Will It Be Ok?

 

Mommy, WILL IT BE OK?
 Yes, it will.

But what if a big dog comes?
You will know whether it is friendly or not, if it is friendly, you pat it, if it is not you stand perfectly still and unafraid and it stops barking and comes to you and sits quietly beside you.

But what if there is thunder and lightning?
You sit at your window and watch the rain beating down over the houses and fields in the dark night.  You see how special it is because the lightning shows the rainy sky and countryside and all the city.  You pay attention because the loud thunder is calling you and saying, “Look, the world is receiving a deep drink”

But what if there is lots of snow?
You put on your thermals, gloves, coat and scarf and play in it.
 
But what if snakes come in the night?
You keep a flute by your bed and play a song and the snakes hear and are quiet.

But what if the cabbages don’t come up?
We drive to the nursery, purchase seven tomato plants, just in case.  When we come home we dig seven holes in the garden and plant a tomato in each one.  We pat back the earth around them and pour a bucket of water around them.  Then we go inside and read a book.  When we come out again there is a tiny row of cabbage seedlings.

But what if I hate everyone?
You run away.  You pack raisins, walnuts, oranges, crackers and a flashlight in a bandanna.  You knot its four corners together and walk and walk until you come to the park.  You stay all afternoon, sitting by yourself under a tree.  When you come home again, you don’t hate everyone.

But what if someone hates me?
You feel lonely and sad.  You walk and walk until you come to a small pond. You kneel in the grass by the edge of the pond, you see something move.  You put out your hand and a tiny frog hops onto it.  Very carefully you lift your hand up to your ear and the frog whispers, “Other people love you. Maybe that person will love you again, maybe not, in any case it’s all right.”

But what if nobody likes the way I dance?
You go dancing in the woods, alone in the crackling leaves.  One day you meet someone else dancing in the woods and you dance together.  You throw leaves on each other, you lie down in the leaves.  Then you go home and draw pictures and drink warm Milk together.

But what if you die?
My loving doesn’t die. It stays with you, when you remember you and me; you say, “What can I do with so much love?  I will have to give some away”.

So you love thunder and lightning, dogs and snakes, snow and planting cabbages.  You dance with other people in the leaves and run away with them. You love them and they love you, and you eat raisins together, so yes, it will be okay. -Crescent Dragonwagon

(Mom, my brother, me … circa 1976)

One of the most fabulous women I have ever known ,who I also take great pride in calling a friend (thanks Kit), sent that to me years ago and I have yet to let go of it. Today, through another difficult time .. I found myself once again searching for it, seeking those words that would simultaneously provide me comfort and wisdom. Maybe, just maybe … someone else needed the gentle reminder too.

And the fact that it is also Mothers Day? True kismet.

 

Isn’t my mom beautiful?

Happy Mothers Day Mom. Thank you for your support and undying love throughout not only my life; but these difficult times.  Can’t wait to see you in June.

 I love you with all that I am…
Christy Ann

Tying up loose ends…

* looks around sheepishly …*

So. Ummmmm. Yeah. 

Hi!  Hello! G’Day! Bonjour! Aloha!

And even more ways to give a long, long overdue hello.

*cough, cough …*

The blog is a bit dusty eh? Even though I dont’ quite feel in the frame of mind to write well, I know I need to get this done. Perfectionism is overrated anyhow. (if i say it enough times, i just may believe it!) Seriously though, the logical side of me knows it isn’t even attainable. Why DO we fret over it?

 

I am not even going to apologize for letting my trusty blog slide recently. (See Blogging Without Obligation)  How is that for impressive? When hard times hit us – we do what we must to survive, and my blog had to take a backseat for a bit. SO very many of you have checked in, to see how I am… seems y’all know when i vanish, it’s either for very good (too busy) or very bad (hello depression) reasons. This time, it was a combination of both.

Life has thrown some pretty big, life-altering wrenches my way in the last few months … I really am not one to dwell on the negative (we really do become what we think) … nor am I one to publicly air my issues. When the time is right, I will most likely share a retrospective viewpoint of this time period with y’all; but until then .. just please understand there have been some monumental changes in my health and personal life … and I am working through all of it the best I can.

