CRICKETS

Work? Play? Craft! Create!

Theoretically writing a blog seems like a great idea.  In actuality, it's a habit I need to cultivate.

It's May.  We have a show in December.  Doing the math makes me panic.  I don't have any new work.  Well, DANG!!!

There is a large barrier I need to overcome.  For some reason it seems indulgent to work on my art/crafts.  I believe that feeling comes from enjoying the work, the process.....so if something is enjoyable it must not be work?  And therefore it MUST be play.  And if it's play.....you shouldn't be doing that till all the work is done.  And all the work is NEVER done.

So how best to turn my mindset around?  What must I do to convince myself that CREATING is my job, it's my work?  Any suggestions from other artists/crafters?

Oh The Irony Of It All

I love where I live.  Oklahoma City is a terrific metro area.  Friendly people, big city with a small town atmosphere, everyone knows everyone--or they know their aunt & Uncle John.  That said OKC lacks the continuing art/craft venues of many other big cities.  I dream of taking seminars & classes, joining crafting circles that provide an educational component.


Recently one of the on-line art sites I belong to began offering 3 weeks of free classes.  WoW!!! I was so excited.  I might not be able to travel to an exciting location or stay in a relaxing hotel, but I COULD learn new techniques & through modern technology, I could share with other artist/crafters.


The title of the series??  CREATING TIME
My problem?  I have no time to participate.


Oh the irony of it all.  The one class I need the most arrives in my life during one of the busiest weeks of the year.


Yet I know I really NEED this so I'm going to do my best to carve out a moment or two -- why, I guess I'm going to CREATE TIME.

Taking a Meandering Path

One of my favorite times to pick up my knitting is during stress.  Nerves & worries focus my mind on the task at hand  (in hand?) and I am able to rest my brain as long as the knit purl cycle continues.


This week our family experienced a couple of days that challenge patience & cause us to wonder "what if?"  I'm happy to say that everything has worked out fine & we're back to our routine.


Today while I was working on my most recent knitting project, begun the morning of our mini-crisis, I noticed that the self-striping yarn was creating a meandering path through the glittery copper & rich purple.  The more rows I finished the more the path became distinct & beautiful.  It wasn't what I planned, yet the more I worked the more comfortable I became with the emerging pattern.


My week has been like that wandering yarn pattern:  begun in straight, planned rows then curving & taking me to the edge of beauty and bringing me back to center again.  All the while remaining ordered & controlled.


Trust in the knitting -- it will guide you in life.

The Only Place to Begin is at the Beginning

Funny how one afternoon visit to Hobby Lobby can land you on a place called "blogspot".


The Hubs & I made a Saturday tour of the local Hobby Lobby.  I was looking for Scherenscnitte books, he was picking up glass for a stained glass project.  I stopped at the craft magazine rack.  That's always an expensive stop for me.  This time it lead to something completely new. . . .
Cloth Paper Scissors most recent issue came home with me, yada yada yada --blogging.


I promised myself to be brave & try new things so here I am at the beginning of something new.  Promise kept.  Well, for today anyway.


I look forward to this journey & I hope you'll come along with me.  We'll talk of art & dogs, cats & this person who loves them, crafts & the frustration that comes with not always fitting in.  I hope we share our work & ideas & fun & interests.


Don't be shy -- jump right in.