Darn! I Could Have Had a V8!

Again... I have come to the realization that I need to be creative and have fun daily. When I take the time for non-work-related creativity, I'm more...

• Happy
• Productive
• Energetic
• Satisfied
• Sociable
• Emotionally/Spiritually Healthy

I can't count the number of times I've had to relearn this lesson. It is so easy to get caught up in the business of responsibilities that never get finished but must be done. I fall into the trap of progressing from one boring, have-to-do task to another. It's depressing and frustrating and makes life bleak. I end up seeking pleasure in unhealthy ways that never really satisfy.

Then one day I will create something in visual art and the time flies by. I am totally immersed in the creating, visualizing and imagining. The end results really don't matter; all of a sudden I feel better. It's like that commercial of the person drinking the soda, pausing, then hitting the palm of their hand on their forehead while exclaiming, "I could have had a V8!" Each time this happens in my life, I tell myself that I shouldn't/couldn't/wouldn't forget this lesson ever again. But then weeks, months or even years later, I find myself back in the same dark hole.

If I'm really honest with myself, I have to admit I sabotaged these experiences in my life. Creating was not easy, fast or convenient in my home. I would schedule myself in overload. Plus, my art supplies were stored all over the house - in my office, in my husband's office, in the guestroom closet, in the sewing room upstairs, in the storage room, the in attic - everywhere. When I would finally find time to work on something I would have to gather the supplies (trying first to remember IF I actually owned them and then where they were stored) and then live with the cluttered and disorganized kitchen or dining room while the project progressed. I couldn't have on-going projects and feel organized.

I decided to do something drastic. Besides ease of access, a physical daily reminder was needed. I (with the help of my willing and talented husband) dismantled our formal living room (pictured above) - sold all the furniture, tore up the carpet, installed wooden floors, ordered new furniture, and moved my sewing, knitting, crochet, bookbinding, painting, drawing, journaling, sculpting and collage supplies into one place. It's still not completely finished even after nine months of planning and work but I now have a wonderful space in which to create. I can walk away from and return to projects on a moment's notice. The space encourages me to be there and create, and my supplies call my name.  #CMC11

You can see my workspace is well used
in this first photo.

Only half of the material has
 made it to the studio.

This is the cart that sits beside my stool where I work.

Space for quilting & fiber art.

I love my flat files from Martha Stewart. I need something
large on the wall over them but not sure what it will be yet.

I used thin CD/DVD shelving from Ikea to
fill in small spaces and to store fat quarters
and small items.

I've tried to label everything.

All my art books, magazines & handmade
books are here along with an extra chair for
guests who come to play.

My puppies join me in the studio. There's a place
for them under the island so they don't get
stepped on.

The last photo. You can see my yarn in bins in the side
of the island.