Twenty-Seven Pairs of scissors and a Birthday Surprise!

I consider myself to be a creator. 'Gemini' in the Zodiac, both whimsical and creative, naturally by the astrological forces of duality. A 'Yellow Magnetic Sun' in the Mayan Dreamspell facing the duality of masculine and feminine. One may say that it is in my nature to have two vital opposing energies within me. Not only must I try to embrace this opposition daily, but these polarities are inspired creatively faster than I may keep up. Such inspiration results in twenty-seven different projects on the go at any given time. What may those twenty-seven projects be? Where to begin?

Let's start with the inspiration process. Inspiration can strike from anywhere at any given moment. Drawing inspiration is like drawing a fresh breath of air. Inspiration is in the steps that I take. It comes from the music I hear and the vibrations my feet and heart feel, from listening to the children and nature, from current events in the world or hurdles in life's path. It comes from isolating each of the senses and fine tuning each one to become more acute synthesized together. I then ask, how can I reuse this? How can I make it unique? How can I take pain, happiness, joy or everyday experiences and turn them into art? What will make it beautiful, powerful or distinct? 

If I go to the top floor of my house and work my way down, perhaps you will get an idea of just how many projects one person may have on the go simultaneously, yet still maintaining some form of order amid this beautiful chaos. Of course, for every creative project, you need various tools to accomplish the job accordingly. One instrument, however, that I consistently find myself needing for every project at hand is a well-sharpened pair of scissors. Is that to say that I use the same pair of scissors for all my evolving masterpieces? Defiantly not! Every good craftsperson will understand the importance of a different pair of scissors for each material that needs cutting. Some may refer the excessive amount of scissors in my home to OCD tenancy; however, these people do not understand scissors. Others may call me crazy. To those people, I say, "Watch out!" I love scissors so much that I run in circles with them, yet somehow I manage to spiral at least somewhat gracefully.

I guess it is best to begin to educate those unfamiliar with the sheer significance of a sharp pair of scissors and how important it is to maintain precision by keeping them specifically for cutting one thing in particular. If one were to use their scissors for multiple uses involving different materials, this would result in unrepairable dull blades, making them utterly useless. Furthermore, even the slightest nick or notch almost invisible to the eye on an otherwise perfect edge could result in a horrific disaster. In short, one of my greatest pet peeves.

Now that you are all aware of the importance and delicacy of the beautiful art of cutting, I hope that you will find my obsession with scissors entirely practicable and reasonable. There is something magnificent about the sound of a freshly sharpened edge making its first cuts. Every material has its unique tune, whether textile, leather, metal, plant, paper or plastic. I am fascinated by the profound construction and balance in a quality pair and their versatility for people with different grips, both right and left dominant. To get a better idea of all the many uses of such an important tool, I will start in my upstairs bathroom.

 Pair Number One:

Hair scissors. This particular pair of scissors is for the ongoing project of maintaining my long hair. You see, I live out of town, and I have a minimum of twenty-seven art projects on the go at once. I also have various maintenance projects, building projects around the property, daily household maintenance and motherly tasks. Getting into a hairdresser for a regular haircut is time-consuming and unnecessary. Instead of making an appointment that I may get distracted by one of my many projects and miss, I can use my creativity to cut my hair any way I see fit at any spontaneous moment. Although it is not always a successful self-cut. I have had a horrendous mishap a time or two, resulting in a hipster mullet gone wrong, and believe me, I am no Scarlett Johannsen. Luckily for me, I was able to speak professional help before it all went "Pete Tong," and I was able to avoid going straight "Britney." Appreciating those not-so-glamorous incidents, I know that most people have had a bad cut, so I have little shame. However, I have learned a fine line and when to draw it with my self-debauchery. While avoiding a hair-do-hurricane is critical, it is also essential to maintain my wild mane by regularly trimming dead ends. This pair of scissors, of course, is invaluable and must be kept sharpened and ready for action as my hair is a project in itself. 

In the room beside my bedroom is my closet/sewing room. In my sewing box, you will find:

Number Two:

A freshly sharpened pair of scissors labelled, "Fabric Use Only!" The most recent project in this room, surpassing the pile of refurbished clothing that I was previously redesigning and creating, is a new set of curtains for my little camper restoration project, my sweet Glendetta. This passionate little side project, I have found myself amid, began because the bright orange floral pattern on the thin worn 70's curtains previously in the camper was not the vintage look I am going for nor can appreciate. These curtains screamed grandmother's old tacky couch only louder and brighter. Of course, I love Scooby-Doo and that 70's show. I rocked my mother's 70's clothing since before flares came back in style and went back the way they came. My entire home consists of up-cycled, reused and refurbished furniture and furnishings. As much of a fan of vintage-retro as I am, these curtains did not do justice. 

