The last time I posted to this blog was in December 2014. I think it’s time I re-engage, don’t you?! Besides manhandling a hectic travel and moving schedule (that went sideways several times), I was also dealing with some emotional struggles. So the time away from my blog was very helpful as there was no writing deadlines or expectations to meet.
Thank you all so very much for understanding my need to pull out of site for a while. Honestly, I did like being off my computer and away from the web – especially in the main areas of Facebook where there is so much crazy chatter and negativity. Ugh! Who needs that stuff? But I have truly missed my online friends in some of the groups on FB where the discussions are more fun to participate in. And I’ve missed the creative souls at Lineweaving.com too!
ATC Swap Restart
I’ve decided to jump back online and get involved again. To kick off 2017 the first thing I’m doing is hosting an ATC swap in the Lineweaving forums that has an easy “Anything Goes – Repeat – Anything Goes” theme. Which is actually not a theme at all. It’s just a low-stress restart for ATC swapping where pretty much anything you want to do is acceptable for this swap. If you’re interested in joining us, jump on over and let me know you’re in for the fun. Sign-up and mail-in dates are mid January for this one. And I’ll be posting a 3×5 card swap for February too. So if you’re in the mood for Love… or heartsy tartsy type drawing, keep an eye out for that one coming up just around the corner. 😀
Less is More!
While I was away from the blog we did finally get moved into the new house and after multiple delays – I finally have my studio put into place as well. It is now in the main part of our home, right inside the front door – where people happen to see the area as soon as they walk in. This creates a situation that necessitates cleaning up after myself more often – a chore I did not have to do before. Although that seems like a bad thing, I guess it isn’t. At least that’s what I keep telling my messy self as I’m having to be a little cleaner in my creative endeavors. The studio is also smaller than my previous space. I’m learning that this change isn’t necessarily a bad thing either. Having a tiny space has me inventing more strategic and compact storage options and it forces me to stop and think a little harder before I purchase more supplies. Because I have limited working space, if I have it cluttered with stamping stuff, there’s no room to pull out paints. If there’s painting projects here and there, then I have no space for me to lay my drawing pad to play with pen and ink, etc. I’m discovering that with less stash I’m creating new ways to use what I have in my art projects, while also focusing more on the things I have out on the work bench before moving on to something else.
Fifteen months ago when I was purging our cloths and storage closets (to downsize our home before moving), I asked the universe to help me learn how less can be more in all areas of my life. Well I’m now learning that lesson, even in my studio where I don’t think I was quite ready to put that concept into practice. The thoughts were there and I talked the talk… but I’ve come to realize I wasn’t really ready to walk the walk and accept that challenge until the last few weeks when I parted ways with my CRICUT. As much as I didn’t think I’d be okay with saying goodbye to this dear creative toy – it was easier than expected and it was the final big item that needed purging. Note to self: Be careful what you ask for! Note to Sis: You’re gonna love this particular hand-me-down for your scrapbooking!
Can I Do It Weekly?
Getting situated in our new place has taken me more time than I expected. It took a mental toll on me that I hadn’t planned for as well. Jumping back into my creative world is something that has helped me move forward and get back to being the ol’ Cindy again. Well the ol’ Cindy with some newness to her. One of those lessons in life I seem to need extra classes in is learning how to not over tax myself. Preventing burnout is easier said than done for me. I’m determined to give myself a break and not push me too hard this year. With that said – I know that I’m not ready to commit to sharing my art with folks everyday on my blog. Truth be known, I’m simply not that dedicated to taking pictures of my works or booting up the computer to write about them that often. But I am going to challenge myself to share art on my blog at least weekly throughout the year if my health will allow. And of course I’ll share Lineweaving patterns, plus a fair bit of painting, stamping, and other drawing activities too. So I hope that you’ll put me back on your blog hopping list and come on over to visit regularly again in 2017!
Art Share
New art for new spaces! One of the things I’ve been trying on for size is chalkboard art. I’m not fond of my own handwriting and personally drawn fonts are something I’m not too talented with. Nevertheless, I’m trying my hand at playing with chalkboards. A couple of times I did the “trace” method for my creations. The lettering was definitely straighter on the board. However, the creative process wasn’t near as much fun. It seemed more like a chore. So now I’m just doing my own thing free-hand and giving myself permission to not be perfect, but instead to simply enjoy the creative process. I painted portions of a door with chalkboard paint and have been having fun with it every since. Like all the designs I’ve played with thus far – this one was inspired by something I saw someone else do on a Pinterest share.
Hope you enjoyed the artful share and are inspired to create something new today! See you again soon.