I am confident that I will indeed emerge stronger than before. I have felt like I was on the verge of a breakdown several times recently, but yet I have not completely lost it. 10 years ago, I probably would have been hospitalized handling all of this…. so it is with great pride that I share that growth with you, and continue to remind myself of what a blessing it indeed is. Bipolar disorder is disruptive, it is extremely difficult at times- but it does NOT have to be crippling, or cause one to suffer immensely. There are techniques, medications for some, and tools to help manage it- and those of us who live with it, it is our responsibility to utilize them the best we can on any given day. Choose to fight, daily.. hourly… or by the minute if you have to. It is hard work, but well worth it.

 

Now, on the other hand .. there have equally been as many amazing things happening. The yin & yang I suppose. Exhibitions, Juried Shows, Publishing , Teaching, and Licensing opportunities.. and lots more have been heading my way! Sadly, I have had to turn a few things down as I sort things out .. but I continually take on what I can, as I love the distraction and focus on my artwork. Oddly, my recent work has been bright, and vivid and colorful – quite a shift from what I usually create when battling depression. I am TOTALLY digging that, and cannot paint enough these days. I will elaborate on more of these in separate posts.

Now, Moving on…

I wanted to wrap up the giveaway and apologize to the incredibly talented & generous Jodi for taking so long to do this. Don’t worry, I will be doing more giveaways, interviews..and all the fun stuff… just not by blogging daily ..since at this point in my life I cannot commit to it.

Artwork by Jodi Ohl

First – Go refresh yourself on the giveaway  & interview with Jodi.

Now… peek and see if you’re a winner…

1)  Prize Recipient Is:  Laura Taylor Mark custom 6 x 12 piece  made especially for this giveaway  (value of $79 dollars)

2)  Prize Recipient Is: Regina R.  A  $40 dollar shopping spree to Jodis online store.

 3)  Prize Recipient Is: Dawn Gold set of 4 of of Sweet HeART magnets “Green Apple” (recently featured in Cloth Paper Scissors, Jan/Feb issue),  value: $24

And I nearly forgot! one more giveaway to wrap up…

read about it here…

Prize Recipient Is: Jill Thompson  the delightful book: Layers: Inspired Collage for Paper Projects with Meaning .

Leave me a comment if you won, or I will try to track you down – and contact you for your mailing address!

The remaining 7 days, will be finished – just slowly, as I can. I never default on my commitments, but in this case I need to do it at my own pace… hope y’all understand.

Now – the exciting news, is that i will be doing another 29 days of giving – in a way I CAN commit to. Via …. TWITTER! So be sure to follow me there for chances to win. I will announce here, when it begins… and I can promise you that 140 characters is VERY doable for me. I plan to make it fun like we did here… so I hope you will join us when the time comes.

Facebook & twitter are quick ways I have been utilizing to stay in touch with this amazing community- so join me there, since I tend to keep those up through the rough times. Blog posts typically take me a few hours to do, and is usually the first thing to fall behind.

Again, I cannot thank those of you who check in on me, offer me encouragement, inspiration and positive light enough. I really do hate how trite it sounds to say it’s nice to know people care … because it couldn’t be more real. I am hoping now that I removed this big pink elephant… I can keep up with the blog again, and if not.. I know I will be back, as I can.

Warmly, Chrysti

Phoebe in Wonderland

Feeling oh-so-thrilled about this new movie. It is practically my own perfect recipe. One part  lil’ girl with Tourette’s Syndrome (which as you probably know by now, I have) then add in a dash of Alice in Wonderland and a pinch of what looks like artistic and surreal cinemetography.. and I am in heaven. Seems like it may ring true within me – which inevitably means I’ll be fighting back tears throughout the duration of it.

Best part? I’ll be in the DC area this weekend and will hopefully be able to see it! Kismet!

Here is the official site  for the movie. Below is what I received from The Tourette Syndrome Association in my email today… couldn’t find a copy online, so copied it here for those interested.

New Theatrical Release

“Phoebe in Wonderland”

Features Actress Elle Fanning as a

Young Girl with Tourette Syndrome

 

“The national Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. would like to inform you of the theatrical release of Phoebe in Wonderland this Friday, March 6. This fictional, highly creative story features Elle Fanning as the title character, Phoebe, who has Tourette Syndrome. Although TS is not the main focus of the film, the disorder plays an important role in the character’s development and impacts the people around her. The movie opens this weekend in the following select cities: Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Miami and Dallas.