I am replacing them with much thicker blue with a bronze floral designed upholstery fabric which I managed to score a few meters under ten dollars at the local thrift store. By no means my all-time favourite pick, but it was a steal of a deal and, of course, does not scream orange at me. All in all, I am winning! Not that this flower power fabric will end up in the garbage. As someone who takes small steps to lessen my environmental footprint, these curtains will turn into doll clothing or gift wrapping. I have only completed one set of curtains with matching ties for the first window, yet it has been a gratifying project thus far. 

I have found great joy making these as my five-year-old daughter has helped immensely by learning to pin and learning to sew buttons on the ties—proud and memorable moments for a mother who considers herself a somewhat handy seamstress. It does hold sentiment to me, looking back, sewing was one of the first crafts my mother had taught me as she made the entire set of 'Strawberry Short Cake' dolls when I was a child. Having five children, she always made our Halloween costumes and my dance outfits. I still have clothing she made me as a premie baby. Sewing also played a role in my father's side of the family as my Oma made clothing for her seven children. I recall watching my Oma with her old Singer to pass the time, absolutely fascinated with the needle and its rotation. The way she would glide the fabric with such flawless skill was mesmerizing. 

I, however, do not believe myself to be the most talented seamstress as much as I enjoy the satisfaction of sewing and creating a project. Sewing has just never been my number one passion due to the simple fact that sewing depends greatly on machines. Although I own both a sewing machine and a serger, I will be the first to admit to my lack of knowledge in maintaining them, proving to be frustrating and costly on more than one occasion. Call me old school or simplistic, but I have a particular personal preference for handheld tools.     

Now, if we travel downstairs onto the main level of my home, we will find several different scissors in various places. 

Pair Three:

The kitchen scissors. As they are probably one of the more frequently used scissors in the house, they are of great importance. To some, this pair may seem very generic and hold no particular value; however, to me, this pair is one of the most important and versatile. It is the only pair that I will use for cutting plastic (I cringe at the word, sadly our world is full of it.) Whatever else needs to be cut quickly on hand, they are there to do the trick. Unfortunately, due to the resourcefulness of these, this pair takes a beating. It may not seem to be of any use for any creative project, but if you are genuinely a creator, you will see the beauty in all things, including food. 

Of course, this pair is used daily for cutting open packages to add to the creative explosion of flavour that happens two to three times a day during mealtime. For example, my breakfast will involved cutting open an organic veggie sausage package to add with refried beans, farm-fresh organic free-run eggs and cilantro from my garden to craft 'Huevos Rancheros.’ Some may wonder if I use fast-prep herb shears for this task? Sadly no, I do not yet own a pair, and as much as I would like a set, I do not wish to be overly obsessive. Lunch will consist of cutting open a packet each of scallops, white fish and prawns to dose in lime juice and Mezcal to soak a few hours before adding all the delicious ingredients for Watermelon Ceviche. Once gloriously combined, I will feast on the patio during an overcast June afternoon complemented with a seasonal Blackberry Mocktail Mojito made with fresh home-grown organic chocolate-mint while contemplating which project to tackle after the dishes. After all, it's the eve of my birthday, so a bit of self spoiling is in order.

In my small but functional office space adjacent to the kitchen, I sit facing the window amongst plants, sun catchers and crystals while managing a handful of tasks, requiring, of course, a few sets of scissors.

Number Four: 

Paper scissors. These scissors also have many purposes. I'll start with the obvious and mundane; general office tasks. Yes, in life, there is always paperwork. However, when running a home art business, there is even more paperwork. Tackling the endless pile requires a sharpened and ready-to-go pair. I prefer a smaller set for these tasks, making it quick and easy to cut any paper shape needed. Paperwork aside, I have a couple of other projects continually unfolding. As it is a convenient space in the well-lit dining area with large windows and skylights, it is here I enjoy sipping a morning coffee and creating birthday cards for friends and relatives or inspirational collages. My current collage project is a “money tube,” to inspire retreat-vacation savings.

Beside my desk is my daughter's small children's desk. It is here I taught her the art of paper-cutting. It was creating our first snowflakes together during the holiday season, which initiated her desire to grasp and use a pair of scissors properly. After many hours of delicately folding and cutting pieces out of white paper until our windows filled up with dangling flakes of magic, she too fell in love with scissors. After snowflakes came hearts. So many little hearts, which she continues to draw and cut out and glue or tape onto anything possible. I had a similar fascination with folding and cutting paper as a child. I loved origami and creating cutouts of all shapes. I lost a passion for this art over the years until being lucky enough to relive the elegant experience with my daughter. Bringing us to,

Pair Number Five: 

Children's scissors. I can not claim this pair as my own, clearly as they belong to my daughter. However, I find them helpful from time to time. I have to admit that watching her continue to gain dexterity in creating her art is equally, if not more satisfying, than making my own. But the best moments are collaborating. Our most recent project was a paper-mâché dinosaur volcano for her fifth birthday in which we cut strips of paper to practise cutting straight lines and to mâché a masterpiece ready for eruption. This project turned into a continually developing adventure as we had to find ways to make barricades and caves to protect my daughter's favourite species of dinosaurs. Our goal is to continue building the land by adding some sand play areas and a swamp. It will be her first show and tell to take to school and erupt with her new class. The suspense builds with each addition as if we are both standing on the ledge of the volcano itself, looking down at our friends and foes below, wondering which herbivores and omnivores will escape the catastrophic event and which deadly carnivorous will be swallowed up by the molten.