Hugs,
~Cindy
I think its great you took time off for yourself.! I took some time off also, almost three years after my emergency back surgery left me wheelchair bound, with neuropathy and unable to bead or zentangle like I had in the past. I slowly learned to accept that our individual art styles can change over time, and to not be so hypersensitive that artwork maylonger have the same physical characteristics. I zentangle every day. It’s different, and difficult, but rewarding in that it has strengthened my hands so that I can now work a little in my bead studio every day. Something I enjoyed for over thirty years before my surgery and had so looked forward to continuing after retirement. But, there are no guarantees in life. We have to make the best of what we have to work with! My art is now completely different, but I am finding it exciting, and look forward to getting started every day. I learned a valuable lesson. I now practice Zentangle solely it for myself. I refrain from posting to online social media, clubs or groups. I do have an free open studio in my home where I invite friends in the community to drop in to share ideas, table space and my supplies three afternoons a week. In addition to Zentangle, participants have branched off into, scratch art, felt Christmas Stocking sequin and emboridery kits, adult therapy coloring books, Ornation Creation templates, just to name a few. I look forward to introducing many of your projects!
Saundra, so good to hear from you! I’m glad you had the time and energies to hit keys on the keyboard today. I was unaware of your surgery and continued health challenges. I will send healing thoughts your way this day!
Your words ring much truth – about accepting our artful styles as they are. And I appreciate you sharing them with us. Always a good reminder to help us loosen the reins and be more accepting of who we are at any given time in our lives!
I love that you have an open studio shared with others. It sounds like your circle of friends truly enjoy the time they get to share with you there. It is apparent to me that part of your mission here is to inspire others to create from the heart. You are a true blessing to the artful community!
Hi Cindy. Sounds like you made it! Ah… why do you not like your handwriting? The second I saw it I thought, “How pretty!” No “downing” yourself allowed. Tee! Hee!
Hay there Miss Tracy, about my handwriting – I’m not really sure why I don’t like it. I think it’s because in my early schooling years we were taught to write very neat with letters lining up just about perfect and evenly shaped. Somewhere in the attic of my brain, my inner critic still expects that. Even as I type this I realize how silly that sounds. I have never had the talent for writing letters that way and so to expect that of myself is so unrealistic. LOL. Sometimes (especially when I’m not conscience of being present), I let my ego run around and play a little too loosely.
You are right…. No inner critic or Ego judgements should sneak in here to knock us down! Keep me on my toes with that. I need all the help I can get in that department. 🙂
hi Cindy
first I want to wish you a Happy Newyear and good health and lots of creativity for 2017.
I was so glad to see you are up to blogging again. But , please, take it easy because in this case less is better then nothing at all.
my creativity level is very low at the moment. With full time job and husband at home after severe handsurgery (fixation of the wristh) there is almost no time to draw. But i love to read blogs and look what’s going on on lineweaving.com.
Wishing you all the best with the new home.
greetings from Belgium
jeannine
Jeannine, I am sorry to hear of your husbands challenges. I do hope he heals quickly and thoroughly. Thank you for the new year and new hope wishes. I am enjoying both! Enjoy your weekend. Take some time to relax and refresh. Hugs to you and yours!
It was such a thrill to log online this morning and read your comments everyone. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. You gave me a smile first thing this morning.
It’s good to be back!
Cindy, It is sooo good to see you back! Every morning when I boot up the computer I look to see if i have any emails that really matter. Usually there are none, As I scrolled down the list I saw Rainbow Elephant, I kept scrolling and then the light bulb came on,back up, back up…Rainbow Elephant?!! is Cindy back?? YES!
Sometimes we need to just have down time & shut ourselves off from the noise around us. I am doing this right now. I have stopped a lot of online conversations that suck up my time for creating. It is so good to know that you have become rejuvenated & ready to create once more. Good for you!
I am so looking forward to your blog & Lineweaving designs. Please take it easy & only do what you can while still being creative. We, the creative community, need your input & ideas.
Welcome Back!!
LindyLu
LindyLu- it’s good to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time for a chat. I am going to be taking it easy for sure. Don’t want to run myself into that burnout mode again. Slow and easy and very turtle-like. LOL
Welcome back Cindy- running over to Lineweaving to join your swaps – was thinking the same about doing some swaps but I cant get to the post office like I want with all this cold and snow – so I was planning on waiting
Hiya Janelle, It’s cold and snowy here too. But warm and toasty inside. The sun came out yesterday for several hours. So I took advantage of that and grabbed me some much needed vitamin D. I love letting the sun hit my face. When Miss Lacy dog was still with us, she and I would take naps together – laying in the sun coming through the window. Happy memory. 🙂
Thanks for joining the swap. I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.
Glad to see you back! Don’t over-stretch yourself, we love you, but keep yourself strong in every way. Looking forward to your posts, however infrequent!
Thank you, Jacki for stopping by and for your words of encouragement. Have a great weekend!