The creative and spiritual journey of a (textile) recycler. . .

I have thought about starting a blog for a long time now. I just couldn’t seem to get started. I thought. . what would I say, what would I do and really . . . . . who would care.

Last year I had the great fortune to witness a ‘happening’. As a spouse at a reunion (I know, groan) I was both an observer and participant. This reunion was attended by some of the most creative and talented people on the face of the planet. Really, no exaggeration! But many were holding onto life long insecurities. They didn’t think they were talented enough and embarrassed to perform in front of each other for fear of . . who knows . . . finger pointing, whispers, laughter, ridicule of some sort for sure. Once it was revealed that many shared the same feelings, the healing began. And I was the lucky one. I got to witness it all and benefit as well.

So, the message is that we all think we are not good enough compared to someone else, but we are. Don’t let your fears and insecurities stop you. We can’t measure our own success by someone else’s talents.

This revelation and the kindness / support of strangers has propelled my creative journey to a place I had given up ever getting to. Tho I thought my creative juices were dried up forever, they have merely been reawakened. Many thanks to all involved in my process, including in-part . . Victoria B, Mrs. W., Charles Mc., Claudia H, Mary B, Cindy G, Sandy B, Traci B., Kat C, and my IAA family. So, thank you. I dedicate this blog to all of you!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

List it Tuesday!

Ok all you list writers and readers. Today's list from Artsyville is 'Been there, Done that'!

Many years ago and friend and I had a funny, as in odd, conversation. I said that I was in awe or really, jealous of her because she has had the same job now for over 40 years! WOW! Who can really say that now-a-days. What an awesome feat... and did I mention..pension.... there's a mighty fine reason to be jealous.

Well, it turned out that she was jealous of me for the many many different things I had done over the same number of years. Who knew? We lived at opposite ends of the spectrum, always wishing we walked in the shoes of the other.



Most of those reasons she wanted to walk in my shoes are my Been there, Done that...
  • made jewelry, had a rep
  • started own successful business from scratch...two times!
  • supported self with craft making
  • had an almost brush with fame... my former dance partner became one of top 5 international ballroom & Latin dancer for many years
  • never succumbed to peer pressure 
  • drove a 26 foot truck filled with everything I owned, to uncharted territories to start a new life
  • started a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization
  • had my "That Girl" moment
  • gathered a gaggle of the most wonderful & talented people in the world to call 'friend'
  • made peace with my shortcomings & embraced my strengths
  • learned to live with crazy health issues so people think I'm 'normal'
  • found relatives I never knew existed via the internet
  • had the idea & wrote proposal for two of the areas biggest events...and I mean internationally known (ding!)
  • hung out with Mark Anthony, Los Lobos, Santana, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Helio Castroneves, (ding, ding!)
  • visited the burial site of my great grandparents who fulfilled their dream to spend eternity in the holy land
I've had a great life so far. I have walked in the shadow of some truly great people. I am a blessed child. As always Aimee.. thank you for giving me the opportunity (or push) to be introspective, thankful and to grow as a person and artist.

ADDITIONS TO LIST: after reading other peoples lists I am reminded of so many things that maybe I should mention... not so much for you readers, but for me. Holy Cow! How could I completely forget:
  • camped out in the Blue Ridge Mountains...was fun till I saw a bear one night.. yipes
  • was passenger driving thru mountains while driver took turns at Parneli Jones speeds :(
  • potentially saved a family's life via Craigslist
  • went to quilt show in Sisters, Oregon and spent a week hitting every quilt shop I could find (ding!)
  • went on an amazing road trip all thru the east and as far north in Canada as you can get
  • traveled thru a hurricane in progress... twice.. very scarey
  • been so shy I wouldn't speak in front of other people...to those that know me, yes it's very very true
  • showed art work in galleries as a child !
  • have known the kindness of complete strangers many times over....
  • somersaulted down a very large horses neck as a kid.. no I was not in the rodeo
  • been collecting fabric since 1956 (ding, ding, ding!)