 Pair Six:

A personal favourite of mine. "Scissor hands." Our hands are naturally equipped with a great set, as my five-year-old reminds me. "Little Miss Scissor Queen of Roshambo," or "Rock, Paper Scissors," is always challenging her father or myself to a round or best out of three. We use a quick game to settle some of the discrepancies at home. It is amazing how fun a simple match can be to blow off just the right amount of steam before reactions rise out of control. Five-year-olds have big goals as well as big emotions. This simple game will allow a child to feel like some of the decision-making is in their hands, giving them a choice as long as they are strategic enough to be the winner—a negotiation tool to try and sway the house rules her direction. It can turn what would otherwise end up in tears into laughter and a good case of the sillies. The only rules are, there are no sore losers. Of course, if there is some leeway to the conflict on the table, I will lay down my "paper," and nearly every time, I will feel her delicate little "scissor" fingers snipping at mine, granting her the winner and the rules bent. If, however, the battle at hand must be declared a hard "No," I will have no choice but to slam down my "mom rock," crushing her poor little dreams of having a cookie after brushing her teeth before bedtime. If I draw "scissors," it will always tie, making us both laugh as I play along and act surprised.  

Number Seven: 


Collapsable, compactable backpack scissors. Simple. Easy. Accessible anyplace, anytime, anywhere. Life happens fast, and creativity can strike at any moment. Packed, ready in the mom-backpack for any emergency repairs or some inspiration for something new on the fly. These are essential and perfect in a pinch.  

Pair number Eight:

The dog grooming scissors. This pair is for a continually ongoing project I refer to as "Project Pollux." Anyone with a long, double-coated northern breed dog will understand the ongoing project and all the creativity and perseveration it requires. Considering that Pollux is now fifteen and has well outlived her twin Gemini brother Castor, she has become even more of a handful to groom. As a young and loving dog, she soaked up the attention of grooming and brushing was never problematic. As she has aged over the last few years, she has been unable to go to professional groomers for her bi-annual spa day. Now it's a project all in itself to trim her bum hairs while she sleeps. While she's awake, well, you have to get highly crafty. Defiantly an art I try my best to master and yet proves to be continually challenging. Of course, this pair must keep as sharp as possible because time is of the essence, and a quick snip with an exact cut is an absolute necessity.

Now we will head down to my art studio on the ground floor. Here we will find the following: 

Pairs Nine through Fourteen:  

Scrapbooking edgers with different patterns. "Lighting," "Stamp," "Arabian," "Heartbeat," "Mini-Pinking," and "Victorian." Resembling an array of Zig-zag, wave, curve and lace cuts. Scrapbooking in itself is a time-consuming and strategic craft that one may find frustrating but oddly satisfying. I create them as gifts to my family from cover to cover, which the bodies I make out of hand-stamped and stained leather. All of these scissors have a unique purpose when creating borders for pictures or embellishments. Of course my daughter fallowes in my foot-steps and has found a love for scrapbooking her Polaroid pictures alongside me.

Pair Fifteen:  

General crafting scissors. A separate studio set, more versatile, similar to my kitchen scissors—overall, a handy pair. Not much to report, but defiantly not overlooked or forgotten. 

Then, of course, I have:

Pair Sixteen: 

My generic leather scissors, which I have for general cutting of leather laces or any thinner leather, requiring less precision or a "quick leather cut." As these are serrated, they also come in handy for specific edge techniques, enhancements or enrichments depending on leather thickness. 

Bringing us to the most expensive pair of scissors that I own:

Pair Seventeen: 

My heavy-duty leather scissors or shears, rather as they have a blade that is longer than six inches. This pair labelled, very clearly stating in bold font on the front of their case, 

"MOMMA BEAR'S LEATHER SCISSORS! MOMMA BEAR WILL ROAR!" 

You see, this particular pair costs upwards of $300; unlike my hair scissors, they are much, more of a prized possession as my leatherwork is one of my most significant life's passions. Unfortunately, they are also not sold in my area, making replacement slightly more complicated. As for my leather projects, of course, I always have more than one on the go at all times. Currently, I am working on a scrapbook cover for my mother, a knife sheath for my partner, a journal cover with a matching bookmark as a gift for a friend, a miniature top hat for a children’s photoshoot and of course, a single earring to match the one I lost.

