I'm Published... Again!

Yippee! I never get over the thrill of seeing something I wrote published in a public periodical. I am not talking about blogs or something that you publish yourself. I am speaking of things written and submitted to an editor who you hope will find relevance and decide to print your work. This may seem like small potatoes to some people, but my column was accepted and printed in the January 2006 Florida edition of The Country Register.

My local shop owner, Carolyn, kept telling me last year to submit something because January is the stitching issue. Well, I never got it together in time, so this year she really pushed me. Some people really like my writing. ;-p

I wrote an article titled "Yes, We Have Shops Just For Stitching." The CR did a lot of typos and some editing, but for the most part it's pretty true to my submission. I began explaining that no one quite gets what I do for a living when I tell them I am a NeedleArt designer. I go on to speak about the benefits of stitching on your mental and physical well-being. Then, I wrap it up with a short description of my three most local shops and their distinctly different personalities. I write with a sense of humor and Carolyn thought it was pretty funny.

So, now that I am published again I am looking for new venues to submit my work to. Who knows...

New Art Adventures...

Wow, I am so excited about my new art explorations! I have been stamping and doing all sorts of paper crafts. Now I am getting into ATCs and buying all sorts of new supplies. I got a heat tool and embossing powders. Now I just need to find time to play. These days I am all about getting ready for the Nashville Needlework Market in two weeks.

Maybe I can have some goodies ready to share with my buddy Monique. She is a very dear friend of mine who I met about a year ago. It was one of those times where two people just click, you know? We both have the same values and beliefs, we both design needlework, and we both are looking for new and different ways to bring our love of stitching to the world. Monique is the one who helps me find all kinds of cool new art to get interested in.

You should check out her new "Markers" line. They are a perfect example of looking at counted thread in a whole new way. Her website is: http://mymarkdesigns.com and her blog is http://www.mymarkdesigns.blogspot.com/

Have fun!

My Theme for 2006

I was reading my journal the other night and I realized I have so many things I meant to post here that I never did. I like the idea of public accountablity. If I post my intentions here in public, I am more accountable to live up to them. :-)

So, I decided that my theme for 2006 can be summed up in a word. BELIEVE.

BELIEVE...

in my savior, Jesus Christ

in myself

in my business

in my art

BELIEVE...

in my journey

in all of the possiblities!

BELIEVE

Mother Guilt

You know, being a mom can sometimes be an emotionally crippling experience. :-/

I was speaking with another mommy the other evening and we joked about how the kids scream and cry when you leave the house making you feel like the creature from the black lagoon. So, while you're out you think of nothing but what a bad mother you must be. Then when you get home your husband tells you the kid was fine the minute you were gone. You were so easily replaced by that goofy wind-up toy. What an ego buster!

Crazy, I know, but I was just telling my hubby last night that I still need to learn how to give myself permission to push the family aside and do what *I* need to do today. He reminded me that the kids are pretty big now (8, 12, and 14 at home) and it's really ok to get my work done. I think he's right. They do seem to like those paydays when we are able to buy what they need because I worked a lot.

I guess I will always be a slave to mother guilt no matter how hard I try...

My Busy, Boring New Year

Geez! It's been two weeks since I blogged. I have been working my paycheck job like 5-6 nights a week since Christmas, so free time is a minimum these days. Two weeks, let's see...

I finished one model and started another.

I made a bunch of jewelry the other night after getting inspired by a new group I am on. (Yes, another one! But I did leave all of the ones I am no longer active on!)

I sorted through all of my stash so I can donate to Katrina's Stitchers. I just need a day off so I can box it up and send it off. The hard part is typing what I send to whom on the list.

I wrote in my journal almost every night at work, perhaps you'll see some of it here soon.

I dropped off the last five designs at the framer's for Nashville.

I got Peter back into Tae Kwon Do at the Performance Foyer and I got Maddie signed up for Miss Auburndale Softball.

I paid off another bill. Yeah!

See, my life as an Artiste is not very exciting! I'm still just a mom underneath it all trying to be all things to all people. I hope the New year has showed you possibilities beyond your imagination. Hopefully I'll have something much more interesting to post next time!