Candle Wrap Decorations

In between all the writing this past week, I have been playing with metal embossing. The results are a family of candle wraps. Scroll down and enjoy-

"Nothing happens unless first a dream" -Carl Sandburg

As I have been writing my 50,000 word count book, in 30 days for NaNoWriMo, I have read back through a number of journals. The idea of a book hit my head 6 years ago when I lost my career job and had time on my hands. I asked myself, what am I going to do with my photos?

I first wrote an idea for the book, marrying my photos to stories, nearly 4 years ago. I started jotting down notes after that. Then two years ago I found myself doing some very short travel journal entires, with this book thing in mind.

A couple years ago Joannah Merriman told me about NaNoWriMo. This year I signed in an did it.

AS of today, I have a rough draft of my book written. There is still alot of editing, detail descriptions, photos to be picked and then the small matter of finding a publisher. But hey. It's a 50,000, 70-page start to a book.

In my book, it's a goal accomplished.

So today I get to celebrate. I also want to encourage all you creative folks out there to pursue your dreams. Pick a spot, and in the words of Twyla Tharp: "BEGIN!"

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

NaNoWriMo

That translates into National November Writing Month. I think I am close enough to be sure I am going to hit the goal...so I'm officially posting that I am participating an a challenge to write a 50,000 word book in one month. I am at 40, 900 words and I think I'll make it. The book is about some of my travel adventures and ties to my photos. It's just a rough draft, but hey, it's a start!

In honor of Ann

My friend Jill Berry is hosting a birthday give-away in honor of Ann's birthday. Follow the link to be entered in her drawing! She has all sorts of wonderful art/studio goodies tucked in special boxes!!!

Jill's blog giveaway

http://jillberrydesign.com/blog/2009/11/24/anns-birthday-giveaway-and-valley-ridge/

http://www.coloradocalligraphers.com/

December Class

ANNUAL HOLIDAY TEA

Saturday, December 5, 2009

1-4 p.m.

Denver Public Library

14th Ave. at Broadway

Denver, Colorado

Create a delightful, inexpensive greeting card and gift tag using pewter and color-coated metals. Join Colorado Calligraphy Guild Instructor Libby Rehm at the Colorado Calligraphers Guild Holiday Tea to learn how. Most materials provided. Supplies to bring: Xacto knife, bone folder, small cutting mat, metal ruler, sharp scissors. Optional supplies: Craft heat gun if you have one, favorite decorative accent papers/ribbon, small simple brass stencils(1.5” sq.). Materials fee: $10.00 payable to the instructor at time of class. RSVP to Tess Vonfeldt-Gross at 303-791-2701, or tgv9 (at) yahoo.com.

5 acre arts website

5 acre arts website

Time

I was writing in my journal this morning that I feel like I have finally gotten out of being "deadline oriented." This, from the pen of the Queen of Responsibility, Accountability, Goal Orientation and a 20 year publishing industry veteran. I don't want to be rushing around, a slave to my To Do list. I used to be "driven", but in reality I was driving people nuts with my I-gotta-get-this-done right-now checklist mode mentality/energy. I do want to be able to selectively apply that kind of drive to my art, but at a pace not a race. That's it maybe, pace myself in a world that is bent on going faster and faster, never stopping to relax and "be" in the moment. While I was on a road trip in NM recently (more in a later blog) I found that once I relaxed, I woke up thinking in pictures and art, not the To Do list. Maybe the greatest gift we can give ourselves as we set our clocks back, is a moment to sit in front of the fire and enjoy today, without a deadline in mind for anything. Let art and pictures fill our creative souls.

I came across this article and I thought I'd share the link with you:http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/01/greene.technology.time/index.html