Making Ready for Creating

I have been trying to get my house in order so I will feel free to pursue the creative.
I wanted to share a small success with you that I accomplished today.
My writing desk in the living room had become the catchall. It is just the natural, handy place to put things when I come in the door.
What does that do for my writing and other creative pursuits? It stunts them.
So, now I can say this area is officially reclaimed!

Joy to Be Shared

This is the sort of joy that just has to be shared. My husband Joseph has some secretive mischievousness in the making and all he's saying is "You'll need a fancy dress." Well, today I started my search for my fancy dress.

Trying on clothes isn't my idea of fun. I didn't even like Barbies as a kid because you were always supposed to be changing their clothes. When I clothes shop, I'd rather guess and take my chances that it will fit. That's why my favorite outfit is a white t-shirt and blue jeans. The sizes are pretty standard for such fashion fare. I can usually judge what will fit by how many prairie harvest muffins I've been averaging per week.

Evy is all about fancy. So, the idea of shopping for "princess dresses" thrilled her. She and I went about our mission with gusto this morning. She picked out dresses, zipped me up, and blocked the dressing room door from intruders.

We found a couple of favorites. Although, it was obvious from the beginning that Evy and I have very different tastes. Evy leans to "fru fru." I am a more simple or classic gal.

All the dresses were really beautiful, though. However, their price tags reflected their valuable charm.

So, next stop, Salvation Army Thrift Store. It's my go-to, one-stop-shop. Simply put, it is my equivalent of the mall.

A lady was putting out formal wear as we walked in the door. After a few moments of searching, I got this....my new fancy time dress. I think it is absolutely gorgeous. Plus, I think it is not so ostentatious that I will be able to wear it on multiple occasions. AND...I didn't try it on and it fits perfectly. It is also brand new!

For $10...me and this dress were absolutely meant to be. (Yes, you read that right. There was only a single zero in that number.)

I got joy. Celebrate with me.

What It Is

Sportsmanship is your 4 year old son dropping back in the race to let his mommy win.

Excitement is realizing you are going to listen to a too talented fellow soulfully sing his lungs out.

Satisfaction is knowing your artful progress makes your art instructor nauseous.

Happiness is a creative moment that stretches into the wee hours of the morning.

Anticipation is having only two months to ready yourself for a bliss inducing weekend.

What Would Happen if....

you gave two 4-year-olds a digital camera and little supervision?

Since this is a family-friendly blog, any photos containing bare bottoms were removed.

Found Objects

I am taking a found objects sculpture workshop at Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. 3D is new to me. Luckily, our teacher Mark Brown is great! He dumped a whole bunch of junk on the table and said, "Have at it!"

We have been learning how to apply some basic principles of art and how to repurpose bits and pieces to make them wonderful.

This is my second piece I started on at the last class. It is fairly small, approximately 12" x 4". It is a bit of masonite painted and collaged with some magazine pieces. I've been adding random pieces of metal that speak to me in some fashion.

This is turning out to be my favorite piece thus far. I think I am most proud of myself for resisting my innate urge to embellish it with glitter or add rhinestones. Of course, I am also very excited to be discovering a new way to create!

Smoochy Movie

I am not a romance movie fan. When the night gets lonely, who do I turn to? My little black book contains Aliens, The Matrix, or Conan the Barbarian. This established trend means my movie watching buddies are in luck. When the horde starts chanting Watchman or Quantum of Solace, I'm already set on GO.

But, I've noticed that all the testosterone laden movie action has been having an affect on me. First off, my voice has dropped an octave. I also find I have an urge to spit after telling a good joke. I am wary that the next step will be hair on my chest or adjusting my crotch while telling a tale. So, I've decided to concoct an antidote.

My formula is simple. Next movie night, the _Guys_ are going to watch something girly. Since I have an extremely short list of what constitutes a good romance movie, the pickings are slim. To choose from, we have Say Anything, Ten Things I Hate about You, and A Walk in the Clouds. Honestly, those are the only three movies I could think of that had a sweetie theme and were memorable enough to make it to the forefront of my brain. Since the opportunity to entertain my estrogenic beginnings may never happen again, I don't want to be disappointed in the viewing choice. Watching something I've not yet seen and approved makes me nervous.

So, I am calling on all you helpful folks in Webdom. Suggest something gooooood.

New Toy

Grownups can have toys, too, right? Well, I am the proud owner of a brand new Fuji instax mini 7s camera. Remember the Polaroids of old? This is a new fangled replacement.

I chose the mini format because I think this is going to be excellent for my journaling adventures. The pictures are about the size of a credit card. I take a picture and pop it directly into my journal while on the go. The per photo price is a little pricey. You pay for convenience, of course.

After one use, I cannot imagine how any modern device could be easier to use. Fuji and Apple need to partner up. They apparently have a keen sense of how to make technology easy. The battery and film compartments are super easy access and everything is clearly marked.

Little thought is required. You only have to make two decisions: Off/On and current lighting conditions.

The only downside might be its bulk. It is certainly smaller than the Polaroid instant cameras, but feels huge when you are used to a camera phone or a pocket camera.

I am so looking forward to big fun with my new toy!