One Moment: Trying to be Realistic

Today, I turn 45  years old.

I do not feel 45 years old.

While teaching yesterday, I spent a lot of time not using powerpoint and my computer’s screensaver is a slideshow of pictures from my Candied Fabrics pix.  It would project a couple of pix before I’d go jiggle the mouse to turn it off – but this happened several times. At some point I was struck by a realization – I have made SO MUCH in the past 3 years! In my show report just a couple days ago, my friend Vicki from Sew Inspired commented “Look at all those cool things YOU MADE”! Indeed Vicki, I really do need to look!

Just over a year ago I switched from WordPress.com to a self hosted blog (with lots of help from Scoutie Girl Tara). When I just went to find that post, I really could NOT believe that it’s only been a year since I committed taking blogging to a whole ‘nother level. And then it that year, I learned a lot more about coding and starting building websites for other people? (I’m shaking my head!)

I’ve been stressed out because after my show this Sunday, I’ve got to get ready for being the featured artists at the Redlands Art Association Dec. 4-26. (Woot! Here’s my newsletter article about it!) I also am going to Massachusetts for a week over Thanksgiving, which means there is little time for making before my show goes up. I’m going to have my little houses there:

But I somehow had it in my head that I’d have time to make a whole wall full of smaller art quilts around the theme of home/houses. Yeah, I don’t think that’s gonna happen!

I do however have lots of different art to hang. Art that the vast majority of the people visiting the gallery will have never seen. Just because it’s old to ME doesn’t mean it’s old to THEM! So I won’t have a cohesive show…I have a unique style that is all my own, I create my own colors which are mine, this is something I struggled for years to achieve, the installation will still read as coming from the hands of one artist!

One of the reasons I blog is to record my process – for myself! Looking back I can see that I am truly living my life to the fullest, I am making and sharing and growing. I am never bored! I just need to see this!

om [one moment] meet upalamodestuff Linda has started a weekly meetup based on taking a moment each week to really notice something as you go about your daily grind life. I need to do this. You may want to too – read more about it here:

11 Responses

  1. lovely post, candy. happy happy birthday!
    you are quite right, when you step back and really SEE what you’ve accomplished, and what you’ve made with your own hands, it really feels wonderful. so step back and enjoy, you are incredible! xo

  2. Candy, I need a reality check ALL.THE.TIME. It is so easy to get wrapped up in all the things that we have to do, that we sometimes we forget what we have done. Great post!

  3. Wonderful post. Being able to say that you’re living life to the fullest is the greatest accomplishment of all. Happy Birthday!

  4. I think it’s been a little over a year since we started being virtual friends and I have really enjoyed taking this ride of creativity and growth and everything else with you. I’m never bored either and don’t think we ever will be. Here’s to many more years of doing what we do and loving it.

    P.S. – I’ll be 45 in August and proud!

  5. Happy Birthday, Candy! I hit age 45 two and a half years ago, and also began to reflect back on what I had accomplished, and where I was headed. Congrats on all the artistic and technical skills that you have amassed, (you should be proud!) and best wishes for a wonderful show!

  6. The older we get, the better we become!

    It is so wonderful to look back on your progress as an artist, writer, techie, etc.

    Hopefully soon, we’ll be more than cyber buddies. I look forward to meeting you and giving you a big hug! Happy 45th!

  7. What a well written post Candy, oh, and happy birthday again 😉 Thank you for reminding me about this idea. I’m constantly seeing what it is I haven’t yet done. My personality is ambitious –I’m always doing, always dreaming, always envisioning my next project. Sometimes I think it might be best for me to stop and reflect more –realize what I have done and feel satisfaction in that. You know, stop and savor the moment I’m in. Thanks for the reminder.

    Being just a baby of almost 30, my birthday is in December, I look forward to the life experience I know I’m going to continue to gain. I’m really looking forward to the great ride ahead of me 😉

  8. Happy Birthday!
    You have done a lot of amazing stuff this past year! Wonder what’s in store before you turn 46???

    You and your work are really inspiring. 🙂

  9. Wow!You have been busy, busy, busy but I bet it’s been a wonderful time in your life, you’ve created awesome things and you found out how powerful and creative you can be…
    Happy Birthday Candy and lots of busy days xxxx