence', 'It's Bo Time', 'Just Say Bo', and of course, 'Bo Big Red'.
In all the excitement, my Mom mentioned that she might add a 'Bo big Red' t-shirt to her gift wish list, being the 'good' Nebraskan that she is. But it was way too late for me to change my list of things to do, so I came up with a new plan.
Since I've been making all sorts of felt pins lately, I decided I would make her a special one. This is one of those times where I was making something that I would normally not ever consider making, I wouldn't make these to sell. I knew it wouldn't be ready in time for the gift exchange, but I got it done not too long after, and mailed it to her. It's always fun to get mail!
*And in the spirit of full disclosure, this would include me as well. I was born here, and have spent most of my life here, but as I say, I'm not a good Nebraskan, I don't like beef and I don't like the 'huskers.
1/9/08
Size DOES Matter
Purse size, that is.
So a few months ago, I decided I was tired of carrying around a twenty pound purse, and shrunk my bag down to mini-sized. This has been working great for most things, I got all the essentials to fit in a glorified wallet with a long handle. And a small purse can only hold so much, I can't keep shoving more crap into it like I did with all the big purses I have owned. But one thing I do not have room for is my camera! I used to carry my camera with me all the time, except that block run to the grocery store. So any time and every time I saw a great shot that needed to be taken, I always had it with me.
I've been compromising by carrying my camera with me in my bag o' crafty crap that I haul to work with me. I leave it at my desk during the week, and home on the weekends to download any crafty shots, and restock my supplies. So my camera ends up being where I am not more than 50% of the time. Not good.
Today, I saw a great natural photoshoot on my way from the parking lot to the job. Not really enough time to run in and get the camera and run back out, the lighting would have changed, and there would have been too many people around by then. But the photos are burning in my imagination! I have to rethink the tiny purse, or get a spy camera. Something so I will not be missing my camera when the perfect photo hits me in my face!
So a few months ago, I decided I was tired of carrying around a twenty pound purse, and shrunk my bag down to mini-sized. This has been working great for most things, I got all the essentials to fit in a glorified wallet with a long handle. And a small purse can only hold so much, I can't keep shoving more crap into it like I did with all the big purses I have owned. But one thing I do not have room for is my camera! I used to carry my camera with me all the time, except that block run to the grocery store. So any time and every time I saw a great shot that needed to be taken, I always had it with me.
I've been compromising by carrying my camera with me in my bag o' crafty crap that I haul to work with me. I leave it at my desk during the week, and home on the weekends to download any crafty shots, and restock my supplies. So my camera ends up being where I am not more than 50% of the time. Not good.
Today, I saw a great natural photoshoot on my way from the parking lot to the job. Not really enough time to run in and get the camera and run back out, the lighting would have changed, and there would have been too many people around by then. But the photos are burning in my imagination! I have to rethink the tiny purse, or get a spy camera. Something so I will not be missing my camera when the perfect photo hits me in my face!
1/8/08
What could this be??
Sometimes I'm a bit cryptic in my posts...and this is one of those times.
This is the back of something that just went in the mail today.
Whatever could it be??
1/6/08
Dream Pin
The morning of the 24th, so Christmas Eve morning, I woke up remembering one specific dream. I was going through some things I had made, I think I was just moving them from one container into another (probably because I had been working on re-organizing all my beads). Or maybe I was just looking through all these things, maybe showing them to someone? (Hmm, the subconscious, sleeping me, was showing them to the part of me that would remember them?)
Anyway, there were a bunch of flat pieces, mostly pins, or maybe pendants. I've made so many pins lately, I have pins on the brain! I know there were at least a dozen pieces, but I only remember three clearly.
One was completely done in beads, a round part in the center, with an extra beaded piece on one side, the other side wasn't finished. In the center of the round part was an American flag, it reminded me of a necklace I made my mom many years ago. The fact that it wasn't finished didn't surprise me, and I had the idea that it had been partially finished for quite some time. (that, unfortunately, doesn't surprise me, either!)
The second piece was a felt pin, in these same colors, tan and black, but in a kind of representation of an American flag. Like three-five black stars on a tan background on one side, with roughly the same number of tan stripes on black on the other side. Not a perfect copy, but kind of op-art. I wondered in my dream if this was just artsy or if I was trying to make some political statement.
