Inspired to blog...

Several of my friends have been pestering me to start a blog and, until now, I've resisted. After all, don't I already have enough to do? And, who in the heck would be interested in what I write?

Well, tonight I went to see Julie & Julia, the delightful movie about a woman who started a blog to record her cooking journey through Julia Child's cookbook. I loved watching the two stories unfold - mostly, I enjoyed the "stick-to-it-ive-ness" of both women. Both women passionate about their work, equally patient and stubborn as they worked towards their goals. I saw a lot of myself in both of them (not the ability to cook, however) and it all got me to thinking about my creative journey and where I have been for the past couple of years...

For several years I was in a very productive, creative mode. I made countless dolls, quilts, and collages. I painted, drew, journaled and sewed. Every night after work I would head to my studio, my mind filled with ideas, my hands itching to get to work. Heck, I even churned out projects for an eighty page book while recovering from a hysterectomy! Nearly every month I would find my work included in a new magazine or book and I was having a blast.

Then, quite suddenly, my beloved mother became very ill. She needed me and I wanted to be with her. Any energy I had previously devoted to creative journeys was hers and I gave it freely - finding ways to make her smile was far more important to me than any project I would make. I know that she felt loved and cared for by her family and that was all that mattered to me. Mom passed away in September 2008 and I miss her deeply. Throughout my life, Mom made me feel like anything was possible and she always believed in me - truly the "wind beneath my wings".

Since the beginning of the year I have been trying to recapture the creative energy I used to have. I've done some projects but not with the energy I had before. Part of me was starting to accept that it is because I've gotten a little older, a bit busier at work, and maybe just a little lazy. Then there is the rest of me, still bursting with ideas waiting to become reality, my hands still longing for the feel of fabric under my hands and paint under my fingernails.

I needed a kick to get me going and I think the movie I saw tonight was what I needed. I've decided to embark on a journey that I will be posting about on my blog. I am still thinking through the details and will post more about this tomorrow.

Until then, if I've peaked your curiosity, come back for more in the coming days to see what I'm planning and how it all unfolds. One thing you can be sure of, it won't involve cooking!