Here Goes Nothing

This blog has been nagging at me for some time. Since I quit working outside the home 15 years ago (I call it a long maternity leave) I have discovered that I am actually a creative person. It makes sense that I would be. My dad is a hair dresser and incredible artist. He can draw and paint in many different mediums and styles. My mom is an accomplished musician and she can oil paint as well. Typically I am afraid to try something new because "What if I mess up?" or "What if it isn't perfect?" After trying to find logic in my unfounded fears and excuses I finally try a new project. To be honest, I am shocked every single time that not only do I like the end result but other people do too. So here I am starting a creative blog. Hopefully this will be a great place to post pictures of what I have made and maybe even get some feedback from fellow bloggers and web surfers.

In 2003 myself and a group of 3 other stay at home moms started scrapbooking for hire. It was fun and paid for our paper and glue habit. Slowly the digital scrapbook world took over the demand for our services. I still scrapbook the old fashion way when I have time but the other three moms have hung up the Bazzil cardstock, Zipdry and scissors.

In 2005 I started painting kids' bedrooms. I don't do murals but I'm really good with geometric designs and loud colors. In 1998 when my oldest was born a friend helped me paint clouds on her ceiling, pale yellow walls and put up a chair rail. I liked it but was disappointed that I didn't try to do it myself. By the time baby number two came along I was ready to get creative and I loved the giant Noah's ark I painted on her wall. When baby number three was about to join our family we were in our second house and I had found a real love for painting. I wish I could find good pictures of our last nursery, it was my favorite. Gargantuan lime green squares of varying shades in random (random is hard for me) design covered one wall. Oh just thinking about that room makes me happy. I even pulled out the sewing machine to make curtains and bedding. Aw, I wish I had that room back!

In 2007 we moved to a new city which means I had a whole new canvas in the shape of a house to paint. During the last few years I began to notice that my arms went numb when I painted. No amount of money was worth having numb hands and arms and a migraine a few days later. It was time to come up with a new plan. I cut and painted huge monkey heads, soccer balls, flowers and whatever else I could think of as wall decor for kids rooms. I loved it! As usual I didn't charge enough so replacing saw blades, buying paint and brushes actually put me in the hole. But I had fun.

In 2010 I bought my first Cricut. Instantly I was in love! My hope was to cut vinyl sayings for the wall but again I was afraid to mess up. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? Finally a few years later I jumped on the bandwagon I began making custom signs for friends, doctor offices, churches and Habitat for Humanity. It seems like I am always a couple years behind on the going trend (probably from fear) and as I was still sticking letters on walls everyone else on etsy was making signs on refurbished wood. Seriously? I had a new obstacle to overcome. Why was this hard? Finally THIS year, 2016 I started making signs on any kind of wood I can find. It's been so fun.

My current dilemma is deciding if I should move forward and actively try to sell the stuff I make. I can do a variety of things for a customer, if they will just decide what they want. Indecisive people make my job DIFFICULT! (sidetone: I am indecisive too) My biggest challenge is charging a fair price. Hmm, let's be honest that is just one of my challenges, confidence and selling myself, those are two biggies. I forget that people who can't, don't want to or don't have time to...will pay more and be more appreciative than I ever would for a great scrapbook, wall of chevron stripes, door sign or quote on the wall. Stick with me to see where I go from here.