The third piece was this felt pin pictured here. That's right, I somehow dug my hand into my brain, and pulled this pin right out of my dream! More like, I drew it out that morning before I forgot, and when I had to go back to work later that week, I cut it out and embroidered it together. I thought, both in the dream, and while making it, that this geometric, simple, 'modern' looking idea would work well in multitudes of color schemes and shape variations.
After all of the trial pins I've made lately (and sorry I haven't shown you but a slight percentage of them yet), this pin idea I dreamed could be the one I make tons of and put up on Etsy.
Anyway, there were a bunch of flat pieces, mostly pins, or maybe pendants. I've made so many pins lately, I have pins on the brain! I know there were at least a dozen pieces, but I only remember three clearly.
One was completely done in beads, a round part in the center, with an extra beaded piece on one side, the other side wasn't finished. In the center of the round part was an American flag, it reminded me of a necklace I made my mom many years ago. The fact that it wasn't finished didn't surprise me, and I had the idea that it had been partially finished for quite some time. (that, unfortunately, doesn't surprise me, either!)
The second piece was a felt pin, in these same colors, tan and black, but in a kind of representation of an American flag. Like three-five black stars on a tan background on one side, with roughly the same number of tan stripes on black on the other side. Not a perfect copy, but kind of op-art. I wondered in my dream if this was just artsy or if I was trying to make some political statement.
The third piece was this felt pin pictured here. That's right, I somehow dug my hand into my brain, and pulled this pin right out of my dream! More like, I drew it out that morning before I forgot, and when I had to go back to work later that week, I cut it out and embroidered it together. I thought, both in the dream, and while making it, that this geometric, simple, 'modern' looking idea would work well in multitudes of color schemes and shape variations.
After all of the trial pins I've made lately (and sorry I haven't shown you but a slight percentage of them yet), this pin idea I dreamed could be the one I make tons of and put up on Etsy.
1/4/08
My Runway Project
Looking for more info on Project Runway, I found their cool site with games and junk. Here is where you can create your own design. (and vote for mine!!)This little outfit I made really needs a sweater or jacket kind of thing over the tank, probably in the maroon color that the boots and hat are in, or is that too much?
1/3/08
Project Runway
Another item in the category of sometimes-I-do-what-the-voices-in-my-head-tell-me-to (those voices being the wonderful podcasters of the creative podcasts I listen to), I started watching Project Runway this season. I don't watch a ton of reality television, and I guess I always thought that since I'm not much into 'fashion' the show wouldn't appeal to me much. But it's more than 'fashion', it's creativity in it's purest raw form. It's being inspired by seeing others working their passion. And I love the fact that the contestants are so varied in age (one is actually older than even me)! It's so cool to watch them deal with the challenges they are faced with.
I was terribly distraught the last couple of weeks when I thought the TiVo was plotting against me, and not recording it, but realized they were just on holiday like the rest of us. And last night, the newest episode recorded, so I love it (the TiVo) again.
Last night's episode was so inventive! They went to the Hershey's store, and had to make their outfits out of whatever they could grab in the store. The absolute cutest Kiss dress, pop art brown wrapper top, and licorice-used-as-food outfit ever! So neat to see how different they all thought through the same challenge.
So I was thinking about finding or making some similar sort of challenge. What if there was a group where we all had to use candy wrappers to make an outfit for a doll?? That gets my creative juices flowing! Maybe I'll just have to do it myself!
I was terribly distraught the last couple of weeks when I thought the TiVo was plotting against me, and not recording it, but realized they were just on holiday like the rest of us. And last night, the newest episode recorded, so I love it (the TiVo) again.
Last night's episode was so inventive! They went to the Hershey's store, and had to make their outfits out of whatever they could grab in the store. The absolute cutest Kiss dress, pop art brown wrapper top, and licorice-used-as-food outfit ever! So neat to see how different they all thought through the same challenge.
So I was thinking about finding or making some similar sort of challenge. What if there was a group where we all had to use candy wrappers to make an outfit for a doll?? That gets my creative juices flowing! Maybe I'll just have to do it myself!
1/2/08
Photogamer Game
After not being around for a while, Photogamer is hosting a new game for the month of January. There will be a new prompt for every day of the month.
