Eureka!

So, something occurred to me.  (Yes, it's been almost a year since my last post!)  I have no idea about this blogging thing.  Firstly, it may have gone by the wayside with all of these other avenues for typing to people/photo sharing/etc.  Secondly, I don't think, in fact I know, that I have never gotten the hang of it.  There are plenty of incredible blogs that I visit and ooh and ahh over and love so much.  Some people just know how to do it!  And I think I have been trying to do what they do in one form or another and as we all know, that rarely works out for anyone.  You can't be successful trying to be someone else.  Or at least trying to be someone that you aren't.  So that was my realization.  My blogging skills are about as good as my gym class skills.  Zero.

And then, early one morning, just before I was about to open my eyes to start the day...And you know that twilight time right before falling asleep and right before full consciousness from sleep is magical!!!  So, it was that twilight, loose time and I haven't thought about this blog in ages, there is very little time for it and again, getting back to my blog skills - I am not going to win the great blogger of the month award anytime soon but it was that moment of lucidity that this blog came into my thoughts, with this very strong thought - it isn't for other people.  It's for me.  Hmmm.  What?

So I thought about that.  And I thought about how being an artist allows one to try out all different types of styles and mediums and how you naturally evolve your own process and style and how a lot of times, it's fleeting.  I often don't get to keep the works, they go to the intended homes or shops.  Or I forget what it's like to be inspired and excited about - whatever it is that has me going.  Inspiration is like a fluttery moth or that glimpse in the forest that you get and you swear you just saw something that you couldn't have really seen.

Where am I going with all of this?  Oh yes, this blog is for me.  It's for me to chronicle my process, mostly creative and artsy (I have a journal for all of the life stuff) but it's here for me to make a record of this glorious life of creativity and spark and love and all of the other things that go in it.  You know, all the stuff we will find out together.  And by together, I mean me.  (I don't really expect anyone to actually READ this!) but it's here for me and maybe, just maybe, it will strike a chord with someone out there too. 

First.  Real. Entry.  Go Nicole.

Oh wait!  And the pictures!  Those are very important to this whole process.  The first one is the latest stack of books I have collected.  It's a weakness.  I love books and I love craft and process books.  Old and new.  I just spent a good bit of time going through my collection, like visiting old friends.  And so inpiring!  The second photo is the very latest, not only do I have weakness for books but for Japanese Craft books especially (swoon.) This one is SO GOOD.  Third photo - a batch of "Bird and Branch" penny pouches for two spring shop orders.  I usually make these in dark gray - my sweet and smart shop buyer asked for some bright, spring-y colors.  Of course!!!  I love them SO much more!!!  And forth photo down....it's a secret!  I can't tell you yet, but aren't they cute?????