Tin Lizzy

Okay so maybe its not tin but I just liked the sound of "Tin Lizzy"...

I've had this big black metal CD rack that resembles a lizard hanging on my wall for years. I loved it when I first bought it oh about 12 years ago but it has been begging me to just "do something" with it for awhile now. So I took it down, gave it some paint and I plan to hang it outside as a planter.

I'm thinking about screwing one of those square pots behind it near the bottom, maybe some ivy or a vining flower to climb up the lizard - hmmmmm, any thoughts?

She's at it again!

Yup, I'm at it again, I'm moving my creative space. Hopefully this time it will feel right and just be full of inspiration and creativity.

As you may recall the last move gave me my own space and by the windows, I had everything pretty organized and felt happy with my space until ... DH invaded my space and took over. The space has become total chaos to me and I can't even go in there without getting upset and feeling overwhelmed.

I'm tired of feeling uninspired, I want to make things, I want to get back to exploring my creative side but for that I need to have the appropriate space. Of course the space won't be 100% mine, when you have kids nothing is ever yours alone but I don't mind sharing my space with them because my boys are an inspiration. As a matter of fact they are at art class right now with Ms Carroll, she's awesome and I would love to be able to stay and play too!

I recently tried to jump back into one of my yahoo groups, thought I would try to make something for the monthly lottery - "green and gold" was the theme, but for the life of me I couldn't get it to click. Every combo of those two colors ended reminding me of Christmas and not spring, I just could not make it work.

Then there was my parents 40th wedding anniversary last week, I was going to make something for that but again just could not make it work. So its time for a change and hopefully a fresh start with lots of inspiration. Right now I'm in limbo and still have to reorganize and finish moving everything. For someone who claims to not have many art supplies I sure have managed to collect alot of "stuff".

:)

Something New

Yes, I'm learning something new ... I'm learning to knit.

A friend of mine makes these wonderful creations, she knits and then felts them. Honestly I had no idea what felting was until she opened my eyes. I always thought felted items were just cut and stitched from pieces of felt you got at the craft store. I had no idea how much work goes into something like this - amazing!

I think I was supposed to be making a chick for Easter but I haven't had my second lesson yet so I've just keep on knitting and probably have gone beyond what was needed for the chick. I still kinda feel like I'm "all thumbs" but after a few rows I can usually get a good rhythm going.

Stay tuned for my knitting adventures ...

:)

Be Creative!

Creativity is a great motivator because it makes people interested in what they are doing. Creativity gives hope that there can be a worthwhile idea. Creativity gives the possibility of some sort of achievement to everyone. Creativity makes life more fun and more interesting.

Edward de Bono

Suddenly I have the urge to do something creative today - hmmmm...

Finally...

Yes, its me - I'm here and I'm back online finally. Well kinda, I'm using painfully slow dial up (hey its cheep) so my online time is limited. I want to thank all of you who have left me comments and sent emails. I honestly do miss being a part of the altered art world.

Yesterday the kids were coloring at the table, my oldest had my Sharpies out - I figured someone might as well use them since I hadn't been brave enough to do any doodling with them. Well they were calling to me so I gave in and picked up two, grabbed some index cards that were sitting on the table. At first I found the size of the card odd and uncomfortable to work on. So I got out my paper cutter and blew the dust off of it, cut the cards into 2x2 squares. Then picked up a red ultra fine Sharpie and started to just doodle.


Wow, I actually did it - made something freehand without a plan, I just did it :)

That felt good so I got another 2x2 square and started with the black Sharpie and then the red. This one involved some thinking after the first few lines were made but still was pretty free form.

There I did it, I finally used my Sharpies, aren't you proud of me?



:)

Exploration

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.

T.S. Eliot

Just thinking ...

I'm sitting here at my table just looking at all the stuff I have to play with. Ideas flowing freely in my mind but not having the ability to bring them to life.

The other day I just sat here and played with some Sculpey and some beads, it felt good to do something but at the same time I became frustrated because I didn't really make anything. I know its a start, I'm sitting here and I did do something even if there was no end result.

That brings me to a question ... does there have to be an end result? Can one just create and play for the joy of just doing it?

I think we get so caught up in the fact that everything we do in life is for a reason and there must be something to show for it. Why can't we all take a valuable life lesson from the children and just play, have fun and enjoy - be free to just be?

Wondering ...

Is there anybody still out there or is it time to close this chapter in my life and hit the big delete button?

It's is so very frustrating for me to want to do things, I have so many ideas but nothing ever seems to materialize. I just don't know what it is, hopeless I guess?

Another Piece of the Puzzle

As I struggle with my lose of interest in the creative world I have discovered a few things and I wanted to share with you, my latest piece of the puzzle. I want to start by saying I've always been environmentally aware and I've always had an issue with chemicals. The way our world has become over processed in more ways then one seems to know is my biggest concern.

I was semi-green before green was the "in" thing. I knew the risks and dangers but felt there was little I could do to "save the world" or even protect myself. After having children I became more aware and more determined to make this world a better and safer place for my children and future generations.

Do you know how toxic to us and the environment our art supplies are? I think that's one reason why I've never made a major purchase, just picking up a few things to get by here and there. Subconsciously I knew I didn't want to be working with this stuff but still I had the desire to create and that is what I did.

This past year I've really become more active and more concerned and now believe that I can make a difference and that I can help others to make a better choice for ourselves and for mother earth.

I've honestly had the desire to create recycled art for sometime now and have collected many things in my journey that I can not bring myself to throw away. So what am I saying here? What is this piece of the puzzle?

Maybe I'm holding myself back because I know I don't want to harm myself, my family or the environment with my art?

Today I came across this site: Crafting a Green World and it hit me, this was my answer, or at least a big piece of the puzzle. Now I know I'm not alone, I know there are alternatives and I can create safe art, yes!

Does this mean I'm throwing everything I have away, all my suplies? No because it would just end up in the landfill where it will continue to harm our environment. I will use the supplies that I have but from this point forward I will not buy any more toxic art supplies. And that is my gift to myself, to my family and to our world.

What a sense of relief to know I do have a choice, I do have options and I *can* make a difference!

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On a side note, I have not started the Soul Journal yet as I have not been able to locate a journal to use. However I do have an unused pad of watercolor paper that I think I can do something with. After all the journal isn't for you all, its for my own personal growth, so if its not a traditional journal that's fine by me. I hope to get started this weekend.

:)