 

The film is described by its creators as, “…a fantastical tale of a little girl who won’t – or can’t – follow the rules. Confounded by her clashes with the rule-obsessed world around her, Phoebe seeks enlightenment from her unconventional drama teacher, even as her brilliant but anguished mother looks to Phoebe herself for inspiration.” 

 

Felicity Huffman and Bill Pullman star as Phoebe’s parents, Patricia Clarkson as Phoebe’s drama teacher and Campbell Scott as the school principal. 

The film’s writer and director, Daniel Barnz, used his filmmaking skills and artistic vision to create an imaginative and compassionate story about a young girl living with the disorder.

Following is a Q&A with Daniel Barnz:

 Why did you choose to give Phoebe Tourette Syndrome?
 
I wanted to make a film that was anti-conformist in spirit, and Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder in which you are forced to break rules. I was interested in how people think children with Tourette Syndrome are choosing to act a certain way (i.e. why is this child acting out?), and then learn that, in fact, there is no choice. 
 
I’ve also been a long-time Oliver Sacks junkie, and have always been blown away by how his descriptions of neurological disorders become larger metaphors for life – they offer these amazing prisms through which we can view human experience. I wanted to see if I could do something similar in film – what happens to a character who is forced to break rules in a rule-obsessed society?

 

How do you think Phoebe having TS affected the story and the people around her?
 
It’s certainly a struggle for Phoebe and for her family, but I wanted to emphasize equally the benefits of difference – how being different can make you a stronger, better person. It’s not just that it’s okay to be different, but you can actually derive strength from it. The other characters sense this, and learn from Phoebe. Felicity’s character, for example, keeps butting up against the conformist pressures of academia and motherhood. By seeing how her daughter grows and becomes stronger in the face of adversity, she does too. Like many parents, she learns from her child.
 
What do you hope people will walk away from this film knowing about TS?
 
Most importantly, I hope people understand that Tourette Syndrome does not define a person; it is a part – but not all – of a person. One of the things the film tries to do is layer in the Tourette Syndrome as part of Phoebe’s overall coming-of age story, and this is not an easy thing to do. Audiences are used to seeing films about neurological disorders in which the disorder defines the whole of the narrative/character. In Phoebe in Wonderland, it is a part of the story, a part of Phoebe, and I hope audiences take away that there are no “Tourette Syndrome people” – there are people who have Tourette Syndrome. “

 

 

“It’s not just that it’s okay to be different, but you can actually derive strength from it.” Love that. Go check it out.

Chrysti (who, assuming I get all packed .. will be posting giveaway winners tonight)

Day 22/29 Days of Giving is…

I know, I know…

this is the LONGEST 29 days ever…

life just has a way of doing that sometimes …

you will learn why, after i  can finish the 29 days and fill you in….

 i am indeed okay,  just trying to balance quite a few things and take care of personal matters…

but enough about me…

Have you met the wonderful & talented  Jodi Ohl?

If not, allow me the distinct pleasure of introducing you… and if you have, I hope you will grab a cup of tea and join us for this chat and did I mention 3 – count ‘em 3 -amazing giveaways? Jodi went above and beyond donating for this - yet another reason to love her! She pushed her way into my list of favorite artists this year as her enthusiasm is contagious, her talent is huge, and passion shines through! She’s an infusion of fresh air, and I am thrilled she so graciously agreed to take part in the giveaways!

(as always, the questions are by moi, and the answers are Jodi’s)

This is the part where you give the obligatory artsy background information. I know, I know .. it’s the worst question to be asked ever – but humor us please! You can always skip that stuff and tell us what motivates you to create!

Heck no, that’s not the worst question ever, I can think of a lot of things I wouldn’t want you to ask me! 

