Friday, August 13, 2010

Ta-Da! {Day 19}



 Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said: "one can't believe impossible things."
"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

(Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 5)


This has always been one of my favorite quotes. I think how many times have I been like Alice, refusing to believe I could become a runner.

I could finish a marathon

I could swim.

I could write a column.

I could finish college.

I could believe in myself.

Thank you to my dear, sweet and very talented friend Leanne from "Chaos Comes Happiness" who designed my Blog header and made everything about my Blog just better. You are amazing, girl!:) 

I love today's Challenge. Not only is it sooooo fun...but it's ongoing. It's something you can do while sitting on the couch watching your favorite TV show. And it's something you will use in so many of your projects:) 

Creative Challenge Day #19:Today I want you to begin collecting WORDS. Find a manila envelope, a folder, anything you can put your WORDS into. You can jot down words on paper scraps or find them in magazines and books and cut them out to use on your projects. I have found some old books at yard sales this summer for a ...quarter and enjoyed going through them, cutting out words for future projects. Have fun!

 

I am having one of those brain lapses today. I just KNOW there was something I wanted to share with you...but for the life of me I can't remember. Hmmmmm...maybe tomorrow-LOL

 

In the meantime...I have my WORDS to post from the past few weeks and more projects, too. Those will come sometime next week. Also I have a NEW "Make My Monday" interview you won't want to miss.


Don't forget about my give away, girls!! A bag filled with handmade tags, shapes, ribbons and WORDS! Leave me a comment, Like me FB and become a follower for multiple entries. I will draw a winner August 24th.


I will leave you with a bit of inspirations from Gail McMeekin. Last week we talked about one way we can "enthuse our muse" is by listening to music.
Today's tip is...


"Pracatice Suspension". Postpone all judgements and send your inner critic on vacation. Give yourself the freedom to make mistakes and to take positive risks with your work. Approach your creative process fearlessly. Ask yourself what "out of the box" strategies you'll try next." -Gail McMeekin

 

This is a hard one, huh? 

 

How many times do we think about a project, get all excited by it then when we do finally start that voice in our heads says "What the heck do you think you are doing? You can't paint, or draw or__________!!"

 

I am bad about this. Especially the "making mistakes" part. There are so many new and exciting techniques and mediums I want to begin playing with...but I'm scared. Scared I'll just create one big mess. 

 

This Challenge has helped silence that critic a bit. Painting my backgrounds, using charcoal and sharing each day with you has really been like telling my inner critic to GO TAKE A HIKE!

 

 

What about you? What does your inner critic tell you? What are ways you silence it? Please share...and be sure and leave a comment to be entered in the drawing! As always, girls. I appreciate you and look forward to reading and learning and growing from your blogs!!


11 comments:

  1. Do you collect phrases, as well as words? Sometimes the phrases are just the thing - how two words come together and can sound poetic. I should write down the ones that strike me that way - there's something soothing about a good word or phrase.

    Tags and ribbons and words would be lovely! :-)

    Do you ever write a "found poem" out of your words? Draw out half a dozen or so from your envelope, and create a poem out of them?

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  2. Hi friend!
    Wow, I am enjoying catching up with your blog and being inspired! I love that Alice quote and moreover, love how you used it as a jumping off point to discuss possibility. You really are such a positive influence - how wonderful that you put yourself out there to inspire others to do the same - a life lived well.
    I also love your new blog look & your FAB new picture! And the suggestion to start collecting words is a great one - I will do that!
    To answer your question, when I am really stuck, I put it (a project or idea) aside until the muse hits OR I will do the opposite and work through it, but without trying to think too much. Sometimes letting go for me means to try and stop thinking! It's usually in that space of releasing all expectations that the best work comes, xoxox

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  3. girl, your blog just keeps getting better and better...and not just the new header, graphics, etc....
    you are digging heart deep and coming up with gold!
    love you, leslie...
    xo

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  4. P.S. i signed up for jodi's e-course too...again, we will be cruisin' together!
    too cool...

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  5. :-) Hey - I like words, too! I don't always put them together in the best way, but doodling with poetry can be fun ;-)

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  6. dear Leslie-that Alice quote is actually one of my all time favorites! actually I love the whole Alice book and just started reading it to Tara. I think next year for Halloween we will do Alice...and I would love for us all to have a Mad Hatter tea party ...but I digress!! Yes, I think so many times we are so afraid of "messing up" ...as if "perfection" is the goal. that can just stop us in our tracks and sometimes cement us in fear. So go ahead and experiment and make tons of happy messes!
    You comment today on my blog made total sense Leslie. when I decided to start blogging...I knew I was going to be authentic. we don't have to tell all or spill out our guts but blogging gives us the opportunity to express all of oursELVES...our humanity. thank you for your support and encouragement sweet Leslie! I just realised how fast time has just flown by! I have wanted to open up a shop for maybe over 3 years! I think that you should do what Kelly said in class-just go for it! I look forward to when you will do the same!xxx

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  7. Leslie...I also LOVE this Alice quote. Did you get the Somerset Studio magazine with Kelly Rae's painting on the cover with all the Alice art inside? I love that issue!

    I love words, too, Leslie. I think that is one of the reasons we connect so well. I love this idea too! Count me in!

    love,
    jodi

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  8. Oh my inner critic is THE worst. It always tells me "who are you kidding? your not talented" Sometimes I just keep going and ignore it and other times I have let it stop me from being successful.

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  9. I absolutely LOVE the new look Leslie! It's wonderful : ) My inner critic talks to me a lot about my appearance. Thank goodness to a good counselor and great inspiring friends like you, my inner critic is talking a bit less these days : )

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  10. p.s. Totally saw E,P,L on Friday night (couldn't WAIT!!!) I wrote about it here . . . http://fromchaoscomeshappiness.blogspot.com/2010/08/eat-pray-love.html - you will LOVE IT!!! GO SEE IT!!!!!

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  11. Oooh! LOVE the idea of cutting out words and using for art. I used to do collage/decoupage type stuff (a lifetime ago), along with "altering" journals or sketchbooks. I think your post may have just inspired me to pick that back up...I really enjoyed it - life just got in the way!

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I appreciate your thoughts and ideas...they inspire me!! I will be visiting you soon. Have a CREATIVE day!!