Life...

Sometimes I feel like my life gets in the way of my life.

I know I'm not alone in feeling that my "real" life is keeping me from succeeding at my "imagined" life!  Not that my real life is bad... quite the opposite, it's really great!  Full, busy, rewarding. I spend good chunks of time with my kids, who are growing up way too fast. I cook dinner and go on field trips and walk the dog. My days are full and busy and I have no complaints.

Except sometimes...to be honest...when I think of all the other things I would like to be doing that never seem to get done... ever. 

I have nothing to complain about, I know, it's just that I used to be a do-er. I got things done. I had lists and goals and was organized and everything was orderly. 

And then I had kids. And the order got lost somewhere. And the lists got longer and it all seemed so impossible. I lost faith in myself...

I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling this way, I hope I'm not anyway.

My goal for the year is to just take one day at a time and get done what I can...

Studio days are glorious, and I look forward to them as a gift.  I would love to be in there every day, but in reality life gives me a couple of good days a week, so I make the most of it.

And so...here are a few pics of what I've been working on this month in the studio:

Where I'm at...

We've made it more than one week into the new year.  So far so good!  It's been way too cold out in my studio to work so I've been doodling and thinking and enjoying it.  It's been interesting to check out other blogs and watch other creatives tackle the new year with the same hopes as I have.  We all have our tactics and are geared up, ready to go.  We may have a project a day planned (way too intimidating for me!) or a project a week (more my pace...) or even one a month (my reality!!).

Most of all I think it's good to re-evaluate every now and then, and New Years seems to work for most of us as a good time for that.  I try to regain my focus, after the mad-craziness of the holidays, and really think about where I want to be at this time next year.  But I think in doing that I completely miss the point.  I always tend to focus down the road rather than appreciating where I am on the road in this moment. It's hard not to get excited about where you're headed but sometimes you already have everything you need right where you are, and maybe that's what I need to focus on this year.  Where I am right now, 

not where I'll be next year...

Because if you're not paying attention you may miss all the really good stuff!

New year, new resolutions...

Every year I resolve to be so much more than I was the year before...create more, cook more, clean more, learn more...and inevitably I am overwhelmed by the endeavors and ultimately disappointed in the results. 

I created this blog 2 years ago as a place to inspire my efforts and 6 months in I abandoned ship!  

In 2014 I did not make a single entry, honestly I didn't give it much thought at all.  

But 2015 is a new year and I have a new angle.  Rather than making a grand list of resolutions to take on I am choosing to take time to appreciate what I already do, and celebrate these accomplishments.  

As a completely flawed perfectionist I put too much emphasis on getting it right every time.  I need to take a lesson from the advice that I give my kids when they are frustrated with their work, and that is to take is easy on yourself.  Not everything turns out the way you want, and that's ok.  My goal this year is to find something I like, not every day, but as many days as I can, and give myself a little more credit.  I think if I record these successes here, then by the end of the year I will have a great recorded journal and visual reminder of what I do.  

I'm doing this for me, but hope others enjoy the journey...

oops!!

Holy moly!  I am embarrassed to see that 2 months have gone by since my last post...well, life, summer and kids have slowed me down.  But, as with all things, distance can give you new perspective, and I have had the chance to think alot this summer.  
Both kids left for camp this year and you would think that 10 kid-free days would equal quality productive time, but you'd be wrong!  Although many things did get organized around the house...unfortunately my studio wasn't one of them!

So, yesterday I had this big reality check in the shower. (Side note...shower time is like yoga for me...the only place in the house I can tune out all the distractions and it's best place to think!) Ok...so I realized that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up...I'm 43, by the way...and I realized that's really ok.  Today I spent all day in my studio doing metal work and it was fabulous.  But on  some days I'm a chef, others an art instructor, some days I feel like painting and drawing, other days I bake or sew.  I am food critic, travel agent and social coordinator.   And some days I'm just mom.  I do consider it a gift that I get to wear so many hats and I want to embrace that even more.  And that is really what "Once Upon a Blank Canvas" is all about...the ability to create myself every day and enjoy it rather than feeling frustrated that I don't fit an exact mold...


Here is a look at what I was working on today:

These are going to be yads which are pointers used when reading from the Torah.  They are for my niece and nephew who will celebrate there bar/bat mitzvahs next month.  

Finished pieces

Blank Canvas Project #2 is complete! I love      the way these necklaces turned out and can't wait to make more...

Blank canvas project # 2

What to make with these lovely little pieces of carved tagua nut?

Leaning instagram

The past 3 weeks have been quite a learning experience for me! Setting up an etsy shop, linking it with facebook and now venturing into the land of instagram...I love it!!

Here are a few of the pieces I have finished this week...more to come!