If I work overtime, it could be possible to wrap these all up within the next week except the knife sheath, as I have to admit I am having trouble sizing it perfectly to this particularly odd handle-shaped knife. The eagle on it, however, came along better than I had imagined. Other pressing matters to consider on top of motherhood, like vehicle maintenance and my Uncle's 60th birthday celebration later this afternoon, followed by my birthday tomorrow. (Yes, it is full force Gemini season) Of course, there is also a critical Vocal Media challenge deadline. No, a week is not possible. I will need two weeks minimum if I do not get too caught up making camper curtains for my little canned ham, "Glendetta."

Before we head outside to the shop and my garden, there is something else you should know about me. I love plants! All plants. Both inside and outside my home is filled with luscious green foliage. Not only are they high on my list of passions, they are also an integral part of my inspirations. So, naturally I am equip with a number of tools to care for them.

Pair Eighteen:

Hedging shears, These have recently been brought out of the shed to tackle one of my newest projects, my bonsai avocado tree. I purchased it from a cute senior couple in the area as it had outgrown their tiny home. The pictures, however, were somewhat deceiving. The tree itself was at least twice what I had envisioned. The scraggly plant stood nearly five feet tall and easy four feet in diameter. You can imagine the scene of us trying to tie down its branches and shove it in my minivan while ever so carefully as not to wake a sleeping child in her car seat. It was desperately in need of a good transplant and, of course, a good pruning. Luckily, when it comes to maintaining plants, I am well prepared.

Pairs Nineteen to Twenty-One:

Pruning scissors. Yes, three separate tools. Why three? Because we have many plants to prune. You see, not only do I have a small vegetable and herb garden, but my partner and I have been growing Medicinal Cannabis for decades. 

Now, I realize associating Fiskers publically with the Cannabis Industry is a risk. Although they have an extensive gardening section on their website, they do not seem to mention Cannabis. However, it is a risk I am willing to take. The West Kootenay Region has been a “Mecca” for Cannabis Production for decades. Yes, in the shadows of California and Colorado, but has played an essential role in the legalization. For many years Cannabis was all “Black Market Outdoor”, produced mainly "In the woods." The economy in the area was so dependant on it that even the local Walmart would stock up on Fiskars snips for the fall "Harvest Season." Whether Fiskers wishes to be recognized officially as playing a vital part in the production and processing of the industry or not, the reality is that they do and will continue to as Legalization advances on a Global Scale, and should be proud.   

Our small legal personal production facility produces some of the highest quality "Quad," or "AAAA+" buds. Some may not see it as so, but you see, growing such high-grade Cannabis is genuinely an art. It takes dedication, knowledge and creativity. Therefore, it is imperative to have various pruning tools to ensure precision cuts for pruning and cloning. That and it seems when it comes to the grow facility, we are always misplacing "that pair," so realistically, four pairs is not nearly enough. 

Walking a bit further down on the property, we will come to another shop. Inside we will find,

Pairs Twenty-Two to Twenty-Seven: 

"Trim" scissors. In this shop, there are multiple types of scissors for numerous personal preferences of people. All of which must be kept as pristine as possible, sharpened and oiled and will get replaced when necessary. After all, trimming spectacular quads requires excellent tools for immaculate precision. I mean, these are not just any buds. These are perfect buds. Every single one has been loved and cared for meticulously for weeks. They deserve only the best. Only the most skilled people handle them with the highest quality of tools. Mastering growing is not the only process of importance. Drying, curing, trimming, packaging and storing are equally important. Long hours of use require high-quality tools as well as a lot of care. We have lightweight, straight-blade quick snips which are enjoyable to use; however, call me old school, but when I sit down to tackle this exquisite manicure project, nothing can compare to my trusty, curved blade, micro tip, spring release, Fiskars snips. 

Just as I thought it was impossible to have anything left to add about creativity or scissors, I returned to the house as my daughter came to me to ask for help with my birthday surprise! 

Trying to find uninterrupted time to edit written pieces with a child in the home has proven challenging, so as any mother would do, I had set her up with the task of creating me a birthday card. I pulled out the kid's craft tote filled with unlimited supplies and helped her pick a piece of coloured construction paper. Not only did she finish my card and hide it, but to my astonishment, she had meticulously cut out a chunk of every colour of felt to make me a "birthday quilt." My heart burst as I helped guide her to assemble the puzzle of the miniature quilt. As I sat patiently smiling and holding her project still while she placed fabric pins with care. And just like that, in that pivotal moment, I was struck by inspiration with a glimpse of the future and beautiful quilts we shall create together for the beds of our little old vintage "Glendetta."