Back to blogging!
Well, there seems to be a trend among bloggers that the number of postings goes WAY down during the holiday season, and I am no exception. I have thought about what to post and have sat down to try a number of times, but I am at a loss of what to post! I did so much crafting over Christmas, but once I shared all of those holiday goodies, I am out of topics! I have done nothing creative in nearly a month!
Matt and I have been busy with many things, however. We hosted a Discovery Dinner on the 6th, and have completely cleaned out and remodeled (moved furniture) the office, and are in the process of doing the same to the garage as well. When I say ‘we’, I mean ‘Matt’ while ‘I’ run interference with the kids, but that’s totally cool. Matt has really outdone himself. I was in charge of condensing/disposing of our paint supply in the garage. I think Matt summed it up when he looked at all the cans and said “somebody likes to paint!” Yes, I do, and since I plan on repainting the boys room, our bedroom, and the purple playroom this year, I need to make some room in the paint cabinet! Just…kidding?
The biggest highlight related to art in the last few weeks is an e-mail I got from my Aunt Debbie, my Mom’s sister. She had been meaning to write to me about my failed abrupted attempt to join Mystic Paper’s design Team for months…Her comments were surprising and much appreciated…Here is an excerpt:
I know all about how much of your heart and soul you put into your creations because I feel the same way with the things I create. And I know the pain of the rejection and how when they reject your creation it feels as if they are rejecting you. Being artistic is a wonderful gift and can bring such pleasure, and at the same time it is also sometimes a curse, because it can also bring pain. (ok maybe I am being a little over dramatic there, maybe not PAIN but it can HURT. I wanted to tell you that you should be really proud of yourself, that you went for it and gave it all you’ve got! That you didn’t let the fear of rejection stop you from trying and for that– – KUDOS to you!!! (Many times I let the fear of rejection stop me from going for things that I really wanted) So good for you for putting your fears aside and going for what you wanted so badly! Very few people get recognized or “win” their first time trying for anything, no chefs, no singers, no actresses or actors. Book writers-authors, usually have to send their manuscript to every publisher they can find an address for and still may not get a nibble or an offer. Jennifer Hudson got rejected on American Idol and went on to win an Academy Award! Well you get the jist of what I am saying, you just have to brush yourself off and keep trying.
Wasn’t that sweet?! Thank you, Aunt Debbie. She goes on to share another opportunity to join a Phoenix-based national design team, which, unfortunately, I realize is not right for me. It involves a lot of stamping (I own literally one stamp), and a lot of travel. But the encouragement is much appreciated, and there are a couple of similar opportunities I want to try for this year. Knowing there are people out there cheering for me is a wonderful encouragement!