 Okay, so a little about me: I’m a yankee transplant, landing in  central North Carolina about 10 years ago. I was born and raised in Western NY; Dunkirk, NY to be exact. I usually say, oh I’m from Buffalo because no one ever knows where Dunkirk is, but in reality, it’s a great little town right on Lake Erie and I loved growing up there. I gather a lot of inspiration from my hometown so I’d hate not to mention it!  I graduated from college with a BA in English  way back when.  I somehow fell into management as profession rather than my original dream of writing the next great American Novel (or at least  a few good trashy romances).    Currently, I run a bank in Pinehurst, NC.  Isn’t that an odd profession for someone artistic? I find it humorous and love telling my customers what I do on the side. It always surprises them in a good way. 

What else? I’m single parent with two adorable boys, ages 8 and 14.  Part of my motivation to create comes from all of these facets of my background in one way, shape or form.  Within these four walls and throughout all the roads I’ve traveled, I’ve gathered enough ideas and sources of inspiration for a lifetime. I bet many others have as well…you just have to appreciate the little moments in life and see the world  from a variety of perspectives.

Planting Roots - by Jodi Ohl - One of today's prizes!

  

I love that you have a distinctive style, common themes & colors throughout your work. How did you find your artistic voice? 
 
I’m still finding my voice, really. As a self-taught artist who entered into the mixed media art scene about 2 years ago, it’s definitely been a journey. I think that the last year  has been a really good time in my life and my themes have narrowed which has allowed me to create a body of work that is starting to be recognizable.  Moving to North Carolina has been a wonderful thing for me to do, but it also has been very hard for me as well. My themes of ‘finding my way home’, community, belonging, and rising above the bumps in the road, to name a few of my themes,  come from that feeling of isolation and needing to have some grounding or roots, if you will.  Living 660 miles away from my nearest family member, I find myself longing to feel that sense of security and sense of community I had in my hometown and so you see that coming out in my whimsical village and home pieces but in a positive way.   I had a really hard time a couple of years ago and without having my family or close friends to turn to, I started painting as a form of healing and meditation.  Sometimes it’s the emotional traumas in life  that launch creativity. It certainly did in me. 

I really love to add layers and textures in my mixed media paintings. I think it’s my way of saying, there’s more to me than meets the eye. There’s a lot going on here, if you just dig deep, you may just find out what that is.  I’m saying that to myself as much as I’m saying that to my followers.    As far as colors go, I love bold colors right now, but not all at once. I prefer to use 2 or 3 main colors with a splash of something surprising. I’m not sure why, it’s just appealing to work almost monochromatic to me. Perhaps it’s a way of taking something seemingly simplistic, and turning it into  a piece that has wonderful depth without going overboard.

I know you are involved in the local mixed-media scene here in NC (something my shy self really wants to make time for one of these days!)… what’s it meant to you having that artistic connection? How have you seen yourself and your work grow as a result?
 
Being involved with the Carolina Mixed Media Guild and belonging to another local group, ProArtisan Guild, has made all the difference in the world to me as a beginning artist. Anyone that is looking to take their hobby to the next level or feels the need to connect with other like-minded individuals, joining groups such as these can provide you with a support system or tribe if you will. I HIGHLY recommend searching out something in your backyard like the groups I belong to and if they don’t exist, start one!  I love the online community, too. The online art/blog community has definitely connected me with so many people as well that  I would not have otherwise met, but you have to have that face to face connection as an artist. The support I’ve  received from the friends I’ve made through the guild is unbelievable. We have artisans of all different mediums, and at a variety of different levels of experience. It’s nice to be around people who not only understand what you do, they appreciate what it took to get there!   I truly believe that one of the reasons I’ve really grown over this last year as much as I have is because of my association with other local mixed media artists!

Planting Roots - by Jodi Ohl - One of todays prizes!

  You’re stranded on that proverbial island, and can only bring 5 art supplies – what makes the cut?
 
Yikes. Only five?  Do my paints count as one or can I only choose one color? If it’s just one color, then I choose blue paint, any shade will do.  Gel medium is a must because not only can I collage with it, I can mix it with natural pigments and create more paint. HA!  I can have more than one paint color.  Paint brushes, of course;  oodles of  water color paper, and….oh dear, only one more choice….I’m torn but I think I’ll pick my water soluble graphite pencil. It’s one of my new favorite toys. I have them in every value and even a set of tinted ones. 

I love how fearlessly ambitious you are – can you share with us some of your goals this year? And since we’re on the subject – a lot of my readers are afraid to submit work for publication (despite wanting it so badly) -what advice would you offer them to get the courage?

