Let's Be Honest, Shall We?

I have seen the most amazingly organized craft areas on blogger and pinterest.  My heart aches every time I see something that would work so well in my own area of creativity. 
But I don't have the (financial) support of my hubby when it comes to my hobby.  Every single organizational piece that is in my craft room has been gleaned from clearance bins, rummage sales and hand-me-downs.
I think I have done an amazing job getting my craft supplies in order, concealed and catalogued.  But...
to be honest (and you can see the honesty in my photo), I am the sloppiest crafter in the known universe.  Believe me, I have tried to "clean as I craft" but honestly, when the muse strikes, it is like an electrical shock.  I can't stop until it leaves me, and when it does, I am exhausted.
I will do a cursory clean up--the tape in its container, the markers (my precious) in their bins--but as you can see, it is like one step forward, three steps back!  And who wants to spend all their precious creative time (freedom) cleaning when they could be crafting?  Don't we as women do the brunt of the cleaning anyway?
It has taken me a few years, but I am to the point that I don't care what my craft room looks like at most times.  I can craft with the best of them.  And my harshest critic is of course myself!
But I DO envy those crafters and artists who have the money to make their crafting space look like something out of a magazine (sigh).

Do you have anything to say when it comes to Honesty?  There is a very empowering blog called The Path of Positivity that tries to "inspire, nurture and provide support for the soul by creating a positive path to follow, one project or post at a time."  They have monthly challenges and crafters and writers are invited to post about the month's theme.  Each entrant has a chance to win some lovely prizes for their efforts to "spread the love."



To Thine Own Self Be True

Today I want to share myself with you through a mixed media card I created.  After all, any artist will tell you that when you look at their work, you are seeing the artist.  When I look at what I've created, I feel like I'm looking in a mirror!
There's a wonderful and empowering blog in town called the Path of Positivity Blog.  I go there to get inspired, to lift my spirits when I feel down and to relax when I'm stressed.
How do they affect me this way?  By crafters and artists sharing their stories and projects and words! This month's theme is about Honesty.
To me, honesty is letting you see the parts of me that aren’t pretty.  Because, let’s face it, no one is perfect.  I snore at night.  I am overweight.  I am loud.  I have skeletons in my closet (and they’re not Halloween decorations).

When I create something—a card, a poem, a canvas—I am being honest.  I don’t know of a way to create without being honest, with both myself and with others.  My personality, my beliefs, my fears,my history, my strengths and weaknesses—it’s all there in living color for everyone to see. 

But mostly for ME to see, because even if I decided to discard something I made, it is still burned in my mind.  It can never be erased (just like putting something on the internet). 

So why throw it away, when it speaks honestly of ME – unique, imperfect, honest ME.
Whether you need a mood shift, inspiration or a new challenge for your art, check out the Path of Positivity Blog.