Thursday, January 30, 2025

Friday Face off and SAHRR update

I will start with the update on the SAHRR quilt I am making. I completed the other side part and have it all sewn together now.  
Oh my goodness, how I am loving this thing. I started with a rectangle so that it wouldn't be square but now it is almost square again.  LOL.  I will have to add strips at some point to the top and bottom to make it a rectangle again.   I am trying to stay within a color palette for this one.  So far, so good.  But, I confess that I keep wanting to add a red or a yellow in it. 
Will I be able to resist?  Stay tuned! 

Now for the Friday Face Off  I am sharing my face. 
In a weaving class, we talked about creating with eyes that shine. 
I think my eyes are shining with creative joy in this photo.

Ignore the fact that I need a shave in the photo.  Ha ha. You can ignore the 
"frosting" in my eyebrows also.  I am "too far gone" to cover all the gray. 

One comment I got said "I wish I were as creative as you are" 
My Reponse:
Here are a couple of things I have written especially for people who wish they were creative.
People say "You are so creative, I don't have a creative bone in my body."
I say "Of course you do."
The thing is that these people are afraid of failure. If you want to be more creative you need to accept failure as just one of the steps in the process. Do I fail? Ha ha! Yes, at least as much as I succeed. But I try to learn from it and go forward to create again.
Sure you will make a mess. You will waste some materials. You will be ashamed to show the thing you made. But you will grow. You will make something you ARE PROUD to show - and honestly that first something you are proud of probably won't be so great. But it is another step forward. And as you keep stepping forward, you get better and better. Your "failures" are not (generally) as bad.
You learn to laugh at your mistakes and fix them or do it again, without saying "I am just not that creative."
At that point, people will be telling you "You are so creative, I don't have a creative bone in my body." But you will know that they only need to channel what is innately there.

Creative work doesn't require that you start with talent. You just need to show up and be willing to try again and again. Mistakes are part of the process. Sometimes, they are a part of the joy of creating. And sometimes they are learning experiences.
-Gene Black


Have a wonderful weekend. 

Until Next Time,  
Stay Creative 


Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

13 comments:

Danice G said...

Thank you for the creative inspiration. Grey hair, well, I'm not quite ready to "go grey" yet, so keeping mine colored. 'Nothing is wrong with grey hair, though.

roentare said...

You look excited

Iris Flavia said...

Looking forward to see the finished quilt, and, grey, so what, as look as your eyes spread so much excitement!
Creativity... I am not afraid of failures, just sometimes that area is like a black spot!

My name is Erika. said...

Oh your eyes are shining Gene. The happiness of a project going forward and (it does) looks gorgeous. I can't sew a straight line to get the corners so nice in a quilt like you do, so I do appreciate your art. Have a super end of the January and start to February. Erika

Christine said...

Lovely quilt, photo and beautiful writing.

Carola Bartz said...

The quilt is lovely and I like the colors you are using. And how do I love seeing your face - yes, your eyes are definitely shining.
Great words about creativity and very inspiring.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful quilt work creation ~ divine colors and design~ thanks,

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

peppylady (Dora) said...

You have lovely blue eyes.

Jennifer said...

Please resist red or yellow. Its so nice as is!

DVArtist said...

You are creative on so many levels. It must be gratifying. Hmmmm frosting huh? LOL I love it. I don't see where you need a shave though. As for the quilt, it is a brilliant design. Thank you for sharing all your art with FFO

Vicki W said...

You should love it, it's looking fantastic!

Kathleen said...

Your SAHRR is looking great, as are you! Thanks for your sharing your creativity and eyes that shine.

Jeanna said...

Everything is better with frosting, Gene!