I can attribute my ambition to my role model, my Mother. She raised three girls virtually on her own, worked 2-3 jobs at the same time, but always had time for us.  We may not have had a lot, but my sisters and I were taught at a very young age to be independent, work hard for what you want because life offers you no promises, and to do your best every day.  My goals for the year are numerous, more than we have time for here!  The big ones are to increase my body of work to a new level with collections around a few different themes & colors, to do a art show this year, look for new gallery opportunities,  and to continue to work on publishing opportunities.  My long term goals are to write a book and to start instructing other aspiring mixed media artists, so I am working on all of these things simultaneously.  

For those interested in submitting your work for publication, my advice is to first do what YOU love and believe in, then take great pictures of it and just go for it.  You never know until you try!  The flipside of that is, don’t take rejection personally because it may not be a reflection on you–it could be timing, so just keep trying. Every NO leads to a YES!  Read the submission guidelines, answer the reader challenges or call for art and submit away!  One thing I’ve learned over these last couple of years is that dreams are great, everyone needs them, but it takes action on your part to make your dreams a reality, so if it’s publishing of your art/writing that you want to accomplish, you just have to do it. No one else can do it for you, so be brave and put yourself out there!

 Random Question Goodness – Pepsi or Coke?
 
Actually, I prefer grape flavored water. Aquafina Flavorsplash to be exact! I’m trying to keep my girlish figure, ya know (HA!) Keeping my hands out of the cookie jar would work better than giving up soda!

Do you have a creative routine when painting? – we’d love to hear about it!
 
Because my time is limited with working a day job, being a single parent, yada yada, I paint with a plan!  I draw out a loose sketch of several different subjects, then  I work on several pieces at once, usually about 5-8.  So it does take me awhile to finish my collections, but when I am done, I have a lot to show for my studio time.  I do try to clean my area before starting a new grouping,but the reality is, I need help in the organizational end of my creative routine.  Friday nights and Saturdays are normally my art days. I have relatively little social life so that schedule works for me…haha!  

Artwork by Jodi Ohl

Tell us about the jaw-dropping, un-friggin-believable prizes you are offering one of my readers today, and make them work for it – and ask them a question you’d like to know their answers to!
 
The PRIZES I’m offering are: 

 1)  A custom 6 x 12 piece I made especially for this giveaway  (value of $79 dollars) (see the photos throughout this post)

 2)  A  $40 dollar shopping spree to my online store.

 3)  A set of 4 of my  newest collection of Sweet HeART magnets “Green Apple” (recently featured in Cloth Paper Scissors, Jan/Feb issue),  value: $24
 
Question for your readers:  What books or magazines are sitting by your bedside table or on your floor right now?

I have Mixed Media Self Portraits, Cloth Paper Scissors, The Secret,  12 Secrets of Highly Creative Woman, Art and Fear, and the Sunday paper which I still have not read…LOL

Now, can you see why i totally love her? A Lucky 3 of you (and once again I soooo wish I could enter my own giveaways) will each be receiving one of those prizes!

To Enter this Jodilicious Giveaway Bonanza:

On this post; in the comments – answer Jodi’s question – What books or magazines are sitting by your bedside table or on your floor right now?

Do this by: Saturday, February 28th, 2009

PLEASE keep Spreading  the word! Blog it, Tell your friends — the works! I’m amazed daily at the impact this project is having on people. I want it to be contagious, plus it fuels me to make it bigger & better! 

Enter Day 0 & Day 21 still!

Check out the first batch of winners, the second batch of winners,  third batch of winners anddddd the fourth batch of winners!

Please visit Jodi’s Breathtaking Etsy store & her blog  - she has a giveaway there too !!

 Remember, supporting the folks who have been kind enough to donate towards the giving project helps ensure more amazing giveaways!

Warmly, Chrysti

It’s like $50.00 Free!

Just popping in to post a quick sale announcement on my artography prints!

Buy 2 8″ x 10″ prints – get 2 free! All 4 are your choice!

Act quickly though, it’s to the first 5 folks only! Go!

(Then come back later tonight for the next giveaway!)

