Tuesday, May 29, 2012

I Can

I am a bit in love with Commonwealth Bank's latest advert with an Ode to The 'Can'... (http://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/can/). I have to admit that life has been a little busy here & building a business is tiring and rewarding and tiring. Sometimes it is just difficult to switch my mind off...it feels like it is on the clock 24/7. This morning I took one look at our messy/creative house,  glanced at my To Do list, felt my tired body ache & heard my head say loud and clear "I CAN'T". Its funny because I think that when I am feeling like this, I probably often say to myself "I can't". But today, thanks to the Commonwealth Bank's advert, I heard this voice and decided to turn it into "I can". 
I can take one step at a time.
I can do my best.
I can stop for a cup of tea.
I can.

And as I expressed my thoughts to my patient husband... he jumped online and found me this poem! It is fabulous! Whatever you are facing today...I hope the "I can't" doesn't steal your courage. You can.

Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken; 
Doing more harm here than slander and lies; 
On it is many a strong spirit broken, 
And with it many a good purpose dies. 
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning 
And robs us of courage we need through the day: 
It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning 
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way. 

Can't is the father of feeble endeavor, 

The parent of terror and half-hearted work; 
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever, 
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk. 
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision, 
It stifles in infancy many a plan; 
It greets honest toiling with open derision 
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.


Can't is a word none should speak without blushing; 
To utter it should be a symbol of shame; 
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing; 
It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim. 
Despise it with all of your hatred of error; 
Refuse it the lodgment it seeks in your brain; 
Arm against it as a creature of terror, 
And all that you dream of you some day shall gain. 

Can't is the word that is foe to ambition, 

An enemy ambushed to shatter your will; 
Its prey is forever the man with a mission 
And bows but to courage and patience and skill. 
Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying, 
For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man; 
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying 
And answer this demon by saying: "I can."
-by Edgar Albert Guest

Monday, April 9, 2012

Perfect in our Imperfections

Found this on Pinterest today.... I love it. Yes, I have a small addiction to both triangles and circles (as per my 'hoop illustrations'), so naturally I like the simple illustration. But I think it is the phrase that caught my heart. Perfect in our Imperfections. Technology allows us to have an online presence & present ourselves however we like. There are days when I am not well, or depressed (errk... I hate that word), or I am having a bad hair day...whatever it may be, I am able to sit behind this computer screen and only allow the world to see what I want them to. I am so far from perfect and I know that I will never be, but I think I secretly hope that I could one day be 'close to perfect'! It actually sounds ridiculous just even typing those words. When I fail, when I am down/depressed, when I struggle with life's pressures, when I am not 'perfect', it is way too easy to see myself as weak & broken. I am always going to work towards improving my weaknesses, but I completely accept that I am full of faults, I am human and have imperfections...they are not necessarily a weakness but part of the wonderful 'jigsaw' that fits together to make me the person I am. I am perfect in my imperfections. I like who I am. Actually, I choose to love who I am. What a wonderful life this is.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Featured Artist

Such a delight to see that I am the featured artist on The Finders Keepers blog today! Looking forward to my next Melbourne trip with Dave to Finders Keepers Market!

http://www.thefinderskeepers.com/blog/2012/03/featured-artist-gretel-girl/


Sunday, March 18, 2012

A Little Bit of Wood Working...




As I get ready for Bowerbird Bazaar (23-25th March) I have decided to create a new stall display... I am getting there but wood-working is definitely not my strength. With great ease I was able to draw the new display & with much enjoyment I designed how this display would be assembled. In fact my new wooden structure can also be collapsed to make travelling in the car easier. But... putting this thing together (so that it is functional) is quite a task. I have visions of the shelves collapsing and my Bowerbird stall being a table full of broken vintage plates. Hence I have used an excessive amount of screws and nails! If in doubt put a nail in it, has been my motto. I have sawdust everywhere! Half a dozen power-tools lay scattered across my backyard. My fingers and toes are crossed.  Only 5 days to go with no time for sleep.  My excitement and extreme weariness link arms & onward we go....

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Geo Love



Mid January I had the absolute pleasure of flying to Melbourne to visit friends & get some creative juices flowing.  I don't remember the last time I had a cloud-free flight to Melbourne...it was clear skies the entire journey & I was mesmerised by the beautiful landforms below. The geometric shapes of fields locking in against rivers and creeks... the straight lines of roads cutting through the landscape. I had not even reached Melbourne yet & I was already inspired. The need to make geometric brooches was overwhelming hence when the plane landed, polymer clay was bought & the creating began!
For those of you who know me, I love a bit of stitching & these brooches wouldn't be complete without a touch of thread.
Bowerbird Bazaar is fast approaching & I am looking forward to unveiling these beauties! After Bowerbird you will be able to purchase these & many other new items online or at selected local shops.