I'm going to take the Leap! On Leap Day No Less!!!

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt

Well, here goes... with a very sweet push from a friend that I just introduced myself to and took the time to write me back the nicest note of encouragement! I know you all really know her and so have I, in a way, because of her blog. I have been vacillating the notion to start a blog for awhile now but because of fear, I just never began. However, I would love to join in more, make some friends who enjoy being creative, leave comments, share, contribute, etc., so I've decided to take the plunge and dive in.

Since the fall of 2005, I have enjoyed being inspired (to say the least) by so many of you! I thank all of you who took the leap long before me, and put yourself out there to share your latest creations and some of your personal life with others! Without knowing, you have been such an inspiration to me.

Back to the beginning, I know most of you know this fun, very creative girl with a huge heart and always one to be so full of life and encouragement. Her name is Monica. If you don't know her, some how...some way, go here... Girl Gone Thread Wild , and you will see what I mean!!! I wrote Monica, to let her know I'd love to be included in the "pink artist" project. I introduced myself, because I didn't have a blog, and told her I wanted to do it but was basically not sure how to, what I'd say, and if anybody would listen. Her response was what I had to say in my note to her was BOLD and she suggested I start just that way! She even took the time to explain where and how to start. She then told me about OWOH and Polar Festival. However, our oldest dog got very ill and on February 5th, it was time to say good-bye. To say the least, it was a very difficult and emotional time. Things are better now and I have my composure again. I would have loved to have joined in then, it just wasn't the right time. Plus I had made a commitment to Bead-it-Forward and also to Pink Artist. However, if they do these next year, I will join in! So, on Monica's suggestion here goes...

I love to create art, all sorts, but I swear I was born with a needle in my hand. Sewing, embroidery, crewel, needlepoint, knitting, beading, jewelry, cooking, gardening, photography, etc., have all been my passion. However, in the fall of 2005, I began to teach myself bead embroidery and am loving it. Of course, my biggest inspiration started with Robin Atkins, Monica, Rhonda Kivett, Grace, Celticat, the Lonebeader, KV, etc., to only name a very few. There are so many of you in my favorites, I can't begin to say. My biggest regret was not signing up for the Bead Journal Project. I really have kicked myself for not joining, believe me, over and over again! I even considered until the last day and decided against it because I was working on my first piece, my family's hands and everything bead embroidered in them is representation of them. It is 22" x 22," (not that I couldn't have tried my hand at bead embroidery for the first time on a smaller scale ) and I thought if I committed myself to one more thing I would be too overwhelmed. Well, I am so sorry for not doing it, because I know I would have grown with each piece, each journaling, and even learning how to have a blog. I am a devoted fan to the BJP and stay current with everyone each week and admire everyone's work and the growth they've all conveyed. I still haven't finished the hands of my family because I veered off course, a little, and got involved with Bead It Forward (this is my second year), and then decided I could make these fun dolls to bead and make those clay faces too. Well, forty dolls later, still sitting there to be embellished and come to life, here I am. I knew when Monica asked for any contributions for the "Pink Artist," I wanted to help too.

So, as you see, I put my "Brave" patch on today and decided to introduce myself to so many of you that I feel I already kind of know. I sent my squares to Monica, yesterday, and now I'll turn around and finish up my squares for Bead-it-forward. Then it's time to reorganize myself a little. Get back to my family's hands and squeeze in a doll. I look forward to beading a doll because most of what I have beaded has been pretty planned and designed and it would be nice to do a little improvisational free-minded beading. It was such a pleasure and honor to contribute my squares. Bless her for stepping up, organizing this idea, and asking her friends for help. Bless her for putting the whole project together and following through with all the details. Bless all her friends that put their heart and soul into this project to help Monica achieve her goal and to support the cure for breast cancer. When friends have given so much, it feels wonderful to contribute and give back!

These are my squares:

I promise not to be so long-winded next post, but I thought I ought to share a little of myself this time.

Have a good weekend and keep pursuing art, life, and your dreams! Lisa