quick! create! craft night

 

I had craft night this week with a few of my friends.  This time we did a quick-create using paper.  We drew a theme from a basket and gave ourselves a limited time to create something based on that theme.  Like when we made the beaded bracelets I was a bit out of my element, but the exercise was fun and darn near-cathartic for me.

 

 

We talked and laughed and worked.  Our conversation was a winding road for sure.  I walked in carrying a lot of extra stress in my chest and walked out feeling rid of it.  Art with friends has a way of doing that.

 

Sometimes these artful gatherings feel like church.  Sometimes therapy.  Sometimes both.

Always good.

Sometimes getting out of your element is just the right thing to do.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

sanity is learning something new

I needed a little sanity break so I met some friends in town for some gab, apple crisp, and new-skill-learnin'.  Rhonda showed us a pattern (we kind of freestyled it), we picked out our colors, and got to work.

I haven't done any beading before so I didn't quite know what to expect.  The repetition of stringing the beads was nice, it required enough focus that I felt "in the zone", but could still carry on a good conversation (at least until the string knotted and Molly the knot-untyer extraordinaire had to come to the rescue).

I was pretty slow.  I think it took me an hour to get these first few rows done. (maybe not, but close)

My teacher reminded me that it wasn't a race, but you can clearly see who was bringing up the rear.

Happily, we all finished and were able to proudly sport our new bracelets.  I'll tell ya, I have a whole new appreciation for you bead-stringers out there, this was time-consuming work.  I think I can also see how it could be kind of addictive too.

Sanity restored and I have a cool bracelet to boot.  That's a pretty good way to spend a Wednesday afternoon.

Have you done any bead stitching?  Have you taken a class to learn a new skill lately?  What do you do to coax your sanity back from the brink?

Happy Thursday, all.