An Unquiet Mind

“I have often asked myself whether, given the choice, I would choose to have manic-depressive illness. If lithium were not available to me, or didn’t work for me, the answer would be a simple no and it would be an answer laced with terror. But lithium does work for me, and therefore I can afford to pose the question.

Strangely enough I think I would choose to have it. It’s complicated. Depression is awful beyond words or sounds or images… So why would I want anything to do with this illness?

Because I honestly believe that as a result of it I have felt more things, more deeply; had more experiences, more intensely; loved more, and been more loved; laughed more often for having cried more often; appreciated more the springs, for all the winters… and slowly learned the values of caring, loyalty and seeing things through. …Depressed, I have crawled on my hands and knees in order to get across a room and have done it for month after month. But, normal or manic, I have run faster, thought faster and loved faster than most I know.”

-Kay Redfield Jamison, An Unquiet Mind

Just wanted to share that passage from a book that once changed my life . The bold words feel as if they are my own, and for whatever reason, I felt compelled to share them this evening. Perhaps, there is someone else who needed to hear them too?

Chrysti

My Lil’ Studio & Organizing Tips – A Video Tour on Vimeo

Meet the bane of my existence today – that video above. It only ended up online, so that I felt like I completed something and the day didn’t become a waste. I did however learn alot, and tomorrow I’m sure I’ll see that …not right now though. Trying to figur eout some conversion stuff, get the widescreen format back — the waviness out…blah blah….

SO sorry for some of the waviness in this! While I was a bit shaky while filming it (handheld) … converting it to a smaller file made the quality terrible with motion… I am still trying to learn all of the ins & outs here. Online training..here I come.

I almost didn’t upload this, but since some of you asked.. I did. Note to self: when filming other videos, don’t talk/move for 13 minutes straight with sinus/cold stuff. You get winded & lightheaded and sound like the proverbial dofus – good thing I’m ok with making a fool of myself!

I am learning all this video stuff, so I can bring y’all High-quality online workshops. I could just do the quick/easy way now, but I really want them to be good.  Worth more than you pay for, and yeah..I am a perfectionist.

Anyway – Hope this helps a bit, or at least one person with studio organization. (Obvious I am annoyed eh?)

Links mentioned in the video:

• Cloth, Paper, Scissors Studios issue I was in (Fall 2008)
• Tutorial I wrote for the magazine files
• Mission: Studio Organization
• Art Marker Organization
• Sneak/Peek Preview
• Pretty Organized

Other artists whose work are in my room:

• Inspiration Board Credits
• Fashco Designs
• Nici Derosier
• Francesca Burras
• Judy Scott
• Nancy Baumiller

and that list is by no means, all-inclusive! Will add to it as time permits! Chrysti

Day 21/29 Days of Giving is…

I ♥ My Neurotic Dogs. (that’s them in the youtube clip!)

I ♥ Giveaways.

I ♥ Paper.

I ♥ Collage.

I ♥ Creativity.

I ♥ Books.

I ♥ You.

I ♥ Insightful Blog Posts that dance gloriously with pretty words and days with enough time to type & format them.

This, my friends is not one of those days.

From the bottom of this lil’ ♥  , sowwy.

I did however need to resume the giveaways for my sanity, and after I do this one … rest assured I’ll be working on formatting the remaining ones! Artist interviews – who donated amazing giveaways, some tied with swaps, magazines, prints and more!

Soooooo .. in the spirit of things I ♥  …..Is today’s giveaway – this delightful book: Layers: Inspired Collage for Paper Projects with Meaning

Cutting-edge skills for sophisticated paper art designs!

*A primer on the hottest techniques that will appeal to scrapbookers, cardmakers, rubberstampers, and all papercrafters *Allows crafts to create amazing effects using collage, torn papers, embellishments, and cherished photos and quotes *Hundreds of tips and tricks reveal how to get remarkable results every time Today’s paper art magazines showcase intricate layered pieces yet give little instruction on how to do it. Finally, Layers teaches papercrafters the skills they need to make these stylish projects. Expert designer Shari Carroll provides simple step-by-step directions for the latest paper techniques, including distressing, sewing, transfers, and much more. Readers receive a variety of ideas ranging from a wall hanging scrapbook page and an art journal to a collage book and CD book cover. Included are stunning examples of Carroll’s own collage work, each of which feature unique and personal messages. She first shares details on what inspired each piece, then offers readers suggestions for customizing their own pieces.