I had fun with the couple of Photogamer Games I played last year, and I think I will play this one, just not necessarily on the exact date.
(Knowing my procrastination, I'll probably take 31 photos on the last day of the month) ;p
And of course, ANY prompts could be used for ANY art medium. Hmmmmmm...maybe I'll take photos for each prompt, and then draw from the photo into my Art Journal??
I had fun with the couple of Photogamer Games I played last year, and I think I will play this one, just not necessarily on the exact date.
(Knowing my procrastination, I'll probably take 31 photos on the last day of the month) ;p
And of course, ANY prompts could be used for ANY art medium. Hmmmmmm...maybe I'll take photos for each prompt, and then draw from the photo into my Art Journal??
1/1/08
My Word for 2008
Do you remember the story about the butterfly struggling to get out of it's cocoon? I went to look up the specifics of the story, and found several versions. The story includes a butterfly and a human. The butterfly was never described, use your own imagination, the human in the story either a man, a grandmother, or a kid, so the human is basically anyone.
The story goes that Anyone sees the butterfly working on shedding it's cocoon, and sees the struggle the butterfly is having, sees how extremely hard the butterfly is working. And Anyone, being the helpful human that they think they are, decides to help the butterfly get out of it's cocoon, and opens the hard shell for the bug.
Anyone went back later to see how the butterfly was doing, and it was not doing well. At all. It's wings were all shriveled up, and it could barely move them.
And Anyone researched butterflies and cocoons (on the internet or library or from a friendly teacher, depending on the version of the story), and learned that it is the struggle to remove the cocoon that helps the butterfly strengthen it's wings, that all the wiggling, and hard work, is essential to getting the blood into the wings, to make them strong enough to fly with.
So when Anyone was trying to help, they actually hurt the butterfly, but they learned a valuable lesson: Sometimes it is the struggle itself that makes us stronger, and sometimes there is no short cut to that struggle.
I have been feeling the last couple months like I am that butterfly working on getting it's wings strong enough to get out of the cocoon. And I don't know how much working it will take until my wings are strong enough, but I know they will get there, and I will fly.
So my word for 2008, or at least for right now, is:
Emerging.
The story goes that Anyone sees the butterfly working on shedding it's cocoon, and sees the struggle the butterfly is having, sees how extremely hard the butterfly is working. And Anyone, being the helpful human that they think they are, decides to help the butterfly get out of it's cocoon, and opens the hard shell for the bug.
Anyone went back later to see how the butterfly was doing, and it was not doing well. At all. It's wings were all shriveled up, and it could barely move them.
And Anyone researched butterflies and cocoons (on the internet or library or from a friendly teacher, depending on the version of the story), and learned that it is the struggle to remove the cocoon that helps the butterfly strengthen it's wings, that all the wiggling, and hard work, is essential to getting the blood into the wings, to make them strong enough to fly with.
So when Anyone was trying to help, they actually hurt the butterfly, but they learned a valuable lesson: Sometimes it is the struggle itself that makes us stronger, and sometimes there is no short cut to that struggle.
I have been feeling the last couple months like I am that butterfly working on getting it's wings strong enough to get out of the cocoon. And I don't know how much working it will take until my wings are strong enough, but I know they will get there, and I will fly.
So my word for 2008, or at least for right now, is:
Emerging.
And The Beginning of 2008
My Goals for 2008
Creative:
Bloggerific:
Personal:
Creative:
- Continue to research and create things for selling on Etsy. If it comes slowly, there's a reason. Enjoy the trip.
- Work on Art Scout projects!
- Really start the 'retro craft project'! A little at a time is fine.
- Keep exploring, looking for inspiration, trying new things, and write about it. Don't be afraid to make mistakes!
Bloggerific:
- Be a better blogger, so I can has cookie! IE: Blog more often, with more photos! And stop writing blog posts in my head, and forget to actually post them!!
- Show appreciation for the podcasts I listen to and blogs I read by leaving comments!
- Continue to improve my sidebar, my 'about me' pages, and other little projects that will make my blog more fun to read.
Personal:
- Work on first step of going back to vegetarianism: Reduce red meat intake.
- Move my body more, maybe belly dancing?
- Be more social!
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