Find more about Aimee and Artsyville @ http://artsyville.blogspot.com/

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22 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 27, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    Wow, I so would like to know more about the "that girl" time if tor life. (And I'm old enough to know what that means)
    Great list!!! I have loved these.
    Lynn

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    1. Textile RecyclerNovember 30, 2012 at 10:42 AM

      Haha Lynn.. I wondered how many of us would admit that :) Someday we should swap stories over Skype and a hot chocolate.

      Delete
  2. Tara HolmesNovember 28, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    An inspirational list, to be sure! Thanks for sharing :)

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  3. moonsweetieNovember 28, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    Love your list! Thank you for sharing :)

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  4. UnknownNovember 28, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    what a beautiful list. And it's so true that those we most admire or envy are secretly feeling the same way about us. It takes so many different flowers to make a garden. Thanks for your wonderful list, and so happy that you had a "That Girl" moment -- one of my all time favorite shows!

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    1. Textile RecyclerNovember 30, 2012 at 10:43 AM

      Thanks Jessica... ha.. we really date ourselves with 'That Girl', eh!

      Delete
  5. UnknownNovember 28, 2012 at 11:09 PM

    Oh I just love this list!!! Great post! Thanks for your kind comment on mine! franT:)

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    1. Textile RecyclerNovember 30, 2012 at 10:41 AM

      Fran, thank you! And your list is awesome little missy...and I really love to way you did it,so no prob.

      Delete
  6. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfNovember 29, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    Fantastic list! You actually drove a truck? Awesome! :)

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    1. Textile RecyclerNovember 30, 2012 at 10:40 AM

      Natasha.. yes I DID! And it was a '3 on a tree' if you know what that means... big fun on a warm, sunny summer day... loading and unloading it alone, to and from 3rd floor apartments was not as much fun I might add :(

      Delete
  7. 35jupeNovember 29, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    I also would love to know about the That Girl moment (mark me as another who knows what that means) and the big event which sounds awesome. (One of the things I think would be fun to do.)

    Such a fun list. (I would love to see some of that fabric!)

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    1. Textile RecyclerNovember 30, 2012 at 10:46 AM

      Em... sadly, I even still have some of the really old fabric..a lot tho was lost in a flood last summer :(

      Delete
  8. nicole : three by seaNovember 29, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    Just. WOW. So many cool experiences! And I love your appreciation for it all...awesome.

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    1. Textile RecyclerNovember 30, 2012 at 10:47 AM

      Thank you Nicole. I think the sum of our experiences make us who we are. I am so thankful to be who I am for so many reasons... I could have made a lot of wrong turns..

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  9. Textile RecyclerNovember 29, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    Thank you Nicole. I think the sum of our experiences make us who we are. I am so thankful to be who I am for so many reasons... I could have made a lot of wrong turns..

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  10. TriciaNovember 30, 2012 at 1:49 AM

    Great list! I've been in Oregon for five years, and still haven't made it to the Sisters quilt show. I'm hoping to get there this summer.

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    1. Textile RecyclerNovember 30, 2012 at 10:44 AM

      Tricia, back then it was mostly traditional with very little art quilts. I think now-a-days there are more art quilts. I would love to go again. I highly recommend it.

      Delete
  11. 35jupeNovember 30, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. That's hard. :(

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  12. soulbrushNovember 30, 2012 at 3:50 PM

    Great list, specially like the fact that you found rellies you didn't know you had.

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  13. Cheryl GeeDecember 3, 2012 at 7:26 AM

    Loved reading your lists. Been collecting fabric since 1956? Wow. I'll bet you have some incredible patterns and designs in that collection.

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    1. Textile RecyclerDecember 3, 2012 at 9:14 AM

      Thank you. I'm really enjoying making the lists... gives lots of food for thought and getting to know such wonderfully creative people!

      Delete

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