Back to Basics

In a thread I'm in on Etsy, I issued a challenge yesterday. I called it the "back to basics challenge". The above photo is one of the coptic stitch journals I made for the challenge. When I first started bookbinding, I learned the coptic stitch. It was my bread and butter for well over a year.

Then I began making leather bound journals, with stab binding, and I never looked back. There seemed to be a market for them, they took less time, and I found my groove with them. But lately, I've been feeling like I need to return to basics. Like I need to remember what it was about bookbinding that drew me in.

So, I went back to basics and it taught me a lot about myself. Soon, I will go back to basics with Buddhism. To return to the path that I started on in 2002. I am on a quest. A quest to remember why I am now where I am.

The Best Intentions

I was ready. Ready to pull myself out of my muck and start living life again. Leaving depression behind (or at least taking it of the driver's seat), and then towards the end of last week, I got this nasty head cold. Much of Saturday, even though my boys wanted to do other stuff, I snoozed on the couch. Yesterday I started feeling a bit better and dove into class preparations (which started today). Then last night... a stomach bug hit and I am NOT feeling well.

I am calling into work (that is VERY unheard of), and going back to bed.

The photo is the latest journal I listed. What do you think of the pink leather?

Oh... one more thing. Class started today. I'm planning to keep registration open til maybe Friday. And I'd like to offer a "pay what you will" plan. I know that for so many reasons some cannot afford this class... but if you're yearning to take it, email me at robynsart@live.com and i'll invoice you for the amount you can pay.

I'll do it between naps, so if you don't hear from me right away, don't be discouraged.

Lifeline

I need a lifeline... I have been slipping further and further into my depression/muck for days. I'm usually really great at pulling myself out... but this time it might be more than I can do. I've been suffering from 'what's the point?' for days on end now. I have stopped participating in the forums on etsy, i've talked a bit with friends on facebook, but never quite engaging. I've thought of abandoning this blog.

I'm still thinking.

What I need to know is. Are you out there? Are you listening? Does anyone care?

An Amazing Sale!

I was led, earlier this year to teach an Artist Empowerment Class. I had the vision, and it was amazing. There were ten of us, we met weekly for an hour long chat, we journaled, we cried, we laughed. I was amazingly blessed to lead the group that I had. There was an energy, an electricity, and we all grew so much in our chosen craft!

When that class was over, I asked for testimonials and critiques. Some of the testimonials can be read here. The critiques, I noted, and applied to the planning for my next class, which will duplicate the first, with other participants.

My Artist Empowerment Class is $40. The entry can be paid here or by clicking on the 'pay now' button on the upper right.

The class starts September 13, and I answered some questions about WHO might want to take it here.

In honor of Labor Day, I'd like to offer you 25% off. I will refund $10 back into your paypal after you sign up, or you can contact me for a revised invoice prior to paying! So YOU could be taking this amazing life-altering class for $30 instead of the $40 list price. Act now!

Tenderhearted

Yesterday, I felt weepy throughout the day. It was a reaction to stress. On the way home, I heard a heartwarming story on the radio, and the tears flowed. In the morning, I read about a group that posts 'love bombs' in the comments on blogs and felt like crying. So much love in this world. So much that a lot of people are unaware of.

Anyway... last week I was weepy, and I blamed it on PMS. I can't blame it on that this week. I'm wondering if this is just what is for me. I've evolved into a weepy, tenderhearted girl? That doesn't bode well for my job. I work around truck drivers and I have to be tough.

I've found myself over compensating at work, by acting much tougher. I need to find the space for the tenderness to be. I need to figure out how to assimilate it into my life. I am really struggling with it. I've always been the stoic one. But Dad's death changed me. And that's ok. I can be tender now, I won't fight it. But I do need to figure out how to fit it in. Why do we always make things so tough on ourselves?

Time For R&R

I have been really challenged at work lately. Struggling through, seeing a lot of negative. Yesterday though I tried something. I had a mantra "I am thankful to have a job" and I repeated it throughout the day. It made the negative much less effective against me. I became impervious. I will try it today, tweaking the mantra as needed. It's been a long week. I'm tired, and I am so looking forward to a 3 day weekend.

I took the evening off from writing on Tuesday. Gave myself a break. Tried to get back to it yesterday, but really couldn't get into the groove. It didn't help that I wasn't feeling 100% healthwise, but hopefully tonight I can get right back on that horse.

I have so many plans... so many upcoming goals. This weekend will be used to refresh and recharge.

If you haven't entered the giveaway for one of my journals, do so here!

There's Magic Afoot...

Connie of Dirty Footprints Studio will revealed some amazing September Sweetness! Check it out, there's magic afoot for sure! Read all about it by following this link.

I'm always amazed at the love and support that I get from my online friends! It comes at the most unexpected times. Thank you so much Connie!

So... about this upcoming Artist Empowerment Class of mine. You can read testimonials by following the link at the upper right of my blog. But why would YOU want to take the class?

1. Because it is for anyone who is creative in any way. Whether you're a chef, a writer, a painter, a seamstress... anyone who has creative blood flowing in their veins (I happen to think that's everyone)

2. Because sometimes we get in our own way. We procrastinate, we are afraid of what people will think, we don't have faith in our art, we don't give ourselves permission to put ourselves out there, we feel guilty for spending time creating.

3. Because we let others get in our way. We all have crazymakers (and yes, sometimes it's ourself). We let others dictate whether we spend the time, whether we believe in our artistic selves.

4. Because we deserve to fully immerse ourselves in our creativity. We DESERVE to be happy and successful and amazing.

5. Because others around us deserve for us to move forward and be happy. They deserve all the blessings that will rain down on them when we keep our inner artist's happy.

Leave me messages on here if you have any questions... come dive in! You and your art deserve it!!