Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let the other person spend it for you.
-Carl Sandburg-
I finally sat down with my new calendar the other day and transferred all the important dates, appointments, and reminders. I was feeling really bummed that it was already mid-month of January, a brand new year, and I had logged very little time in the studio. Snippets of promises I had made to myself were sifting away like the grains of sand in an hour glass. There are only so many hours in a day and time and attention have been needed elsewhere lately. I felt my creative spirit fizzle and shrivel just a little.
Tapping the end of my pen ticking off days all boxed out in little white blocks, some with scribbles and some blank, I knew I needed to schedule and guard some creative time or it was going to be stolen away from me if I allowed. I decided that at least one full day a week would be doable but I might have to be flexible. I have penned myself in for Tuesday and we will see how that goes. Sometimes creativity for me is a mood thing, I have to work in fury when the mood or idea comes to me, I can't force it.
I was just about to swipe the large colorful envelope the calendar came in off the table and into the trash when an idea came to me in a flash. I trotted down the hall to the studio and began slicing, dicing, embossing, inking, punching, and snipping with fervor. I now have a brilliant boat load of supplies to create some wonderful tags. I felt my flagging creative spirit lift a little at the pile of pretties spread out before me. With my momentum up I began putting together pretty paper and fabric posies, attacking tags, and embossing a variety of papers to play with on my next studio date.
I started feeling better about all those blocked out days and the lack of blank ones knowing that I had kept some of them for myself. I am kind of at a cross roads of sorts with my art and I am not sure what, if anything, is next. I feel myself wanting to step up, over, and beyond the experimental stage I have been in for the last couple of years and get serious about developing a signature style.
I am going back over all those blanks and blocks of time. I am identifying time wasters and stealers, trying to eliminate them, evaluating what is important and what can be put aside. I probably won't be too productive in studio this first month of the new year because I recognize the need to get a few things in order so I can have the focused time I need in there. A couple of major projects need to be finished up, the dining nook remodel being at the top of the list. I hope you will bear with me if I am not posting as much or as many artful pretties for the next couple of weeks but I need to set my sights on discipline and dedication to mundane tasks at the moment.
I am keeping my eye on the prize of making those artful dreams happen! I want to thank you for all the support and encouragement you all offer. You really are an amazing bunch!
I hope time is being kind to you and that you are carving out little slices for yourself to do whatever it is that you enjoy. Have a blissful Monday!
Blessings,
Sandy
P.S. Isn't it a little ironic that the front of my calendar says, " Gentler Thyme" ?
-Carl Sandburg-
I finally sat down with my new calendar the other day and transferred all the important dates, appointments, and reminders. I was feeling really bummed that it was already mid-month of January, a brand new year, and I had logged very little time in the studio. Snippets of promises I had made to myself were sifting away like the grains of sand in an hour glass. There are only so many hours in a day and time and attention have been needed elsewhere lately. I felt my creative spirit fizzle and shrivel just a little.
Tapping the end of my pen ticking off days all boxed out in little white blocks, some with scribbles and some blank, I knew I needed to schedule and guard some creative time or it was going to be stolen away from me if I allowed. I decided that at least one full day a week would be doable but I might have to be flexible. I have penned myself in for Tuesday and we will see how that goes. Sometimes creativity for me is a mood thing, I have to work in fury when the mood or idea comes to me, I can't force it.
I was just about to swipe the large colorful envelope the calendar came in off the table and into the trash when an idea came to me in a flash. I trotted down the hall to the studio and began slicing, dicing, embossing, inking, punching, and snipping with fervor. I now have a brilliant boat load of supplies to create some wonderful tags. I felt my flagging creative spirit lift a little at the pile of pretties spread out before me. With my momentum up I began putting together pretty paper and fabric posies, attacking tags, and embossing a variety of papers to play with on my next studio date.
I started feeling better about all those blocked out days and the lack of blank ones knowing that I had kept some of them for myself. I am kind of at a cross roads of sorts with my art and I am not sure what, if anything, is next. I feel myself wanting to step up, over, and beyond the experimental stage I have been in for the last couple of years and get serious about developing a signature style.