A member of the design team for Hero Arts Rubber Stamps, Shari Carroll has also created projects for Polyform, My Sentiments Exactly, and Hanko Designs. Her work has been featured in such national magazines as Somerset Studio, Memory Makers, and The Rubber Stamper as well as the upcoming book Designing with Stamps.

Do you ♥  your chance at this too? Then just…

 

On this post; in the comments – answer one or more of these questions: Tell us what you  ♥ and/or give me a great excuse as to why I keep letting this slip, one too many days…

Do this by: Friday, February 28th, 2009

PLEASE keep Spreading  the word! Blog it, Tell your friends — the works! I’m amazed daily at the impact this project is having on people. I want it to be contagious, plus it fuels me to make it bigger & better! 

Enter Day 0 still!

Check out the first batch of winners, the second batch of winners,  third batch of winners anddddd the fourth batch of winners!

 

 ♥ fully yours, Chrysti

Get Yourself a Winner Here!

Ok, I somehow pulled it off and managed to get in all my end of month deadlines — not sure how, as January was a really bizarre-sort-of-frenzied-month for me. (Speaking of which… where did it go? ..( Oh, back to my point — While I still have some mid & end of month deadlines coming up… plus trying to the new site up … I should be able to resume the last of the giveaways regularly again! While I am not going to promise daily — I am aiming for every other day. I could make them less substabtial and aim for daily but it takes away alot of the joy — and well, what good is that?

Now, onto the less mundane stuff – the winner of the one giveaway I did pull off last week!

Here’s the scoop:Winners need to contact me by February 10, 2009 by emailing me at khryctee[at]bellsouth.net, or leaving another comment here – with the correct email to notify them. I’ll need your mailing addies by then or else the beloved prize in question gets shipped off to the runner-up. And, just in case the runner up has a bad case of not-claiming-giftitis, then I will merely redraw a name. Someone, somewhere will want it badly enough   If you don’t truly want that day’s prize let me know, or pick someone to pass it on to.

Didn’t Win? Keep trying! Really, there are even more amazing prizes heading your way… and there may even be days where everyone – yes like every single person - who enters who will be a winner. How’s that do for something to look forward to? I thought you’d like it!

Oh! In case you were curious; receipents are not-so-scientifically-selected using one of those handy generator thingies found online. Noone has found a way to bribe me yet. Not saying it can’t be done, but ya know — it’s gotta be a realllllllllllllllllllly good offer. An in with the technology gods would be great… felt foods, art supplies I don’t have… the list goes on…

Day 20-  Click Here to read all about it !
Prize: 1 Copy of Wreck This Journal: by Keri Smith
Purchase your own by clicking the above link.
Prize Recipient : Anna-Marie
Prize Recipient Back-Up : Corrine

Congratulations!

Now, off to knock off a few more things … Hope to have the next giveaway up tomorrow, or day after

Chrysti

Day 20/29 Days of Giving is…

So. Um. Yeah.

I totally lost track that Friday was indeed Friday, and here we are on Sunday doing what should have been up on Friday, despite realizing on Saturday that Friday had indeed past, and, well … can we just pretend it’s Friday?( I’ll forever wonder how that happens; how days tend to run into themselves and so on… the older I become, the more frequently this seems to happen. I can’t be the only one this phenomenon occurs with…am I?) Oh –  Back to the whole pretending thing – we’re now officially pretending it’s Friday … you just arrived here, totally psyched for the weekend and a giveaway… woo-hoooo!

Go ahead — do the lil’ woo-hoo thing out loud.

Ya know you wanna.

Aw c’mon — just SHOUT it - wooo – hoooo!

{ Sorry, there I go rambling. A-gain. }

Psssssst…

I’m going to divulge a wee-lil’-secret about moi.

Though, y’all prolly have figured this out by now.

Heck, I’ve probably mentioned it.

You see, I’m incredibly anal.

Yes, my name is Chrysti – and I’m a perfectionist-aholic.

I believe, and thrive on the fact… that everything has its has place.

Oddly though, I’m not very uptight personality wise. It takes alot to offend me, and when I work, paint, cook, create… I’m messy as all hell. I just tend to need it all tidy before I can begin. Strange isn’t it?

