I am not from a quilting background, so I don't really know a lot about Journal Quilting. I went back to my old issue of Quilting Arts (Fall 2006) and read Maria Elkins' article about her experiences with Journal Quilting, hoping to get some insight. Of course, she addressed things I was currently struggling with in the Bead Journal Project. One of the most important points was: Don't be afraid to fail. Of course "fail" has a different meaning for each of us and one person's "fail" is another's great creation.... And so many great things have come from failures or mistakes, so why do we agonize over this? She also said every piece you make doesn't have to be a masterpiece. It is pretty unrealistic to believe, especially when you are trying new things, that you will always be inspired and always be at your best at any given time, i.e. all year long for the Bead Journal Project, for instance. She also said that she wishes someone had told her to just play and have fun. Isn't that when you are the most creative, when you are relaxed and open-minded?
It is with these thoughts in mind that I begin the July project. Oh, and you can see my June project here.
~Lin Moon
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11 comments:
I LOVE your page! It's so art nouveau, yet very simple and playful.
Nice movement to your page. Great advice about not being afraid to fail. I will need to locate that magazine too and check out the article. I knew I have been getting that magazine almost from the beginning for a reason. I haven't looked at them yet, but I am sure there will be great ideas for the bead journaling in it.
Haven't gone to look at your page yet... will do so in a moment... but I just had to say THANKS for this wonderful post! It's so true... to PLAY and to have FUN... that's what it's all about. They just don't have to be perfect.
It makes me think of the shore and breaking waves. Beautiful.
Arline
Lin your pieces is gorgeous & yes, it does look like you did have fun doing it. Loved the musing on Maria Elkin's article. I've always believed that you must always try something new & at times fail to go on. LOL! I can't tell you how many times I've "fallen" but jumped right back up, brushed myself off & headed for the next stop on the road of life. Sometimes it is funny, but back on the way up, my eyes will notice something that I hadn't seen before & that triggers a new opening in my soul. BTW, some of my doll making friends tell me it is not a failure or a mistake, but a creative turn. dot
I love the dynamic sense of movement here!
amo molto le linee curve e sinuose, il senso di movimento e fragilità!
Your piece is soothing. Very simple looking but extremely effective. Makes me want to bend and curve with it.
Fail? You mean we might fail? Oh no, we can't do that! Yes, that's just how I tend to feel. Usually I just keep on keeping on and it comes around. I think it comes from people thinking art is an extra rather than a necessity. "Learn a real trade so you'll have something to fall back on when your art FAILS you" or "I don't know, that doesn't look like a Rembrandt". It seems our whole outlook on life is at stake every time we set out to create something. It's so nice to be around a whole group of people who understand every act of creation is important whether its a masterpiece or not. Glad you brought this up. We have to keep telling ourselves to enjoy the process. Play? One of my goals is to do just that.
Thank you for reminding me about the article.
I shall have to go digging this afternoon.
Your piece is quite nice. I'm such a blue fan and this just made my morning!
Thanks for the reminder!
It is my goal to get to that place as quickly and happily as possible when I have time to work on my projects.
Beautiful page and inspiring words. I forget where I heard or read it first, but it has stayed with me for a long time... You never fail until you stop trying. Words to live by I think and you've captured that feeling perfectly.
Looking forward to your July page!
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