I am going back over all those blanks and blocks of time. I am identifying time wasters and stealers, trying to eliminate them, evaluating what is important and what can be put aside. I probably won't be too productive in studio this first month of the new year because I recognize the need to get a few things in order so I can have the focused time I need in there. A couple of major projects need to be finished up, the dining nook remodel being at the top of the list. I hope you will bear with me if I am not posting as much or as many artful pretties for the next couple of weeks but I need to set my sights on discipline and dedication to mundane tasks at the moment.
I am keeping my eye on the prize of making those artful dreams happen! I want to thank you for all the support and encouragement you all offer. You really are an amazing bunch!I hope time is being kind to you and that you are carving out little slices for yourself to do whatever it is that you enjoy. Have a blissful Monday!
Blessings,
Sandy
P.S. Isn't it a little ironic that the front of my calendar says, " Gentler Thyme" ?
15 comments:
The time quote is a great way to start off...it seems a lot of us are losing time for mundane tasks and forgetting ourselves in the process.
Then I kept reading and see you are trying to also find yourself for your art. There is a lovely little blog taking her followers on the journey of finding herself and her art.
I immediately thought it would be a tool you would like to use too
http://susandegeneresstudio.blogspot.com/
Good luck with your goals you have set this year.
Amy
Oh Girl! That was time well spent! Recycled and re used too.
I love the birdie, is it a stencil or cutter that you used or your own design?
Sandie xx
I enjoyed your words! And, all the stuff you made to use at a moments notice.. Time well spent.
xoSO Sandy O
Love the little pretties! I've done the same thing with the back of a calendar! Free goodies! Just cut out and viola! Great reminder to keep our eyes open to the possibilities right before us :-)
Love your blog! Wondering if you would like a Link Exchange with our blog Common Cents?
Check us out here...
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com
Such a heartfelt post Sandy. I too struggle to keep time from slipping by and understand the mood to create being elusive at times. You are one talented lady, and I know you will follow your heart to where your art needs to be.
Hugs,
Robin
Sandy, love all those little pretties, waiting there on your table to be collected and made into beautifull, artpieces of yours.
I just bought a Big Shot myself, and can`t wait to get it, and try all those wonderfull possibilities.
Dearest Sandy, I also just got my Sommerset Life,
and am totally in love with the artickle with you, how beautifull, are your art pieces, and the wonderfull idea, of having collected a sambling of lovelyes to create with. I read it in bed yesterday night, and could go over the photoes again-and again.
Hugs, to you.
Dorthe
Me encanta tu blog, es fantastico, muchas veces vengo a visitarlo.
Sandy you have an incredible style... that's why I keep coming back to see what you're up to! You are one VERY creative gal!!
I'm spending some time organizing now that the holidays are over and trying to envision some of my projects for the year. I'm hopeful!!
Big hugs, sherry
My friend, I think we would all agree that you already have a "signature style". And it's very special, indeed.
Hmmmm....looks like someone has the same taste in embossing folders that I have! ;-) I think there are projects yet to be seen in these little snippets you've shared of all your tiny embossed scraps....!
Can't wait to see what you create!
Hugs and blessings and love,
Diane
There are so many pretty things to look at when visiting you! And, I love the music! It floats into my space and fills my head with warmth!
Having one day a week to work creatively is a good plan!
How I wish sometimes that we had a few extra hours in a day. I love these photos Sandy, I cannot wait to see what you will be doing with all lovely tags etc.
What cutter/embossing machine do you have?
Have a lovely day!
I adore those embossed tags!
My husband recently said "You are working harder now than when you were in school."
I wonder when the quiet days will come. Soon enough I imagine.
A great artist's reflection post ... and such beautiful, beautiful paper tags!
Dear Sandy,
I know you'll find your way. Sooner or later we all feel like we are at that crossroads... take your time. Just play, relax, and make what your heart desires. I am a firm believer of going with your heart in creating art. Do what gives you strong emotions. And yep! Eliminate time stealers as much as you can.
Thanks for being there when I needed you. Your nice and thoughtful words were a blessing to me!
Monica xo
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