Rewrite My Orginal Story

I'm not supposed to be here. Well, at least I don't think so. I'm not exactly sure where I should be. Today I'm living this life, enjoying crafting, spreading joy and happiness, loving myself, teaching my craft, and encouraging others. My original story was written a little differently. My creativity shouldn't bring me this much happiness. This much joy. But it does! I've enjoyed art and crafting for as long as I can remember. I would enter those dumb contests to draw a frog, mouse, or pirate from the children's magazines (and never hearing back by the way) and winnings art contests at school. I loved art class, and not really the rest of school because, well, I wasn't very good at it. I didn't realize I was dyslexic until after my daughter was diagnosed.

I have a twin sister and a younger brother. My mom and dad divorced when I was 6 or 7. We moved around a lot. I didn't attend the same school for two consecutive years until high school. Those four years were great - I felt like, this was 'normal', this must be what it's like to feel like a normal kid. We did move once in those four years, but we were able to transfer to stay at the same high school. It's funny I only remember my teachers from high school and no other grades. I wish I could remember the names of the art teachers that encourage me along the way. We were always on the move, my mom trying to work to provide better for us.

When creating anything I try to put my spin on it. I don't fit into someone else's box. I'm proud of this. I live by this quote, "You will never influence the world by being just like it", this is displayed in my craft room and I love it.

I created this sign in the photo using a quote from the ever-so-talented, creative, and popular jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. She was soulful, original, and timeless. This quote shares a few of my favorite things: don't give up, love and inspiration. It reminds me to continue to work hard and to continue to rewrite my original story. To keep moving forward, even on bad days, to show up always, and to always continue to be inspired, inspire others, and love what I do. I didn't realize when I was growing up that I was writing my own story. I didn't realize then I already knew no one else could write it for me. I just would look around at the other kids and want what they had - the things my mom couldn't afford and I would file those thoughts and memories in the back of my mind and hold on to them there. When I grew up and started to have my kids, I remembered some of those things and I strive to give my kids a much better life than I had.

I created this sign using a personal cutting machine. It cuts precisely and smooth. However, to mount such a large piece of vinyl, you must use one of the original crafting tools of all time - scissors. It took some time to line it up and get it straight, once that was done, I used painter's tape to hold it in place, removing the transfer paper from one side and then the next. Alone, it's just a black and white sign, but when you had it to my colorful craft room it just comes to life. This sign, it's happy here, in my happy place. The place I love to share with others.