My New and Improved Space

When Jason and I first began searching for a new home, I dreamed of the day I would have my own space -- a space for creating and producing my art.  When we finally purchased our home in the summer of 2008, I was just giddy with excitement.  I cordoned off one of the bedrooms and converted it into my own art studio.  Though it was a little small, it was cozy and all mine.

Fast forward to 2010.  Brace yourself as you bear witness to the state in which the studio was kept...  Eeeeeek!

Clutter, Chaos, and Wasted Closet Space!

I knew something had to be done about this hot mess.  The state of chaos often forced me to do work in the dining room or living room.  There just wasn't space to do anything creative in the actual studio.  The lack of organization left me with an icky feeling, especially when I had to go in there to use the computer.

So I decided to take action and ask for help.

I went to Lowes and purchased a Rubbermaid closet organization kit.  With the help of my friends Beth and Shannon, the new closet was installed in about an hour and a half.  Once the closet space was reclaimed, Shannon put on her organization hat and forced me to go through various piles I had avoided for months (she's one tough cookie).  After five hours of cleaning and organizing, I ended up with the following heavenly results:

My Dream Come True

I'm so happy with the space now.  I feel just like Julie Andrews spinning on a mountain top singing my heart out.  What would a girl do without the help of her fantastically organized friends?

"Maria, these walls were not meant to shut out problems. 

You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live."

-Mother Abbess from The Sound of Music

Scherenschnitte Under the Sea

There once lived a mermaid trapped in the mind of an artist.  All she wanted was to swim in a beautiful sea.

The artist heard the mermaid's lament and decided to set her free.

The artist drew the mermaid on some pretty paper and cut her loose.




The artist also gave her a sister so that the mermaid would not be lonely in her new world.




The artist covered the sister mermaids in glue so that they could be safe and secure in their new ocean home.




But the glue proved to be a bit unforgiving... Oopsie.




The mermaids forgave the artist.  Afterall, she was setting them free into a beautiful underwater home.  Their only request was to be made pink (their favorite color).  All was forgiven and they lived happily ever after.

“A mermaid found a swimming lad, 

Picked him for her own, 

Pressed her body to his body, 

Laughed; and plunging down 

Forgot in cruel happiness 

That even lovers drown.” 

-William Butler Yeats

Words to Live By: Weeks 38, 39, & 40

My friend Jeanine is surviving and thriving after breast cancer.

Wow...  Has it really been three weeks?!  Holy smokes.  A lot has happened  since Week 37...  For instance, I got a bad case of the stomach virus that incapacitated me for a few days.  Getting sick definitely through me off my creative schedule.  I feel like I am just now getting back into the swing of things as far as my art is concerned.  But enough about me...

Jeanine and I got together the first week in March to have a long deserved Girl's Night and watched Spring Awakening at the DPAC.  Despite being pumped to see the show after receiving several assurances from others that the musical was amazing, it fell short of our expectations.  The cast was definitely talented and the music was very entertaining, but the story just did nothing for us.  C'est la vie.  (To make up for it, we're planning to have another Girl's Night with our fellow Patten women to see Wicked in Charlotte.  Yippee!)

During the second week of March, Jeanine had to go to the doctor to get some tests run for recurring head pain.  After many tests, nothing could be pin pointed to explain the headache-like symptoms.  In the spirit of looking for the silver lining, at least the doctor didn't find anything serious.  But it still pains me that she has to experience any pain or discomfort.

Last week, Jeanine took her son to his first middle school dance.  Can you believe it?  My, how time flies.  I remember when Jake was just a wee little lad when Jason and I first started dating.  Now he's taller than me and growing into quite a handsome young man.  I know that he is one of Jeanine's greatest accomplishments and inspirations in life.

Here's to hoping many good things for Jeanine in April and the months to come.

Week 38

Week 39

Week 40