Worse yet, I enjoy making a huge mess. To be free. To create without constraints, to deconstruct – and I love; I abso-friggin’-lutley love, love, love demolition. Have cabinets you need smashed? Gimme a call!

Maybe I have some hidden anger issues or sumthin’..who knows, who cares! It’s fun!

It is my firm belief that this is an essential trait to creating of any kind — the willingness to let go, and not merely the willingness but the desire to make things – well, ugly. Yes! U-G-L-Y.  You know – To not analyze, to learn to tap into that unconscious part of your brain where you really focus on the process. Gosh, don’t you ever just want to stop thinking, be fabulously mindless and genuinely live in an artistic  moment? Don’t worry about how you measure up…. just create simply and purely because you love to..and for some of you, because you have some misguided notion that you can’t. We’re all creative. It is just a matter of acknowledging that, and accepting it.

I should be clear about this, as it’s where I seem to differ from lots of folks -I have no trouble with letting go, and just trying something.  I rarely hit those creativity blocks lots of folks speak of, the pressing issue for me is typically whether or not I can justify the time to haphazardly create with reckless abandonment. I hardly ever give myself  the permission to just… play. I need an excuse, some sort of  mythical ‘purpose’ .

Enter this glorious book that I discovered last year:

 Wreck This Journal: by Keri Smith

For anyone who’s ever wished to, but had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal or sketchbook comes Wreck This Journal, an illustrated book that features a subversive collection of prompts, asking readers to muster up their best mistake- and mess-making abilities to fill the pages of the book (and destroy them). Acclaimed illustrator Keri Smith encourages journalers to engage in “destructive” acts-poking holes through pages, adding photos and defacing them, painting with coffee, and more-in order to experience the true creative process. Readers discover a new way of art and journal making-and new ways to escape the fear of the blank page and fully engage in the creative process.

I love making the time to work in this book. I love that I can spend just a few minutes adding to it. I love that I am letting it be horridly ugly. I love the release I obtain after an exercise in it. Forget therapy kids – just wreck a journal!  The plan, for me is this: Once I have totally uglified all the pages – I shall then challenge myself to make them pretty, because I love a challenge - only to destroy it again. It’ll be interesting to see how I do deconstructing something I will one day (hopefully) adore.

Dontcha wanna take this journey with me? One of you definitely will be as it’s the giveaway for the day!

While I could go on & on singing the praises and benefits of creating in a reckless manor- and I plan to, in a later post after the giveaways – I thought I’d intrigue you today by showing you some of my pages throughout this post, and pointing in you the direction of other inspiring pages and videos that will have you wanting this faster than you can say beetle. (no, i have no idea why I chose the beetle there, i know, i’m nuts)

• Go here to see the pages I’ve started in my copy on Flickr.
• This is a Flickr group where lots of different folks share their pages — eye candy galore.
• Some of the exercises can’t just be photographed, you have to see videos  to believe it!
• Of course, there is an offical website for it  as well.
• Buy it, like now.

Check out this video I found on youtube  for an even better idea of what is inside this book – you’ll need an idea of this to enter the giveaway!  Ohhhh… I nearly forgot – I have a bit of exciting news! I ordered a video camera, that should be arriving this week (hello online workshops) – so look forward to seeing a video of some of my ventures with this fabulous book too!

So to enter today’s super-fab giveaway:

• On this post; in the comments – answer one or more of these questions: Tell us one way – no matter how crazy - you can think of to wreck a journal page – if you’re afraid to do this, then share why!
• Do this by: Sunday, January 31st, 2009
• PLEASE keep Spreading  the word! Blog it, Tell your friends — the works! I’m amazed daily at the impact this project is having on people. I want it to be contagious, plus it fuels me to make it bigger & better! 
• Enter Day 0 still!
• Check out the first batch of winners, the second batch of winners,  third batch of winners anddddd the fourth batch of winners!

Recklessly yours, Chrysti

{P.S. Speaking of perfectionistic. It’s KILLING me not to go edit this post and re-word it right now. I am intentionally leaving my writing..well, messy too. Ick. Yuck. Someone take my mouse before I fix it all…. HURRY!}