A week or so ago, I posted Be Confident! and have had some great conversations with my crafty friends about [re]gaining confidence.  At the same blog, I saw a post today and I swear they are reading my mind!  Are you a Perfectionist?  Is being a perfectionist causing you to find excuses to not start a project, or feel like a project is never finished?  Do you have a “creative block” or feel overwhelmed and can’t focus?

The first sentence grabbed my attention.  “At the core of perfectionism is fear. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of not measuring up to other’s expectations.”  EEEKKK, who got inside of my head and wrote about me?  How to Stop Perfectionism From Ruining Your Art Career had some very real examples and solutions that affect a lot of us, whether you are an artist or not.  I was just saying I compare my work to others and never think it is good enough…their solution, “Instead of comparing, take a minute or two to truly admire those artists’ talent and hard work—without jealousy or anxiety. Then, figure out what you can learn from them and use your comparisons in a positive way.”  Why didn’t I think of that?

My goodness, don’t be so hard on yourself.  The first step, like many things, is to admit you are a perfectionist.  Despite the root word, perfect, perfectionist is not a pretty word.  Do something wild like arrive 15 minutes late to an appointment or leave your desk messy when you leave work.  Repeat after me…”no one is perfect.”

The quickest way to gain self-confidence is to do something you are afraid to do.  Make a list and watch yourself grow.

It has been over a week since Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and Hurricane Irma terrified the Caribbean and Florida.  There was so much devastation–people we know lost everything.  After Hurricane Andrew hit Miami in 1992, I think people started taking the storms seriously.  After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 and the levies failed, flooding homes above the doorways, people took notice.  The difficulty with all these storms is you do not know exactly where it hits until it hits!  Irma was forecast to hit Miami as a Cat 5 storm, potentially 150+ mph winds.  Instead, it wrapped around the state, and the eye went over Fort Myers and Tampa–they were not even ready! Irma’s diameter covered the State of Florida so every city received rain and winds–and devastation.

Fortunately for us, we did not have any damage to our home.  Unfortunately, most Florida residents were without power for days…up to a week.  Our power went out for 2 days but our Internet was out for almost a week.  There are stories of families rebuilding after last year’s storm, Hurricane Matthew, only to be hit again by Irma.  One friend of mine lost all their possessions during Hurricane Matthew in a rented apartment because they did not have renter’s “flood” insurance.  After Irma, they  moved.  One of my students lived in a condo in Crescent City that was hit by a tornado…fortunately they evacuated but lost everything.

One of my students lived in this condo. A tornado hit, destroying the building.

We have to remember Mother Nature’s furry is no fault of our own but we cannot control the forces.  I cried reading stories of the good Samaritans, those who saved, those who lost, those who loved.  But once the water subsides, will the hate be renewed?  During a time of controversy about confederate statues, can we put life into perspective and choose our battles?  Probably not.  But for a short time, we all came together as one community and helped weather the storm.

The St. Johns River had historical flooding. This is Memorial Park before and after the storm.

Looking for a bright new day.

I just love my Magnolia girls.  Here is my latest DT inspiration card.  If you read my last blog post, you’ll know why I cringe when I say “inspiration” card.  If you only knew how much time I spend creating a rough draft of the card, putting it together, tearing it apart, finding new paper, starting over, recoloring to match new paper…you would understand why I think inspiration rhymes with frustration!

I love this finished project.  The more embellishments the better, as far as I am concerned.  I love the pink and green combination, the dainty lace and beaded trim, but I especially love my Foamiran flowers!  For this card, I used white Foamiran, cut the shapes on my Silhouette, and sprayed them with  “Cotton Candy” Color Bloom Spray Mist by Prima.  I LOVE Prima, especially my favorite designer Frank Garcia.  I have been on two scrapbook cruises with Frank and look forward to going to Alaska with him next August!  Oh boy, I digress…(but first a couple pictures).

Caribbean cruise with Frank Garcia and Janel Longoria (2016).

Mexican cruise with Jodie, Frank Garcia, and Janel Longoria (2017).

So here is my Tilda Love–I hope you like her!

