Days 39 and 40

I'm begining to rethink how I'm approaching this blog. I'm still crafting every day. I'm still experimenting with different media. I'm still loving what I am doing but the blog is feeling a bit flat.

Should I continue to blog every day, no matter what I have to say?

Should I post pictures of my days creative activity every day and then type an entry when I have the inspiration to say more than look at this?

I take pride in my writing. I've begun to limit my posts on my other blog and I think the writing is better for it. But here the every day thing is affecting what I have to say. There are days when I'm just playing around and there isn't a whole lot to say. I'm finding it hard to come up with something to write about on those days.

What do you think?

(The picture is some experiments in cutting paper from day 39)

Day 38

Day 37 - Proud

For the first time in my life, I sat down with a paint brush, scissors and glue and made the exact piece I was envisioning in my mind. Well maybe not exactly the same, because I think it actually turned out better than I imagined.

So many times I've sat down and the piece I was working on didn't turn out. I think that is the reason I've always said I can't draw, that I'm not an artist. Because I have high (sometimes impossibly high) standards, I can never measure up. But then I did.




I saw an ad in a magazine using several levels of cut paper. That intrigued me and I wanted to do something similar. I drew out a design and cut out the template. I had some scraps of mulberry paper which I used for the stems. I had some of my own watercolor paintings that I used for the flowers.

I planed on having a base layer which I would cut the flower shapes from and lay the stems on top. I had an idea for the way I wanted it to look but I didn't know if it was possible to achieve. I'd never done anything like that before. But I bravely grabbed some acrylics and got to work. I layered the paints, hoping that it would turn out. Each time I added a new color I was scared, would it work or would it ruin it? I held my breath when the brush touched the paper. If I could have closed my eyes I probably would have. When I finally put the brushes down and really looked at what I had done. I was amazed. It looked just like I hoped it would. It looked good.

When I assembled the piece it looked good too. I got goosebumps thinking that I had just made art. I wasn't just goofing around. It was art and I was an artist.

Day 35 and 36 - It Was Bound To Happen

Sometimes life is filled with the best intentions. I intend to do something but life gets in the way. That happened yesterday. I intended to blog last night but I fell asleep at 8:00. I felt just like a little kid but it was something I needed. I needed sleep more than I needed to blog so I don't feel that guilty.

But life did not get in the way of crafting. In fact I've been very productive. I managed to finish (well almost finish) my entry for the Anti-Valentines challenge at Dabbled. I say almost finished because I seem to have misplaced my hole punch so I can't turn it into a pendant yesterday (so I guess life did get in the way a bit).



Edited to add: I found the hole punch and this is what the finished piece looks like. I think its pretty cool.

The pendant is going to have two sides. The first is for when you are happy and in love. It shows a red heart with the words love, joy, happiness and bliss. The second side is for when you "have fallen out of love". I has a breaking heart with a black core and the words pain, anger, heartbreak and betrayal. You can wear which ever side depending on your mood.

I also started a new project yesterday (shocking) that I am finding very fun. I hope to show some pics tomorrow.

Day 34 - Sticking To It

After yesterday's post about how I have a pile of unfinished projects, I realized that I have to stick with more projects and see them to the end. Part of this challenge is moving beyond my comfort zone and growing as an artist and a person.

So to that end, I am almost finished with my entry for the Dabbled anti-Valentine contest. I've been having so much fun drawing hearts, its almost like being in high school again. I've come up with a concept I like and am working on ironing out the details. I hope to have it finished tomorrow or the day after.

Day 33 - Starting Is Good But Finishing Is Better

So I am 33 days into this little project and I've learned a few things about myself.

First I am a bit of a magpie when it comes to my crafting. I fit the definintion of a person who collects things widely and indiscriminately. I flit from project to project. If it strikes my fancy at the moment I will follow where it leads. Its like every day I see something shiny that distracts me, which leads to my second discovery . . .

I can start projects with the best of them but I don't always finish. Sometimes its because I get distracted easily. Newer is always better. But its also has something to do with my perfectionism. If I can't get it just so, if its not right or perfect, I toss it aside in frustration. I started this sweater for my friend's daughter but for the life of me I cannot get the skirt of the sweater right. I have worked and reworked it but it just does not come out like its supposed to. So it sits there taunting me in a pile of other unfinished projects.

Maybe bigger isn't better for me. Maybe I need to work on small, discrete projects so I can actually accomplish something. Or maybe I just need to follow that shiny muse to see where she takes me.

Day 32 - Plarn

Plarn? What do you mean you've never heard of plarn? Plarn is what all the cool chicks are crafting with these days. Plus plarn is way cool to say.

Plarn for those of you who don't know is yarn made from plastic grocery bags. The bag is cut in strips. The strips are joined into a ball of "yarn". You can then crochet or knit with the plarn.

Yesterday I was at the grocery store when I saw a girl carrying a bag made of plarn. I did something I never do, I stopped her to talk about her bag. Sure enough, her mom had crocheted it out of old plastic bags.

When I go to the store I always bring along my reusable bags. If I have too many groceries I get a little upset that I have to use the plastic bags. But not yesterday. Yesterday I was glad I got those bags because I wanted to make some plarn.

So when I got home I got out my trusty scissors and went to work. I went through three bags but I don't think I have enough to make anything substantial yet. So I'll be working on the plarn for a while. But I'm excited to make something from it.