Friday, February 24, 2006

Thank you Claudia!


Look at the gorgeous book bag I received in the mail today from Claudia (Chest of Drawers - I would put a link here if I knew how!) How wonderful to bring in the mail and find such a treasure among the bills! Thank you Claudia!

I have a lot of crafty friends who sew themselves unique clothes and bags, who cut up vintage ties and sweaters and shape them into new and wonderful creation, all with just imagination and thread -- and I wish I could do it! My grandmother was a master seamstress and quilter but I never learned a thing from her and now I never will. I wish I could turn back time and share this with her! But alas, I'm helpless with a needle and thread. Some day I will learn to sew. I'm going to wait, though, and stay focused on the handful of things I do now: write, draw, collage, paint. I let myself try new things as a treat: at Christmas I went on a doll-making binge, but I got it out of my system and went right back to my "regularly scheduled programming," and enjoyed my work all the more for having had a fun break.

A lot of creative folk I know have a hard time settling on one or even a few activities. We're bursting with ideas, multi-talented, interested in everything! And we MUST play, we must feed our hungry thirsty minds, but we also have to have a degree of discipline if we're going to excel in any one - or two, or three - things. Maybe we need to draw concentric circles around ourselves? The inner circle is our main love, and the outward-radiating circles are spheres of play we can venture into when we need a breath of fresh ideas? Like opening a window in our head to let in air and light!

I'm nearly finished with my current project -- my Laini's Ladies holiday '06 line, and it has been a delight and this weekend I will be able to make some check marks on some lists and move on to the next thing!

It has struck me since I started writing this blog that I don't do much but WORK - I knew that, but it's so obvious now that I have no adventures to write about except being able to make check marks on my lists. Oy! All the more reason to be so excited for the mini-romantic-getaway Jim planned for a belated Valentine's: he's taking me to Ashland to see a play and stay in a B&B! (Ashland is a beautiful little town near the Oregon/California border that's known for its Shakespeare festival and we've been meaning to plan a trip there for the five years we've been living in Oregon and this will be the first time. Can't wait!)

Speaking of little adventures, I've been seeing lots of references in different blogs to "artist dates." Can someone tell me the gist of this? Are there rules? Suggestions? What's the origin of this wonderful idea? Is it an Artist's Way thing? I want to plan some for myself and would love to hear more about it. Thanks!

12 comments:

meghan said...

Hi there! ONCE again I write, 'I CAN RELATE' to you! Before I came on here I had no idea how much I hungered for people I could relate to - I have SO much I want to do that it's always hard to reign myself in...

I hope you have a wonderful adventure on your weekend away.

P.S. artist dates _are_ from 'the artist's way' and also from her other book 'walking in this world' (I like it better!) You are supposed to take yourself out for an artist date once a week and it has to be delightful - groceries doesn't count - and it's supposed to be alone. So museums, fabric shops, anything that delights your artist.

have a wonderful weekend!!!

HoBess said...

Once again you paint an amazing picture in my mind. All my little circles around me ... and thanks to this past month of blogging regularly with all you beautiful women I'm jumping into some fun areas I never explored before. Have an amazing get-away!

Claudia said...

Hi Laini!
I´m so glad you like the bag, it took 2 weeks to get there! I can see you strolling along with all your books on your shoulder with that lovely smile of yours!
Have a great weekend away...Ashland sounds wonderful.

Frankie said...

What a beautiful bag! I know just what you mean about that desire to sew. I've been dying to learn how to sew and knit for quite some time now and somehow just haven't ever gotten around to sticking with it. I certainly should.

Have the most AMAZING time in Ashland!! That sounds SO fantastic!

Colorsonmymind said...

I think it is great that you are getting so much done....will you give a preview of more Laini's ladies?

Laini Taylor said...

I'm just testing to see if I figured out how to post my photo with my comments. Boy, can I ever waste time online -- I've been trying to figure this out for AN HOUR!

And thanks for the comments! Thea, I'd love to give you a preview of the new "ladies" and get your feedback. Once I get all the files together I'll post them or email them to you. Thanks for your interest!

Laini Taylor said...

Yay - it worked! (Now I'm just shamelessly adding to my comment #) (Just kidding.) (I think.)

Colorsonmymind said...

Laini-

Misty gives a great tutorial on ATC's on the Inspire me Thursday site

I made photo copies of some photos I wanted to use.

It is fun you should try them.

Anonymous said...

well-- looks like you got the answer to the question about artist dates . . heee.

Now, let us all hear about the one you take!

~Elizabeth
http://bluepoppy.omworks.com

Shesawriter said...

You put me to shame. I can't believe how much you're getting done, and that bag is fabulous.

Tanya

liz elayne lamoreux said...

can't wait to hear about your future artist dates...
this bag is fantastic! love it!
and ashland - have a wonderful weekend - i have heard such nice things about that place.
and i can't wait to see your new ladies...

Jamie said...

What a beautiful bag Claudia made! I love how generous and gracious fabulous creative bloggers are!

I love what you said about fun being a need, Laini. I hope your trip gives you lots of opportunity for fun and adventure. And congratulations on also doing so much work on your holiday project! Yay to check marks AND fun! :)