Stamp:  “Welcome to my Birthday” from the Yay – It’s your Birthday Collection (2017)

Paper:  Maja Designs
Embellishments:  From my stash!
Colored with Copic Markers:
Skin:  E000, E00, E11, R20
Hair:  E23, E51, E53
Green Shirt:  YG05 and YG07
Jumper:  R81, R83, R85, R89

Every day is a chance to create a more beautiful you!

Have you ever lacked self-confidence as an artist?  Boy I have…and do!  After all, art is a direct reflection of yourself and you don’t want someone criticizing your art, which means they are criticizing you.  In high school, a teacher told me I would never make it as a journalist and I should choose another major.  Talk about stabbing me in the heart!  I no longer had the confidence to be a journalist, so I did not pursue it.  All it takes is one teacher to humiliate you or say the wrong thing to rob you of your confidence and deprive you of your dreams.

I have always liked to draw.  I went to college at the University of Florida and I decided to major in architecture–a form of art that paid a lot more than if I were a starving artist.  That major was short lived, as well as about six other majors.  Finally, I decided to major in fine arts during a time when computers were being introduced and graphic arts was a up-and-coming career.  I met my first husband, quit school, and got married.

Fast forward many years and I started scrapbooking to save memories of my family.  I learned about Copic markers and started making cards.  I became a craft-o-holic.  For the longest time, however, I did not show anyone what I made.  I was embarrassed and afraid they would think it was ugly or not good enough.  What is good enough?  I liked it, sure, but I would look at my friends’ projects and always thought they were better than mine.  I did not have confidence in myself.  But how do you get confidence back?

I found a great blog article by a psychologist, Dr. Gomez, who specializes in helping artists [re]gain their confidence.  I could relate to so much of what she said.  I have a great support group (a shout out to my girls at Creative as I Want to Be and the Loopies), and I am understanding that practice and lifelong learning are keys to developing confidence.  Once you are confident in yourself, people will look to you for help and you can make a difference in someone’s life.

A couple months ago, a friend contacted me about a design team position open with my favorite stamp company, Magnolia-licious.  I told her there was no way I would be selected.  But there was a group of ladies who had faith in me, were confident in my abilities, and convinced me to give it a shot.  I sent pictures of my cards and sure enough, I was selected for the team.  I still struggle with confidence and ask my friends what they think before I submit a project…but I keep reminding myself that there are people who are confident in me…I might as well be confident in myself.

Remember there is only one you…you are the only one with your talents…don’t be afraid.  Be confident and show the world what you can do.

The Magnolia-licious Challenge is under way so come join us! Here are the basic rules.

• Must use a Magnolia, Stamping Bella, Whimsy Stamps, or CC Design Image.
• Mention Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog on your blog.
• Make a direct link to your entry using the Link at the bottom of the post.
• No more than 3 entries per person, per challenge.
• Closing time for entries is 6:00PM EST the Monday before the new challenge.

Here is my DT card for the challenge, which is “anything goes” plus “pearls.”  Isn’t she just stinkin’ cute?  The minute I heard pearls, I knew what I wanted to do.  The card turned out better than planned.  I created a mini-easel card that folds flat for mailing…and embellished it with…you got it…pearls!  The pearls on the card will  hold the easel in place.

Stamp:  Tilda Swimming, 2011
Paper:  Stampin’ Up Pacific Point and Pumpkin Pie; pattern paper unknown
Sizzix Framelit: Large scallop (diameter 4 inches)

Copics:
Hair:  E50, YR31, YR24, E35
Skin:  E000, E00, E01, E11
Bathing Suit, Slippers, and Oysters: YR04, YR07, YR09

Directions: Cut Pacific Point 9-1/4 X 4-1/4 inches.  Score at 5-1/4 and 7-1/4 inches. Cut pattern paper 9 X 4 inches.  Score at 5-3/8 and 7-3/8 inches.  Cut large scallop and cut design with a 3-1/2-inch diameter.  Cut a piece of Pumpkin Pie 3-3/4 X 2 inches. Adhere as shown in the picture.  Embellish with pearls. Oysters were images on the computer, cut out, colored, and embellished.

I hope you have enjoyed Swimming Tilda and you will visit us at the Challenge Blog.  Thanks for stopping by!