A couple of years ago I read Scott Adam's book (the creator of Dilbert), "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life". I bought the book on a whim before my flight as I was flying home from Edmonton. I'm not even sure what made me pick it up... Dilbert was never my thing. Out of all the books I've read this one has really stuck with me. The biggest take away from the book was to create a system - not a goal.
The funny thing about creative work is the only way to get better is to make A LOT of it... and there are A LOT of things I'd like to get better at. Since the beginning of January I've taken a hard look at my routine and have decided that each week I need to build a system and make room for certain projects, like:
make one surface pattern design every week.
sew one 12"-ish free-motion block (there might be a lot of pot holders given out next Christmas, if any are worth saving).
AND to draw/paint/experiment everyday. I've been taking Lisa Congdon's Creative Bug Daily Painting Challenge: 31 Painted Patterns class and I'm LOVING IT! It's been a long time since I've painted. I bought some very yummy gouache paints but honestly I hadn't touched them because they scared me... you know the way beautiful pristine white blank paper can. It's such a relief to finally be using them and to let go as I follow along each day.
Yep, so that's my plan: make little adjustments each week that nudge me in the direction I want to go.
This week I also have not one, but TWO recommendations! The first one being DARK POUTINE, a podcast by our friend Mike Browne (who, along with his wife Carol, are extraordinary photographers!). If you're into Canadian True Crime & Creepy Tales, Dark Poutine will be right up your alley. Personally I'm a fraidy-cat but my husband LOVES it! So put on your toque, grab a double-double and a Nanaimo bar... then scarf down some Dark Poutine!
RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR PLAYLIST- Kiwi by Harry Styles. I love the song but seriously have you seen his floral suits? I'd watch the video for just that... and the food fight. That too.