I finally got around to doing some drawing yesterday. It seems like it has been a long time since I have done that. Much too long as far as I am concerned. But things just need to be done and get in the way and I find that the time to draw and create seems to be something that doesn’t always come easy.
As I look around this morning, there is a bit more clutter than I prefer to have around. To be honest, it is quite messy here and I need to take an hour and turn up the stereo and do some power cleaning. My little tree still has Halloween ornaments on it and even though I took off the spider’s web that I had draped over it, I need to finish putting the Halloween things away and moving on to the next holiday.
Ideally I wanted to move into a fall theme, leaving the orange lights and leaves and making some autumn ornaments, but for this year I think the leaves and lights will have to do, as I haven’t had any time to make any ornaments at all. I have many (many!) books of outstanding projects that were designed by others, but I know I need to reach within myself and do my own thing. As much as I like doing projects by others, I need to spend the time developing my own things.
It is funny, but sometimes I am afraid to start. I still have that insecurity about my own projects and wonder if they will be worth my time. I find that some days it is very easy to over-think things and talk myself out of doing a project or tying something new. You would think that I would be over that by now and realistically I have little to lose and much to gain by trying, but sometimes I tend to think myself in circles around something until I wind up talking myself out of it altogether.
I find the ‘just do it’ attitude of diving into a project seems to be the best way to go. If I have the awareness to apply that when I am in this state of mind, it usually turns out to be quite beneficial and even if I wind up not being totally happy with the outcome, it at least puts me on track and I can tweak what I am working on and make something acceptable out of it. It is rarely a total waste of time.
So yesterday I did just that. I have so many different ornament ideas going around in my head that I had to stop over thinking and just pick ONE and get going on it. The first half hour or so was rough, but once I started drawing the fog lifted and my vision cleared and I am well on my way to making a nice set of ornaments. The train is finally rolling.
So the house is untidy a bit and I left it. Good for me. I am surprised that we didn’t have visitors, because we all know that no one comes when things are in order and it seems that the only time that people surprise us is when things are in chaos. It just happens that way.
At least it looks like we are working.
I am guardedly optimistic that I can finish drawing the set of twelve ornaments today. That would be an outstanding feat. I sent Leldon a sneak preview of a couple of them yesterday and he liked them, which fueled me to forge ahead. Leldon would tell me if they were ‘meh’ or not and he seems to have a good eye on what will be popular. In any case they seem like they will be really fun to cut and I think they will look cool too when they are done. I suppose only time will tell. I am already looking forward to finishing up today so I can cut them out on Saturday. I miss my saw.
Keith is working on a new project too and it is in my opinion a winner. I think he will be cutting his out today, which will work out well with my own schedule. It is good to feel so productive.
On another subject, I received an email from Fox Chapel yesterday regarding a sale they were having on their books. Normally I don’t get many books mail order, as I have quite a collection already and most of them are in storage. Besides, the shipping is quite expensive to get them here to Canada and I can usually talk myself out of buying any more.
However, this email was special because it brought to my attention that they are having a great sale for a good cause. They are selling themed grab bag packs which include $40 of books for only $10. That in itself was a great deal. I read the email further and learned that the reason they were doing this was to help out their colleague and the editor of Scrollsaw Woodworking and Crafts magazine (I fondly call it ‘the other scroll saw magazine’) Shannon Flowers, as well as the local fire department. Back in September, Shannon’s house was nearly destroyed by damage from the remnants of tropical storm Lee and her house was flooded. The basement was flooded completely and the water rose to three feet on the entire first floor of her home. Fox Chapel is helping by giving ALL of the proceeds from these sales as donations. I think that is quite incredible.
Although I have only met Shannon a couple of times a long time ago, I am familiar with her from Facebook and through my other woodworking friends and I have recently talked with her regarding some things. She is a warm and friendly person and I was very saddened to hear of the hardships that she has encountered. I wanted to pass the word around about this sale because it may be a nice chance for you to pick up on some quality books for your library and help out a really nice person too. The link to the email is here:
I hope you take a look and see if there is anything you may be interested. I wish Shannon all the best in recovering her home.
At times like these, it is good to see people come together to help one another. There are so many people around us struggling – either financially or with health issues and I think that giving each other a hand helps heal all of us and gets us through these difficult times together. It feels good to do something for another in need. Even the smallest gesture is appreciated. And it restores that sense of community and brotherhood. I saw it here on Lumberjocks, when Patron made his trip and helped Arlin and Rivergirl and Mary Anne. Then when he was in need, so many people in turn helped him out. It restores ones’ faith in humanity.
We witness all kinds of wonderful selfless gestures on this site nearly every day. It never ceases to amaze me how supportive and giving people here are. We hear all the time of random acts of kindness from one of us to another, mostly unexpected and unsolicited yet meaningful and true. I am very proud to be part of this group. It shows me how good people can be to each other.
I wish you all a great day today. Be productive, creative and have some fun.
PS – I just wanted you to know that I heard from Erwin (Bearpie) that he is out of knee surgery and is recovering. It is a painful recovery, but he says he is doing well, walking more each day and getting better. He is being sent to ‘therapy camp’ for a week which is in the hospital but on another floor. He doesn’t have a laptop there, but can read posts on his phone so if any of you want to message him or say ‘hi’ he would love to hear from you.
I wish your the best, Erwin! I hope you are able to go home soon! (((HUGS))))